1 Sabbath 2 hikes

Sundays have always been a time for me to rest from the normal day to day activities of the week. Usually I try to do something relaxing and peaceful so I can think about this little world we live in and my place in it. So, this being my first Sunday here, I decided to head out and do some exploring outside the city.

This is a panorama shot of Clermont-Ferrand from the first hill I "hiked" to (there was a paved trail all the way to the top). As always you can click on the picture for a better view.

The old city from the same hill. I live almost exactly between those two cathedrals.

While I was on the hill I noticed, across the valley on another hill top, a castle tower looking thing. Can you see it? I had no idea what it was so I decided to go check it out.

After a few hours of walking across the valley and a few stops to ask directions, I arrived. Yep, just what I thought, a castle tower thingy. After looking around for a bit, I went back down the hill to the nearest village and found a bus stop. I was back home in 35 minutes, ha ha.

Here's a view of Clermont from the hill with the tower. What a great way to spend a Sunday.

Butterflies with wings and other perfect things (oh, and happy birthday Canada)

I'm not sure what this guy is doing right in his life but by the looks of things (i.e the beam of light) God's giving him some special attention.

I took this while on a hiking adventure I went on last sunday. This is the ONLY time in my life when I actually took the picture in time before the thing flew, ran, or slithered away. But, remember, it only needs to happen once to make your day.

This one is for Char. Here you go, pico de gallo à la française.

My home for a little while

Yep, I got him. He had no idea that I was exploiting his ridiculously perfect looking french chef-ness to show everyone back home, but I was. Thank you Monsieur Vincent, thank you.

This is the view from my window. About three times a week there are markets that pop up all over this part of the city. It's actually a pretty cool way of doing things. Whenever I want to go food shopping I just wait for the market days, wake up, put on some clothes, go down the stairs, walk ten feet, buy what I want for the next few days, (try to barter on the prices but always get shut down hard), and then go home with great tasting, organic, straight out of some dude's garden, healthy food. Beats the heck out of Wal-Mart.

Close up of the one of the food stands under neath my apartment. This is my street, love it.

Rue de Gras. Another angle of the main drag in the old city. This view never gets old.

Here's a closer angle for your viewing pleasure. I like the building that's painted blue on the left. Thought it was a nice touch.

Ratatouille ≠ Love

These pictures are high resolution so feel free to click on them to get a closer look.

The main drag in the old part of Clermont Ferrand. Say what you like about their life style, economic policies or politeness, but the French sure know how to make rockin cities.

This is a view of the Cathedral Notre Dame de Clermont Ferrand. It's made out of the volcanic rock found in the area and that's what gives it its freakish black color.

Ratatouille. I saw some for sale at one of the food places by the downtown market and decided to try it out. I mean, hey, Pixar hasn't disappointed me yet, right? Let's just say it's okay. Nothing worth making into a full length motion picture or anything, but worth trying.

Jet Lag and Cheese

Although I'd like to contribute my overall ugliness in this picture to the fact that I'd been traveling for some 23 hours straight, I'm afraid I always look like this. A little dirty, a little foggy around the eyes, a little bit caveman-ish.

This the only picture I've taken so far of the city where I'm staying. If you look up in the top right hand corner you can see Le Puy-de-Dome, one of the only volcanoes in France. More pictures to follow.

Nothing like a little Camembert, a baguette, a pain au chocolate and some strawberry juice to start the day. Too bad I fell asleep right after this and slept for 7 hours. Woops.