I have started getting back into my Toulouse routine. I was slightly jet lagged this morning so I got off to a slower start than normal.

After having a light breakfast, I headed out for my morning walk and getting familiar with Toulouse again. I walked across the Pont des Catalans over to the St. Cyprien district. On the walk, I saw the first signs of the mass protests that were excepted across France today. There were a number of police around and I saw some signs and people with posters. Nothing really major at that time.

I ended at Terra Tolosa where I had made a reservation for lunch. This was my regular Thursday lunch spot. It was fun to be greeted warmly and welcomed back. The chef/owner said that he was happy to see my name on the reservation list for today.

Lunch did not disappoint as usual. The food was very creative and presented beautifully. I had my first duck breast of this stay. It is a staple of my diet when eating out here.

After lunch, I went to the Normal store to get some supplies for life. I had decided not to bring shampoo, conditioner, and other staples in my luggage and to buy them here. I realized there was no point in bringing them in my luggage when I could easily by them here.

On the walk home, I ran into a major march as part of the protests. It was large and made up of a variety of groups, I saw Free Palestinian groups, the Communist party, teachers, union members and just everyday people all marching. This protest was definitely non-violent or at least where I was watching it. There was a large police presence but it was more like they were directing it rather than concerned about violence.

I relaxed some in the afternoon as I was going to the Run in Toulouse group in the evening and am still a little tired. I read and just enjoyed life.

The run was great as usual. It was a little hot but still the run was good. I caught up with some of the people I had known from before. I talked to Marcus and was amused as I told him I had just got back and he said he knew because he followed me on Instagram. We had a nice chat. I learned he is from Andorra but has lived in Toulouse for seven years since he came here for university.

The more interesting experience was a guy heard me speaking English and started talking to me. It ends up that Raghu is from Ashburn, VA. It is an outer suburb of Washington, DC. He is a data engineer and is working remotely. It was fun talking with him. He commented after our discussion of the life in Toulouse, I was the first American that had the same view of the vibrancy of urban life in Europe and especially Toulouse. We are going to meet for coffee. He is only here for one more week and then heading for a month in Spain.