Day 6

Day 6

The breakfasts are a feast to prepare us for a full day of sightseeing and traveling. The coffee is the best ever. Croissants, breads, yoghurt, scrambled eggs, cereal – there’s everything you might want, sometimes even a sort of bacon. This day started the same.

Our bus driver dropped us off at La Bourse, the site of the former stock exchange on the banks of the Garonne River. We stood in the middle of what will be the largest reflecting pool in Europe – once there is no more threat of freezing.

The day was sunny, but brisk. Let’s say a bit about our tour director, John. He huddled us there in this wide open windy square and kept us captivated with his explanations about Bordeaux and its history, tying it in with what we would be seeing. He always keeps us spellbound, no matter the conditions. Students and adults alike hang on his words. It becomes so easy to relate what we see to what he has told us.

We walked to the longest pedestrian street in all of Europe, then wound our way to the cathedral of Bordeaux, where Éliénor d’Aquitaine married Louis VII in 1137 at the age of 13. We discussed Romanesque vs. Gothic and the features of each. Students could relate characteristics and time periods. It was impressive – both it and them.

We were then released to explore the pedestrian shopping area and pick up some lunch in anticipation of the train ride ahead of us. Raven was on a mission to pick up a jacket, as she had not packed for the brisk weather. We stopped in a Pimke store, and Monsieur almost immediately picked out the perfect jacket for her. Taylor found a very cute, short jacket with a black top to go with it. Even Sommer, who does not like to shop found a black knit sweater that will be perfect for the top of the Eiffel Tower. And Monsieur was happy because all three girls asked for and accepted his advice. He may actually go shopping again.

We took our portable lunches and headed, aboard our coach, to the Bordeaux train station to await our TGV to Tours. It was a pleasant wait, with several of us exploring shops. Monsieur and Raven had a delightful talk with a little old French woman about current events, politics, the great weather in Bordeaux, and her daughter and grand-children. Never has a wait for transportation been so enjoyable.

In short order, we mounted the steps to our train car and found our places. We munched our portable lunches as we sped across the countryside.

It is hard to describe the camaraderie that can happen on a trip such as ours. We have three small groups – 7 people from Maryland, 8 from Indiana and 6 from Nevada. And yet the time we spend together brings us closer together. On the train, we laughed about many things. Cross-group friendships began. And an esprit-de-corps was born.

We arrive to a somewhat gloomy Tours. Monsieur had told us that the hotel was quite nice, as he had stayed at Kyriad Tours before, and he was not wrong. The building is a unique mixture of old and new and quite served our purposes. Several of us decided to go out for a before-dinner walk, which became an apéro – an aperitif – the traditional before-dinner drink and small nosh. Many of the younger people opted for milkshakes and sodas, but some adults tried a nice Tourraine red wine or a Mojita.

We met at the Restaurant 5G for an amazing dinner. The restaurant is a kind of burger joint for lunch. But for dinner, the owner and chef accepts only small groups and makes a special menu for them, created by him in his own kitchen. It was delightful.

After dinner, the group walked down to the Pomérol district, the oldest part of Tours dating to the middle ages. We visited the site of the original cathedral of St. Martin de Tours as John explained the legacy of this fourth century former Roman Legionnaire. And as we walked, Sarah came us with the phrase, “Fromagez-vous.” You will have to ask her about it.

As John explained the role of the mulberry tree to the silk trade and the life of royalty in the Loire valley, he was interrupted by the strains of a Christian musical group singing songs of praise in the Place Pomérol. We smiled and clapped along. We’ve come to take everything in stride.

We returned to the Kyriad tired and happy.