Paris from a different perspective

Both Jeremiah and I had been to Paris before, and I'm glad we had because this trip was totally different than the Paris I think of. Instead of meandering through the Louvre, sipping coffee with croissants, and seeing the sights at night all lit up, we carried children around, managed oozing Nutella crepes and sought out playgrounds. Not that any of that was bad, just different and a wee bit exhausting.

We bought some good kids books...

watched boats go by...

wondered where all the keys were...

put on temporary Shakespeare tattoos with water from the public fountain...

and rode the carousels ("again please, again?")

Seeing the sights in and around Rodez

While in France for spring break we got to see some of the beautiful architecture and countryside around Rodez. Cathedrals are of course the thing the see while in Europe, and these didn't disappoint (except from Tegan's perspective since she had to be quiet while inside!). It was equally nice to walk small roads of small towns and admire the cobblestone and stone buildings, such a contrast to the brick buildings of Kathmandu.

Aligot

Potatoes, cream, butter, cheese and garlic. Put them all together and you have the weirdly wonderful stretchy dish typical of the area of L'Aubrac in southern France called Aligot. It looks like mashed potatoes on the plate, but you have to cut it like melted cheese to eat it.

We were invited to lunch by our friend's parents and were excited to learn we were having aligot. Of course it was amazing (how could that combo of ingredients go wrong?!) and boy does it fill you up. Remember to save room for the post meal cheese tray and coffee, plus dessert if things are really going your way.

A word for the little ones, I'd suggest cutting it for them, otherwise they risk swallowing a long string and choking.

 

Spring break in France

Last spring break Jeremiah met a couple while trekking ABC. They stayed with us for awhile before heading to their next destination on their year of travel. I had just confirmed I was pregnant and they too were newly pregnant. This spring break it is our turn to visit them. Their home is near Toulouse, France and is part of her family home and farm. It's been just amazing visiting, playing with babies, drinking great coffee and food (the cheese - swoon).

Tegan got to see lots of cows with their calfs and many chicks. She also got a kick out of seeing mice eating the chicken food after watching Ratatouille.

More to come about the places we've visited, the food we've eaten, and our next stop - Paris.