Au Revoir, Montpellier

I had a great night's sleep last night. Ooh la la, what a difference. This morning, at school, I had to complete a written evaluation of the school and of my living accommodations. I spoke very positively about the teacher and the class, and, regarding the latter, I simply said that my hostess was a very conscientious housekeeper and very good cook, and that the apartment was very convenient for using the tram.

I felt a bit of sentimentality, receiving my "diploma," saying goodbye to Christian, and making my way down the ancient, winding stairs for the last time. Once I reached the Place de la Comedie, and heard my old friend playing his classical guitar, I decided to sit at one of the open-air cafes and have a salad avec chèvre chaud. Under a deep blue sky, the huge, open plaza was filled with people, bright, warm sunshine, and the sounds of his melancholy guitar. I felt very happy and content — happy to have successfully navigated this, the first 21 of 36 days of my journey, and sentimental about this being my last day in Montpellier.

I leave tomorrow morning (Saturday) on the 9:13 train for Marseilles, where I will change trains for Aix.

Au revoir, Montpellier!

Leaving the Galleries Lafayette (a large shopping centre) and entering the Antigone — a large area adjacent to the old city, full of large plazas and fountains, and home of government offices, apartments, schools, restaurants, etc.

A restaurant (or two or three) in the Antigone. Continuing on for quite a ways, one reaches the bibliotheque.

If one walks through the entire Antigone, one comes to the Place de l'Europe.

Place de l'Europe
The statue is a replica of the Winged Victory of Samothrace (circa 220-185 BC)
I'll have to look up the original when I visit the Louvre