Saturday, July 14

WELCOME TO YOUR HOME

 After a long flight to Reykavik and a short flight from there to Paris, both on Icelandair, I arrived shortly at 1 pm at Charles deGaulle. My passport was stamped in Iceland and I was not asked to show any other documents, in spite of my understanding of the procedure to enter the Schengen zone. Perrine picked me up and off we went to Vaujours; she had signs in pink, blue and green strung across the living room saying, "Welcome to Your Home." We visited the wonderful nearby park,which is huge; I will never run out of a for walking destination.

Stephane and Perrine's flat is very cute and is in a residential area consisting of flats, called "associations." I have a very nice room with lots of space for all the "stuff" I brought, especially the things I will never use. Their boys are spending a few days with Stephane's parents, who will bring them home from their home in a few days.

On Tuesday we walked to the RER station for the train into Paris. I wanted to go to the American Church to find out about the language and yoga classes which are held there. I learned this week that there are hardly any classes anywhere until the beginning of September, so I will practice on my own. It seems as if most of the country is on Holiday from mid-July until September, although I am sure many people do not have all of that time off. I need to find a yoga mat and will devise my own practice here until September.We walked to the Champs Elysee, and I got to practice ordering in a cafe; it was only two beers (bieres) but I guess I got it right because that is what arrived at our table. The trains were crowded on the return trip.

Wednesday we visited the huge grocery, CORA, and did some shopping. It was interesting to see what is available on the shelves compared to at home (I still have not found almond milk). A lunch at their cafeteria, and we returned; I am still tired. This is the day it started raining on and off; today it is still raining on and off. During our recent heat wave in Boulder, I prayed for rain, but I think God got the text wrong as he sent lots more than what I ordered. The children, Bastian and Luc, returned to the flat with their grandparents. They are very nice and very active. They want to see the cowboys in Colorado.

Thursday was quite productive; I learned where the doctor and the chiropractor are (just up the street) and then we visited the local library. Perrine's three librarian friends, Laurence, Beatrice and Benedicle, are very nice and also anxious to help me further my language skills. They gave me two CDs and will search for other avenues of learning for me. There are a few books in English and I picked up "Thhe Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society," which I had on my list for awhile. I will also read some books in French, probably the ones of the children at first. I hope to have more time here at first to read and edit the Australia/New Zealand book which does not go away and begs for attention.

Yesterday (Friday) Perrine and I went again on the RER and tram to the Red Cross in Paris, still in search of language classes. There was no one around, so we returned and got soaking wet on the way home. This was a very busy day as Perrine organized a dinner for her parents, the neighbors, Marion and Cyril,and Dave and Kathy, the second half of Stephane and Perrine's home exchange, who were making a stop in Paris for a few days before continuing their adventures. It was very nice and gave us a chance to practice our speaking. This was a day of harder rain, but no one seemed to mind. As I was going to bed, I kept thinking I heard garbage cans clanging outside until I remembered that Vaujours celebrates Bastille Day (July 14) the evening before. Fireworks is called "feu artificial."

And so today, Saturday, we woke up to another cloudy day, although we did see the sun for awhile. I took a walk in order to find the movie theatre and the fitness center, which was closed, I don't know because of the long Holiday or the July 14 Holiday; everything seems to be about Holidays. Perhaps we in America should follow such an example. On the way home I bought fruit around the corner and am finding that I can shop or ask directions without any problem. After tomorrow I will be here by myself, which I am actually looking forward to and resting for a few days with perhaps only a walk in the park.