This past weekend, before the sun had risen on Saturday morning, a rowdy group of international and French students piled into a bus together and drove off into the wild, savage landscape known as...
LA FINISTÈRE!!
Finistère is the westernmost region of France, as you can see on the maps I so graciously provided below. The left map illustrates all of France, whereas the left is a close-up of the Finistère region.
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For 40 euro each, our 50-ish person group got to spend the entire weekend exploring this gorgeous departement. More ressemblant of Ireland than the rest of France, Finistère is the region most heavily influenced by the tradition Breton language (an ancient Celtic derivative) and contains almost an entire quarter of Brittany's coastline.
Needless to say, it was incredibly green, incredibly wet, incredibly rugged, and incredibly cold.
I loved every second of it.
The trip started as it should: with lots of singing. Imagine a Spaniard, two American girls, a French, a Somalian, and numerous Germans and Italians singing "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Barbie Girl" together in the very rear of the bus (what can I say? Business up front... party in the back!).
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| Partner in crime: Lydia!!! |
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| Their glorious singing voices had to rest after creating such heavenly harmonies together. |
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| General bus chaos. Photo credit to Tim Bieler <3 |
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| Ain't she cute?!?! |
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| Sand yachting is basically hooking up sails to dinky go-karts and using the wind to roll along the beach. AKA... It's awesome. Photo credit to Tim! |
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| Wind+sand+ocean = happy Roselle! Photo credit to Tim! |
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| Magic. |
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| International love! |
After admiring the waves crashing along the coastline of the Pointe du Raz, we slowly made our way back to the bus, which we took all the way to our hostel in Poullan-sur-Mer. Much pasta was eaten, much wine was drunk, much traditional (although poorly conceived) Breton dancing was done, and much laughter was had.
The next day, we placed our things once more in the bus and headed to Penmarc'h and Concarneau!
In Penmarc'h, we climbed the lighthouse of Eckmühl to get a beautiful view of the seaside.
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| Who needs sand when you have seashells?? |
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| Lydia climbing the 200 steps to the top. Who needs squats when you have a lighthouse? |
And finally... we made it!
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| Yes, that is an apple in my hand. |
We spent our time in Concarneau's walled island eating delicious crêpes (note: pistachio ice cream for Dani) and drinking much-needed lattes. We may not have seen much of the city there, but we can certainly attest to the stellar local Breton cuisine!!
Even considering the fact that I was soaking wet all of Saturday and spent the majority of the weekend shivering, I still believe our weekend in Finistère was one of the most fun weekends I have had since arriving in Rennes in September. It was not only a great way to see more of France's diverse landscape, but it was also an amazing opportunity to bond with the wonderful people that surround me in my everyday life here in Rennes.
My experience here in France would not be the same without you, and I am so happy that I have met you all. Here's to our weekend in Finistère, and to many more weekends spent together laughing and discovering!
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| Zéphyr :) |
Bisous.
D
Now that is my kind of trip. Although you all would be singing, I would be howling like a wolf. I am so tone deaf, have no rythym and talk like a man. I would fit right in because you and your friends look like you are more about the experience than looking pretty and being quiet and not engaging with one another or the folks in the town. But funny thing is , you all are beautiful and full of life and have the exploration gene which will give you a full life of many new friends, explorations and adventures.
ReplyDeleteThe coastline is so rugged, the water shines from the sun. It reminds me of Ireland too. Remember our family favorite movie Roan Inish? It reminds me of that area.
You sure are eating better than us. Such variety, such a pleasing presentation on the plates. With all your activity you look as cute and fit as ever. You especially look happy and so alive with wonder. Mommas said you are her little Scout. I do believe she is right. From a young age you were an explorer. Wanting to see new places. Seek out wild life, hike, ride bikes in the mountains and so much more. Make the most of each moment of your life. I do not know if I have shared with you my goal in life. That when I leave this world, there are far more moments filled with love, learning, helping others, traveling, and so much more. So, when I go through that door from here to there, I have lived life to its' fullest and made a difference. My life on earth when poured in a glass with runneth over with so many experiences. So, you go girl! Keep stepping out of you comfort zone. That is where the best of times can be found.
Love always,
Mom