Carcassonne

Here are some pictures of our trip to Carcassonne. As you can see, we drove by the Pyrenees. After lunch, we took a guided tour of the fortress city. The fortress has been in existence, in various incarnations, for over 2000 years, with Roman, French, Spanish, and cultures which predate France and Spain. Various parts show those influences. Even the church was originally Romanesque, but has been expanded in a gothic style. Our tour guide was very engaging and very informative. It was fun to hear about the various defenses built, how the population within and without the fortress walls varied over time, and about the art of the siege.

After the tour, we had a bit of time to wander and shop and then back onto the bus for the return trip. The group shot is of Mrs. B and the French students.

We arrived back at the hotel around 8pm, washed and freshened, and went back out on the town in our mini-groups. My group found a pasta joint that we loved and vowed to return to and then we went on our daily pilgrimage to find the wild gelato. Imagine our dismay to learn that the inconsiderate Spaniards had the Gaulle to close shops at 10pm, denying us our daily fix. Katherine swore that she would boycott our gelato store forevermore, a vow that I am confident will last less than 24 hours. I would tell you what other groups did as well, but other than fend off the advances and leers of randy European boys, I didn't hear much that I can report. We are learning that social mores differ, and that nighttime brings out the Eurowackos - more funny than threatening.

All for now, enjoy the pictures.