Merci Metz

Writing again, in my now common writing spot on the train. It's almost 11PM, my shoulders are shaking with cold and my dress is drenched. I'm listening to the Germany Denmark Eurocup match from an animated group of French teenagers 3 rows forward. How did we get here, you may ask. Or not, but I'm still gonna tell you. 

My attempt to invite a friend for a drink after work morphed into an invite to join a BBQ and dancing in France today. So off I chugged this morning, to Metz. This is only the 3rd French town I've explored after Paris and Versailles. I decided first to walk to the cathedral. Along the way, I found a delightful small bakery and got a roll with tomatoes and olives and another with bacon. Further on the path, I found an Auchan grocery store where I grabbed hummus and chips for my BBQ contribution, as well as a carton of ice coffee. I felt straight out of a movie, strolling in France with fresh bread. The weather was perfect, the delightful smells of fresh bakery and gorgeous florals mixed with the sound of pealing church bells and chattering cafe goers. 

The cathedral was lovely. It has the largest expanse of stained glass in the world, and the streaming sun cast gorgeous colors on the floor. 

I didn't stay too long as I needed to go to the BBQ, but I felt so happy walking along. There were beauitful parks with flowers, shaded streets, old ruins, and gorgeous churches galore. Piles of cobblestones and sleepy shops coming to life punctuated the morning. Many of the small streets have various flag/banner/lantern things crisscrossing the highest level. The area by the cathedral opened into a bustling outdoor market as well. I texted a good French friend that Metz was leaving me to seriously consider moving to France. 

The BBQ was more a summer grilling picnic. Chicken wings, various sausages, pork belly and a pineapple were all grilled on the charcoal grill and piled into a tray with the host urging "Eat, eat" as each new meat round finished cooking. People had brought an assortment of chips and beverages, and I found a shady corner on a hay bale to repose.  

I didn't realize how much I missed summer time hangs. Chilling with light music, good drinks, and delicious foods- it was an ideal Saturday. The temps got quite hot and the still air left us sweaty and sticky, but a homemade beautiful strawberry tart was refreshing. 

We had a brief refresh period, before we headed out for the evening activities. The sweat ate away at me and my dress stuck to my body, but the temps finally began to cool as we had a long table outside, closer to the city center. Our BBQ host had packed and brought the leftover meat, and I had a quick snack before walking to gelato with 2 from the group. The promised thunderstorms had canceled the dance event we were originally planning for, and the rain forced us into the stuffy building. Another bar and way more rain clouds later, I headed out to catch the final train of the day. 

The walk to the train station throughly drenched me, as well as rendered my phone somewhat unusable. Luckily I managed to make my way. The Eurocup soccer finals are on, and most of Europe is obsessed with it. It is nice to follow along and hear people's predictions and hopes. 

But that's how I ended today. Kindly given 70 cents by an older man so I could manage to use the train station bathrooms (bless you stranger). Roasted by the sun and eaten alive by mosquitoes, then drenched from dress to shoes in cold rain. A wonderful day with old friends and new.