Bonjour mes ami(e)s,
I arrived in Bordeaux yesterday and managed to stay awake after a very long day on airplanes. My connections went very smoothly and I practiced not talking to strangers (that's for Radhika). My friend Cassie met me at the airport in Bordeaux and we took the tram to her home. France is even cooler than I imagined! Right outside the window is an ancient castle wall/gate that used to meet up with the river (now a few hundred yards away) and beyond that is a bridge commissioned by Napoleon. I will take photos today around Bordeaux.
Cassie and I toured downtown BDX yesterday, and spent some time at a wonderful little park where we happened upon a puppet show in the tradition of Kukla, Fran and Ollie (UTube it). We participated with the children in warning the hero of impending harm from the crocodile behind him and sang songs with another character. We laughed so hard.
Bien sur, we took cafe many times during the day to keep me awake; I practiced my French conversation and Cassie was VERY patient. We stopped into a shop of American Vintage clothes and tried on some unique gowns; today I'll try to find it again because below it was a cool sweets shop. I love the amazing architecture and I have already picked out the apartment that I would buy. We happened upon a friend with a labrador as we walked toward home along the river...the dog Zoe was very friendly (as was the woman with her) and she played fetch with me. I know Jake would instantly fall in love with her (her accent was very French and she was SO fair skinned).
Our dinner last night was exquisite (French restaurants are now smoke free!!!!!!) and we shared creme brulee, a dark chocolate cake and a tira misu that tasted nothing like what they make in the US. Cassie assured me that French wine would not give me a headache and she was right. Great philsophical discusssions in two languages, above the din of many others undoubtedly having equally world changing conversation, made the evening pass quickly. We walked home, had another bottle of wine from the vineyards that Cassie represents and watched an old Star Wars movie. I slept soundly.
This morning Nico (Cassie's fiance) made me cafe to die for and it's raining a little. The man next door is singing opera, and I'm sure its because I'm here living large in France. It's so nice of them to all re-inforce the French stereotypes just for men (sic).
Once in while the brilliant blue sky peeks through and warms me up again. As I look onto a marvelous cathedral, the people also hanging out of the windows reminds me that I am the luckiest girl in the world and that I need to stop typing and go on my adventure today. I will take the tram all around BDX and back again - getting off to take pictures or have another cafe and croissant.
Carol
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