I did laundry this morning as I needed clean clothes after the trip to Italy. I am completely off cycle now with laundry so I need to figure out a new plan. It really does not matter what day I do it, I just liked the Monday cycle. The whole laundry revolves around a small set of clothes that basically lasts two runs and one week of underwear.

After the laundry, updating the blog and my budget spreadsheet, I was very lazy. I read and watched a little bit of Nexflix. There are days that I just need to relax and not really do anything. After the half marathon, the trip to Italy and just being very active, I was happy just to stay in. Also, the weather was cloudy, chilly and damp so not so much fun to go out.

In the evening, I went to Le Panache which is my always Friday night dinner location. They had a new starter, house made foie gras. I know foie gras is opposed in many places in the United States but I love it so eat it whenever I can here in France. Ervim made it and it was delicious. Sometimes I feel it is two heavy but Ervin’s was just elegant and melted in your mouth.

For the main course, I had the Sole Meunière again. The fish again is very light and tasty. Ervim got frustrated with my trying to filet it and took over and did the filleting expertly. This was after I thought I did a good job last week.

Enzo shared a nice bottle of white Burgundy with Ervim and myself. It was very crisp. I am coming to enjoy French chardonnay.

I had one of those experiences I love. Two guys came into Le Panache and sat at the bar next to me. I could tell they were not English/American but were speaking English. We ended up spending the evening talking and sharing a bottle of wine. Andrea was born in Italy of Albanian parents and lives lin London. Gus, is Belgium and lives in Paris. They both work for a software company that uses AI to help streamline Airbus’ training and mechanical manuals. They just completed a project and are implementing it in Toulouse.

We had a great conversation that ranged from work, travel, running, language, AI, politics, where we would like to live. Which culture is better for young people, American or Europe. It was a great way to spend an evening. Both young men were intelligent and thoughtful but also fun and relaxed. Andrea says he will be back every week for the project and is going to come to runs with Run in Toulouse. Both are training for marathons – Gus is running Rome and Andrea is running Rimini. Andrea ran the Athens marathon and one in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.

All in all a good day and one of those that makes living in Toulouse a great experience.

Walking home it was very foggy. It is the first time I have seen Toulouse shrouded in fog.