The week I got back from Angers, there was a big event in Caen: Carnaval des Etuditants. It's always at the mid-point of Lent and it's basically Halloween for the French Students. They dress up in pretty elaborate costumes, drink a lot, and have a parade through the center of town yelling and screaming and disrupting traffic. It was a little overwhelming at first but we ended up having a ton of fun. I managed to snap a few photos, we got dressed up for the occasion.
Nicole and I in our "costumes"
Margaux really went all out
A mime (Parisa) coming down the street
Nicole and I again with some tasty drinks
Friday night that we, we had a farewell get together for Hannah because she was leaving for the US the next week. Walking to meet everyone, I took a couple of pictures of the sky because it was absolutely gorgeous out. Spring has arrived and I like it!
Chateau at night
Saint-Pierre
look at that amazing sky
Then, on Saturday I had visitors from Paris: Leah and Lindsay! They came Saturday night because Leah worked until 7. As soon as they got here, I took them to one of the bars to get an embuscade because it's something that everyone has to try when they are in Normandy. The next day, we got up to go to the market to get everything we needed for a picnic in the chateau. It wasn't a sunny day but it wasn't cold and it didn't rain. So basically, perfect for Normandy. We found a small corner in the garden where no one came and bothered us. We just sat and had our feast which included 2 baguettes, a good portion of cheese, 2 cartons of strawberries, olives, and 3 bottles of cider. Best way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Because she was so entertaining opening a bottle of champagne in her last appearance on my blog, here is Leah opening a bottle of cider during our picnic in the chateau.
And so it began. Here are the pictures documenting the rest of our afternoon.
Candid shot by Lindsay, we are obviously excited about this cheese
perfect picnic in the chateau
in a little corner all to ourselves
then hannah and margaux came by to say hi
view of Caen, I'm going to miss this place
leah and me
another view of Caen
Monday, I got some of my classes off to spend more time with the girls because they were not leaving until 6. So we wanted to make a day trip. We tried to find a bus that would take us to the American cemetery and the D-Day beaches but unfortunately, everything is still on winter schedules and not a lot of buses are running. Then we thought, hey Elizabeth has a car at her house, we will just learn to drive it in one night and then drive to the beach ourselves, perfect plan, right? Couldn't be more wrong. In an empty parking lot with Nadege giving instructions, I got the car moving twice out of maybe 10 times. And even then, there would have been no way I could have handled it on French roads. Good theory, but bad execution. And when I say bad, I mean epic fail.
So we decided to be safe and train it to Deauville for a couple of hours. And it was a gorgeous day so we definitely took advantage of the nice weather.
pretty Deauville
the beach
our breakfast on the beach: baguettes with butter and jelly, fresh squeezed orange juice, and coffee
deauville from the beach
leah and me
getting a picture touching the ocean, because you have to touch the ocean
love you deauville
leah and lindsay reading all of the stars' names
deauville centre-ville
horse races are a huge part of deauville culture
perfect little beach town
time for a drink before heading back to Caen
And when we got back to Caen, I had to go to class and they had to get back to Paris to go to work the next day. But luckily, I didn't have to say a sad goodbye because I am going to see them this weekend when I go to Paris! Did I mention I am going to Paris this weekend? I love that I can just hop on a train and be in Paris in 2 hours. I'm such a lucky girl!
Well that's all I have for now. Classes went well this week. Nothing new to report there. The weather has been absolutely amazing this last week and I have been getting some sun which has been lovely. I only have 2 more weeks of classes and then I have about 5 weeks to travel and hang out! I can't wait!
Until next time, au revoir!
C'est la belle vie! :)
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