One Last Hurrah

May 1st- May 10th

As my time in Nantes, France draws to an end, I have been bombarded by a bunch of conflicting emotions. I have had the time of my life here and going back to the United States means going back to reality and saying goodbye to so many wonderful things and amazing people. On the other hand, I am very excited to see my friends and family back home. As I start packing my suitcases and say my goodbyes, I am slowly realizing that I will never have another experience quite like this semester. Anyways, I will stop being so gushy and share some of my final Nantais stories:

My Parents came and visited me in Nantes for the first 4 days of May and got to see the way I live. My parents arrived Sunday, May 1st which is a European holiday so no one works and nothing is open. Needless to say, they found the city kind of boring. They came over my host parents house around 7:30 and we had apéritifs before going to the famous La Cigale restaurant of Nantes. Even though it took a while to get our food, the inside of the restaurant was spectacular and the food was great. After the meal my parents returned to their hotel to get some rest.

After class Monday, I met up with my parents and took them to the best creperie in Nantes in Bouffay and then grabbed a beer with my dad at the local Irish Pub, John McByrne. Later that night my family came over for dinner with my host mom and myself. She made delicious pea soup and a tarte aux tomates. 

Tuesday, I only had 1 class so my parents and I decided to check out the Chateau Dutchesse Anne and la Cathedrale. We then got some lunch at this little restaurant across from the chateau. 

For their final dinner in Nantes before heading off to Paris my parents and I went to a little restaurant near Place Royale called le Petit Flore. It was an eclectic menu and the food was great. After I said goodbye to my parents I headed home to start studying for my finals. 

On Saturday, May 7 we had our final soirée with our french friends. We had one last hurrah at Guillaume's apartment and said our goodbyes. I want to thank Guillaume mon microbe, Mathilde, Christina, Ninon, and Martial for being great friends and showing us a great time, I love you all and will never forget you. 

We have the final IES event tomorrow night which will be an evening on the erdre, one of the branches of the Loire that runs through Nantes. We will all be on a boat wearing are best clothes and sailing through Nantes beauty one more time. I will try to do one more post once all my finals are finished. Good luck to everyone studying for finals and I can't wait to see what happens next. 

KSG