PAIN

I am loving pain, not the kind that hurts, but the crusty, warm, delicious variety that we have been eating everyday since we arrived.  Pain (bread) seems to be a national treasure here in France and I can see why. Somehow, a daily trip to the boulangerie has become an essential part of our schedule to ensure we have a baguette on hand for lunch and dinner.  Some days our baguette does not make it all the way until dinner depending on how warm the baguette is when we purchase it, in which case it is likely gone before 1:00 in the afternoon.  We have been testing different boulangeries to see which have the best pain.  So far, our favorite baguette is in Hossegor (about 30 minutes out).  We only make it out there about once a week, but its almost sourdough-y spendor and brownish hue keep us coming back for more.  Our favorite croissant is just on the outskirts of town, in Milady, (convenient to Annie E.'s local playgound) and the crumbs in the front seat of the car are a testament to its buttery crisp.  Most days, however, we pick up a fairly average baguette at our local bakery in Guethary. If I am out for my morning run, or we are doing a 'wave check' walk, we will stop in.   For our outings we always bring along a tomato, some local cheese (an avocado if we have one on hand) to accompany our bread.  Completely satisfying, budget friendly and delicious.   Like a true Frenchman, Nathan purchased a paring knife to travel with so he can readily prepare our sandwiches where ever our journeys take us. 

Now that we are on week three (already!) of our trip I am tempted by the other varieties of pain on boulangerie shelves.  There are all sorts of loaves filled with succulent grains, fruits, herbs or chocolate, not to mention the pastries.  Yum.  Supposedly 80% of French eat bread with every meal.  I can see why.