Well, hasn't it been a long time since I last wrote you! I've been all over the place in the month that we've been apart, started back to work and been to a soiree de Tequila (why have I never been to one of these before?!) Said soiree involved, of course, Tequila, lemons and LIMES and muuustaches. Arriba! (Photos to come!) As this soiree took place last night, I'm finding it a little hard to type at any speed, but I'll try and get everything down. Phew.
3 weeks ago I embarked on my making the most of Toussaint holidays extravaganza, and first stop was le Tour de France. Laden with a backpack of Savoie's best cheese, I boarded my first train, destination: Pontarlier. After a 3 and a half hour journey comprised already of 2 trains, I was nearly there, with only 1 final train to catch, and 5 minutes to do it in. I ran under the tunnel, popped up the other side to see the cutest train of only 1 CARRIAGE approaching the platform. I had to ask a guy if this was the train to Pontarlier, just to be sure. Of course it was you darling little place <3
In Pontarlier I found some beautiful dear friends of mine.
Yes Sylvain, you made the blog!
And ate a Mont d'Or (Golden Mountain). I think you can see why it's so aptly named: cheese glorious cheese, and so much of it!
And, I was there for the first snow of the season! :D :D :D
I also found one of my favourite French teachers and her lovely husband.
Rob and Madame Heywood
After an amazing few days spent with old friends, I started the next leg of my journey. A 6 hour journey to the even tinier village of Serez in Normandy to see the first family I au paired with 2 summers ago.
Here they are on a casual afternoon trip to Paris.
Cuties!
We went to a bio tropica park too.
I really do love animals, really...
After another wonderful few days with people I wish I could see more, I headed right up North to see my dear friend David Tully. Unfortunately, all the pics I took of Le Havre were in the dark, but I assure you this is David below!
We wined and dined in a casino, watched Love Actually and drunk many a cup of tea. Ahh English people <3
10 days will never be enough time spent with all these people I hold dear in my heart, mais merci a tous encore pour les journees que j'ai passe avec vous, je les ai adore.
(Also, I don't know where the accents on my keyboard are, and I am too lazy at the moment to find them. Soz!)
Monday midday, I made the 7 hour journey back to Chambery, to spend 1 brief night in my now home town before it was time for the second part of my travels.
ITALIAAAAA!!!!!!!
First stop, Torino.
A beautiful city with the Alpes in the background. Magnifique!
A nutella coffee! Whaaaaaaaaat.
Here, I shall have to take a brief pause in writing to you friends, because I'm off to see the final part of Breaking Dawn, in French- bizarre. Be right back. Bisous.
....
I'm baaaack! And it was A-MAZING, GENIAL, FANTASTIQUE etc etc etc!!!! Even with their weird French voices! Loved the twist from the book *ahem*. Love love love and so sad there are no more books and no more films :(
Anyway, back to Italy!
Day 2 and 3: Milano a.k.a. my favourite city visited.
What looks like something out of a construction site is really a lookout point. And did we go up this really stable looking contraption?
We sure did!
Although the view was so worth it, I was thankful for the 5 minute buzzer to tell us it was time to go down again. I really felt like I was on a boat with the structure swaying! You would've hated it Pa!
It was also in Milan that I ordered a pizza with no cheese. A complete unfortunate mistake/ miscommunication in languages. You see, I didn't want squid legs on my pizza (freaky things)- but instead I ended up with no cheese, and squid legs. And being charged 2 euros extra?! It was like learning French from scratch all over again, I was so lost and mute! Needless to say there is no picture documented of this pizza because it is something I would quite like to forget...
Day 4: Verona
So kitschy (my new word that I don't use enough I feel).
And of course, you can't go to Verona without going to the Casa of Juliette.
Romantic padlocks
Romantic chewing gum wall
And a romantic letter to Juliette, because she will bring you luck in love, and we all need a bit of that at times right?
Coconutty chocolatey cornflakey gelato, mmmmmmmmmmmhhhhhmmmmmmmmm
Day 5: Venice
Truly a beautiful place, but it is a bit smelly, true-say.
Final destination:
Lake Garda on the way home. Idyllic.
A special thanks again to Simon for being such a great roadtrip conductor. Without him and his trusty car, I wouldn't have been able to see anywhere near as many of Italy's treasures on my first trip to the country. Next stop, Rome!
And so I returned from our 2 week vacation not so much rested, but very well travelled. I even missed my normal routine life of working at the lycee, having fun with the kids, and my mountains. It's good to be home. (well, my second home Mum).
In other good news, I finally bought my train tickets home for Christmas! 21st of December at 9.15pm, I am back in England baby! Soak me up for 2 weeks of festive fun, I can't wait!
Well, I better love you and leave you all there, as we're off for an Italian evening of pasta chez my new Italian friends'. Missing you all. Will write soon(er).
Gros bisous
Grenoble Girl
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