Throughout this blog I think my take home message has been that traveling is not easy, and although there are so many wonderful people in this world, getting to them can be really difficult. So my mother is a wonderful correspondent who strives to stay in touch with people. I must admit that I really admire this trait and work really hard to stay in touch with people. These days with email, facebook, and Linkenin, I must admit that it is much easier to stay in touch with people but I still find that it's still an effort. So in the Risse household there are a batch of annual Christmas cards that get sent out and the Thuery's (the family pictured here with me) happen to be on that list. Back in the day when I was very little, my parents had a Bed and Breakfast in Fairbanks Alaska called "the Blue Goose." When the Thuery's were visiting Alaska they stayed with us and nearly twenty years later I was able to travel to Toulouse France and stay with them. It was so nice and relaxing to stay with the Thuery's. I was in awe that I was able to spend an entire weekend without the all-too familiar feeling of being lost. Jacques, the father, and ultimately the person who I communicated with and made all of the arrangements with was an excellent tour guide. I must admit that getting there was a hassle, but once I was welcomed into first their car and then their home, I was able to wake up renewed and had a wonderful weekend.
I arrived at about midnight late Friday night so I just ate a quick bite, which I must admit was scrumptious and was complete with a cheese corse! The next morning consisted of a tour of Toulouse given by Jacques. At this point I wished that I knew some more medieval history because he was such an aficionado and I knew quite frankly that I was lacking in that department, but it was still a wonderful day. For lunch we had cassoulet, which Jacques described as more of a winter dish but it was something that he considered very regional and a "must" on the Bucket List.
I arrived at about midnight late Friday night so I just ate a quick bite, which I must admit was scrumptious and was complete with a cheese corse! The next morning consisted of a tour of Toulouse given by Jacques. At this point I wished that I knew some more medieval history because he was such an aficionado and I knew quite frankly that I was lacking in that department, but it was still a wonderful day. For lunch we had cassoulet, which Jacques described as more of a winter dish but it was something that he considered very regional and a "must" on the Bucket List.
I am sure my summary is not doing Jacques' tour justice, however on it we saw a lot of churches and observed the location of the river. He also talked about the Occitan people who came from the region.
Throughout his tour he did a good job of explaining the different types of architecture that are depicted throughout the city of Toulouse. It was amazing to me that I was able to see the examples first hand because I remember from my two days of braving art history at West Valley High School that the only way of understanding these different eras in art would be to flip the pages of the text book, but today Jacques was explaining to me that Roman architecture was characterized by its simplicity and overall rounded arches, etc. the Gothic architecture was very angular and ornate, and the Baroque is more simplistic architecturally however it was a time of great paintings/murals.
After our tour we returned home and met up with the rest of the family. I had previously met up with Guilliame and his girlfriend at breakfast before the city tour and I had met up with Beatrice (Betty), the mom, the night before at the train station. This however was my first time reconnecting with Phillippe. The last time I had seen Phillippe was in Fairbanks Alaska where I apparently pawned off my copy of "Bambi." Still to this day I think "Bambi" is a super depressing story that I can't believe was made into a children's movie. Phillippe is now a vegan and at this point in time I bet he is more anti-Bambi than I, however even though VHS is no longer used, they still have the "Bamb!" and wanted to know if I wanted it back. I told them that they were very kind, but No!
After our tour we returned home and met up with the rest of the family. I had previously met up with Guilliame and his girlfriend at breakfast before the city tour and I had met up with Beatrice (Betty), the mom, the night before at the train station. This however was my first time reconnecting with Phillippe. The last time I had seen Phillippe was in Fairbanks Alaska where I apparently pawned off my copy of "Bambi." Still to this day I think "Bambi" is a super depressing story that I can't believe was made into a children's movie. Phillippe is now a vegan and at this point in time I bet he is more anti-Bambi than I, however even though VHS is no longer used, they still have the "Bamb!" and wanted to know if I wanted it back. I told them that they were very kind, but No!
Dimanche: la ville de carcassonne
I had no idea what Carcassonne was initially but it didn't take me long to realize that I was extremely fortunate to be making this outing. Besides Paris Carcassonne is the next most important tourist destination in France. This fortress was beautiful and was kind of restored to its natural glory however Jacques conveyed to me that the researcher/historical preserver was just a little too busy and taking on too many projects therefore he took too many creative liberties and didn't always do his homework. Even though this castle wasn't completely accurate it was still magnificent. I couldn't believe that inside the castle were gift shops, ice cream shops, even a hotel. Can you imagine saying that you stayed in a castle that night. Jacques reassured me that those rooms were pas bon marché (not cheap), but still, maybe one day!
After going to Carcassonne we returned home and ate with the entire family. Then I just sat and talked with Betty while Jacques helped me gather information for a regional report on (Les Midi-Pyrénées) that I had to give in class that coming week. After about an hour of relaxing and talking with Betty I had to go to the train station. I'll never forget Jacques as I went to say Goodbye. Instead of making it a sad ordeal he said "So when will you be coming back?"
After going to Carcassonne we returned home and ate with the entire family. Then I just sat and talked with Betty while Jacques helped me gather information for a regional report on (Les Midi-Pyrénées) that I had to give in class that coming week. After about an hour of relaxing and talking with Betty I had to go to the train station. I'll never forget Jacques as I went to say Goodbye. Instead of making it a sad ordeal he said "So when will you be coming back?"