"When you realize how perfect everything is, you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky." Buddha

Well, folks, this is it.  My last day of this French adventure.

My time here has been kind of like this picture.  I can see it, everything that I've done and learned and seen, but it's still a little blurry.

"My Lord! Open up for me my heart. And ease for me my task. And untie the knot of my tongue. That they may understand my speech." Qur'an

Great apartment building on my walk to the Paris Mosque.

Made it to the Paris Mosque and what a gorgeous place it is.  Looked like a path to the Secret Garden.  One of the most tranquil places I've ever been.

 

Just around the corner was a delicious Moroccan restaurant where I had some eggplant tagine and dessert and tea.  I wish I could give you a sample as you read this.

"If you're brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello." Paulo Coehlo

My last day in Amberac with my lovely English family, and I'm so sad to be leaving!  Especially because I've been having breakfast every morning with Lily.

Lily is Sandy's 91 year old mother.  Ninety-one years old, you're probably thinking, that's ancient.  Let me tell you a little bit about Lily.  She worked through World War II, married her childhood sweetheart until he passed away after 75 years of marriage, and is undeniably the most radiantly beautiful woman I have ever known.

If you want a little perspective, make friends with a 90 year old human.  If you want to learn a little about life, understand simplicity and know love, make friends with a 90 year old woman named Lily.

"I want to think again of dangerous and noble things. I want to be light and frolicsome. I want to be improbable, beautiful and afraid of nothing as though I had wings." Mary Oliver

 This one's for you, Riiich.

 Sandy and Roger picked up some new black chickens at the market.

"Live the full life of the mind, exhilarated by new ideas, intoxicated by the romance of the unusual." Ernest Hemingway

Went exploring in our little town of Amberac today and I came across some beautiful things.  What do you think?

Oysters

Who would have thought that these slimey little things would actually be good?!

"The woman who follows the crowd will usually get no further than the crowd. The woman who walks alone is likely to find herself in places no one has ever been." Albert Einstein

Albert must really have been some sort of genius to have so much wisdom on so many topics.  Not to anyone's surprise, he is quite right.

The French countryside is peaceful and welcoming, the sun warms the earth and as cliche as this is going to sound, everything glows.  The grasses, the cows, the million different plants that I couldn't even begin to name.  Everything, beaming with contentment.

Bonjour cows.

Crispy Duck

This is Crispy.  He's a duck that lives on the Charente river that runs behind Roger and Sandy's maison.  He has a family of 12 ducklings, but he didn't bring them.  Maybe next time!

Here's Roger feeding our little friend.

Mousse au Chocolat

I figured that eventually I would learn how to make chocolate mousse.  Did I think that a 53 year old Irishman would be the person to teach me?  You betchya.

The whole process is relatively easy and requires just a pinch of patience.  The result is dedadent and super rich.

Can't wait to make this for my maman!

"Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers." Veronica Shoffstall

Roger and Sandy, the retired English couple whom I'm teaching French, are the cutest.  They are in the process of building a scrumptious garden.  Roger toils all day figuring out how to install a sprinkler system that waters the veggies perfectly so that his "Bub-wife" has to do only minimum work.

Tell me that's not love, I dare you.

They also have these fun chickens, which actually lay eggs.  Bonjour to a whole new appreciation for breakfast.

"Cherish your solitude. Take trains by yourself to places you have never been. Sleep out alone under the stars. Learn how to drive a stick shift. Go so far away that you stop being afraid of not coming back. Say no when you don't want to do something. Say yes if your instincts are strong, even if everyone around you disagrees. Decide whether you want to be liked or admired. Decide if fitting in is more important than finding out what you're doing here." Eva Ensler

In the southwest of France for a week, teaching English to a retired English couple.

Check out my new accomadations:

Probably the only pool in the entire country.

"I don't think any day is worth living without thinking about what you're going to eat next at all times." Nora Ephron

Today we had a beautiful brunch with one of Karla's friends...I didn't take any pictures though!

After a typical looong French meal, we got some of this delicious gelato and ate it here...perfection.

We went home to Karla's host family who made this delicious tapas dinner for our last night there.

Delta Lovin' at its finest.

 P.S.  It was so great because everyone thought because Karla and I had dark hair that we were sisters, sorry Ali, we still love you!

Delta Lovin' French Style

What could possibly make France more wonderful?  A little Delta Love, that's what.

After a pit stop in Paris, I zoomed over to Nantes to the beautiful Ruzo sisters.  You know what they say about three Tri Delts in one place...that's an official party.

Thankfully, Karla had been in Nantes for the year and was the cutest and most informative tour guide that Ali and I could have asked for.

 

Street art with dirt!

Hello, giant robotic elephant.

This is called the Yellow Banana.

Olympic rings!

Last Danish Adventure Day 6

Said au revoir to my bike for the week and my sweet friend, Olivia.

This is Olivia's cute zone in her room, and she got me one of this Hopptimists.  They are so cute and Danish and now I have one of my very own.  How awesome.

Tusind tak for such an incredible adventure!!

I'm Not Getting off This Bike Day 5

I ventured out of Copenhagen today!!  I went to Malmo, Sweden.  Who knew it was only a 30 minute train ride away?

 Beautiful and oldest church in Sweden.

This is the train station.  The bike situation is just ridiculous.

Olivia and Amelia made this scrumptious dinner.  Sandwich compliments of Pinterest, baby.