I enjoyed a restful sleep at Jean Remy's and headed out for a day of sight seeing. It took me about 20 minutes to open the door but I finally managed it. I head to the Basillica of St. Serrin and was impressed by the size of the place. I pushed my way past the double doors and was amazed by the inside of it. It sometimes is good to be humbled when we feel ourselves getting too important. The architecture terminology escapes me but the rose stone was cool combined with the quiet of the church. A service was going on in the cloisture so every once in a while chanting would fill the church. I took a seat and just basked in the stillness of the place. It was nice to be able to sit in the quiet without having to pay for it. If you want to sit comfortably here, you usually need to pay for it here. The weather is still a little cool outside to sit.
I took off and wandered the streets and scored a coffee at McDo's to check Internet and see if I had any places lined up. The more I read about Toulouse Latrec, the more I want to go to Albi to see his birthplace and the museum that houses most of his works. I toy with the idea of watching "Oblivion" but decide to wander the streets more and take in Musee des Augustins. I stumble upon it a half hour later and go in. The place is an old monastery built around 1200. Again, the building style and colouring are absolutely striking. I'm blown away by the ancient statues, funeral plaques, and burial covers I see. Some are in very good condition considering some are 5-600 years old. Impressive. The church itself houses several paintings and I'm pleased to find musical instruments figure heavily in earlier times. The organ is particularly striking. I will have to try to take in an organ concert while I am here. Must be spectacular. The third room was filled with older paintings and had a few by Toulouse. They're very unique and I quite like them. Some of the paintings deal with the crusades and are about 4 or 5 metres square. The oils used are quite vivid and spectacular. This museum completely stunned me by how beautiful the whole experience was. Way better than a movie. I cannot tell you how happy I was to be inside when the skies opened up. I read for a while and then headed to the tourist shop. On the way, I heard a "David". It was Jean-Reny! He walked over to the tourist office with me and then showed me how I would leave. We then walked back to his apartment together. It's been tougher with JR because he only speaks in French with me. I tried to tell him I was tired last night and then changed tired to tiring. I then quipped that i was tired but that I must be tiring for him! My first joke in French. Day by day though, my French seems to grow a little stronger. I bought him a 6 pack of beer as a thank you. He asked if I was going out that night but I said that I was tired from the day. We read the papers and I learn that some poor police officer was attacked by a guy with a samurai sword. Crazy world. I think the cop is going to be ok.
We watched a movie called "My Part of the Cake". Again, I can't catch most of what is said but I can put clues together with dialogue to get a basic grasp of the plot. It was a fight against the system type of movie so you know I liked it. Another night and I am fading fast so I thank JR for his kindness as I will be heading out early tomorrow to get to Albi.
I took off and wandered the streets and scored a coffee at McDo's to check Internet and see if I had any places lined up. The more I read about Toulouse Latrec, the more I want to go to Albi to see his birthplace and the museum that houses most of his works. I toy with the idea of watching "Oblivion" but decide to wander the streets more and take in Musee des Augustins. I stumble upon it a half hour later and go in. The place is an old monastery built around 1200. Again, the building style and colouring are absolutely striking. I'm blown away by the ancient statues, funeral plaques, and burial covers I see. Some are in very good condition considering some are 5-600 years old. Impressive. The church itself houses several paintings and I'm pleased to find musical instruments figure heavily in earlier times. The organ is particularly striking. I will have to try to take in an organ concert while I am here. Must be spectacular. The third room was filled with older paintings and had a few by Toulouse. They're very unique and I quite like them. Some of the paintings deal with the crusades and are about 4 or 5 metres square. The oils used are quite vivid and spectacular. This museum completely stunned me by how beautiful the whole experience was. Way better than a movie. I cannot tell you how happy I was to be inside when the skies opened up. I read for a while and then headed to the tourist shop. On the way, I heard a "David". It was Jean-Reny! He walked over to the tourist office with me and then showed me how I would leave. We then walked back to his apartment together. It's been tougher with JR because he only speaks in French with me. I tried to tell him I was tired last night and then changed tired to tiring. I then quipped that i was tired but that I must be tiring for him! My first joke in French. Day by day though, my French seems to grow a little stronger. I bought him a 6 pack of beer as a thank you. He asked if I was going out that night but I said that I was tired from the day. We read the papers and I learn that some poor police officer was attacked by a guy with a samurai sword. Crazy world. I think the cop is going to be ok.
We watched a movie called "My Part of the Cake". Again, I can't catch most of what is said but I can put clues together with dialogue to get a basic grasp of the plot. It was a fight against the system type of movie so you know I liked it. Another night and I am fading fast so I thank JR for his kindness as I will be heading out early tomorrow to get to Albi.