dimanche 28 avril 2013

Vacation Take 2

     So it's Sunday (well, nearly Monday for us) What did I tell you? Procrastination is my forte. Anyways, be prepared for lots exciting stories! (They always are, of course!)

     This week we spent a lot of time in the company of Juliette's dad, Patrick. He treated us to lots of tasty desserts, (which, unfortunately, were impossible to turn down) as well as an amazing week of sightseeing and new adventures! Remember how I said we'd be gone Tuesday-Friday? Turns out Patrick had some complications with work and we wouldn't be leaving for the sea-cation house until Wednesday, but he made sure we wouldn't be bored. The first extravagant experience? An awesome day at "La Baule"! (A giant bay shaped like a crescent). The French do love their beaches!
     When we arrived, we started off by browsing the "5th Avenue of La Baule", which was the main street and general tourist area. There were lots of fancy boutiques to make me feel bad about my own clothing, and Juliette even nabbed a sparkly yellow sweater that was on big discount.
      All that walking left us with the nibbles, so Patrick treated us to a mini macaron each. Juliette and I both agreed on Framboise-Chocolat, while Caroline opted for Cheesecake. Deeeeelish! But the snacking didn't stop there. After touring the very picturesque village surrounding downtown La Baule (some houses were there before the town was!) we stopped by a snack stop called "Manuel". Their specialty? Candy, ice cream and des gaufres! (Or as Juliette called them, wiffles!)

The best tasting wiffle I've ever had ;)
     We munched away at our heavily topped 'wiffles' and headed for a seat with an overhanging view of the widespread beach that is La Baule. Unfortunately for Patrick, he was so consumed by the view that his heavy topping of whipped cream went SPLAT right on the pavement.... And all of our shoes! Even after we'd cleaned them, Juliette and I ditched the shoes anyways to go for a lovely walk down the beach, while Patrick and Caroline stayed behind to watch the waves. We snapped a couple pictures first, though!

Fam shot!

     Juliette and I danced around to Maroon 5, I challenged the waves (I think they won) and even saw some horseback riders going for a run. Afterwards, we walked around town for awhile more, and stopped to eat dinner at a fancy restaurant called "La Villa". After pigging out, we headed home for a good night's rest before we were travelling once more... This time, to Juliette's step-mom's vacation house by the ocean!
     We met Kathy for dinner twice from Wednesday to Friday, once for galettes and crepes and another for fancy Italian cuisine. She introduced me to her cat Caramel, who had a bit of a heart attack when Juliette attempted to use a "human to cat translator" app. We also went on two lovely beach walks together, to look at the piers and the many sailboats.

It only took 5 tries to get this shot - smile, ladies!

     Thursday afternoon, Patrick surprised us with a trip to the Pont-Scorff zoo! (well, maybe he just surprised me, apparently I wasn't listening to the day plan) There were many adorable French animals, including a baby elephant, a leopard who was attracted to Juliette, a show-off sea lion, and many munces! :) We also enjoyed some frozen treats in the amazing shorts weather! (and I may have even gotten... dare I say it... a tan!)

     Friday was also a super beautiful day, not only because of the weather, but also because we spent the afternoon walking through the picturesque-perfect towns of Pont-Aven and Lorient! Included in the festivities were many epicurean treats (like chocolate mousse cakes), landmark viewing (like sunken boats, painting galleries and waterwheels), and one angry white goose! The wind also took our lunch napkins and sandwich bags hostage, but I managed to salvage a few. I was super happy to have spent one of my last weeks with Juliette's dad, I'll never forget what I saw and did!

Holy beautiful!

     Then came Saturday, when my living-downtown skills were put to the test. Juliette fearfully sent me into the heart of Nantes by myself to locate the market, and to meet up with Marie and Philippe to complete the grocery shopping. I'm proud to say that I managed to recognize the words "Talensac" and follow the signs, but also used my cerveau to remember the way. While Philippe finished the shopping, Marie was very kind and bought me some Nantais souvenirs and gifts for my family. (but I won't ruin the surprise ;) ) That afternoon, I also went back to Centreville with the entire family to buy more gifts, and visit the Lafayette Galerie to help pick out some clothes for Philippe's grandson. (Philippe is going to Ghana next week while we're in Paris). It only poured rain on us a little bit! ;)

     Lastly, there was today, which could fill up an entire blog entry on its own. Juliette's best friend Léa is in town for the week, so Juliette and I got to spend the day with her out and about in Nantes. We visited the Ile de Nantes to see the giant light-up rings along a boardwalk, took a boat taxi to the gorgeous little town of Trentemoult (and made daisy chains with our new 6 year old best friends), and stopped for Cokes at a cafe on the island. After we'd made it home (exhausted, but happy), Juliette decided to bake a real French chocolate cake. Let's just say it got a little messy... But we enjoyed it nonetheless.

Getting silly waiting for the water-taxi to Trentemoult. Mischievous, much? ;)

     ONE WEEK LEFT! I can't believe it, I refuse to believe it! I've made memories here that will last a lifetime, and in the next week, I hope to make even more! Thank you to all the people who have made this last week and my entire trip generally amazing!

Stay tuned for more shenanigans, you know I'll always come through!
Bisous!
Lia

PS. Photos will be uploaded tomorrow... Flickr takes forever and I'm up late enough as it is... Darn math homework ;)

The aftermath of a chocolate battle... This warrior is still ready to put up a fight.

mardi 23 avril 2013

Clearing Up Confusion



     So apparently my humour has an acquired taste... Just gonna clear up that Juliette's not actually moving. (because we killed that spider ;) ) I also wanted to mention that this week I'm going to Juliette's step-mom's house, and since my iPod is a hateful Apple product, I probably won't be doing any blogging until we get back on Friday. And knowing me, I still probably won't get around to blogging til Saturday or Sunday. Pictures will make up for it, so hold on to your seats and start the countdown! See you guys in a couple days!

PS. I have about two weeks left in this amazing country with my fantastic family, I can't believe how fast it's gone!

Bisous, Lia
12734
Accurate.

vendredi 19 avril 2013

BREAKING NEWS

     You heard it right, folks. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Juliette has to move, preferably out of this country. Sorry for the short notice!

Only the HUGE MOTHER-FRANCING SPIDER THAT WAS LURKING OUTSIDE MY BEDROOM DOOR.
It even has a glint in its eye! It was SO plotting to kill me.

UPDATE: Thanks to my fantastic sock-throwing skills and Marie's shoe, the treacherous villain was conquered.

What a night.
Bisous, a slightly shaken up Lia

mercredi 17 avril 2013

La Fête Foraine

     Gonna be a quick entry for today, but I just wanted to share what we were up to aujourd'hui... None other than a CARNIVAL! (La Fête Foraine) Natalka, Albane, Adelie (Natalka's partner and her twin sister) and I journeyed downtown Nantes for an afternoon filled with stomach swirling, glucose-packed fun! (Although some chickens didn't want to try the big rides... (; )

Left to right: Albane, Natalka, and Adelie! (awaiting their passionfruit cotton candy)

     Included in the rides were a "futuristic" motion simulator (I wasn't too impressed to have sat on the far left... I became a cushion for everyone else and had to brace myself against the door!) a "Mouse Coaster", very similar to The Fly at Canada's Wonderland (albeit smaller) and a ride that could be aptly named "Vomitron". This I rode with only Adelie, and man did my shoulders take a beating! I fared better than the kid in the car next to us, however... Seems his lunch didn't really agree with him. (yikes!)

It was a good day.

     All in all, super fun (and HOT! Sucks to be Canada, maybe I can share our 27 degree weather with you?) I also forgot my keys today (which meant I got to do some wandering/loitering on my own), but that's beside the fact.

Rah-rah goes out to the Co-Prez elections again, hopefully they're not cancelled this week!
Bisous, Lia

I herp my derp back and forth... and try not to get it stuck in my "barbe au papa"! 

lundi 15 avril 2013

Excitement, Eating... Elephants?

     Thaaaat's right, folks! This weekend Juliette and I embarked on a city-wide, bus-hopping adventure to see some of Nantes' most impressive landmarks. But let's not get ahead of ourselves, I'll start with Friday.

     Friday was characterized by Juliette's biology class trip for a "geologique" tour. I got permission to tag along, and we sent the day on and off a coach bus looking at different rock formations throughout the countryside. (You'd think there'd be an abundance of rocks to look at in Nantes, but apparently they weren't as special as the ones two hours away.) We used our bus time appropriately, by playing "President" and "Kems" in our seats and jamming out to French/English music. One guy even brought a reaction-time shock game, which got the whole bus hopping.
     Some of the rocky areas we visited were an open gravel-mining pit, an overhanging cliff, and an orchard with a watch tower off to the side. They all proved to be a bit dangerous with 100 km/h winds (Exaggerating? Pft, no) and on/off showers all day. I slept on the bus ride home, looking at rocks can really tire a girl out!

     Saturday was a whirlwind of sightseeing. I had originally thought that the whole family would be heading out, but I guess in France everything is in such close proximity they'd seen everything before. Juliette, however, was happy to take me on a one-on-one tour, which turned out fantastic! (Despite the bitter rain and umbrella-murdering winds)
      Our first stop was the majestic elephant on the L'Ile de Bretagne. Lucky for us, just as we arrived on the island, the elephant was emerging from its shelter! It was way different than I had expected, and so much better! The elephant had so many little details, from feet that "walked" to blinking eyelashes. It trumpeted occasionally and made for a great sprinkler to boot! However, the employees were diligently shooing away tourists (like me) who got too close. I'd have to say the elephant is my favourite landmark so far! (But I haven't been to Paris yet ;) )

Bonjour, l'elephant!

       We trotted alongside the elephant for awhile (taking numerous selfies) before moving along to a giant carousel ride. Juliette asked a lady to take our picture, and we posed adorably. We didn't get to riding it, though I didn't mind. It wouldn't have been a very fun experience with the wind and rain! After that we boogied our way back to the train station, hoping that our 1-hour time limit hadn't expired. It's a long way to walk to the Chateau de Bretagne!

I'd say Madame Stranger did a pretty good job.

      The chateau was really cool, with the high stone walls and parapets (okay, I don't know if there were parapets. It just sounds like a castle must-have) There was even had a drawbridge for an entrance! There was a children's festival happening in a small building in the middle, but I didn't get to look inside. We stood up on the main walls, and obviously I took many pictures (while juggling my hood, umbrella and camera.) You can check them out on the post beneath this one! (And I think I may have reached my total Flickr limit, why can't good things be free?)
     After the chateau, we walked on further to "La Galerie", which was hosting a free art event and several touristy gift shops. It was an... eccentric collection, to say the least. Not a lot of words to describe it, but this picture comes pretty close.

What happened to the book worm?!

2449     No day out is complete without a chance for shopping! After having our minds tickled by the pleasures of art in the form of a dead pig (no hyperbole here! We weren't sure if it was real or not, but too afraid to find out) we braved Hell and high water and found ourselves inside a very fancy department-looking store. I was immediately reprimanded by Juliette for touching a scarf (so it was that kind of store), so I wandered around, trying not to look at anything the wrong way, and acting like I could afford 400 Euro shoes.


     All in all, Saturday was a great day for bonding, sightseeing and some good rain fun! But the excitement didn't stop there, oh no. Sunday brought just as many "firsts" for my list of French experiences. For example, a garden picnic lunch and a French orchestra!
       You think it would be natural for me now, but Sunday mornings somehow always surprise me, especially the 10km runs they always bring! Fortunately I haven't graduated to running yet, so I inched along on Juliette's bicycle instead. Go figure, that was the same day as a 10km marathon, plus the weather was the best it's been in weeks, leaving the trails unusually packed. It had also poured rain the day before, so it was muddier and more treacherous than ever. The joggers found this out the hard way, half of them were caked in mud!
      Afterwards came time to prep for an outdoor lunch with some of Juliette's extended family: her grandparents, her aunt, and her little cousin Zoe. We set and prepped and cooked awaiting their arrival, only to become worried that her grandparents had gotten lost! We needn't have worried, however. They arrived sporting presents, a beautiful potted orchid and a bag of Celebrations chocolate! (Bless their souls!!) We spent the rest of the day mainly outside, playing with Gudule (who'd been set free in the garden) and playing Hide n Seek with Zoe. I also enjoyed an Ile de Flotante, and we all suffered trying to scrape the caramel from the bottoms of our glasses!

Our beautifully set table - complete with Juliette's homemade "gorgetes"!
(At least, I think that's what they're called!)

     At the end of the afternoon, I had to say good-bye to our company. I was heading off to see my Canadian friend Natalka play in a French orchestra! First things first, however, I joined Marie, Caroline and Zoe for a quick game of croquet.
     Natalka's partner Adelie arrived and we set off for the "Conservatoire" to see Natalka play her violin in a concert. It was pretty cool, I don't usually go to concerts in Canada! There seemed to be an upsetting lack of saxophonists, though...

     So that's been my weekend. I also did some homework, but only a few of you want to hear that ;) I'm still missing everyone bunches - I swear I'm on the lookout for presents! I can't believe it's less than a month until I'm back home, miming O Canada on the saxophone to myself during announcements. (You know you all miss that.) Hopefully I'll be bringing over some springtime to share, from the sounds of it, you guys could use it! Another sidenote: Did you know this is my last week of French school? Mixed feelings, agh!

Thanks for reading! Look for the pictures down below!
Bisous, Lia