Toulouse

A friend and I took a trip to Toulouse this weekend. We didn't have anything particular in mind to see or do, but we managed to find a few neat activities.

Toulouse is the fourth largest city in France. Its very much a part of the south so the accent there is very thick when compared to Montpellier. Its growing on me though... I'm starting to find it pleasing. I wonder if I'll have a southern French accent when I go back to the states...

First thing we saw on Saturday was La Basilique Saint Sernine. I was told its the oldest basilica in all of Europe. It looks kind of like a wedding cake from the outside...The inside holds lots of relics. Entry is free but you have to pay two euros to go down into the crypt...I'd say its not worth the price unless you're really into religious relics...

We passed through la Place du Capitol, the main square in the heart of the city. Notice all the buildings are rose colored. Toulouse is known as la Ville Rose (the Pink City). I personally find it to be more of a rust color...

We spent the afternoon relaxing in Parc de la Prairie Filters. Its the largest green space in the city. Part of the park is a Japanese garden, complete with cherry blossoms, koi fish, a temple, and a golden buddah.

Day two we went to La Musee Abattoirs, a modern art museum. The collection wasn't very large and the artists aren't incredibly well known, except for one work by Picasso.
We decided to couch surf for the night because we're too cheap to stay in a hostel. Check out CouchSurfing.com if you want to find out more. Basically you sleep on a random strangers couch while you provide one antoher with an interesting cultural experience. Its basically for those interested in a bit of a cultural exchange. We stayed with a girl in her apartment...Hung out, had dinner and spent the night with her friends. Overall, a lovely evening!