Le Golfe de Morbihan, Carnac & Vannes

The last two days of the week were pretty boring around here- I never really have much to write about schooldays but here are the two highlights.

Firstly, on Thursday I ordered my tickets for our 10 day fall break! We will be flying from Paris into Madrid on Saturday the 26th - from there it is only a short train ride to Toledo so we will bounce between those two cities for 3 days. We ordered tickets for a bullfight (about which I am rather apprehensive) I'm hoping it's more of the stand in the ring and avoid the bull kind of fight and not a chase the bull through the streets with spears variety. On Wednesday we fly to Marrakesh, Morocco! For those of you that didn't know, going to Morocco or Egypt was the number one priority on my travel list. I am desperate to take a bunch of very cute pictures with some very cute camels so stay posted... We stay in Morocco until Saturday October 3rd and then returning home for classes on Monday.

Secondly, on Friday we went to our first Angers professional soccer game and the first soccer game I've ever watched. (close your stunned mouth Jamie) The tickets were very cheap and the atmosphere of crazy fans and obnoxious cheers was exhilarating. We were ahead for most of the game but it ended up being a tie (Seriously? a sport where no one wins? This must be why soccer was never watched in the Sandbothe household) The sport still isn't my favorite, but I definitely had a good time- more so when Trigg and Matt tried to explain some of the rules to me. Right as the game was over it started sheeting rain, after a while we gave up attempting to be dry and just enjoyed the soaking wet walk home.

Saturday was the last excursion during the Prestage and it was hands down the best. I had originally planned on skipping this one to go to Paris with some friends but decided against it at the last minute (thanks for the good advice Mom and Kurt). It was another early morning but I am such a pro at sleeping on buses that I didn't even mind. We arrived at the Gulf of Morbihan in the beautiful region of Bretagne (Brittany). The weather was absolutely perfect- still with just a hint of cold in the air, and I was looking forward to a great day. We boarded a large boat and set out across the gulf. I sat outside on the roof deck of the boat and the wind was chilly enough to make me glad for my jacket. The water was almost deserted and passing empty sailboats and silent houses made me feel like we were the only ones awake. I was the only person from ND on the trip, and it was nice to just be quiet and think instead of talking to everyone else. I don't know what it is about being out on the water that is so relaxing but I could have stayed on that boat all day. Our captain pointed out several private islands as we passed which are home to quite a few celebrities. We stopped on a small island where we were free to roam around and eat our picnic lunch. I walked to the other side of the island and found a beautiful beach and view of the gulf. I just wanted to sit there all day and it took the imminent departure of our boat to pry me from that spot.

The boat dropped us off on another island where we met up with the bus that had taken the auto-route around the gulf. From there we headed to see the megalithes at Carnac. These large stones, which are more than 4000 years old, have been placed upright in long rows throughout the region. There are lots of guesses as why but it's still a pretty big mystery. Normally you can only view the rocks from outside the fence, but this weekend happened to be Les Journées du Patrimoine - where every public museum and monument is open free to the public, even ones that normally never open - therefore, we were incredible lucky to be able to walk around among the rocks. Okay, so we did a little more than just walk around them.

(Papa, you would have been drooling, these rocks were so pretty- I really wanted to bring one home to you :) Can't you see one in our backyard?)

From Carnac we drove to the port city of Vannes. As much as I liked Saint Malo a few weeks ago, Vannes was even better. It still takes me by surprise to be walking through such modern commerce- ridiculously pricey boutiques and large supermarkets- to just stumble accross a thousand year old cathedral- is there one in every city?

It is so unlike the US to have the old mixed with the new like this and I love it more every day. The streets were absolutely packed with people- surprisingly most were locals. We had nearly 2 hours to walk around and I must have poked my head into every little store. I finally wandered back down to the wharf to wait for the bus. I sat on the edge of the bridge with my feet hanging over the water and the sun on my face just listening to the noises of the day. I swear I didn't think I'd ever get sick of being in that beautiful place.

I have offically decided that Bretagne, with its old cities and strong ties to the sea, is my favorite region in France, and I cannot wait to go back.

I could tell you how glorious that place was all day, but I have more homework than I can possibly do so it's back to the grindstone. I love you guys so much. R