Saturday, May 16, 2009
Toulouse
A hurried drive from Bordeaux to Toulouse exposed some more culture that was enjoyable as well as stomach turning. I am now at the home of my new friends Franck and Sandra. They have welcomed us in with open arms and the stay has been as if we were part of the family (my preferred way of exploring other cultures). After trekking around the city of Toulouse 3 times and driving and extra 100km I finally found their home. Navigating around European countries has proven to be quite difficult as their maps and road signs are very different, and in my opinion terrible. The tolls that have been paid so far for the privilege to drive on the highways of Europe have summed up to approximately 50 Euro! I must say my tiny Peugeot is very economical on Diesel, but why wouldn't a car of 500lbs wet. So upon arrival a bottle of fine Champagne from the region of Champagne in France was opened welcoming Americans into their home. After the children were put down for the evening we went to the most authentic restaurant in Toulouse to enjoy some fine French cuisine. I have been craving some real food after the intestines, blood pudding, pig snout and brain that I have had set before me. Appetizers were ordered while we waited to be seated so I indulged in some.....well...who knows. By the shape I thought it was pig ears...after much teasing and laughter by Franck, Sandra and some French bystanders I found out I just just eaten Duck Heart!! Ugh..what is it with these Europeans and what they eat?? I struggled through another piece and quickly covered it up with some bread. We then had the most amazing dinner so far in my trek around Europe! Duck and 2 different lamb dishes...outstanding! This was followed by some incredible dessert and washed down with Armagnac from '79 then later '78. Wow!! incredible meal considering it started with duck heart lol. Today we divulged in another wonderful lunch prepared by Franck and shared with the entire family. I have been entertaining the children by trying to converse with them. None of us have any idea with each other is saying...I have decided I must learn French and Spanish! This evening the agenda is to join in a traditional birthday celebration for a cousin.
A hurried drive from Bordeaux to Toulouse exposed some more culture that was enjoyable as well as stomach turning. I am now at the home of my new friends Franck and Sandra. They have welcomed us in with open arms and the stay has been as if we were part of the family (my preferred way of exploring other cultures). After trekking around the city of Toulouse 3 times and driving and extra 100km I finally found their home. Navigating around European countries has proven to be quite difficult as their maps and road signs are very different, and in my opinion terrible. The tolls that have been paid so far for the privilege to drive on the highways of Europe have summed up to approximately 50 Euro! I must say my tiny Peugeot is very economical on Diesel, but why wouldn't a car of 500lbs wet. So upon arrival a bottle of fine Champagne from the region of Champagne in France was opened welcoming Americans into their home. After the children were put down for the evening we went to the most authentic restaurant in Toulouse to enjoy some fine French cuisine. I have been craving some real food after the intestines, blood pudding, pig snout and brain that I have had set before me. Appetizers were ordered while we waited to be seated so I indulged in some.....well...who knows. By the shape I thought it was pig ears...after much teasing and laughter by Franck, Sandra and some French bystanders I found out I just just eaten Duck Heart!! Ugh..what is it with these Europeans and what they eat?? I struggled through another piece and quickly covered it up with some bread. We then had the most amazing dinner so far in my trek around Europe! Duck and 2 different lamb dishes...outstanding! This was followed by some incredible dessert and washed down with Armagnac from '79 then later '78. Wow!! incredible meal considering it started with duck heart lol. Today we divulged in another wonderful lunch prepared by Franck and shared with the entire family. I have been entertaining the children by trying to converse with them. None of us have any idea with each other is saying...I have decided I must learn French and Spanish! This evening the agenda is to join in a traditional birthday celebration for a cousin.
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