At the beginning of the month we had one week of class and then it was Spring Break. My boyfriend, Derek, arrived April 9 and was in France until April 20. The time we spent in Brest was very relaxed. Because of the weather and the holiday it was a bit difficult to do a whole lot. I showed him around Brest, we went to Morlaix, visited Océanopolis (where we saw the penguins and seals being fed -- cute!), and I took him to my favorite café on Rue de Siam. We celebrated our anniversary early at a restaurant in Brest called Le Coeur de Briezh (The heart of Brittany). We had a very delicious and enjoyable dinner there for almost 3 hours! During that time we learned that our waitress does country line dancing. Who knew you could find that in France?!
In Paris, we kept ourselves very busy! It was Derek's first visit to Paris and we saw: Champs-Elysée and l'Arc de Triomphe, Notre-Dame, Musée d'Orsay, Versailles, Eiffel Tower, Trocadero Square, Museum in the Centre Pompidou and the Catacombs. We also went to see the British group, Elbow (they are fantastic and if you don't know them you should check them out! http://www.myspace.com/elbowmusic ) They happened to be playing in Paris the weekend we were there. It was an awesome show!
The day we went to Versailles was rainy and gloomy and I wasn't in the best of spirits. However, it ended up being one of my favorite evenings in Paris. We had a glass of wine at Trocadero Square (I'd actually never been there before!). For dinner we ate at this great little restaurant called Chez Agnès near the Champs du Mars before climbing the stairs of the Eiffel Tower.
There's so much more I could say but I will leave it at that. If you're brave here is a link to the many pictures that we took while he was here...
http://picasaweb.google.com/rachel.appelt/DerekInFrance#
Since then I have been keeping myself busy by applying for teaching jobs back in the States, figuring out how to cancel my various contracts, and trying to make the most of my last month in France. Upon returning from Paris I went to a farewell barbecue (for a friend of ours who is in New York for the next three months). My favorite aspect of the meal itself was the end. Viviane wrapped Camembert in aluminum foil and set in the hot ashes for about 5 minutes. Then we all dipped bread into the melted cheese. Only in France would a bbq end with cheese :-)
Friday afternoon I had a picnic overlooking the water at Petit Dellec (I think that's what it was called!) with Aurélie. Afterwards she took me to meet her horse that I've heard so much about.
Last night I went to see the opera Manon. Musically it was quite good. I was shocked, however, that all the leads used their scores. Unfortunately, it really took away their ability to interact with one another or portray their character.
That brings us to today! I took the bus down to Quimper to deliver a video cassette to a colleague. I was hoping to spend the afternoon there but it was pouring rain. I did manage to get myself a souvenir; piece of Quimper Faïence!
