Today was an optional trip out to the countryside to van Gogh's residence in the village of Auvers-Sur-Oise. Today was also the town's festival for the summer solstice. We first split into two groups and were taken up to van Gogh's room at the inn where he last lived. Photography was not allowed, but I can tell you that the room was small, about 6X10 with a small chair, a corner closet that was 3.5 feet high, and it would have housed an iron framed bed, but unfortunately the previous owners of the cafe/inn got rid of the original bed frame. Once the tour was over we were set free to enjoy this lovely little town. My friends C, E, and I walked leisurely up and down the street tasting freshly prepared breads, candies, homemade fois gras, pure raw honeys and homemade jams and preserves. We visited the Absinthe Museum, listened to a fabulous bagpiper band, traditional French music and purchased pretty necklaces made from flowers from the village. After eating our way though the main street we decided to go to van Gogh and his brother Theo's grave up the street. On the way we past by the church that van Gogh had painted along with the vista of the town below. C, E, and I frolicked in the wheat fields once painted so furiously by the troubled painter. Van Gogh and his brother Theo's graves are understated and modest.
I came home with goodies, great stories and a better understanding of this troubled painter; Vincent van Gogh.
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