After doing who-knows-what (working? probably not, but then again, I don't really remember) for an hour or so, people gradually woke up and had breakfast, and we started a game of super cluédo, which is "Super Clue", or the traditional game of Clue++. That is, it includes three extra rooms, a plethora of extra characters, and a couple more creative weapon choices that make me seriously doubt the security status of a nation that gives birth to the creators of such a game. After playing for a while, though, we had to stop so that we could walk over to lunch.
The basilique on the hill. Sorry it's sideways. Whoops.
The Cathédrale this morning.
We were bringing lasagna, which I carried (and thus achieved my daily arm exercise), to lunch chez Jane, my cousin (or my cousin's grandmother, depending on which cousin I choose to refer to). She lives in a lovely flat at the top of a beautiful building near rue de la République, which happens to be the shopping street of Lyon. It was lovely to see her (I had previously believed she was in Australia for the winter), and we had a lovely lunch.
We started with crudités, and I had some of the freshest vegetables I have had all winter, including some truly perfect tomatoes (I have no idea how). This was accompanied by guacamole, hummus, tzatziki, and a lovely champagne. Next, we had some beautiful italian charcuterie, antipasti one should say, with wine and bread. Then the lasagna, which was fantastic and surely worth bringing all the way over. We had a nice little science experiment with the conductivity of salt (she had an electric salt grinder, and we built a circuit using silverware, our fingers, and, eventually, a cup of salt water), and then the tartes aux pommes in the form of hearts. Then, a bit of café, some lounging, and the walk home through the rain. It was lovely.
The staircase. Yes, it's sideways. Yes, it's dark. Yes, I included it anyway. You can close your eyes if you don't want to see such an affront to photography.
The passage into the stairwell, from the street
Everyone was tired, so a nap was in order, and we set me up with a film, "Le Prénom" but I slipped out, borrowing my cousin's key. I went to Vieux Lyon first to obtain a gift for the family (since, like the well-trained absent-minded intellectual that I am, I left the original in Paris on my desk), and then went on a bit of a walk up the hill and back. It was quite sightly, I must say.
The road goes up the hill. No apology No curves. Just up
It goes down if you turn around...
There are also stairwells that go off to the side. No cars allowed on these!
This is Lyon
I've heard of people losing their marbles, but rarely their baguette...
Because ramparts were a thing
I couldn't quite capture it, but this car was on quite an angle, and it felt rather precarious
This is not new Lyon
It was still raining. I braved this walk in the rain. Tourist points to Lauren
Alcoholism?
This is Lyon
Graffiti
This street is a staircase
The Lyonnais don't have obesity problems...
This is Lyon
This is Lyon (I seem quite indecisive, don't I?)
"Le Manoir"
L'arc de Lyon (en bois)
I returned sooner than I would have liked, because I wasn't sure when I was expected (well, since nobody but my one cousin knew I had left, I suppose I was less "expected" than "unexpectedly absent"), and I worked on essays with my friends via the well-beloved Google Hangout. It turns out that their software allows you to draw on the images of peoples' faces (and it tracks the faces so the drawing stays in place). I will leave the rest to your imagination.
Since the mother of my cousin was particularly ill, we decided to finish our clue game, have leftovers for dinner, and watch a movie. We finished fairly quickly, as I had the good luck to find the answer and announce it, and had the leftover chicken from last night, along with tabouleh and the leftover cheese for dinner. It was delicious, and a good fit for the evening after such a grand lunch. We tried to watch "American Bluff" but it was blu-Ray and we did not have a proper player, so we opened a fancy beer and saw "Blue Jasmine" instead, and I am happy to engage in conversation with anyone who has thoughts on that film. Hmm.
Don't forget to illuminate your cathedrals!
Now, I am off to bed. It is past midnight. I have a train! I have work! I have a sleep-deprived mind! I have computer programs and essays and readings and applications and forms and research galore!
Concluded.
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