So happy readers, back in France and the box on the top of the wardrobe in the brain where 'language' is stored is having a malfunction, grabbing the wrong language at inappropriate times - I go to say 'merci beaucoup' and out comes 'hvala'. The brain is a magnificent computer but sometimes it needs a re-set.
Toulouse is a beautiful city with a lot of rough sleepers, which given my work with Everybody Eats, I want to know if someone is feeding these people. They all seem to have dogs and they live in the shadows - actually in the shade. They swap sides of the street as the sun goes around (those who can walk).
There are also people on bikes, scooters, magnificent fashion, kind and helpful, particularly the receptionists at Le Grande Balcon Hotel (which is perfect). And that's a lime and basil ice-cream with a coffee petal...
Food and drinks are more expensive than in NZ, about the same cost as Croatia. I sank to the lowest of low today and walked into a Starbucks (toilet, wifi, aircon) and paid 4.50 euro for a coffee, most expensive yet. That'll teach me.
Had a bit of a self indulgent day - first to the nail studio to get the nail polish removed, was starting to look a bit tacky, then for a massage on my legs (huge amount of walking in non-walking shoes is taking its toll) and finally a bit of a chop of the hair - all ready now for hostel living on the Canal du Midi!
Major self indulgence though because I also went wandering around a few churches - firstly the St Augustine Cloister, then St Sernin Basilique and then a little chapel for the Carmelite nuns. My favourite church in Rue du Taur with the black madonna was closed for renovations.
The cloister (built around 1341 for monks) was just so quiet and pretty, and I thought I'd go with black and white.
St Sernin - Romanesque architecture, and contains an underground dungeon with relics - and yes, I checked that out. I've tried to get a bit arty with the photos so, enjoy. It was very dry and dusty smelling which made me sneeze. Awkward because everyone tiptoes and whispers in these big churches. Disclaimer, I'm not Catholic, and have very little (no) idea of the significance and symbolism but kinda like the depth of the silence. Was also impressed how many languages you could have confession in. - multilingual priests!
And then the Carmelite chapel which took my breath away, which I guess is the point - to make even me speechless, given that this order of nuns are not allowed to speak! The chapel was used for contemplation. Seats weren't very comfortable - I'd need to work my way through that.
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