#4 SOUTHERN FRANCE and BRITTANY

Leaving the Chateau in Toulouse, France was a big step for me. I had been there about § weeks and had the company of my daughter and her boyfriend. They were a big help to me in learning the ropes of living, working and traveling abroad.

Backpack on, waiting at the train station


a quick lunch of cheese and bread on the top of my suitcase

miles and miles of bright yellow sunflower fields on the way

My distination was Carcassone in southeastern France. Known for its beautifully preserved midieval castle surrounded by the original town, moat and protective walls.


Slots or slits in the walls from the outside allowed castle defenders to aim their arrows and shoot at the enemy with little chance of being hit by return fire.

The view from inside shows generous room to view and aim for the fellow who's doing the shooting.

The moat is empty now but impressive in its size and paving.

One thing I can say about the French, they love to take their dogs with them wherever they go. Doesn't matter the size, big or little, and I've seen some pretty sizeable mutts. So if you see a Frenchman walking with his head down it's not because he's shy, it's because he's trying not to step in the poo. I'v' noticed they're not big on picking-up after their pets.

I had an enjoyable time at the castle where I stayed in a youth hostel inside the midieval city's walls. My roommates (4 to a room) were 2 young ladies from Canada and one from Korea. I always learn a lot talking to roommates from different countries and they also have a lot of questions for me . . . "you are from Texas, do you know George Bush???"

ON TO BRITTANY

Brittany (or Britania as they call it here) is in the north west part of the country. I decided to do a little couch-surfing and stay with a lovely lady in a town called Saint-Brieuc. It is on the coast of the English Channel and a ferry ride away from England. French is the accepted language and believe me I was immersed in it. My host, Annarita, took me many places including 2 birthday parties. I was drowning in French! Although occasionally they did attempt to use their limited knowledge of English I was always grateful for their efforts. Annarita herself speaks several different languages and I had no trouble conversing with her.

Annarita

the view from my room in her house

SOME FUN AND UNUSUAL OBSERVATIONS

Have you ever seen canary birds that looked like they had mullet haircuts?

And how about this for a Pringles flavor . . .

"Peking Duck with Rice"

my reaction: 'delicious!'

So I come almost halfway around the world and I find a Tex-Mex restaurant.

No, I didn't try it.

And in Brittany it's not KFC it's TFC,

Tennesee Fried Chicken. Not a chain restaurant, I think this fellow was trying to fly on the coattails of Colonal Sanders

TO BE CONTINUED

My access to the internet via WiFi is often very limited in scope and time which is reason for the long delays in blog entries. (besides the fact that it takes quite awhile to put them together).

I thank you for your patience!