June 15
Dear Liza,
When Auntie Bridgett and I were studying French with Shawn Quiane at Hartnell Community College, I did a report on the Canal du Midi.
I was fascinated by the 17th century construction, which allowed French shipping to travel from the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean without going past Spain. Since Spain and France were often at war, this was a really good idea.
Grandpa Nelson, being a history buff AND a transit geek, really wanted to see it, too, and there are actual boat tours that take you on the bit that goes through Toulouse. He got us tickets.
Of course, life always is more complicated than you think, and after a morning of site-seeing, we found ourselves dashing onto the A line Metro, hopping off at Jean Jaurès, and getting help from a wonderfully expressive Security Guard. A long, stuffy ride in a cross-town bus, and Voila! There was Le Capitole, our tour boat, tied up at Port L’Embouchure.
Turns out, we needn’t have hurried. Several dozen school kids made for slow boarding. Lots of noise, too, but we sat out on the front deck. Very warm, but hey, we had hats.
And once the boat got underway, all the nuisances were forgotten. We were quietly (mostly quietly, remember; a boat full of kids) gliding down a smooth green water highway, on water borrowed from the Garonne River.
On our cruise, we went through three locks, which are mechanical arrangements that allow boats in water to travel uphill. I would not be able to explain it here… take a few minutes, Google it, and come back.
Grandpa and I were quietly geeking out. This very construction carried silk from Toulouse to the Med for trade in the 1600s. When the U.S. was still a new set of British Colonies, boats were running on this canal.
Still, by the time we reached our destination and got off the boat at Port Saint Sauveur, we were thirsty, hungry and hot! We stopped at a market for juice, water, chips and snacks, and found a shady bench in the Jardin Rond to rehydrate. When we were ready, we footed it across town back to our apartment for a long rest, fine dinner, and a peaceful evening.
Thanks, 17th Century engineers!
Love,
Grandma Judy
Dear Liza 