Man, what a day! I woke up in Saint-Etienne, and let me tell ya, it was a rollercoaster. First off, I’m an ichthyologist, right? Fish are my jam. But today? Today was all about the city, not the fish.
So, I’m strolling down Rue de la République, just minding my own biz, when I spot this street artist. Dude’s painting a massive mural of a fish! I’m like, “Yo, that’s my life!” I mean, who knew Saint-Etienne had such talent? I snap a pic, thinking it’s gonna be a chill day. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
Next, I head over to Place Jean Jaurès. It’s buzzing! People everywhere, and I’m just trying to grab a coffee. But the line? Ugh, it’s longer than the Loire! I’m standing there, tapping my foot, thinking about how I’d rather be studying fish gills than waiting for a caffeine fix. Finally, I get my coffee, and it’s cold. Cold! Like, what’s up with that? I’m fuming.
Then, I decide to hit up the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie. I’m all about that industrial history, ya know? But when I get there, it’s closed for renovations. Seriously? I’m like, “C’mon, Saint-Etienne, give me a break!” I’m ready to throw a fit. But then I remember, this city’s got a vibe.
I wander over to the Parc de l'Europe. It’s beautiful, man! Trees everywhere, and the sun’s shining. I sit on a bench, sipping my lukewarm coffee, and just chill. I start thinking about fish again. Like, why do they always swim upstream? I mean, I get it, but why not just take the easy route?
Suddenly, I hear this loud noise. I look up, and there’s a parade! A freakin’ parade! I’m like, “What’s happening?” Turns out, it’s some local festival. People are dancing, music’s blasting, and I’m just sitting there, grinning like an idiot. I can’t help it! The energy is contagious.
I join the crowd, and we’re all dancing. I’m flailing my arms like a fish outta water. It’s hilarious! I even meet this cool guy named Pierre. He’s a local fisherman. We start chatting about fish, obviously. He tells me about the best spots in the Loire. I’m taking notes like a nerd.
But then, outta nowhere, it starts pouring! I mean, it’s like the sky opened up. Everyone’s scrambling for cover. I’m laughing, soaked to the bone, thinking, “This is the craziest day ever!” I duck into a café on Rue de la Montat. I’m dripping wet, and the barista gives me this look like I’m a drowned rat. I just shrug and order a hot chocolate.
While I’m waiting, I overhear some locals talking about the football team, AS Saint-Étienne. They’re all hyped up about the next match. I’m not a huge football fan, but the passion is infectious. I start imagining fish playing football. Like, how would that even work?
Finally, I finish my drink and head back out. The rain’s stopped, and the streets are glistening. I walk past the iconic Stade Geoffroy-Guichard. It’s massive! I can feel the energy from the fans even though there’s no game today.
As I make my way back to my place, I can’t help but think about how Saint-Etienne surprised me today. It’s not just a city; it’s alive! I mean, who knew I’d have such a wild day? From fish murals to parades, this place has got it all.
I flop onto my bed, exhausted but happy. I might be an ichthyologist, but today, I was just a guy in Saint-Etienne, living life to the fullest. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!