Tours, France (July 6 - July 15)

Welcome to France!  It was nice to be "home" in Tours ... the Valley of the Loire.  I studied at the Université François-Rabelais back in the Fall of 2000.  I lived in the dorms and made friends there and also at the church (the Assemblies of God Church in Tours).  One of my friends, Ingrid, is still in Tours, well close to Tours.  She is living with her boyfriend, Gilles, in Nouzilly, which is located about 30 minutes north of Tours.  I spent about 9 days with them, but because of Ingrid's working hours, I really only was able to spend some of the mornings with her and then the weekend.  Ingrid and Gilles work at the same place, but Gilles works more of the morning and Ingrid into the night.  So when they were both at work, I was able to take Ingrid's car (a convertible) and drive around.  Tours has changed since I was there last.  They now have IKEA and plenty of Starbucks and other American restaurants.  It was good to be able to see my old dorm and to enjoy the great French cuisine, as well as spend time catching up with Ingrid.

On Saturday, Ingrid and Gilles had invited their close friends and family for a small gathering.  Ingrid and I made many of the dishes on Friday, but let me tell you that we did not lack food.  They did not tell us what the gathering was for.  Ingrid is 3 months pregnant (well, in July).  It will be her first.  I don't know if they know the gender yet.  This will be a good change for Ingrid.  I got to meet Gilles' brothers and sisters and have good conversations with them in French.  This was a good time to test and stretch my French.  I got nervous but was able to hold my own.

Tuesday, July 14 was France's national holiday, like the US' Fourth of July.  Gilles, Ingrid and I went to the Beauval Zoo.  I was able to show them the animals that I get to see in Kenya.  On our way there, we stopped to eat along a river.  We had an enjoyable day that ended with fireworks along the Loire River.  The next day, I had to get up early for a long trek to London.

Some of my fond memories of Tours:
--Seeing Ingrid again
--Having good conversations with Gilles over lunch
--Hearing the baby news
--Spending time with Gilles and Ingrid
--Driving on the right side of the road and in a convertible (with GPS)
--Speaking French; practicing French

--Eating French food

--Eating pastries!!
--Eating ... too much

Pictures:

 Preparing food for the party

A pastry shop and my FAVORITE pastry (une religieuse)

 My dorm

 Amboise

Chenonceau