Bordeaux, France

Wednesday, Oct 22 was an entire day of travel. We were up at 5am in Galway to get on a bus back to Dublin. We then took another bus from the train station in Dublin to the airport. Then, we were in the absolutely best plane situation we could have been in - our plane was very under-booked and we had all already made our seat reservations at windows. So, all six of us were in a line of windows at the back of the plane with the other 2 seats next to us completely open. It was amazing. After so many days of travel and tours and everything, all we wanted to do on our transportation was sleep, so we got all got to sleep the entire way to Bordeaux! As you can tell, I was really impressed. We had been traveling all day, so by the time we got to Bordeaux (where we took another bus to the main train station) we got ready and then went up to a main area for the night.
At the Place de la Bourse, which overlooks the Garonne River. The girls are in front of the Fountain of the Three Graces. The women in the fountain had breast cancer awareness ribbons around them when we were there! It was very cool. We went out to eat at a lovely restaurant in a side street - a very French meal was definitely had. We had a three course meal with wine that was made right in Bordeaux, which is in the French wine country. Our waitress was so nice - she asked us if we were students and what we were studying. She tried to get us to use the minimal French we knew and she worked on her English to make our stay more enjoyable. It was just a great time - we had so many courses and fun and ended up staying at the restaurant for at least 2 hours. We then walked back through a few main areas of the city and went back to our hotel.

In Bordeaux and Paris we found it easier and more cost-efficient to get a hotel room for four people (the most allowed in any hotel) and use it for the six of us. So, we slept three on a bed and continuously went in in small groups instead of all six of us at one time, so as to not be noticed. The things we do to save money.


The second day in Bordeaux, we got up and went on a two-hour long walking tour. The woman giving our tour was actually giving two tours at the same time - one in French and one in English. She would start out by saying the information in French and then turn to us and speak in English. She was such a good tour guide, though, and always made sure we understood what she was trying to say.There was also a carnival (they call it a fair)! There is a fair in Bordeaux twice a year, every year. It was next to the center and the main park area, open to the river whenever there isn't a fair.

Bordeaux is made within a crescent along the river. There are two different sides, the main side and then the modern side. We went on to the modern side to see the Botanical Gardens.

Mary Kate, Erica and Veronica showing some love to one another as they walked through the water garden area.

The Cailhau Gate on the old side of Bordeaux.

Place de la Bourse in the daytime. This foggy area goes off multiple times per day and includes water during the times when it is not steaming. It looks like a mirror and shows the exact replication of the Place de la Bourse area.

Included within our tour price was the opportunity to go wine-tasting. After we finished seeing the sights of Bordeaux, we went and had our wine-tasting and then went on to a restaurant named Baud et Millet. Baud et Millet boasts over 250 types of cheeses and a number of wines, as well. We all had one of the most delicious meals of the trip which included the freshest cheese I have ever eaten.

On our way home, we decided to walk towards the river so we could follow it home. Here is the opera house, and us imitating the Greek godesses at the top!

Heather, me, Andrea, Erica and Mary Kate doing our best impressions.


Andrea and I then decided we really wanted to go on the Ferris Wheel, and we got everyone to come with us! Even the two who are incredibly afraid of heights. It was SO cool - we got to see the city at night, the river and bridges and the entire carnival. It was a great end to the night.On the ferris wheel! Heather, Veronica, Mary kate, me, Andrea, and Erica.