One of the nights we went out, Hana asked me what was my favorite place of this epic trip. It took some deliberation because I have enjoyed so many moments of the long journey, but at that moment, my favorite was actually my current location, Grenoble. I arrived in Grenoble after a full day of train travel. The long train rides are helping me achieve my goal of supplementary reading. If I’m no longer a student, I have the time to read books completely for pleasure, instead of scanning my massive volume of Thucydides. Hana met me at the station, arriving only seconds after me. I settled in at her apartment near the Parc Paul Mistral, and soon after went into town to have raspberry-flavored beer with her roommates and other friends from the study-abroad program. The next morning I set out on my own for the Musee de Histoire naturelle. The Museum was closed for sieste, so I walked a bit around the rose
garden. Roses always make me think of my mom, my granny, and my aunt Moni. I looked for a rose that best reminded me of them. I found this: Le Dame de Coeur, which I believe means Lady of the Heart.
The Natural History Museum was fascinating; I know I found it more enjoyable than the young French boys constantly pressing the buttons that light up the display and play the birdcalls. I left for a café crème down the street at a chic modern bar with a handsome bartender. A girl at the counter laughed at me when I left a tip. If being generous is a stereotype of the American traveler, I don’t mind. Hana met me at the Maison de Tourisme, and we took the bubble funicular up to the Bastille de Grenoble. It has some great views, but it was hazy that day.
We went into a strange modern art exhibit which was equal parts confusing and scary. The next day we were determined to eat fondue. Hana’s program director had recommended a place on the Rive Droit, La Confesse. It had a Halloween theme, but delicious fondue. Hana and I ate and drank ourselves into comas, while Hana’s friend Ben snuck a piece or two when the waitress wasn’t looking.
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