Meeting Jess and Joel at the TGV station was a joyous event. Hugs and laughter with shared understandings about our experiences here in France punctuated our happiness to see each other. Jess has been my study buddy for a number of years. Joel, her husband, has made sacrifices to be with her and enjoy a year long adventure. Travel, culture, language and socialising on a totally different level to Aotearoa is something that we have in common. Both Jess and Joel are energetic, enthusiastic and positive people. Solutions are always found to any problems, life is a massive wave, ride it and get a big buzz! They live in Maubeuge .... only 9 kilometres from the Belgium border.
Joel swung my heavy back pack onto his own youthful shoulders, Jess grabbed my little suitcase on rollers and as we walked towards the parked car, Jess proclaimed that we are very lucky that the rain had stopped.
First thing on the agenda was dinner. My train arrived at 8:00 p.m. The kiwi couple were STARVING. I was delighted with their perfect choice of café. It was brimming with personality. The joint was groaning with books. Walls were adorned with a fantastic selection that one can borrow, purchase or add to. It certainly gave the café an adorable ambience of a comfy lounge.
A shelf dedicated to games intrigued my curiosity. I have grown very fond of board games. On many occasions, card games and board games have connected me with new found friends. Laughter, friendly repartee and amicable competition quickly bind people together ..... more than any movie, book, computer game or T.V.
I rather like the idea of piles of books. They kind of give an intellectual air, remind me that they are becoming a curiosity in this day of high tech and the haphazard wonder of a stimulated mind.
Wow! The walls were pasted with pages from books. What a cool idea! I wonder what kind of glue was used???
Anaïs, the friendly/quirky owner was absolutely charming. We were joined by another french friend of Jess. Our party of four dining on soup, quiche and sumptuous desserts. The red house wine was rich, full bodied; it went down a treat after an arduous 9 hour train ride with 2 connections en route.
Afterwards we tourist-walked around the town of Lille. The photos here are absolutely pathetic. They don't do justice to the stunning architecture, the vivacious Valentine's Day vibe as people socialised and spilled onto the wet streets from bars, cafés and restaurants. Below is a shot of a MASSIVE Cathedrale. What a shame the photo doesn't capture its full glory.
And here is a blurry shot of the most adorable cobbled narrow street you can imagine. Its ornate architecture with a gothic tower towering above were a highlight of the evening.
The jaunt around the old section of Lille was amazing. I now understood why everyone warned me in advance that I would LOVE IT!!
The journey back to Maubeuge was a full hour. I confess to dropping off a couple of times, as Joel confidently sped along the motorway. When we finally backed into the tiny garage at the bottom of their apartment building in Maubeuge, the clock struck 1:00 a.m. Whoa!
...and ... after being shown around their spacious bright apartment ... I was treated to the most wonderful display of real tulips in my bedroom. Oh la la!!! Merci beaucoup!!!
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