Ba-donka-donks, monks, and "chaise"...

Three words: baguette, fromage, et vin.

Need I say more?

I arrived in Nantes on a Monday morning, quite exhausted after a sleepless flight. I was quite happy to find a flight going straight into Nantes, since people normally flight into Charles de Gaulle and then find their way elsewhere. The airport was so tiny!! It didn't help that I had no idea what to do after I arrived though. There were hardly any employees in sight, but I managed to figure out what I had to do to get to Le Gare de SNCF without taking a taxi. While I was on the shuttle to the train station, I could saw a MacDonald's, KFC, and some other fast food chain and felt the power of capitalism...but that would be the last time I would see one...for now. Apparently, here in La Roche-sur-Yon, the closest McDonald's is a 45 minute walk away.

Being exhausted after a flight, a shuttle bus ride, and a train ride, I had to spend the day recuperating. After meeting Eleni at the train station, we walked back to her apartment to drop my luggage off. I washed my face, then we were headed off to a grocery store nearby. I already felt that we were doing a lot of walking...which I appreciated because I knew that full fat cheeses were about to enter my stomach. Eleni bought so much food for us to feast on, not to mention, a ton of different cheeses for me to try. When we got home, we had a delicious salad and chatted until Nicole et ton mec came over. We had an assiette de fromage avec les baguettes...good company and good food, what could be better? Shortly after, we had dinner, so by the end of the day, I was really stuffed. With all that good bread and cheese, how can French people not get fat?



This morning, Eleni made an amazing omelette using her crêpe pan...there were olives, onions, lardon, saucisse, and Emmental cheese...so simple, yet so good - just as life should be. After breakfast, we got ready to meet Nicole at Le Gare de La Roche-sur-Yon en route a Les Sables-d'Olonne. It was about a 20 minute train ride, and when we arrived, we met Elaine. Apparently, Les Sables is the second largest retirement town/community in all of France. Indeed, there were many elderly people and it was a bit more touristy. That meant more souvenir shops, so I was happy to get my postcards and things. There was a part of town that was decorated with seashell art all over the exterior of buildings. A lady does all of this artwork for free, and people leave bags of seashells at her doorstep so that she can continue. They are beautiful!



We had a mini picnic on the beach, because the French have very structured meal times; breakfast from ~7:00 to 9:00, lunch from ~12:00 - 13:00, and dinner from ~19:00 - 21:00pm. I noticed that people here use 24 hour time, so I'm totally not used to it! B yes - this basically means that stores and restaurants are closed during the afternoon, which can be ultra inconvenient and totally unheard of in North America. Though the weather wasn't that great - cloudy skies, windy, and occasional sunshine - the water was a gorgeous turquoise color. Afterwards, we went to Le Perriot for les desserts! I tried le crêpe au sucre, which is literally a thin crêpe with sprinkles of white sugar on top - again, simple, yet good.



So far, I am glad that I'm in small towns. I think my experience with France would be totally different if I got my first impression from Paris. I like that people speak to me in French, despite that I am obviously chinoise. I like that everything - so far - is relaxing, calm, and quiet. I like good food (simple food) and good company. I think it's a good idea that the French like their toilets in separate rooms than with the shower. I like how lush and green everything is here. From the plane, I could see miles and miles of farmland, not so many cars, and luscious trees. I like how people here don't eat out, how they don't snack. I appreciate that they like their full meals (l'apéro, l'apéritif, l'entrée, l'assiette de fromage, les desserts, un café, le digestif). And I like that un jour sans vin est un journée sans vie.



Tomorrow, we're off to Rennes! Au revoir, La Roche-sur-Yon!!

À bientôt, mes amis! Bisous!

SC

Head full of doubt, road full of promise...

So, I am getting ready for another summer of adventures! I am actually leaving for Europe in less than a week! I will be in Nantes, France for a week, and Salamanca, Spain for the next.

I'm going to France to visit my friend Eleni - she has been teaching English there to little kids for almost a year now. We are planning to spend a lot of time at the beach in Les Sables. I cannot wait to lie on the beach, feel the sun's rays on my skin, the gentle breeze through my hair, and the lullaby sounds of the rolling waves. It's been a year since my once-in-a-lifetime trip to Cuba, and maybe that's why I'm feeling nostalgic. We're also planning to spend a couple days in Rennes...Honestly, I'm really looking forward to all the bread and cheese that is going to end up in my belly :D



After spending a lovely week in France with Eleni, I will take the bus to Madrid to meet with my parents. I really dislike long bus rides because I tend to get really carsick - but I'm going to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. I think there will be less to worry since this part of the trip will be a family trip. I haven't seen my brother in over a year now (?) so it'll definitely be nice to see him again. He is currently studying in Salamanca. Our hostel is really close to the University of Salamanca, which is amazing! for me, but maybe it'll be a different story since my parents like their peace and quiet. We're going to be visiting La Alberca (a small and historically rich Medieval town), Segovia, Avila, Burgos, and back up to France for a mini-pilgrimage to Lourdes.

The only time I've been in Europe was for World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany...and speaking of which, I still need to dig up my old journals and blog about it! One of the things I'm looking forward to the most - having turned into a language nerd lately - is being able to use my French (finally!) and the few Spanish words and phrases that I've been trying to learn during the past couple of weeks.

In preparation for my trips, I've gotten myself some Lonely Planet books...I have forgotten about how much I love French history...from Charlemagne to Louis XIV, and Napoleon to Sarkozy. I've also been trying to prepare for my trip later on in the summer, which I will update you guys on later!



It feels weird to be finally done with school, but I'm still procrastinating with the packing part! There are still so many things to be done before I leave...and my schedule is more or less, pretty packed this week.

Well, I'll see you all soon on the other side of the world! A bientot!! Hasta luego!!

SC