Our covoiturage was really pleasant, and once arriving in the city we had time to wander around the market, which was bigger, cheaper, more diverse and better smelling than La Rochelle's. After a trip through the market as well as HM we met up with Adele, her boyfriend, and Clémence's good friend Pauline who lives in Rennes and was visiting for the day. We got lunch and then took shelter from the freeze in a cute cafe that was hung with bright watercolor portraits of quirky looking people and a chandelier made from old green glass wine bottles.
Then Pauline, Clémence and I set off on what became a three hour tour of the city. Though I felt much like a block of ice as we walked, the sun was out and the city looked winter gorgeous. The river was afloat with sheets of ice and leftover snow clung in patches. Our wandering took us along the Sèvre and the île de Nantes which houses the Machines. I haven't read him, so I don't totally understand the connection, but Jules Vernes grew up in Nantes and the Machines—steam punky mechanical animals, trees and a carousel—are rendered after his stories. We only saw one, but it was pretty impressive: a life-size elephant made from wood and metal, intricate and in motion! It's trunk waved and it walked around. Trop cool.
To get to Adele's apartment we took the tram and then a naturey walk along another river (three rivers cross through the city). We had a really lovely night watching Sex and the City, eating Croque Monsieur (toasted ham and cheese with an egg on top) and giggling. Pauline and Clemènce are really silly friends who make lots of noises and might be even more obsessed with food than I am. This was fun to be around, as were the two sisters. It's kind of exhausting speaking French all the time, and because of this I tend to zone out sometimes and just watch people interact. It's funny how you can miss cozy, family-like atmospheres and relationships and satisfy the lack just by being around them.
Then Pauline, Clémence and I set off on what became a three hour tour of the city. Though I felt much like a block of ice as we walked, the sun was out and the city looked winter gorgeous. The river was afloat with sheets of ice and leftover snow clung in patches. Our wandering took us along the Sèvre and the île de Nantes which houses the Machines. I haven't read him, so I don't totally understand the connection, but Jules Vernes grew up in Nantes and the Machines—steam punky mechanical animals, trees and a carousel—are rendered after his stories. We only saw one, but it was pretty impressive: a life-size elephant made from wood and metal, intricate and in motion! It's trunk waved and it walked around. Trop cool.
To get to Adele's apartment we took the tram and then a naturey walk along another river (three rivers cross through the city). We had a really lovely night watching Sex and the City, eating Croque Monsieur (toasted ham and cheese with an egg on top) and giggling. Pauline and Clemènce are really silly friends who make lots of noises and might be even more obsessed with food than I am. This was fun to be around, as were the two sisters. It's kind of exhausting speaking French all the time, and because of this I tend to zone out sometimes and just watch people interact. It's funny how you can miss cozy, family-like atmospheres and relationships and satisfy the lack just by being around them.
The whole weekend, especially our lazy sunday in Adele's cozy apartment, had a similar comforting effect as going for dinner at a real house with a real family when you are a college freshman living in a dorm room. Really nice.
This week it has finally warmed up and is doing what February does in Portland: fake spring. I can't complain. Thanks to Pauline and her smartphone for the pretty photos and to Clemence for the great weekend!
This week it has finally warmed up and is doing what February does in Portland: fake spring. I can't complain. Thanks to Pauline and her smartphone for the pretty photos and to Clemence for the great weekend!
 |
| Add caption |
No comments:
Post a Comment