Laval Illuminations

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)

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

Paris

some snapshots of the first few days discovering the city.

Rennes

 

A trio of performers at the Rennes Saturday Market.  Really great sounds! The woman in the black top is playing the soprano sax, and there is another woman playing a tall drum I think south american origin, and a woman sitting in a chair playing accordion

 One of the biggest saturday markets in France occur in Rennes.  It was really cool.  Bought some figs, and garlic, and a pork saucisson(a picnic sausage).  They had alot more organic vegetables and goods at this market compared to Laval.  Also many bread makers and chinese, moroccan and crepe food stands. 

                                                                     Homards for sale

Rennes Opera House

Tile work display at Brittany Museum

Not as famous as hollywood, but trying to make its mark on the world.  It's been almost a month for me here, and I've really enjoyed getting to know this town.  Yeah, the weather is not sunny everyday, but you sure do appreciate the days when you get them.  The river Mayenne always puts a smile on my face whenever I cross one of the five bridges in town.

  I have gotten a library card so I can check out books, but also check out CD's, songbooks and dvd's from a pretty good selection of french, and local, jazz, blues, rock, etc. 

Tom and I had a drink at a cafe recently, and one guy tipped me off to a great musician named Maxime Le Forestier .  So I was able to check out his CD this way.  It appears that he's pretty influential in France, looking at his home page.

My french is very minimal, but the other day I was looking for a public restroom after taking a walk along the river outside of town, and  I asked a lady in french where the nearest one was.  We were close to her residence and she allowed me to use her restroom.  I gave her the biggest compliment and thanks I could in French, and was just stunned by her kindness.