At first I was a bit anxious because we were taking the car. Which meant that I was in the backseat, between two kids, for five hours. But it really wasn't that bad, if not just a tad squishy for my legs. Plus I got to check out the insides of a French gas station for the first time. Yes, they sell baguettes and Camembert cheese for roadside snacks. And for two euros, you can get access to shower facilities, located next to the bathrooms.
So we finally arrived, and as picturesque as it was, there aren’t a whole lot of things there except for… cows. All-white cows, actually, which I hadn’t seen before. (I’m accustomed to the black-and-white spotted or brown-speckled varieties. Speaking of which, my personal favorite are the Oreo cookie cows—black head and tail, with a white midsection).
So basically, I’ve discovered that:
Loire Valley = bunches of cows, munching away on expanses of green grass fields + a stonehewn barn every couple of kilometers + the occasional herd of grazing sheep.
In fact, while we were in the car on our way there, we actually had to stop for a good three minutes to watch a herd of sheep, led by a tractor, cross the road. It was funny because it made apparent the difference between the slow pace of country living, to my habituation of constantly going, moving, rushing.
The trip also made for a nice change of scenery: flat terrain in which you could see acres of farmland for miles around—instead of the rocky mountains of France that I have grown accustomed to.
So basically, I’ve discovered that:
Loire Valley = bunches of cows, munching away on expanses of green grass fields + a stonehewn barn every couple of kilometers + the occasional herd of grazing sheep.
In fact, while we were in the car on our way there, we actually had to stop for a good three minutes to watch a herd of sheep, led by a tractor, cross the road. It was funny because it made apparent the difference between the slow pace of country living, to my habituation of constantly going, moving, rushing.
The trip also made for a nice change of scenery: flat terrain in which you could see acres of farmland for miles around—instead of the rocky mountains of France that I have grown accustomed to.
As lovely as it was to be putting the adjectives “bucolic” and “pastoral” to good use, the real highlight for me was the chance to see some French CASTLES, up close and in person!
Me, I think chateaux are SO cool. Part of it probably comes from my love of fairy tales, and also because that kind of history just doesn’t exist in the US—that is, constructions that date back to Roman and/or Medieval times.
What really impressed me was that these castles actually had MOATS. To me, moats were strictly the stuff of stories—nice to imagine, but not actually in existence. But there they were, with lily pads and everything:
4 comments:
This michael fisher of mlle hennelly's french 3 class. You my know my brother sam fisher. That gelato looks delicious and so does that cheese i have never heard of. i wonder if that cheese is sold in the U.S. If it is sammy and i have to try some of it. i also have to try that cheese fondu of Gruyere cheese. i see why you will always remember that cheese, it looks delicious.
Hi michael Fisher. how are you?
michael fisher here. that last comment that said how are you was ryan. ryan posted that comment
Yes, it is easy to get one's fair share of dairy products here! Hmm I don't know if Mimolette is available in the US. But I would definitely recommend you try doing fondue at home...fruit and melted chocolate is also really yummy of course.
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