19 Feb 2008
Valentines du Jour
Last week Pam and I spent a wonderful week in southern France. I have to say that we were both captured by the charm and lifestyle of these wonderful people. The food, the wine, the arts, the history, we were entranced by it all. With the help of a French/English dictionary and some English local maps, we spent a week exploring the quaint town of Montpellier. From the Chateau d’Eau (House of Water) fed by a Roman aquaduct to a magnificent local Arc de Triumph and the medieval Medical University, the sights were magnificent.
But the lifestyle is truely amazing, long lunches, short work days, street side cafes, leisurely dinners with fine wines blends perfectly with green transportation and clean air. Every meal was a celebration! At every turn, was a fountain or amazing architecture.
Valentine’s Day began with breakfast in bed. On the cab ride to work, the driver remarked in broken English that it was the Jour d’Amour in France and was surprised to learn that we celebrated in America also. Later on without dinner plans, we wondered the city streets looking at menus and wondering if we what we would find with out reservations when we happened upon a small cafe decorated with heart shaped balloons who were able to accommodate us. They seated us by the window looking out over the plaza where we watched other lovers following our path. Our quiet romantic dinner was truly incredible.
We also took advantage of the train system and took day excursions to Paris, Marseilles and Toulouse. Each holds special memories. Lunch under the Eiffel Tower along the River Seine with my sweetheart was the fulfillment of a lifetime dream. Walking along the centuries old fortress protecting the harbor at Marseilles inspired images of life during the time of tall ships. We has a leisurely lunch at a quaint old chocolate shop decorated with authentic murals depicting the renaissance and across from the magnificent 500 year old Toulouse City Hall.
Bon Voyage, Jay
