Biarritz: Day 4

Raise your glass! Make a toast! It's Independence Day! The 14 Juillet (July 14) is the liberation day of France, the end of the French Revolution. So, it's a celebration day here today! I have just finished watching an absolutely incredible display of fireworks across the beach, and I must also tell you that I spent an absolutely wonderful day wandering the entire span of Biarritz.

Let's see, what did I do today? Well, I finished my book in the shade of another ancient fort this morning as the waves softly brushed against the shore down below. I went for a long run, beachside, and happened upon the WLC, the Women's Longboard World Champion Surf competition. So, I nestled myself on the wall for a bit to watch.

I enjoyed a Panini Poulet for lunch, taking it à emporter (to-go), munching in true French fashion as I window shopped along the Rue de Lambert (the main street in Biarritz). I discovered the Musée de la Mer (The Sea Museum), took my own personal tour through the world underwater--and let me just tell you that I have TONS of pictures to show you!--and then flew over to the stuffed bird museum. The sea animals were tremendously entertaining, but the birds...not so much. I don't necessarily find stuffed animals in glass cages to be very interesting. They do nothing but smell like dry mustard mixed with wet wood chips. Not pleasant.

The Musée de la Mer transported me into the world of Museums, so I continued my adventure all the way to the Planète du Chocolat (the Museum of Chocolate), where I enjoyed the best hot chocolate I have EVER tasted (it was literally a shot of chocolate), and I discovered the history of chocolate. How fantastic it was to see the history of such a delightful delicacy in French. I mean, I thought it was quite the fascination to visit the Hershey museum in America, but this ancient little shop far supercedes the grandiose attempts of America. Everything's better in French, it's true.

I spent the evening with the boys, playing "foot" (soccer) on the beach and enjoying the festivities of the 14 Juillet. The boys are much more playful these days, and I am rather enjoying my stay with the family the longer I am with them. Their attempts to comprehend English are vastly improving, which is quite the commendation for both them and for me as their teacher. I am enjoying trying new games and new lessons with them in order to help them remember different nuances of the language. In turn, they correct my broken French when necessary. It works out perfectly. To watch someone develop a skill, knowing that you had the grand opportunity to be a small (or major) part of the transformation is the ultimate reward of teaching. I am more confident in myself as they become more confident in themselves. I love that.

The boys, Laetitia, Stéphane, and I enjoyed the fireworks from our balcony, and now I am writing to you as I listen to the waves steadily humming along the midnight coastline. It's the end of a great day.

As for tomorrow? Spain, here I come.

Currently listening to: Purple Rain, Prince