Week 41

I’ve had a quiet week so the blog is brief. I enjoyed a few phone/video calls with friends in Canada and a bit of socializing here. I spent an afternoon in Montpellier so I’m sharing some photos. And the song of the week is a cover of a Prince song. It’s one of those instances where I like the cover better than the original, and this one involves a mandolin!

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Final administrative task of the year

I finally submitted my application for my Titre de Séjour. Theoretically, it should be processed before the end date on my visa which is July 31, but it can take many months. The important thing is to submit before the deadline which I’ve done. I’m grateful to my expat friends who have been through this before and provided guidance and advice. It was good to be able to close all the tabs that were open on my laptop. This one felt like a big accomplishment!

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Montpellier

I took the bus to Montpellier this week. The trip has become routine by now and it’s an easy way to travel. It takes a while to get there – 1 hour on the bus and another half hour or so by tram into the centre, but I really enjoy that time.

I had planned to use the day to check out street art in the Beaux Arts neighbourhood. I didn’t arrive until after noon and was hungry so I stopped on a patio for lunch. Then I got distracted by an errand I had to run. By the time I was ready to wander, I had changed my mind and wanted flowers instead, so I walked to the Jardin des Plantes.

The last time I visited the historic garden was in September, so it was wonderful to see it in a different season. It felt like every tree and bush I passed had a beautiful scent, and there was colour everywhere. A feast for the senses.

Here are two street art photos and more from the gardens.

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Song of the week

It’s hard to top an original Prince song, but I love the Sarah Jarosz cover of When Doves Fly, mandolin and all!

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Wishing my Canadian friends a fun Victoria Day weekend!

À bientôt .