Our plan for yesterday was to have half a day at home to do some tidying up and a food shop. We headed out just after 9 to go to the far reaches of Montpellier by tram, to Odysseum, last stop on Line 1. My objective was Decathelon, the supermarche of sporting goods, like MEC but more so (In that they cover equestrian, little girls dance things, weight lifting, anything and everything active). It's a good opportunity to go to the very end of a different tram line. On Monday we went to the south end of line 3.
The yellow tram is the line I missed a few days ago. Our walking tour guide told us it's called flower power to commemorate the 60's. This spot is right by the train station where all four tram lines come together and cross paths - along with people crossing the street - no signs telling everyone to be careful - it all seems to just work.
The tram goes through Antigone, a new area of Montpellier and we spied a market in Place du Nombré d'Or so we hopped off and had a lovely browse up one side and down the other.
Always at French markets is the trailer bbq'ing chickens on a rotisserie with chunks of potatoes, tomatoes and onions underneath catching all the chicken juices. It smells wonderful! I always want to buy one for supper but it's only 10am and I am a long way from home with just my daypack. I think the French come and get one for their dinner at noon. The market is over at 1pm.
This little sweetie was sitting under the table eating strawberries from her mum's bags while her mum was in line to buy veggies.
Coffee time in the market.
We wandered down to the far end of Antigone as far as Place de l'Europe which overlooks the River Le Lez and the bike paths that follow it. Lots to see, buildings more modern and very interesting.
Yes we did finally make our way to our original destination, the huge shopping mall of Odysseum. Had to go to the info kiosk to get a map of the place just to find our store. Turns out it was right beside IKEA which is always easy to spot. The mall is outdoors but partially roofed over along the sides for rain and today to provide shade for us.
My plan was to buy some hiking pants but I came out with 2 hiking shirts. Such is the way. We headed over to IKEA as it was well past our lunch hour. We decided to see how the French IKEA handle meals and it turns out people are the same the world over. Lots of kids and a great system for handling family meals. We could have had a huge plate of prawns but chose more standard IKEA fare, Swedish meatballs for me and fish and chips for Wendy. She won the meal lottery this time as hers was the tastiest. The nice little bottle of French white wine with a wine glass made all the difference!
A demain!
Marion et Wendy
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