The first part of the day was doing the usual of eating breakfast, reading and just enjoying the morning. I guess it was similar to my Black Fridays in Alexandria except for my usual brunch with Kathy Dalby and Danielle Romanetti.

In the afternoon, I went Christmas shopping in preparation for returning home and the Christmas season. I figured I needed some gifts from Toulouse for my friends after spending two months here.

I, also, bought myself a gift of a watercolor painting of a scene from Toulouse. The last thing I need is more art but I wanted to commemorate my time here in something that I know I would like. Also, I have art from almost every place I have lived and has art (not sure Fort Bragg, NC has art work) so I needed to add a piece from Toulouse. It is one I have looked at over the entire time I have been here since I first saw it. I will add a picture later of it as it is safely rolled in a tube for transport.

In the afternoon, I went to the Basilica of Saint Sernin as it was the day when they bring the reliquary of Saint Sernin out of it tomb and parade it around be the Basilica. The service begins with a Gregorian Vespers service with beautiful music. After the service, the reliquary is lifted and the clergy and entire congregation processes out of the Basilica and then around the plaza surrounding the Basilica. The procession was very spectacular to watch. The Archbishop of Toulouse was in attendance and led the service. It was definitely not something that one attends or sees in the US regularly.

I had my last dinner at Le Panache. Since the guys at the restaurant are always sharing the wine they drink which is not on the wine list with me, I took a bottle of wine with me to give them. They were very nice and shared their bottle and then opened mine and we shared it together. Also, the chef had prepared a special appetizer for me as a going away gift for my loyal patronage of Le Panache while I was in Toulouse. I ate there 7 out of the 8 weeks I have been here. The staff is fantastic, the food is incredible and the entire experience was totally enjoyable and a place of community for me here in Toulouse. I will miss my weekly Friday dinners there.

Walking back from Le Panache to my apartment, I was enchanted by all the Christmas lights in the city. All the major streets and some of the minor streets are strung with Christmas lights. Some streets have the same lights but others are all different. Being that the city streets are narrow and most are enclosed by 2-3 story old buildings in is just really magical to walk around at night.