French Pizza Saturday Night

Saturdays in the village the "Pizza truck" comes to
town, and we were happy to taste it! (Pizza Truck" visits other villages on 3 other nights of the week - Offerings? Everything from a "quatre fromage" (pronounced cat-r frohhhmaggg) = 4-cheese, to items such as "escagole" also known as escargo = snail, to something that J turned green just thinking about; "fermiere" with duck, tomatoes, mozzarella, tomato sauce and poultry entrails! The four cheese was absolutely delicious, and, as you can see, I fell off the carbonated beverage wagon and ordered some orange soda to go along. The Pizza Truck only visits our village on Saturdays. Sorry - no website to order ahead.

Went for a walk with J through the village, took a nice shot of the front of our apartment building (our apartment is in the back), a shot of one of the average streets looking down toward one of the rivers that surrounds the town, and finally a nice shot of a "Roman bridge", not sure if the sign is accurate, but we'll take their word for it. Also wandered along the swimming pool, is filled and looks good - but I'm sure the temperature is freezing - will be open early June. Have heard back from our international phone company - they will be sending a replacement phone for our dud - good! I am up to #6 in my cheese journal - I'm sure within a few weeks I'll have enough for part of a blog.

First Pool View

Arrived in the small south-western French town that is our main destination for J's studies. The apartment and the views out the windows are beautiful. A winding stone staircase leads down to the shared garden, overlooking a green valley, and within view? The local outdoor swimming pool, less than a 1/4 mile away! Are disappointed to know that our international phone, purchased in USA is the one item we brought that was a waste of space - may contact the supplier to correct the problem - or not; have enjoyed being "unconnected", and will continue to enjoy the sensation. Enjoy our view out the bedroom - far off in the distance is the pool.

In France

In France: The view of the farmlands from the plane prior to landing; greener than anything currently in the midwest. Rude French people? - NO! Everyone we came into contact with was friendly and eager to help, in fact we were mistaken for being a French couple at the London airport by an elderly French couple who asked for assistance, after we had greeted them earlier with a polite "bonjour", and then had to explain "No, parlez vous Englaise"? Luckily they did "parle" English, and chuckled about the mistake. Crazy drivers? I'm guessing there is a motorcycle helmet law in France - as those bikers will weave through traffic- driving ON the dotted white division lines in 3-4 lanes of traffic, and the motorcycle cops do the same! We've checked into a lovely hotel after getting an impromptu tour from a friendly cabbie - saw Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and some yummy-looking open-air fruit/vegetable markets. I hope today's note goes through well - as the internet hookup we've attached to only offers FRENCH prompts for me to get through. Viva la France!

Flying the Friendly(?) Skies

Made it to the airport with 2 carry-ons and two checked bags - all under the maximum weight!
First flight out at 5:30, Michigan at 8 pm, and London to Paris by tomorrow afternoon.
Older couple in line behind us while we checked in - with the questions they had about flying - maybe the airport should consider a passenger liaison to assist with questions/concerns prior to checking in. The two behind us had questions about the number of bags allowed, how to use the kiosk, what "overbooked" meant on the posting for their flight, all the way down to "are you two flying to South Carolina too?" Meanwhile an elderly lady with her (grand)daughter was trying to check in ahead of us, but she had no driver's license, no photo ID, and the (grand)daughter was getting loud and frustrated. I plan to utilize the quiet , polite and helpful personality to get to my final destination. Wish us luck!
Bon Voyage.

Mickey the cat

Yes! We can put photos on this thing. First things first - the recently unfurled ferns in the backyard, our home, and our cat. One more going away party, and maybe some last minute USA photos before we get to France.

Ready

I'm a list person - over the past 2 months there have been lists all over my house, my car, and my desk at work. But lately, as I get closer and closer to leaving USA, and hopefully, leading a much simpler existence in France, the lists are dwindling. I've found myself finding lists, reading them quickly, and throwing them away. I had a list of things to pack, I've stopped looking at it - everything is ready in a plastic tub for rapid transport into a carry-on suitcase. I have two small lists I carry with me; one for last minute items to purchase or complete, and one blank card for "other ideas". The card has been blank for more than a week, and I've decided it is an indication I am ready, or my mind is empty, or both. I think I'm mellowing. We hope to add some photos to the blog before we depart - Check on us.

"Don't ever wait"

We're at our favorite coffee cafe (hmmm, and I don't even drink coffee), had a great time at the party hosted by Lisa at Le Meduse - a cozy little cafe in downtown Rock Island. 7 days and counting down until we breeze into Europe. Plan to practice pack this afternoon, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! While we were chatting with some of our friends yesterday, I was also enchanted to meet two ladies who came to the cafe for a late afternoon coffee, and they stopped to chat with me prior to leaving. They indicated they were both widows, asked about the party theme at the cafe, and instructed me "no question, you go, have as much fun as possible, don't hold back, keep stretching to experience new things in new places, don't ever WAIT".
That's pretty much my theme this week.

Pop Tarts

Enjoyed a night out with the T/E.M. staff Friday - with rock climbing, laser tag, and a cart race. All that kept "racing" through my mind was LeMans, LeMans, LeMans... It was a great B-day for Dawn , but too bad Mike got the Yugo! I am looking forward to exploring new lands and a different culture in less than 2 weeks! Is it crazy to "practice pack" this early? Will I miss pop tarts, wrestling with our cat, paying for gas, setting our alarm clock, the English language, and strolling through libraries; picking up 4-5 new books along the way? Or will I be like a new sponge - my only job to absorb and work through everything that is thrown at us over the next 110 days? I'm betting on cleaning up.

Blooming

"Traveller's Joy" is a small blooming wildflower from Southern Europe/Africa. The plant is found "climbing fences and growing along roadsides", much like what we will be doing in a few weeks, and thus the title.
Currently preparing for 110 days in France, and finishing last minute details before the trip.
Posts to look forward to...
Travel - fun and challenges - looking forward to CDG airport, Paris.
Food - cheese, wine, fresh fruit and vegetables, need I go on?
Language - the one I know; English, and the languages we will be struggling with; French/Italian/Spanish, and maybe British!
ART - frequent updates of J's paintings while at the school, and maybe my sketches along the way.
Yet to meet - classmates, residents, landlords, instructors, animals, and crazy drivers.
Photos - hopefully nothing from within the walls of a French prison...

Let me know what you think, no profanity please!
M

A Traveller's Joy

Welcome to my blog - will be travelling to France soon, and am finishing last minute plans.
Please check back for frequent updates - about food (cheese!), artworks in progress, and stumbling through the culture shock that will be Europe.

As for my blog title:
"Traveller's Joy" clematis vitalba: Wildflower found throughout southwest Europe/Africa. Used for medicinal purposes and found "climbing and covering" the roadsides of Europe.