You can't say the food isn't beautiful here. It is always beautiful. This is what I had for dinner last night at a little outside garden area: a fruit salad with some thinly sliced Serrano ham. (I have taken to having salads for dinner after buying a pair of narrow slinky black jeans that everyone was wearing when I got here and finding that I am one of the largest sizes they offer!)
I haven't got to wear the jeans yet because it turned off hot the last few days. Tomorrow should return to a week or two of "in the 70s" days.
More on the "food is pretty" theme: I asked for one scoop of coffee ice cream and this is what I got. I asked, "C'est une fleur?" and she said "Oui."
I keep finding myself in the big area, Place de la Comedie, that everyone hangs out in and walks through on the way to anywhere. Above is a promenade off that place.
Some of the noble buildings surrounding the Place de la Comedie.
I have walked nearly every street now, either looking for clothes, little summer dresses, or restaurants. I can't help noticing my surroundings though as I wander from plaza to plaza. The upper parts of this church are dramatic.
I promised a picture of the 4th tram, my favorite. Don't you agree it looks like a huggable toy?
On the map, this same tram goes the farthest north, up toward the hills. So yesterday I rode it up to the end and got off. I walked through a neighborhood of small modern houses. This was a view north from the main village street. There I also found and walked a greenway path with signs explaining the plants and habitat. Most places just outside Montpellier include walkable natural greenspaces, I have found.
On Tuesday, I was allowed to attend the 25th anniversary of the American Womens Group luncheon. I had met a couple of them earlier when I attended a morning coffee and then a Quiz Night sponsored by a similar Canadian group. I learned that many of them have lived overseas for many years and eventually retired to Montpellier after their various posts elsewhere. Many others are younger and working here. They have a walking group, book group, cooking sessions and make several special occasions for themselves and others throughout the year. They seem to be all capable interesting women and would make great friends if I were ever here for awhile.
This turns out to be my favorite place in Montpellier. It is just a up some stairs from my apartment along a small park. Serving these tables are a "Café" and a little farther on, a restaurant. One just comes here bringing a book, (or these days, a phone), orders a drink and sits enjoying what's around you. Each time, I got to talk with people near me, they mostly in French and I mostly in English.
The third time there, I decided to order a traditional drink that I knew about but had never tried. It's a clear liquor that turns this color when added to water and it tastes like licorice. I never see young people ordering it. In fact many there were having other refreshing-looking drinks that had not alcohol.
Then as I go back toward the end of the park toward the steps down, I see this view. That's a bit of a hill in the distance.
I saved the best for last. I have walked by this window several times. I finally got the nerve to take this picture. I'm wondering if anyone back home wants me to bring them a pair. I'll only charge the price plus 25 euros for going into the store and purchasing them.
Tomorrow I ride a train to d'Agde on the Mediterranean to pick up the rental car I'll need for the next several days. I plan to drive to Carcassonne. With luck, there'll be something fun to do and see there. I may get around to explaining why I have to go somewhere else to get a rental car. Suffice it to say that not everything works out exactly as you expect!
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