Dinner And A Show

I certainly believe that truly experiencing the culture when you travel is absolutely essential to having an enjoyable journey.  It is great to walk around the famous landmarks, see the galleries and museums, and take a guided tour.  However, I like to take it a step further when experiencing the culture.  I prefer to go from feeling like a tourist... to feeling like a local.  For example, I may attend an arts festival or go to a soccer match and cheer on the city's team.  I will certainly go out to the local restaurants and enjoy the food (especially when you consider I am in the gastronomic capital of the world).

Late last week, my school had a day of orientation for us that involved plenty of activities.  We left early in the morning to head up into the mountains outside of Lyon.  The day was spent hiking in our berets, mountain biking (and I mean it when I say 'MOUNTAIN'), and playing some football (soccer) with a team consisting of players from France, England, and Ireland.  (NOTE:  It is impressive that I only received a broken toe when playing against Frenchmen, Englishmen, and Irishmen in a game of soccer.)

After the activities, we went back into Lyon to a restaurant named Le Geret for dinner.  After an exhausting day, I think that everyone needed to have a good meal.  This was certainly the restaurant to have one.  After enjoying a variety of appetizers consisting of the local meats, vegetables, and bread, we were served an absolutely INCREDIBLE dinner.  Those of us at my table tried to order something different so that we could all share.  Although we managed to successfully order something different, it was rather difficult for us to share.  I will say that I believe I sat at the best table consisting of my school's Spanish professor from Mexico, a professor from Italy, the school's program coordinator for my year who lived in Spain, a student from Denmark, and three French students with the ability of multiple languages.  Once you add in wine to the picture, I can say for certain that I was sitting at the most talkative and culturally diverse table in the restaurant.

And if I thought the night could not get any better after dessert, the restaurant was taken over by my school and led into song.  I honestly don't know a better way to celebrate than to sing the French national anthem, La Marseillaise.  Luckily, I was able to have the entire thing on video.  This was certainly an experience that I never wish to forget.