Well Albi!

We're playing a little bit of catch up here with the blog. We're still staying with Cécile in Toulouse, but the following pictures are of ¨La Ville Rouge¨ aka Albi. Cécile's parents live in a traditional French home in Albi and we've been lucky enough to spend 1 weekend there so far. Ty's parents sent a care package which we recieved there, full of goodies! Thanks Ma!!!!!!!!

This is a picture of Albi from one of the many bridges. In the background you can see the HUGE Cathedral. It's really really HUGE! It's a one of a kind Cathedral, built as a real fortress during a religious war in France.



A view of the opposite bank. Albi was a very rich town that produced blue dyes as well as hats and other things they shipped along this river, Tarn.

While walking in France you may be lucky enough to run into one of these performers. We aren't sure what they are called or even what the instrument he is playing is called, but they have very traditional french music that is imprinted on cardboard cards all attached together. He then will turn the crank and the cards go through the machine and play the music, which he will sing along with. Very entertaining!

Over the weekend we attended a birthday party for one of Cécile's good friends. This is the country house (old farm house) that they rented for the party; it was fantastic.

This is a picture of the party in full swing. There was a lot of eating, mingling and dancing.

We were timidly approached by people who were brave enough to try and speak English with us, or Tyrn was racking his brain to keep up in french. Ty is doing really well with his French skills, but it takes a lot of concentration and can really wear a guy out! SO, as the party raged, Ty didn't quite make it to the end, in fact he didn't even get to see the candles blown out. Needless to say he was a bit of an attraction at the party, the ¨sleeping Canadian¨ and was photographed extensively.

A glimpse of the country side around the farm house the next morning. (Isn't she beautiful?)

Tyrn got to try out driving on French roads, we don't have a picture of this VERY curvy road, but trust us, Ty felt like he was a rally racer!

We want to tell you how spoilled we have been in France. Cécile is letting us stay at her house, which we will introduce you to later. She treats us to everything and is an amazing guide and friend. Then we go to Albi where her whole family greeted us with open arms. Cécile's mom and dad are super fun and have prepared delicious french food for us. Last weekend was a duck extravaganza! The theme was everything duck, we have eaten almost the entire duck, except perhaps the beak, feet and feathers!(even the insides us Canadians don't even talk about) VERY TASTY!! We have met both her Grandmas and Ty had his first true french kiss with one of them. The greeting in France is to kiss both cheeks, Ty hadn't been greeted this way yet, until Cécile's Grandma met us in the store. He is a little unsure about this kind of greeting still and almost took his eye out with Grandma's glasses!

Bon nuit!!!!
K & T