Je suis ici!

Now that my mind is finally recovered from the long flights (in between a screaming child and a gaseous woman), long bus ride, and 48-hours of no sleep, I'm in Angers. It's a lovely partly cloudy 55 degrees (much better than what it was in Texas), cathedral bells are ringing for Sunday's church services, and most of the city has shut down.

Yesterday, we walked down the narrow streets to the supermarket to pick up some groceries for the week. Sunday most everything shuts down, so Saturday was chaos. It felt like I was on an episode of supermarket sweep, speedily twisting my cart to avoid crashing into others coming straight at me, whilst attempting to make out french foods, think through the cost in euros, and bag all my items before the next person's groceries got all mixed up with mine.

The streets are packed with students. Long legged French women silently demand their way through the crowds. There is no concept of dodging it seems, only just walking straight until a collision of pedestrians or someone weaker (or politer) gives in. Dreamy dark French boys loiter in the narrow street, smoking cigarettes giving off cool gazes. The streets are neither marked with clear sidewalks, but narrow, in between tall old buildings with curved etchings and details. Bats fly from roof top to roof top shrieking, while fathers stroll along with their beautiful babies, and plump middle aged French women, with their high cheek bones and wise tones, carry their groceries back home or to the metro.

Last night we got a taste of a freedom we don't have in America. Purchasing alcohol, and not one person asked for my id. I bought a bottle of Rigal, a french Malbec, quite tasty. Fun Fact: It says on the back that Cahors, Southwest France, is actually the birthplace of the Malbec, appreciated for its legendary intense colour since the 18th century, brought to Argentina by a Cahors winegrower. Sooo Family-it's from France not Argentina! : D

The First-year in France students also took us to a few bars last night as well. First it was a lounge-like one with couches, a d.j. (mixing American music that might have been at my 8th grade dance-funny), and dancing lasers and light. Then it was off to another, with bubble gum shots, and big golden buddha statues and again American music playing, with french couples swing dancing in the corners.

I'll post pictures and more later, but for now that's it, and I'm off to eat at one of the open cafes before it rains.
Au Revoir!