La Rochelle
La Rochelle gave me strong vibes of Canary Row—a port town with its own aquarium, candy shops, and a busy tourist scene. This is the only deep-water port on the Atlantic coast. We strolled along the port and stumbled upon an outdoor scene with a DJ spinning, people sipping beer, and soaking up the atmosphere. As we wandered further, we came across a tower standing tall, providing a view of the sea. The streets were filled with street performers and tourists taking in the sights. We had a nice (short) visit. Before we left our hotel room, Gabe sat down to read the prologue of Gaston’s book - aloud. We've set ourselves a goal to finish it by the end of the month, but let me tell you, it's not an easy task. Hearing those words, knowing that Baba likely wrote this, imagining Gabe reading it to our boys, it's an emotional journey. Yet, it's also such a gift he left us—just one of the many.
We made a stop at La Poste to mail my visa documents. It had been a few weeks of dedicated effort, ensuring we gathered everything on the required list. With a mix of relief and anxiety, we sent off the documents to the prefecture, hoping that we have provided all the necessary paperwork. Now, we brace ourselves for the adventure of navigating French bureaucracy. Fingers crossed for a smooth process!
Driving out of La Rochelle there were enormous superstores - E.Leclerc, Intermarche, etc. When I imagine shopping in France, I always picture those quaint, charming small markets, where you can have a nice chat with the shopkeeper and buy just what you need for the day or a couple of days. It feels like a real community experience. But, of course, like everywhere else, there are those enormous stores outside of towns that remind me of Target or Walmart. They sure are convenient for a quick, affordable, one-stop shopping spree. Still, despite the convenience, I lean towards supporting small family-owned businesses. There's a certain authenticity and connection you get when you shop at these local markets. It's not just about the products; it's about preserving traditions and the unique culture that comes with it. In a world dominated by massive retail giants, I find it important to cherish and encourage these small businesses, as they add a special touch to each community and represent the true spirit of France.
As we cruised toward Saumur, the landscape was painted with countless sunflower fields—seriously, they seemed to stretch forever! Curiosity led me to find out why sunflowers are so prevalent here in France. It turns out, they play a massive role in the country's oil industry (sunflower oil as an alternative to butter), and even the leaves serve as cattle feed.
