La Ville Rose , take 1

My lofty idea of wanting to see the world has solidified into concrete passion for traveling. Last weekend, I packed up my bag, hopped on the nearest train, and ended up in a city about 2 hrs southeast of here--- Toulouse, a.k.a., "La Ville Rose" (the pink city)

The city was built with salmon colored bricks. From far away, the hue penetrates through the haze and won the city its famous name. Toulousans often feel a bit competitive with Bordeaulis because both cities are about the same size, and each wants to claim the title of "the 4th largest city in France" after Paris, Lyon, and Marseille. Oh ok, a Toulousan just corrected me that in fact, Bordeaux is the 9th, and Toulouse is the real 4th. See, I've told you they are competitive! ) But in terms of beauty, I will let you be the judge.












Friday night, I was invited to a random concert that I ended up getting surprisingly absorbed in. I have neither heard of the artist, nor known about his music before, the only thing we had in common was the fact that he was also from California. I felt a sudden nastalgia for the warmth of Cali's sun, the smell of flowers in the air, and actually cracking jokes that are decently funny with friends who know me well. Indeed, before I even realize, it has been almost 3 months since I've left home now...

..and I have already experienced one season change in Europe.

The following day, roaming the city capriciously under the rain without any map, I was impressed by my own sense of navigation. Allow me to brag a little about my uncanny ability to be lead anywhere and be able to trace back the troute again, this even includes when I sit in the backseat of a car, falling in and out of a conversation or sleep, and someone else is doing the driving. Well, in this case, the center of Toulouse was not as challenging. It is quite small and even if you get lost, you can always find the nearest metro station to re-direct yourself.

This is typical as most european cities have gotten quite a rich history, the reconstruction in modern time do not destroy but only adds on to the original city planning. Each town still has a center where most people spend their lesiure time taking a walk or meet a friend. In that sense, it is like a college town in America, but otherwise do not reflect most American cities where ¨the center¨ or ¨downtown¨ are elusive terms. The widespreadness of commercials and the lack of a concentrated place for social life allow one to be excused driving instead of walking or taking public transportation. All the above factors contribute to the sedative American life style.

The center also makes it easy for travellers to visit even when you do not have much previous knowledge about the place. Here, most city centers are small enough to be covered by foot in one day. This even include some of the bigger international cities like London or Amsterdam if you walk fast. I enjoy letting myself get ¨lost¨ in an unknown city and let imagination flow. In my inexpert eyes, the building style of Toulouse resembles the kind in Bordeaux. I would have surely failed Art History if I wrote the following on my term paper: the above photograph conjure up the imagery of the side of a thickly buttered birthday cake. Yeh, I was walking around with an empty stomach...

Of course, most european cities are completed with old churches or other aged landmarks. (and you guessed it, they are mostly around the center)




















But after awhile, these things stop to wow you and you notice other things instead.
Another common sight although a bit harder to get use to. Unlike in America where restrooms are accessible practically everywhere, in Europe, the following scenario often unfolds: while hanging out with a group, someone raises his or her hand for the bathroom, asks for permission and then takes it on to the nearest_bush (no political pun intended). This applies to both guys and girls!! In day light, in carnaval, in the dark, on a crowed street, on a deserted corner... you name it.

(to be continued...)