Sooooo,
Lots to catch up on since we haven't been near a computer in days. Leaving Paris was easy and getting to Mont St Michel was uneventful. So why put that in here? Good question. Mont St Michel was very beautiful and we had an excellent tour in English by this blue haired french guy who Bryce immediately fell in love with. I'll admit, he was funny...
Our hostel in Pontroson/Mont St Michel was the best yet! Very friendly and cute staff, who Bryce immediately fell in love with. We finally got a chance to watch a little tv. This French reality show that was kind of a Legends of the hidden Temple for adults(if you remember that show). we also caught a bit of Lost in French! Huzzah!
The train ride to Blois was super long and basically took up the whole day, though we did do laundry(much needed) and some shopping at the local supermarche before we left. I really loved looking around the supermarche to see the different things. On the train we met a lovely French girl named Julie, pronounced zhulie, who was from Le Mans. She works for the train and told us all about the 24 hours of Le Mans(happy now Chuck?) Naturally, Bryce fell immediately in love with her. She did give us a postcard and signed it in French. Someone who knows more than us will have to explain if she cussed us out or not.
We arrived in Blois without knowing where our hostel was or the number or address. I know I know; Stupid Bryce. So we started walking in the direction a city map told us to go. We had gotten about a quarter centimeter on the map when a car pulled up and said "going to the auberge de juenesse?" We immediately yelled back YES OUI and he said Get In!!! OH MY GOD I LOVE FRENCH PEOPLE! I don't know where the stereotype came from but it is WRONG. Turned out we would have been walking for about 3 miles more with our packs so he basically saved our lives.
The next day we got the fantastic idea to rent bikes and ride around the valley to different chateaus. Bryce was all about this at the beginning of the day and could not have been less about it by the end. We ended up biking about 70 km the last 10 in the driving freezing rain. I LOVED IT! Well maybe not all of it (our asses do not love us right now), but before it rained it was so beautiful to bike through the countyside. It was like our English walk but better. And I think that in the long run, the hardships at the end(soreness, exhaustion, sleet and snow and all uphill) will make the journey more rewarding and a better story. We did see 5 chateus on the ride;first the glorious and monstrous Chambord, which was one of Bryce's three must hit spots for the trip. It was pretty awesome and while he was being a dork and listening to the lame audio tour, I was examining the fascinating modern art displays that they had arranged throughout the castle. A very interesting dichotomy with the historic and modern. Next was Cheverny, which was less impressive but had great gardens. The other three we basically just rode by, BUT THEY COUNT!
So today is the Tour De France and the town is buzzing! They haven't had it come through here in decades. we still have our bikes and hope to ride around and catch as much as possible. Then tomorrow it's on to the beach and 1,002 perfect bodies and then to Pamplona. Probably won't be able to post again until Barcelona(and we might be gored by then), so if this is goodbye...it's been fun.
p.s. happy late birthday to Sam...and America
9 comments:
I love Monet so Cheverney was a wonderful stop. It is also outside the town of Verdon where the Tour de France came through in 1993 when I was there. Hearing all of your comments brings back a lot of fond memories. How has the pack worked? Keep up the good work and don't get gored!! Richarde
hey! Brian and I caught a glimpse of y'all on tv at the Tour....well we thought it could be you. I hope there is at least one picture of y'all in the t-shirts! If not, I will be thoroughly disappointed. Alright, well be safe, have fun!
Sited in NYC for 2000 New Year, on David Letterman and then again at the Tour? Unbelievable! Sounds like the bikes were great. We had the same problem in France in the Pyrennes (spelling - sorry), 80+ one day then cold and rainy and barely 50F the next! We also thought the French deserved no reputation, they were very kind to us as well! Luv yall - ps played a new frisbee course in Greene Co. - GREAAAT course. Might have 4 - 18 hole courses within 1 hr by the time yall get back...
"Naturally, Bryce fell immediately in love with her."
hahahaha....hahahaha
hope all is well
hope all is well, your guys stay safe and have fun. Love the writing, their could be a book there someday!! Ruth
I dont know if this went throught as my computer locked uo so forgive me if I repeat myself whe I say take care, have fun and be safe.
HOLA Leo! Como estas? I'm too late
to wish you Bon Jour or I just was
not thinking at the time. Dad and I are at Stephen and Colleen's
house using their computer to print
out all the comments and to write
to you. I had called Ruth but she
doesn't have a printer so so much
for going out to the west end. Two
blocks is much easier!!!
When I heard the news the other
morning I was so glad that you were
through with London. I'm sure you
were too.
I meant to ask you about the
inverted pyramid at the Louvre.
That was in the Davinci Code wasn't
it? That must've been cool.
Dad wanted me to tape the Tour
de France on OLN the day you guys
were there so I did and you can
give us a running commentary when
you get back. He's still checking
for coverage of the running of the
bulls. (of course, he doesn't know
that they have been moved to Norway
or Sweden according to Bill Bjork.)
Dad saw your mother, Bryce, going into her house the other
afternoon and she invited him in to
read ya all's last entry. We've
noticed that they haven't written
any comments yet. Maybe they are
just shy. Or maybe they have and
I just am stupid. Wouldn't be the
first time.
Oh well, I guess I should get
off. Not much news on this end.
I know as soon as I send this I'll
think of something. But then as
Scarlett would say "Tomorrow IS
another day!!! TTFN!
ADIOS AMIGOS!!! Luv ya, Su Madre
Sounds like the trip is a blast- just got back from a month of travels myself (beach and Montana), so I've been up reading the whole trip at once. Hope you are taking great pictures we can use in class. Have fun and keep the blogs comming.
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