Neuville en Ferrain- Roubaix

      I finally made it to Roubaix! I didn't really know when I was going to go, so I just packed a bag one day and left Mathilde's house to go see my friend- I had a really good time. Roubaix in itself doesn't really offer much, but there were some amazingly beautiful buildings and sculptures. Unfortunately, when I was packing, I forgot my camera charger, so I had a dead camera for the whole trip. I did get one photo before it died though, it's the Hotel de Ville, seen below.
     I got to go to Melrose's school, ESAAT- nations unies! It was really interesting. I met him there after school was out and he let me come into the studio and paint. We took turns posing and did 10 minute sketches for about 2 hours. I wish I could have taken some pictures of some of the paintings that we did! They were pretty cool, just pencil and red and blue watercolor. Now I really want to take some art classes- I can't even imagine going to school for art, it just be too fun.
     After that, we kind of just hung around his apartment, and I wandered the city a little bit. Roubaix is really just city with a mall in the middle of it, so there wasn't much to do. I got a really good coffee at this little cafe by the Gare de Roubaix, which was nice. The owners came out to meet me because they heard my accent, and they were very surprised to hear that I hail from Alaska! It's funny to watch people when they say, "ALASKA? Non!!" It's a nice little pick-me-up.
     So, after two days in Roubaix, I am now back in Neuville en Ferrain, at Mathilde's house. I made an egg sandwich and maitenant, je suis rempli! I am charging my camera finally, so I promise that I will make up for my lack of photo-posting this week. I have to go on more walks and find interesting things to photograph. For now, here's a few!