Anyways, this is the first free Saturday that we've had in Saintes where everyone is able to just relax and enjoy the day. It's actually perfect weather for the outdoors and for that occasion, our resident instructor, Gerald, decided to have a BBQ outside in our quaint little backyard. We started grilling at 12:00 and continuously ate for three hours. Gerald told us we had to learn "the way of the French" and most of it is just relaxing, eating, and enjoying the day. Seems pretty nice, huh? People in Saintes take their lunch breaks seriously and close their shops for 2-3 hours everyday. And everything is closed on Sunday. It's a lax lifestyle and if I were to live this way, I can't imagine how much weight I would gain.
Gerald has a very extensive collection of wine. Rumor has it, that he has 650 bottles of wine ranging from white to cabernet savingnon. And he only drinks the best. These are two from his collection that he brought over for the BBQ and by the looks of it, they're well aged.
FISH! MMMMMM.
This morning, our instructor went to the open market and purchased some seafood for all of us to try. Here are some sea snails...forgot what they were called in French...
Here's Gerald. Big, black, and from the Bahamas, this man knows how to cook.
Along with the sea snails, we also had oysters. They're soooooo fresh and juicy.
I had more than a few of them.
Here's our abroad instructor, Selwyn. He graciously opened all our oysters and then shared his black turnip with us.
And this is basically what our meals look like...meat, fresh veggies, cheese, bread, and wine...sun not always included.
If I come back larger and more French, this is fair warning to you all. You'd sympathize if you were in my shoes...eating baguettes by the dozen...
I'll be in Paris for a week starting Monday and then heading out for the Netherlands on Saturday. Don't know if I'll have internet, but I'll definitely post pictures when I get back!
À bientôt!
3 comments:
Hi Grace!
Yummie, those oysters look so good. Don't know about sea snails though.. It's funny that Dad & I had a great buffet dinner at Maui Prince Hotel last night following a wedding Dad officiated. And we got to taste huge & fresh oysters for dinner. Really enjoying your blogs!!! Take care. Love, mom
wow grace... those lunch breaks seem awesome =D and the food looks delicious.. didn't expect such fresh seafood there but those snails look good? haha anyways have a great time!!!
do they call sea-snails escargo too? haha, wow - you seem to be having quite the meals over there! BUt it dones't seem like you gained a single pound in that picture of you eating!
Post a Comment