Friday, December 30, 2011

Finale in Rome


Upper floor level of Colloseum built over underground grid to set the stage of the games

Tom was ecstatic when he found his initials engraved into stone inside the Colloseum

Picture of dusk...the horse and rider look like they are riding on the treetops from this angle.  Tall structure on right is Trajan's column

Roman Ruins

Facing the broken seal of a christian grave in a catacomb just outside of Rome near the Appian Way

They way Italians do Christmas decoration
Sponsored apparently by Mercedes-Benz

I'm not sure they know what this means in american english

I loved the shape and color of the angels wings.  Wall painting within the Vatican museum

People waiting to touch Peter's feet in St. Peter's Basilica.  His feet are super smooth and worn as a result.


Pantheon...so majestic, and in a fairly small piazza(square)

Monday, December 19, 2011

Lyon:Romans & Lights




roman theatre on the hillside

View of Lyon from top of theatre


 
It snowed on Sunday morning & afternoon.  This is at the christmas market 
Looking up at the Basilica at night


 Lyon is a great city to see at night.  They are world famous for their skill at lighting buildings and they have a major light show on Dec. 8th. 
This is a foot bridge at night crossing the Saone River

Monday, December 12, 2011

Where three Duchy's meet

This past Saturday we got a nice tour from a new friend named Peter.  He is an Englishman who moved to France many years ago because he really enjoyed his 'vacances' here.
He knows the area very well, and thought it a pity that we hadn't been able to check out things locally.
Neither Tom or I drive stick, which is the only kind of rental cars you can get around here.

The post title refers to the area that we explored is very near where Brittany, Normandy and Mayenne meet, which were ruled by different dukes before France was completely united under one king.  The land which a duke looked after and protected was a duchy.  Duke, I learned was derived from the latin word duc, which means leader.  For the record, Tom remembers history much better than I, so if you have questions about our history lessons during the trip, ask him.


The first part of our tour was visiting a small cider making operation called Ferme du Theil near the village called Andouille.  The owner was in a bit of a rush, but took time to show us the machine that presses the apples, and the room where they let the juice ferment.  Apparently the yeast is already on the apple, so they don't need to add any additional yeast.  They make their cider with 12 different varieties of apple.  Wow.  They grab the apples in three shifts.  They go and pick(possibly vaccuum, Peter said) the apples that have fallen to the ground.  Go back a second time for ground apples.  The third time, they shake the trees, so any remaining apples will fall to the ground to be picked up.


We bought some bottles of their apple and pear cider and a special mix called Pommeau du Maine.




The next stop was the oldest tree in France.  Here is a picture of it.  Of course it is nearing winter, so there were no leaves at the present moment.



There was a village nearby which in its past history there is a story of an apparition of Mary to some schoolchildren.  There is an enormous church dedicated to this, and she is always seen as wearing a blue cloak with gold stars and a red cross in her hands.  I have not had a chance to translate the pamphlet to really understand the story.


Lastly, we went to Fougeres which is a village that has the largest castle in Europe.  It was amazing from the outside, and the town center was really picturesque.  Apparently in the summer they have people dress up in period costume for shows.










Sunday, November 27, 2011

Laval Locals




I have recently started getting involved with a group called "On va sortir", which is a social network that starts online, and you meet people in the area that you are living.  People post activities, and you can respond to the ones that interest you, and also post your own activities.

Today I met with a beginning english language group, and offered my native American accent to help with the pronunciation during the class.  The teacher is Michel who is a local Lavallois, and a very good english speaker, who invited me to join them.  I will probably continue to go as long as I am here since I feel like this is really getting to know France for me, and it is fun to help out.

I think what makes it fun is that I get to be around local people.   I get to know them beyond the street and market.  After the lesson, which is in someone's home, we have coffee or tea and a sweet, and they are talk primarily in French and I try to pick up what they are talking about.  Michel will sometimes make an explanation so I know the subject they are talking about.

Though I wish that I was aware of this group a month or two before, I am thankful for the time I do have, and hope to make the most of it.    By the way, On Va Sortir means "let's go out"


Cafe Remede Concert




Highliff Kounta does some rapping in the background of "You Tell Us To Love You"

Excerpt from "Joy of Life" original


Show in Laval, France












Dinan Weekend

View of Saint Saveur's Basilica from a cafe on a gorgeous fall day

They don't skimp on the chantilly(whip cream)

Funny candy name

Inside St. Saveurs


pews with hinged doors

View of Rance river valley from ramparts


Dinan is circled by a rampart and towers, unusual for a town to still have them all.  Laval has some remnants which you might have seen in some of our Laval pictures.

A gate in Dinan


They have livestock in their local park.  Not pictured, peacocks, some small deer, unique chicken breeds, waterfowl.

Le Donjon(the keep)


Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Other snapshots of Paris



A path in the Versailles property leading toward the Petit Trianon.  A little getaway for Marie Antoinette

Tom and I caught a late night jam at Duc des Lombards.  Popular jazz club in Paris

Tom says "Je voudrais une crepe complet."  So hot and delicious, filled with egg, emmentaler cheese and ham.

View from inside the dome of the Sacre Coeur.  Only 600 steps


A house by any other name would not smell as sweet. 

Tom, Nancy & I make it just in time for the 7 pm light show