I Fell In Love With France-Chapter 9

When last heard from our travelers, they had just spent a lovely day in Aix-en-Provence. Sadly, it was now time to leave the old city of Marseille...

Doug and I did underestimate how much we would enjoy Marseille and we would like to have spent more time in the south. But before our train left in the afternoon we took a little bus tour around the coast and into the city and saw just how much we weren't seeing!

It was beautiful and enchanting and sad to leave.

We had a quick lunch by our hotel on the Old Harbor...

...and it was one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. We packed up our leftovers to eat on the long train ride...
and after about five hours of catching up on our sleep and watching the beautiful countryside flash by...

we arrived in Angers and were greeted by the P. family who met us at the train station and took us to their home where they hosted us for three days.

Trying to find the best way to write about those days in Angers is what has held me back from finishing this story. There just aren't any words to use. This is really where I fell in love with France, probably because I felt so much love. I don't speak French, although I was beginning to understand certain words and phrases. I don't know the customs, although I tried hard to be very observant so that I could adapt quickly. None of that mattered, though, because the P. family was so loving and giving and attentive to us.

I was charmed by the whole experience, by the window looking out our bedroom...

By how easily Doug slipped into his French ways...

I was charmed by the P's house and how perfect it was...

I was charmed by the gardens around the house and the naturalness of it all...

Mostly I was charmed by the P family and how much love they had for us!

And Mme. P is the epitome, to me, of a lovely French woman.

We spent a day with them as they showed us some of the sights.

Doug, the Frenchman, talking with his hands

in front of the House of Adam (oldest house in Angers)

where he bought his tapestry

Touring a medieval church

Walking through the streets of Angers

(note: Doug is only about 6' 1")

And this is where I started learning the Art of French Dining. EVERY meal was unique and delicious and served in courses and always included cheeses and yet was fairly simple. I loved experiencing a little bit of what "real life" is like in France.

Well, more stories from Angers and the P's another day.

This was the heart-beat of our trip.