Le Mans Cathedral
Even though Aurore (one of the double-bassists from IYP who hosted me during our brief stay in Le Mans in 2005) had taken me round before, I decided to have a look round the Cathedral as again I wanted to take photos due to me forgetting my camera. I wouldnt say I enjoy looking round churches per se, but I love the stained-glass windows, particularly on nice days as it was, when the sun shines through and lights them up. Lit a candle while I was there too :)
One of the many...
One of Le Mans tourist attractions (apart from the race...)
After having looked round the Cathedral I crossed the road to see the Hotel de Ville. When we were with orchestra we had a reception there with the Mayor of Le Mans and some other important people (I forget exactly who as they were so important...), I remember having to translate his speech for some of my friends, although they conveniently understood when they said that the buffet they had put on for us was open...we had a group photo taken outside too maybe for the local newspaper, I don't remember now.
By the time I had finished retracing my steps, it was more or less time to go and meet my penfriend back at the shopping centre. While en route I got a text from Sarah saying that their conference had finished and asking where I was/what I was doing etc, so given that I thought I'd only see her on Saturday, another turn up for the books! When I arrived at Place des Jacobins where Leslie and I had arranged to meet I had a fair idea of who to look for given that I had seen photos, but even when I spotted a potential 'Leslie' I still wasnt 100%, she rang my phone though so problem solved. Was nice to finally meet after having corresponded for around 5 years. We walked and talked as we went back up to Place de la République, before she decided to show me her favourite shop. On leaving the shop she told me we were off to meet her friend who she usually meets on Fridays at the time she was with me and then all three of us went to the patisserie to buy a pastry to have a mini picnic in the park. We stayed there until it started to get cool and the girls had to shoot off to be elsewhere, but they gave me a lift up to the university which was next to the hotel where Sarah and the others were staying which was nice. Really glad to have finally been able to meet up and hopefully will meet up again soon if I get the chance to head back up North before heading home :)
Sarah came to meet me and bless her, she hadn't brought a coat so was freezing when I arrived! So we rather quickly walked back to the hotel where the others were getting ready to go out, I on the other hand hadnt been back to my hostel since leaving that morning so wasn't exactly looking my best, but never mind. Used some of Sarah's perfume, brushed my hair etc, so could have been worse. Once sorted, we all convened in James' room given that for some reason it seemed to be bigger than all the others...there's always one! It was the same when I was in halls at my uni a few years ago!
Given that there was already arrangements, I relied on them all to let me know what was what, the first being that we were going to a restaurant in town with the French people from the seminar. We got on the tram to Place de l'Epéron which was the designated meeting place (where I had also been earlier in the day by coincidence) and the French people were there waiting for us, where I had to be introduced to everyone yet again as I was the only one there who hadn't been at the seminar during the day...I'm pretty sure Sarah got fed up of having to repeat herself! Had a great meal at the restaurant, conversation was interesting I have to say! haha :) Learnt some new french words/phrases from the French people too which is always useful!
Dash, Sarah and Me in Le Bistro
After settling the bill, we reconvened outside to decide where to go for drinks. Given that I had only been to one bar in Le Mans, I, just like all the other Leeds people relied on the locals as to where to go. They initially decided to take us to an Irish bar on Place de la République given that it was virtually on the doorstep of the restuarant and then decide whether to go somewhere else afterwards. Once we had made one huge table out of more or less all the little tables in the room and had all bought a beverage of some variety, James decided to teach the French that good old English game of trying to throw a coin into someone's glass, initially he didn't let on as to what he was doing, but people soon realised and joined in...always good for a laugh, especially if people really aren't anticipating it! :)
After that we went to another bar before calling it a night and making arrangements as to what we were going to do on Saturday, as there were a number of us who decided to leave at once Mégan, being the gentleman that he is drove the other girls back to their hotel given that they had missed the last tram and I walked back to the hostel on strict instruction from Sarah to text her when I arrived to let her know I was back safely. Retired to bed tired, though feeling quite accomplished having had an awesome day :)
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