Renne: Bon Appetite

This being my last post before I venture home to Canada, I thought I'd do it right and make you drool onto your keyboard.

The last few times I was in France, I thought I had come to the realization that I didn't like French food. I now realize I just simply didn't have the budget to do this culinary art justice. French food is sinfully divine, I don't know how I could have every claimed otherwise. For the past few days I have practically been bathing in French cuisine and oh my goodness...I thought Italian food was good!

Curried Chicken and Carrot Soup

Pan Fried Cod on a bed of greens

Baked Apple Tart with homemade Cappuccino Ice Cream

Creme Brulee and some kind of tart things

Dinner Time: Chardonnay as an Aperitif

1st Course: Duck Pate with lentils

2nd Course: Crab and Salmon Roll

2004 Medoc served with the Entree

3rd Course: Local Fish served on a patty of Mashed Potatoes in a Beuff Brullet Sauce

4th Course, Dessert: A Cappuccino Fortress with Almond Biscotti, Homemade Mocha Ice Cream inside, and topped with Whip Cream

5th Course: When in doubt, eat another Creme Brulee

Lunch @ a Creperie

Ham, Cheese, and Egg savory crepe

Homemade chocolate crepe...to die for

I cannot being to explain how wonderful this trip has been. Staying in beautiful places, eating amazing food, and spending quality time with me dad...priceless! This has been my shortest trip to Europe but definitely one of the best, not to be forgotten quickly. Thanks for following and hopefully I'll see you all soon:)

Cesson Sevigne: Just a Small Town Girl

I didn't know that I needed to get away from city life until we arrived here in Cesson Sevigne, France, about 3 km outside the city of Renne. It is quiet except for the bird outside my window and I can walk for 20 minutes without encountering a traffic light. I am only here for one night, but it is already a lovely break from the busy metropolises that have been my home for the last week and a half. My time here is simple and concise (long sunny walks and riverside naps), therefore my post will be the same.


The view from my bedroom window

Le Hotel Germinal. Once was a mill and is now a quaint little riverside retreat.

Le Hotel Germinal in the background

My occupation for the afternoon in this peaceful little French town, napping in the sunshine.

Cules and Jal

My dad and his coworker Jules, spend a great deal of concentrated time together. My philosophy of traveling is that it can make or break a relationship. I have some friends with whom traveling has brought us closer, and others where this was not the desired result. Though I'm sure they have had their ups and downs, as is inevitable when traveling in such close proximity, having traveled with both of them for the past week, I have observed that Cal and Jules have not only become closer, they are becoming fused together into one. I call this singular persona displayed in two individuals the Cules & Jal Effect! I have provided some confirming evidence to this case study below (note none of these images were posed or staged) :

When one checks their Crackberry, the other subconsciously recognizes this and immediately follows

When ordering, they will often respond with, "I'll have whatever he's having"

Whether sightseeing, dinning, or simply standing, somehow their posture manages to be the same.

Case in point...

Wardrobe, while selected individually, always ends up matching (above) or identical (below)

But as with every theory, there are always variables that do not confirm the hypothesis.

But even identical twins don't always see eye to eye.
As their jobs demand traveling 6 months out of the year, according to the C&J Effect, it wont be long till they truly become indistinguishable.

Paris: The View From the Top

Dish of the Day: Egg, Green Bean, Tomato, Lettuce, and Mayo Baguette & Baked French Onion Soup
Wine: 2008 Bordeaux
Dessert: Again, wanted Creme Brullet but the food here is so good I am eternally full

Early mornings are not my forte. Generally I deal well with getting out of bed, but if I am forced to rise before the sun, you may want to give yourself an hour buffer before approaching me. Mornings are not to be minded, but definitely not to be embraced if it means you are eating breakfast in the moonlight.

Our day today began at 5 am. Keep your eye rolling and balking opinions to yourself if you do not think that this is that early because, IT IS!!! Landing in Paris at 9 am means that your hotel room is not ready until 3 pm, postponing any hope of a refreshing shower or nap. But, the bright airy Parisian streets offer energy to any weary traveler who is willing to accept.

We are staying at the Petite Paris, a quaint little Parisian Hotel that boasts of ancient glory and present modernism. Its retro-chic interior and starry-lit showers definitely puts itself at the top of the nicest places we’ve stayed.

The Eiffel Tower at night is majestic. Riding to the top and staring out at the Parisian skyline is...cool but not that amazing. Paris doesn’t have that city skyline like New York or London that makes your jaw drop, but don’t paint me a cynic, for the structure truly is remarkable, and there is something about Paris at night that is, pardon the juxtaposition, peacefully cosmopolitan. Paris is diverting, cultured, and transient, but get off the major motorways and it is gentle, soft, and contemplative. The beauty of the city is to be observed within, not gazed upon from above. Being the last ones standing on the 17 c structure, I understand why Moses went onto mountain tops to pray. Though the Tower of Babble proves otherwise, somehow one does feel closer to God when higher up. Or perhaps its the vertigo that makes you more aware of his greatness and your own insignificance.

Try as I might, I could only eat half

Kendall, this ones for you! b.

Dad made it down 50 feet of stairs and his knees only buckled at the bottom!

Venice: Under My Umbrella

Dish of the Day: Pasta Fasioli Soup & Hand Tossed Zucchini, Mushroom, Tomato, and Parmesan Pizza
Wine: 2007 Bastiano, Cabernet Sauvignon
Dessert: I wanted to have Tiramisu, but was SO full after dinner that I couldn’t stuff another morsel of food in my mouth

First of all, I apologize for my delayed posting. I’m afraid that for the past 2 days, our late evenings and early mornings have resulted in little time or energy to write. But I now find myself sitting on a train on route to Northern France with the lovely French morning sunshine bidding me to account for the past few days that have transpired.

Venice, the name itself has long inspired images of romance and enchantment. I have found in most of my travels that the cities people love, I generally dislike, and those people dislike, I generally love. Venice, is no exception to this rule. Many have advised me not to visit this ancient cultural hubbub, claiming it is a filthy decaying city not worth romanticizing. Yes, Venice is wet, dirty, and sinking, and it is for all these reasons why I have fallen in love with the city.

What have these canals all been witness too? What secrets do the walls hold deep within their wind-worn frame? I am captivated by the history, the determination it takes for this city to survive, and the serenity that persists despite the volume of tourism. The cities decay is evidence of its history, its erosion conformation of human fragility, and the dirt...well that’s just inevitable, and actually not nearly as bad as I thought it would be.

The brief afternoon I spent in the birth place of espresso, though rain-soaked and hastily explored, was a tantalizing taste of the richness yet to be discovered. An experience to be repeated and lengthened for this city truly is enchanting, and next time...I’m bringing Rubber Boots!

And now for some Venetian Bloopers:

Red lipstick and whipping your nose don't always go well together

Corteasan Funk

So everyone walks on bridges...going against the flow has its costs
.

It's not what you're wearing, but who you're wearing...Calvin is donning a 100% Authentic Chinese Armani Jacket

Venetian Gymnastics are especially challenging giving the mossy conditions...take the balance beam for example.

Paying homage to the espresso god...okay there's only one God. But if I were pagan I would worship the god of caffeine...I'm sure there's one of those amongst the hundreds of deities.

Got Foam?

Venetian Parallel Bars...tricky to land during flood season

Wicked Witch of Funk

And now something a little more picturesque:

I know my umbrella's awesome but the real question is...what is so fascinating that I am always looking to my right? (scroll down)

Gondola shmondola...I wanted a ride in this boat, way less cliche and oh so awesome.

The Grand Canal

This post is actually in about 4 feet of water, 5 feet from the river bank...???