What a day it has been! As you can see in the video below (thank you to the family for documenting!) we were giddy and emotionally overwhelmed to finally meet. We piled into their vans and sped through the winding streets to their nearby village. Here we exchanged gifts and I freshened up.

Back in the car, this time squeezing in a mini cooper, with some jokes about Florian living up to the German driver stereotype, we headed for the heart of Toulouse. We walked along the canal, window shopped, and talked and talked.

Mozzarella balls in the street! Stef didn’t think it was a la funny as I did, I needed a pic!
The setting sun was beautiful
Cello spotted on the Capital Theatre

Then we all met up again at Le Bibet, a “very much typically French” restaurant where “all the Americans want to go.” It was, indeed, very French and very delicious. I managed to keep up with conversation and cream.

The salmorejo with a sample of food gras.
La poulet supreme d’Occitane
Trois desserts to share

Afterward a night walk back to the car, with the city lit up for night. They told me there are a couple universities here and the later crowds skewed young. There was music playing and casual dance parties by the canal and the bars were packed. But none of that could compare with the thought of a hot shower and soft bed, where I find myself now. I hope I sleep deeply tonight.