Like most Americans, I spent the 4th of July walking around a fortified medieval city. In lieu of a hot dog, I had a croque-monsieur and orangina for lunch. I suppose that on Bastille Day I will have to eat a hamburger to make up for it. The girls and I wore all red, white and blue. We were the only ones with any spirit.
We went to Carcassone, a beautiful city that basically looked like a Disney-created medieval town. Only it was real. Though it used to be a Roman city, it now looks like it is the French Middle Ages. The whole thing is surrounded by two ramparts and inside is a little town, mostly all touristy, a cathedral and castle. Techincally there is another part of Carcassone at the base of the hill that was built after major problems with Carcasson the fort city involving sieges, religious persecution, death, and exchanges of power. The "alternative city" exists today and looks like any other city in France, but it's the fort part on the top of the hill that is worth seeing. After lunch, we went shopping, and sadly I didn't buy myself any damsel in distress gowns or swords and armor. We then visited the 12th century cathedral and castle that had been restored in the 1800s to the medieval look. Dad, I thought of you while walking on the ramparts knowing how much you would've loved all the stairs, particularly the ones that had two feet steps. The last photo is taken from the ramparts. All that green you see on the hill is vineyards. The drive over was nothing but vineyards.
During the bus ride back, Jeremy, our tour guide wanted help with some English vocabuary. So for about an hour, I listened to him tell the history of Carcassone in English and corrected him when he was wrong. I particularly enjoyed when he said, "De King of France come to Carcasonne and dead all the people." Dead=Killed. Duh.
Tonight we ate dinner with the nice French family with the beautiful house. The 12 year old boys told stupid jokes that only they could understand, laughed hysterically throughout the meal, and then argued over who was going to clean up. I guess some things transcend foreign language and countries.
And on another note, what is the deal with Sarah Palin? I suppose resigning does leave her with more time for moose hunting. But still, I'm going to sorta miss her. Who else will keep an eye on those Russians?
Wow, shay the photos are so exciting as that place looks yes disneyesque yet dripping in Frenchness. I would want to live in the Medieval part of the city on top of the hill. Are there any condos left? You should have purchased at least one damel in distress dress to wear when you seek financial rescue from your credit card company! I just came from the French Quarter where there were 50 trillion people to see the fireworks and drink celebratory drinks. It just is not the same as the real FRENCH cities!! Too much English spoken there. Finally I feel sure Sara will hang around and continue to say interesting things to amuse us! Love, dad
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