There have been quite a few outings since I last wrote. We took a guided tour of Toulouse, we went to the Airbus factory, and I visited Bordeaux for a day. But my favorite trip was to the fortified city of Carcasonne (yes - the one that inspired the board game!).
We learned LOTS of fascinating history about this city/fortress. And I am not lying when I say fascinating.I really enjoyed this learning stuff.
For example, when Viollet-le-Duc started restoring the city in the mid 1800's, he had not a single blue print, and worked only from his memory and imagination. (It was Viollet-le-Duc who added all the towers. His restoration was a bit controversial, touted as much too "romantic" and not historically accurate, although now most people seem to be able to get over that because it makes Carcasonne so recognizable). Also apparently this Viollet dude designed like, nearly everything in France around that time, according to various tour guides.
We were shown the many defense mechanisms and tricks for protection, like a double drawbridge and first entrance that is offset with the second entrance, so that battering rams would get stuck and have to be awkwardly maneuvered to attack the second door, giving time to the archers to shoot arrows from their tiny arrow window slits.
But my favorite story was one about Trencavel (or more specifically as I found out via Wikipedia Raymond Roger Trencavel). During the crusades of the early 13th century, Trencavel was the noble in charge of Carcasonne. As the crusaders lay siege to the city and cut off its water supply, Trencavel made a deal. He negotiated terms in which he would be imprisoned (in his own castle) so that his people would not be harmed (killed). After only 3-4 months of imprisonment in his own dungeon, Trencavel mysteriously died (some suspected poison).
Anyway you look at it, that is a pretty cool real life story.
And to end this blog post, here is a round up of more yummy food I have eaten:
-Fresh fois gras. This region is known for its fois gras, but the last time I had fois gras it was a spread on a piece of white toast and I did not care for it. However, my host mom cooked fresh fois gras (cut into little morsels) with apples and chestnuts in the oven. The result was me taking second helpings.
- Banane flambee. I believe this is similar to bananas foster, but I have never tried it before. Last night we had finished dinner and she asked if I wanted a 'banane flambee' I said "oh no thats fine thank you" and she responded "yes! of course! yes. I'll make it"
And man, I am glad she insisted. It was a banana with a little bit of sugar, cooked in butter and white rum and I ate it ALL.
- I also had artichokes for the first time! I mean, the leaves and everything. She either roasted them in the oven or steamed them, and then mixed together apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar, garlic, and olive oil in which to dip the leaves. Yum!
Is it weird my favorite pastimes in France are walking around/lounging in public gardens, visiting castles, eating, and drinking?
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