Hello again! It’s been a while! Let’s see what has happened since we chatted?
Well, Dad and Marlene’s visit was good! They arrived on Thursday and were basically on their own until I could see them on Friday (thanks strike). I visited briefly with them Friday while the kids where in school. We did Montmartre and Sacre Coeur. Saturday we did some stuff in the city and then took the train out to Chaumes to see my little city and have dinner with my French family. The frog legs were delicious! Pictured just before being cooked. In a Lemon-butter+herb sauce. Mmm...
We had a lovely time. Sunday we took a tour bus to see the city. Monday we met Alain for lunch at Chartiers and had the most delicious confit de canard—duck prepared in some magical way that makes it absolutely amazing! After that Marlene and I did some shopping through La Galleries Lafayette and the boutiques near the opera. Tuesday we tried to go to a museum but it was closed so we ended up having coffee then lunch at a lovely little place just next to the museum. Marlene also found a great store for souvenirs which just happened to be next to a little crepe shop. I believe that after we bought a Nutella Banane crepe, Marlene was hooked for life! That evening we took a stroll down the Champs Elysée which became Dad and Marlene’s favorite place in Paris. 
Wednesday I took a break from playing tour guide because I had an appointment with the doctors at the immigration office that would take all day. Good news! I don’t have tuberculosis. I can stay in France now.
Thursday was a big day. We rented a car to drive out to Normandy (a region) to the city of Caen to see Omaha Beach and the American cemetery. 1) I never wanted to drive in Paris. Ever. 2) The strike which was on-going but had lessened in effect was starting over again Thursday i.e. expect horrible traffic. 3) My GPS was dying about 30 minutes into the trip. Anyway, I rented the car and was able to get Dad and Marlene without any trouble. Everything was going fine until we got to Port Maillot, THE largest flipping roundabout I have ever experienced. In France, the buses are comfortable with getting right next to your car. I mean like 6 inches away. Also, in the roundabouts and some of the streets in Paris, there are no lines to create lanes. These two things make a young au pair trying to get to Normany very, very unnerved when she’s driving in the city. So good luck, God speed, for when you drive in Paris. But! When you get outside of the city, all is well! The roads are well maintained and well marked. We made it to Normandy safe and sound. The cemetery and museum are really, very nice but the best part of the trip was the city of Caen. While we were having a little snack down an adorable little alley, we found my next apartment! Or at least that’s what we had fun imagining. Driving back so slightly more difficult once we reached Paris because it was dark but we made it! After we returned the car, Dad bought me a well deserved beer!
Friday, our last day, we went to Versailles and saw the magnificent chateau. There was an exposition there as well, but I have to say that it was a bad choice for this particular venue. See below. Bleh.
But in the city we found a fromagerie (cheese store) where Marlene bought lots of stinky cheese, much to Dad’s dismay.
Saturday would have been easy, breezy, beautiful but Marlene discovered her passport missing as she was trying to check in. Fortunately, there is an agent from Border Control that can help verify who you are and get you on a plane. So Dad and Marlene are both now back safe and sounds in Atlanta.
I returned to Chaumes and walked all the way back from the train station. Really it wasn’t bad. It was a lovely day and my bag had wheels. It was a good walk. I had tried to plan a trip to Italy then Amsterdam but they both fell through, so I had nothing planned for the rest of my vacation. So one day I visited Provins, a little town not far from Chaumes that is basically a medieval village. Super cute. I shopped in the city. But it’s expensive here! Also I met some girls from school and we went to the top of L’Arc de Triomphe for a lovely night view! The Thursday school started and we all went back to the daily grind. But only two days this week!
This weekend was fun because I went to a party on Friday, met another firend for dinner on Saturday, and went to scouts on Sunday. Did I mention that I volunteered to be a scout here? To help Alain out, I said I would be one of the leaders for Zoe’s group, les Jeannettes. The girls are fun and cute and the two other leaders are nice, especially since I don’t actually speak French that well… Anyway. What a long post!! More stories later!! Have a good week everyone!
Well, Dad and Marlene’s visit was good! They arrived on Thursday and were basically on their own until I could see them on Friday (thanks strike). I visited briefly with them Friday while the kids where in school. We did Montmartre and Sacre Coeur. Saturday we did some stuff in the city and then took the train out to Chaumes to see my little city and have dinner with my French family. The frog legs were delicious! Pictured just before being cooked. In a Lemon-butter+herb sauce. Mmm...
We had a lovely time. Sunday we took a tour bus to see the city. Monday we met Alain for lunch at Chartiers and had the most delicious confit de canard—duck prepared in some magical way that makes it absolutely amazing! After that Marlene and I did some shopping through La Galleries Lafayette and the boutiques near the opera. Tuesday we tried to go to a museum but it was closed so we ended up having coffee then lunch at a lovely little place just next to the museum. Marlene also found a great store for souvenirs which just happened to be next to a little crepe shop. I believe that after we bought a Nutella Banane crepe, Marlene was hooked for life! That evening we took a stroll down the Champs Elysée which became Dad and Marlene’s favorite place in Paris. Wednesday I took a break from playing tour guide because I had an appointment with the doctors at the immigration office that would take all day. Good news! I don’t have tuberculosis. I can stay in France now.Thursday was a big day. We rented a car to drive out to Normandy (a region) to the city of Caen to see Omaha Beach and the American cemetery. 1) I never wanted to drive in Paris. Ever. 2) The strike which was on-going but had lessened in effect was starting over again Thursday i.e. expect horrible traffic. 3) My GPS was dying about 30 minutes into the trip. Anyway, I rented the car and was able to get Dad and Marlene without any trouble. Everything was going fine until we got to Port Maillot, THE largest flipping roundabout I have ever experienced. In France, the buses are comfortable with getting right next to your car. I mean like 6 inches away. Also, in the roundabouts and some of the streets in Paris, there are no lines to create lanes. These two things make a young au pair trying to get to Normany very, very unnerved when she’s driving in the city. So good luck, God speed, for when you drive in Paris. But! When you get outside of the city, all is well! The roads are well maintained and well marked. We made it to Normandy safe and sound. The cemetery and museum are really, very nice but the best part of the trip was the city of Caen. While we were having a little snack down an adorable little alley, we found my next apartment! Or at least that’s what we had fun imagining. Driving back so slightly more difficult once we reached Paris because it was dark but we made it! After we returned the car, Dad bought me a well deserved beer!
Friday, our last day, we went to Versailles and saw the magnificent chateau. There was an exposition there as well, but I have to say that it was a bad choice for this particular venue. See below. Bleh.
But in the city we found a fromagerie (cheese store) where Marlene bought lots of stinky cheese, much to Dad’s dismay.
Saturday would have been easy, breezy, beautiful but Marlene discovered her passport missing as she was trying to check in. Fortunately, there is an agent from Border Control that can help verify who you are and get you on a plane. So Dad and Marlene are both now back safe and sounds in Atlanta.
I returned to Chaumes and walked all the way back from the train station. Really it wasn’t bad. It was a lovely day and my bag had wheels. It was a good walk. I had tried to plan a trip to Italy then Amsterdam but they both fell through, so I had nothing planned for the rest of my vacation. So one day I visited Provins, a little town not far from Chaumes that is basically a medieval village. Super cute. I shopped in the city. But it’s expensive here! Also I met some girls from school and we went to the top of L’Arc de Triomphe for a lovely night view! The Thursday school started and we all went back to the daily grind. But only two days this week!
This weekend was fun because I went to a party on Friday, met another firend for dinner on Saturday, and went to scouts on Sunday. Did I mention that I volunteered to be a scout here? To help Alain out, I said I would be one of the leaders for Zoe’s group, les Jeannettes. The girls are fun and cute and the two other leaders are nice, especially since I don’t actually speak French that well… Anyway. What a long post!! More stories later!! Have a good week everyone!
great post!...awesome that you got to spend some time with your dad!...i'll say this, you are an extremely brave foodie!!..i'm such a boring, American, plain, food eater, but i think it's great you like branching out and living in the culture (no idea)....anyhoo, we miss you in Atlanta, glad you're having such a great time!!
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