Picnic, etc.

Yesterday I spent the day with my French friend, Mélanie. We had the most French picnic of my life at the pretty lake in town. I am talking several baguettes, wine, assorted cheese & charcuterie, some interesting spreads that I ended up not being grossed out by after all, and eclairs for dessert. Minus the fact that I got my first sunburn of the season, it was so great.
We were sitting and relaxing and people watching for a while. We even got to giving life stories to people, which I think is super funny. I had never done it in French before so that was a first.

Then, we had tea and just chatted at her apartment.

Later on, we went to see this band play called Breizh Amazir. It was about 7 people total- a violin (this girl musician had great style), bagpipes, several guitars, some flutes, etc. The music was really pretty and different and it was in this remarkable stone building dating from the 13th century, that was actually used to house the lepers during the Middle Ages. Hence it is called the "Maladrerie"- "malade" meaning sick in French. It had a courtyard and a fountain and it was just altogether charming. Three of my students were there at the show. One of whom, Silya, was running around the place in circles at one point and each time she passed us would say "Hello, Miss Sara!".
Pretty silly.

After some music, we went to my friend Nazim's place. A few of us met him a while back and he loves hosting get togethers. Last night he made sushi and we all hung out because a bunch of my fellow English teachers finish up next week and leave. Not me though- I still have 2 months left with my munchkins.

Also, there was a gourmet market in town back in October that I think I mentioned. Well, it was back this weekend. It is quite nice. I ate a vanilla macaroon today that was delicious. Mmmm! France tastes good. That is for sure.