21. Rainy Day Tour, Dip & Mexican, October 7

The rain and colder weather finally arrived today, with no complaints from us. We’ve been blessed with perfect, warm  weather for 20 days, when the “normal” September environment would have been 10-20 degrees cooler with more moisture. 

   

I have no idea...

harbor panorama in the rain

from Pont d' Amours

I set out with my umbrella to walk streets not yet explored…although by now we’ve covered almost every inch of the old town. Lots of classic scenes in the harbor area, and some sculptures I’d not seen. There was ONE place in particular of interest, the Château d’Annecy, that had escaped our gaze. Today was my chance. 

Drone pic of the Chateau, from their brochure. It isn't that white color now! 

Inner courtyard

rear view from a neighbor's yard

another chateau neighbor, beautiful garden

Chateau entrance

   

Bar at the bottom of the Chateau street...it got steeper

walk UP the street to chateau

Annecy from the Hotel du Chateau porch

This Chateau rises from the midst of “Vielle Ville”, the old town, accessible only by a steep, narrow, cobblestone street. Fun hike up there, and very impressive plaza at the top, fronting the entrance to the Chateau. It was very old, with visible architectural changes as additions and extensions were added to the original premises over the centuries. The wall surrounding the Chateau was ancient, as were the walls of some of the early construction; It was built to repel enemies way in the past. There was an admission fee and tour available, but I was intent on walking as much as possible, so moved on to other vantage points. It was fun seeing our city from this high viewpoint. I took some pics, just pretty views we want to remember. FWIW, the Chateau is interesting from the outside-rear view, too! 

Side wall of the Boat House

well, I just like the big Savoyard cow! 

Walking around in the rain gives a different perspective to some of the old town scenery we’ve come to love. I took photos of some street scenes, bridges, and the “Boat house”, with no tourists and no flower decorations in sight. It’s a marvel we’ve been able to enjoy this place so long.

Lynn misses her dog Bijoux! 

After my long wet walk, Lynn joined me for a lunch mission. We  headed out for another meal at “The Dip”, and on our way ran across our great friend and fellow student Slim! He’d just finished another French class, needed nourishment, so we recruited him to join us for lunch. Special day for Slim: his 83rd birthday! Fantastic, another wonderful coincidence thrown our way. Slim is friends with the head guy at The Dip, so we were treated royally. Health food ordered all around. While we ate and visited, our beloved French teacher from the past two weeks, Stephania, came by our table to visit too. Wow, this lunch was magnificent! 

Lunch was over, we all headed out, and for Lynn and me it was down time. The rain had increased, so we caught up on naps and reading the rest of the afternoon. Of course, evening eventually rolled around, dinner-time called, and per Lynn’s research we walked to a Mexican restaurant a few blocks away from the hotel. We arrived just before the 7:00 p.m. opening time, and were reading the posted menu, when a French lady passing by stopped to tell us the food here is magnificent. Remarkable! In all our experience, French folks don’t spontaneously speak to you unbidden like that…so we figured the restaurant must REALLY be good! Indeed, it was! 

The owner of “Lac Casa”, Coco, took us under his wing, explained the Mexican cuisine and the ingredients and spices used for the dishes. He is a native Mexican of Aztec descent, so knows his stuff.  Lynn particularly liked the unique Flan desert…per Coco, the dish is purely made from extracted corn, and the sugar it contains, with special caramel on top. We both thought it had the distant taste of corn, but very sweet. Our meal became another fun experience.

Packing and preparations for the journey home begin tomorrow, interrupted by a special lunch at a Talloroise-Montmin restaurant recommended by a couple of French friends.