FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2008

Friday was our last day in Rennes and in Brittany. Our train wasn’t until 13:05, so in the morning Erwin went off to see the school he had attended for a year as an exchange student back in the 50’s. It was almost a traumatic experience since the visit brought back many fond memories. The neighborhood had changed quite a bit since in those days the school was almost out in the beginning of countryside and now it's in the middle of the city.






There were many newer buildings all around the area. But the school (École Normale d’Instituteurs) was still there. There of course were some modern additions to the complex. He went through the gate and went to the reception desk just inside the front door. He spoke to the woman and explained who he was. She was very kind and said he could look about the building and grounds. So for about ten minutes he walked around not recognizing much except the basic structure of the main building. Back at the main entrance the receptionist told him that the director of the school was out ill. Otherwise he would have interested in talking to me. She also gave me the name of a teacher there who was writing a history of the school. We shall try to find information about the school when back in Paris. Back out on the street, he noticed that the once two lane bridge over the river near the school was now a modern six lane construction. In addition, there is now a modern subway line that stops only a few blocks away. Modern progress in fifty years. The school is now called Institut Universitaire de la Formation des Maîtres.. The functions of the two schools was/is basically the same, training of teachers for elementary schools.

Having satisfied his curiosity, Erwin took the subway back to the rail station and the hotel. We checked out and went out to the large open square in front of the station. There we had some galettes for lunch.








We went back to the station, down to the platform and on to the TGV (train grande vitesse) for the two hour ride to Paris. The ride was a very pleasant one and Erwin took the opportunity to work a bit on the blog.

We arrived back in Paris at 15:15, took the bus directly from the Gare Montparnasse to a block from the apartment. The bus was crowded and we had to stand almost the whole half hour trip trying to keep the bags from falling over. But we made it. We stopped at the Cafe du Viaduc just up the street from home for a cool drink. Home at last.

Not having much in the fridge, we decided to eat out. We went around the corner to the Sardegna a Tavola, a restaurant specializing in food from Sardinia. We started with a sparkling Muscat served with a cracker-like flat bread, olives, and some small chunks of something. Erwin tried a piece and determined that it was kidney. So much for that! The waitress told us that it was what we call variety meats (kidneys, sweet breads, etc) or offal. In French, les abats. For the main course, Alexandria had five different ravioli with a tomato sauce. Erwin had tortellini in a creamy, white truffle sauce. Both dishes were excellent. We had some traditional little cakes and cookies for dessert, also quite good.

Back to the apartment more than quite ready for bed.