Albi the (racist dragon) day trip.

On Saturday, a couple of students and I decided to venture out on a day trip to the nearby city of Albi. I could not help but giggle to myself every time I said the city's name because of THIS beauty. It was an enjoyable trip, with fun people, and we had a good time despite the bitter cold (I thought this was supposed to be the south of France, right? Well, I guess this is February).

We were hungry so we stopped at a restaurant where Maggie ordered the duck hearts and I tried a bite. They were heavily spiced and pretty fibrous but not bad!

We walked around town, saw and laughed at this sign like 6th grade boys:

And then toured the cathedral and palace (which had been turned into a Toulouse Lautrec museum because he was born here!). We then walked all around town.

Because of the cold, a couple of us decided to seek refuge in a cafe, where, of course, we proceeded to order crepes with ice cream. I guess it is never to cold for ice cream!

On Sunday, a bunch of the group attended a Catholic church service together. In true French fashion, our group was met by about 5 other people in the church at 11 am, when the service was supposed to start. I was wondering if it was just because French people are notoriously late to events or because out of all Catholics in France, only about 4.5% are practicing. Anyway, after waiting about 25 minutes the rest of the congregation and the pastor arrived. He was very nice, and even asked Lauren to read the text from an English bible.

I also went to the movies and saw Hitchcock. As someone who really enjoys Hitchcock movies, I had a lot of fun watching this behind the scenes look at the making of psycho.

Sunday night I met the infamous Jean-Marc (my host mom's boyfriend who lives 2 hours away and had stayed over the night before). He seemed alright, but I feel like their relationship was very strange and very French. I wont go into all the details, but after he left she started telling me about their relationship between long drags from her cigarette. I was unsure of how to appropriately respond when she told me he was an "old bachelor". He had never married, and lives with his mother, aunt, and daughter. And all I did was nod along when she told me how even though they have been together 8 years, she has never met his mother, and has only ever been to his country home.

Anyway. Some people on the trip are experiencing what is is like to be sick while studying abroad! I do not envy them, and I pray that they will be healthy soon, and then they will be able to more fully enjoy the experience with the rest of us.

I will write again soon. Leave a comment! Say hi, ask a question, let me know if you want a postcard, anything!

Natalie