The SNCF (the French train company) had gone on strike since the day before so our only alternative was to take a bus to Valence. We went to the Gare Routière an hour early just to ensure that we'd have tickets.
10 minutes before the bus was due to leave, we headed to the bus bay and horror of horrors, we saw the bus bay empty and a whole group of perplexed and frustrated passengers crowding around it. This lady who looked evidently pissed off informed us that the bus had left half an hour before the stipulated departure time cos the bus was already full. Many were infuriated that the bus company had not only oversold the tickets but also neglected to inform the other passengers that the bus had left. Incroyable!
The next bus for Valence was a good 4 hours later, so Lynn, Guillaume and I decided to take a walk to the nearby Chinatown to purchase some typically Asian food for his family and yes, we introduced Guillaume to our very own Durian! Nope, he wasn't up for it. Too stinky. Hoho. Anyway, since we had so much time to kill, we toured Grenoble a little, wandering on to this river called Le Drague.
We returned an hour earlier to queue at the bus bay (just to be kiasu =p) and I was thankful that we did for a while later, when the driver came to open the door, about 40 or more people started pushing and shoving to get onto the bus. The bus driver had to raise his voice more than a couple of times to calm the crowd and he even got himself into a quarrel with one of the over-eager passengers.
left: the struggle to get onboard
7pm, and we finally reached Valence. The sky was pitch black when we walked to the carpark to meet Guillaume's dad, who was already waiting. He had the knack of making Lynn and I feel very welcomed and at ease instantaneously with his pleasant disposition and his ready sense of humour!
As we stepped into the front door, Guillaume's mum and sis (Caroline) came down the stairs, equipped with warm smiles and renowned french hospitality. =)
Dinner was splendid, with excellent french cuisine (Guillaume's mum had prepared a home-made quiche and a pie which were so good that I had to ask for a second helping) and lots laughs. What I found very thoughtful was how the family constantly 'chided' each other for speaking too fast in case we had difficulty following the conversation.
left: bon apetit!
right: with cheese of course!
left: my first BDs (comic strips)!! - Guillaume's mum, who's had them since she was little, gave them to us as a souvenir. What a gesture!
right: with the wonderful family and their beautiful house! Wonder how they manage to keep it so spick and span. I should really learn. *sheepish*
After breakfast the next morning, Lynn and I headed out to the town centre with Guillaume and Caro as our guides (pretty good too, I must add). Valence may be a little known city but it's definitely no less fascinating than the bigger ones. I loved the tranquility and the familial atmosphere that makes Valence.
left: the Cathédrale
right: a pavillion under which lovers kiss - after which the relationship is said to be blessed.
the bustling market place
right: what was left of a building after a bombing during the second world war. Serves as a war memorial (if i'm not mistaken).
left: a gorgeous park
right: look at the frosty smiles - it was zero degrees out there!
We returned for another sumptuous meal of chicken, potatoes, salad and this interesting cake-cookie, a specialty of Valence, in the shape of a man called 'Le Suisse' (the Swiss). The irony is that it isn't found in Switzerland!
When we headed out again, we went to Le Chateâu de Crussol, ruins of an ancient castle situated at the top of a hill. I believe it's not that accessible by public transport so it was a good thing that Caroline drove us there.
left: Le Chateâu de Crussol
right: Guillaume really immersed in his role as a guide haha!
left: Yeemian and her chio winterwear!
right: resplendent
left: Mother Mary blesses the whole of Valence
right: backed up by Caro and Guillaume (haha)
left: les filles and the panoramic view!
right: Santé! - Us drinking the hot tea thoughtfully prepared in a thermoflask by Caro. She's one cool 19-year-old. From the way she speaks, it's obvious that she's sensible and mature beyond her years.
It was queer that there were donkeys grazing near the carpark without anyone watching over them.
With that, our stay in Valence ended with valued memories and new friendships bridged. Hope they'll visit Singapore too, in time to come, so that I may return the hospitality and maybe even let them try some durians =D
2 comments:
how come u keep getting to go to people's houses to visit and eat home made food ah???? AHHAHAHA i knew beef is your archilles heel la. my friend marinated them leh. think oyster sauce, sesame oil, soya sauce and all the night before. and i cooked chicken rice from scratch last night!!! are u proud of me??
and yes, why arent you here. sighhhhh.
Hi Sin !!!... what ??? i've just seen that :"Guillaume really immersed in his role as a guide haha!". I see that you like to tease me lah. I'm joking ! I will give you my blog adress and you have to know something : my sister really like these words "From the way she speaks, it's obvious that she's sensible and mature beyond her years." bye.
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