two hundred years too late

Toussaints! Also known as a week and a half vacation for Halloween/All Saint's Day. Until today, I had vague plans to visit Saintes and Cognac for two days. Today I have finalized plans to go to Angers on Thursday, returning Monday, November 1. Angers is the old capital of the Angevin province (Anjou), ancient home of my ancesters (the Plantagenets and comtes d'Anjou), and it's home to a thirteenth century castle I can't wait to visit. One of numerous old medieval cities, it's nearby without being in the same region and makes me feel like I'm actually making use of my vacation rather than simply exploring the region (as I can do over my three-day weekends). It's going to be a whirlwind week of traveling for me; I'll have WiFi in Angers, and I'll be sure to take many photos.

Last night, some of us assistants went out to an Irish pub. Within walking distance, I can name four "Irish Pubs" off the top of my head here in La Rochelle. I'm not sure there's a city in the world without one. It's funny to go to a foreign country and seek out the same familiar places one can find back home. Obviously, there's a comfort to it, but if that's all you ever seek, why bother traveling?

There isn't much to say today. I spent the day lounging around my apartment in my pajamas, doing laundry and enjoying not having anything to do or anywhere to go. I finally found a winter coat yesterday at a small boutique, but two of the buttons fell off already! It wasn't terribly expensive, and I am familiar with the fact that modern fashion isn't always great about securing buttons on things. Still, for them to fall off the very day I bought the coat is a little ridiculous. I'll be taking it back tomorrow to either get a new one or get them to sew them back on. I could do it myself, but I am horribly inept with needles and thread (just look at my blankie). I might end up doing it myself, anyway. The coat is beautiful and warm. I took a photo of myself trying it on in the dressing room.


I bought the size too big so I could fit sweaters and layers underneath. I'm having to seriously bundle up, especially in the mornings or when I'm indoors at the school (amazing how cold it can be inside versus outside!).

It didn't really hit me until just now how amazing it is to be able to book a train to hop halfway across the country for a few days' vacation. Of course, in the United States, halfway across the country is significantly farther than halfway across France. But the idea of it is nice. Not having to drive, and still being able to get around readily.


And in closing, tonight I present you with my dessert from last night. I bought it before the trip to the pub, ate it after, and it was delicious as usual. A chocolate, well, I'm not entirely sure what it is, other than two pieces of light and fluffy cookie/bisuit completely surrounded by tufts of whipped, delicate chocolate. Nothing too sweet, in fact, hardly sweetened at all. The chocolate almost has a coffee flavor, which I could do without, but it makes it nice and rich. The chocolate flakes on top and the sides were obviously my favorite part, as housemade chocolate that actually tastes like chocolate, and not sugar or milk. It went well with a glass of cognac. A much nicer finish to the evening than the pint of Kronenbourg I had at the pub. Why does beer have to be the cheapest drink? Also the drink of choice for pretty much everyone my age? Guess I haven't grown into my age yet. That, or no one else has grown into theirs.