Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho!

It's off to work for Steve today. We enjoyed a lovely breakfast of croissants on the terrace and then he took the car to meet Alain. I took myself out of the old city and around the canals. The weather is perfect- warm in the sun, cool in the shade, dry crisp air. The streets seem more quiet after the weekend markets and tourists.

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I marched around the town, exploring the tiny alleys and more remote canals. The swans are quite friendly and photogenic! I felt (and looked) just like a tourist with my backpack, sneakers, and camera at the ready. I must say though, I was not alone. Frequently, I would catch sight of others who looked, acted, and dressed in such a familiar manner, that I convinced myself that they were Americans. Mais, non! These were French speaking tourists who seem to shop in the same universal clothing stores where I do. When did we all start looking the same?

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Then I did a little shopping for lunch- a baguette (for 1 eu) from one storefront, some fruit from another, cheese from a third, and some lemonade from the last. I stopped back to the apartment to have my lunch and met some Irish people staying at the house next door. They were lovely and in good spirits despite the soccer loss yesterday ("We were lucky to get this far! We're happy for the French team- good for them!"). Collette was heading out to the supermarket, so I asked if I could join her.

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I would not have found this place on my own, though it is just a 3 minute walk away. It is also in the pedestrian town, across from an old church. The first floor is clothing and home goods, and upstairs is a giant grocery store. I tried and failed to buy a bottle of wine (too confusing) and came home with two cold cans of beer. I thought we could have a little happy hour when Steve got back before meeting his colleagues for dinner. This did not happen.

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I spent the balance of the afternoon exploring, then getting ready to go out. We meet the group here in Annecy at a nice restaurant right down the street. In addition to Alain, there was Crystal (who looks like Juliet Ormand), Dennis, and Reinhardt and Patricia from Reutte.

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What a meal! Alain ordered for us: Foie Gras with toasted bread and jelly for an appetizer, fish (from the lake) on a bed of veggies for dinner. We started with a shot glass of the most delicious gazpacho I ever tasted. The bread was soft and crispy. Beer and wine flowed freely. The light evened out and candles were lit. The temperature dropped and the air was delicious, too.

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The dessert requires its own paragraph. Creme Brulee. Mais, oui! It was served all aflame, inviting the diner to witness the carmelization. The first bite was so wonderful, I had to put down my spoon. Big sigh of appreciation and gratutude. Merci, merci! The brulee was smooth and rich, with some sweet fruit and another ingredient I couldn't quite put my finger on- maybe tiny croutons soaked in liquor? Oooh la la!

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#Annecy #France #FrenchAlps