hoodlums in the hometown

we arrived back in angers late Sunday night, and I was so excited to have Tess around for the week in my European hometown. we got her all set up on the air mattress, luckily my apartment is big enough for it and just cozy enough for two. Monday morning rolled around, we walked to the city center for a fresh baguette sandwich and her first brioche suisse which was lovely. I then sent her on her way to the train station to get to Nantes, a nearby city about an hour by train to explore for the day. it was gorgeous weather, which eurojules was extra happy about. I went to class for about 5 hours, and then picked Tessie up at the train station on her way home from Nantes. we showered and met hol downstairs to go to dinner at our favorite pizza place, le Napoli. we chose three pizzas and picked a few pieces each. I was so happy Tess and hol finally met, my two worlds colliding in the best way. we shared many giggles and many slices, stopped at Carrefour and picked up some sweet treats as hol always calls them. Tess was standing back laughing her butt off at holly and I as we had the freezer door open and were verbally contemplating what to choose. Tess called my name amidst her giggles to get me to see the line forming behind us as we were just deep in thought and conversation choosing an ice cream flavor, whoops je m'excuse. hol & sar had a group project to work on, so when they were ready for a break we all gathered in the kitchen for some chatting and sweet treat indulging - two of my favorite things.

Tuesday we ventured to a kebab place for lunch. Tessie had to experience the infamous kebab (a shameless heart attack on a plate) that is quite popular in angers & France in general. another glorious weather day, feeling totally spoiled for two in a row as the winter has been long, cold & wet. I went to class for my presentation and Tess went into the city center to read her book and people watch. we met at a coffee shop and shared a tasty iced coffee and then shopped around a little. pretty weather, and a girls day. what's better? back to the apartment & we both showered for dinner. crêpe night! a big group of people were able to join so we had a table of 12 at our favorite crêperie in town (there are quite a few..) which was a blast with a bunch of conversations happening at once. because the weather was so nice, Tess and I went back home to change and headed out again for an evening walk. I took her down across the river to see a little more of angers, and then we stopped at another crêpe place for a dessert crêpe. Tessie had honey and I had Nutella (my favorite sweet crêpe of course.)

Wednesday I didn't have class, so we went out for an Italian lunch at al dente in a side street downtown. it was delish! gotta love the small restaurants tucked away, they often produce the best meals in the cities I've been to thus far. we popped into the cathedral, which I haven't yet seen, and it had an exquisite altar. a popular church trend, at least in angers, is all cement everything. those hour long masses turn you into an ice cube.. it's freezing! we ventured over to the chateau, and got a sweet view of the city. the flowers were finally blooming as well, which was a cheerful addition from the last time I was there with the girls. quite breezy (see Tess's Instagram for reference) on top of the chateau but it made for some funny photos. we popped over to a patisserie favorite on the corner dock for a pain au chocolat and pain au raison as well. yummy afternoon snacks in France.. sar and I hosted wine night on Wednesday night at our place and Kersten, Jibri, holly and Mary joined us (Tess too of course!) there were plenty of debates, laughs, and crêpes involved thanks to chef mar. Tess tried my favorite cheese - double crème caprice de dieux and liked it, but how could you not? the french are old pros at the wine and cheese thing.

thursday was casual, we made lunch at home and I had class in the evening. Tessie took a little snooze, I started the laundry and she finished it while I was in class. after class got out (7:30.. woof) I met holly kerst and Tessie at the pub downtown. we've been a few times, and have yet to be disappointed. kerst and I both got the chicken breast and green beans and it was so delish. Tess & hol got a salad, which we laughed because it came on a plate and not in a bowl. only in Europe I tell you. it was so nice to just chat with my angers girls and my sis, no where to be but there. we ordered dessert, but the pub's strengths end at the meal and don't carry over into dessert. ask hol about their blow torching skills for crème brûlée..

Friday morning- packing up for the weekend ahead. terribly excited to see more of Europe by big sis' side, but bummed she's leaving angers. feels warmer when she's in it, you know? alors, onward to Lisbon..!

cheers, jkro