There were three bus loads of CIDEF students. I was on bus 1 which happened to be the one bus we borrowed from Angers local semi-professional Football team. Snazzy, no?
St. Malo happens to be a major French port and has been for centuries. It is now used primarily for British imports.
I hung out with Heidi all day and had a very good time as she is as willing to try different things as much as me, including storming the local chateau/museum. This is her!
Up the main tower of the chateau, we took great amusement with the tiny doors everywhere (shown here) and also the AMAZING views of the Atlantic and the town.
This would be the flag of St. Malo...
I continue "The French and Their Dogs" theme! I would show cats, too, but they just don't have the same constant presence of dogs.
And just before leaving, Heidi and I joined another American named James who is from Oregon for lunch at a place that was having a "Moules-Frites" special that day. Mussels are a new favorite of mine now! You might notice I also had a boule of Cidre de Bretagne. I find it very tasty and usually one can order the sweet or hard version, both being alcoholic though. I've had both and like the hard taste to compliment all my food and the sweet just by itself.
Next was Mont St-Michel and it touristy without any doubt. Bring a lot of money if you plan on purchasing ANYTHING, even a trip to the bathroom. The isle itself is fascinating to walk through with the high concentration of touristy goods and food. The monastery was breathtaking for me. Probably because of all the stairs but really it has a majesty and mystic quality I've almost never experienced before. You need to get to the monastery somehow and as Monsieur later told me, it is all a part of the pilgrimage experience. Too true.
No, I can't keep away from the dogs, especially not clever ones who can carry their own leashes. Dogs were everywhere at Mont St-Michel except at the monastery where they were forbidden.
The monastery was of course my focus and what a good focus to have. Despite the commercialism surrounding it, I wasn't at all disappointed with the legend that is THE Mont St-Michel.
Believe me, the pictures I have and the rooms and chapels there are exhaustive and there is not enough time to load all of them on this post. These are just some of my favorites. Before I finish, I leave you with one last Mon St-Michel dog.
Liz, I just finished reading half your entries at once and what a treat! It is insightful to read about your second language acquisition not only because I work in that setting, but also because of my very limited personal skill. I think you are brave and wonderfully goal-oriented. How fantastic that you represent our nation and family!
ReplyDeleteIt is most interesting to hear about both your challenges and achievements... a well balanced image. Love the random dogpix! Also love the questions you ask your local family and your observations of things in general. In case you might really wonder about this, I STRONGLY suspect your increasing skill in understanding J-B has much more to do with you than with J-B!
It must be a comfort to have Heidi in your French life... a like-minded soul who shares your focus and open eyes! I know it is hard to explain the wonder in all you see and experience. The photos help and so does your willingness to ponder aloud.
Looking forward to each entry...
Aunt Helen
ps strangely having trouble with posting... will also be anonymous:)
Loved seeing picture of bus, friend and dogs! The scenery is beautiful! What do mussels taste like? Thanks for sharing all your experiences with us.
ReplyDeleteHey Liz,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you are finding your niche like we all knew you would. Keep up the posts and the good work. We had a TEA Party at Ctown city hall Saturday and it was very exciting. Looking forward to when you are back in the States.
Bonjour from Canada!
ReplyDeleteMy name is Erika (I go by EK) and I'm from Nova Scotia, Canada. I plan on going to Angers this summer to study at the UCO apart of Saint Mary's University's study abroad program. I plan on blogging my experience as well -- and I just wanted to say thank you for blogging what's happening. The information I'm learning from reading your blog is going to be a much needed life preserver. You can only ask so much from professors from France or those who have done the program before; as an example of a question that never came up was your problem with Pin and Chip technology. I have it on my VISA but not on my debit -- something I now know to do before I leave for Europe!
Do you mind if I share your blog with the coordinator at my university?
Again, thank you so much for doing this blog and please keep it up.
~ EK