Octopus Suction Cups

Today, Elita and I went to Arcachon to take some photos at the aquarium.

We planned to take the 10:41 train in the morning, but knowing my track record with catching trains I was unable to make it to the train station early enough. I had thought I had left my house early enough. I had given myself about an hour, but since it was a national holiday today, public transportation was a bit slow. I waited at the tram stop for a good fifteen minutes.

It finally arrived and I got off at Victoire. Then I walked to the train station. I power walked and it's quite a walk. I even got caught in a little dance with a car trying to make a left turn. Let's just say I throw caution to the wind and cross the streets like the French. Well I finally got there, but as I was entering the police stopped me.

For reasons unknown, they targeted me and asked me for a form of identification. The only thing I card I had was my California driver's license and my student id's (French and UC Irvine). I gave him my driver's license first then my French student id. He asked if I had a passport and a "cart du séjour" or visa and I told him that it was at my house in Talence. He pulled out his cell phone, dialed a number, and started to give the person on the other end my information.

At this point, I knew I was not going to be able to catch the train. Elita called me as I was waiting for the policeman to get clearance for me and she said she was not at the train station. The policeman then asked me where I got my visa and I responded in half coherent French. When I'm forced to speak French spontaneously, I get so flustered and am unable to get an adequate answer. I need to work on speaking more spontaneously.

Anyway, they cleared me and told me I should have my passport with me all the time otherwise I would be considered an "irregular" person, or something of that effect. Why did they target me though? Was because I was not clearly French? Who knows.

Elita finally came and we took the next train. We got to Arcachon and the weather was cloudy. I wanted to hang out at the beach for a while, but that wasn't a good idea. Instead, we looked for places to eat lunch. We were looking for a cheap oyster place; Arcachon is known for its oyster. We found an oyster bar, but they didn't have real lunch so we went to the neighboring restaurant and had moules frites (muscles and fries). It was a delicious lunch! We planned afterwards to get oysters, but we were full from the muscles.

We then went to the aquarium and checked out all the sea animals. It was a sad, little aquarium. There was small collection of tanks on the first floor and a museum on the second floor. It was quite unimpressive. After that we walked along the beach and then headed back home.

It's been so long since we've done something together. It was nice spending the day with Elita.

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One last note, I'm leaving for home in exactly two weeks. And my brother is coming to visit me soon. He will be arriving Sunday afternoon!

BACKBLIPPED:
Monday, May 4, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009