Mom’s turn- My reflection on visiting France

When looking at the blog the other day, Olivia commented that it was a family experience and that I should have a turn at writing. Well, it’s been a rainy day and since we’ve been hanging out inside all afternoon and Ted just called to let me know that Mike would be late, I thought I’d give it a go. Be forewarned, I tend to be a bit verbose, which Olivia, means I will write a lot.

The kids have written everyday about their “adventures” and I believe that this really is a misnomer. We have not found the “adventure” that many of my friends found on their trips. In fact, I’m sure it seems as if the kids aren’t doing much, although I can tell you that they are quite content. What we have been able to create here is a little piece of home for all of us, complete with our normal routine. At home, we would spend our time reading, swimming, visiting, and running errands before Mike came home to join us for dinner. We have the same life here. Every day we run the errand of getting bread or postcards and then head to the playground. We go for a hike (unfortunately one time it was accidentally for 9 miles!). We also read and have got to do something that we have not been able to in a long time. We have taken the time to read aloud and enjoy a book together, 2 so far. We swim and, thanks to Skype, get to visit with friends and family every day. And each evening, we are able to spend time with Mike.

In many ways, I feel as though I have cheated my children out of that fabulous European trip. No sightseeing, no museums. I know that there is an issue with my own discomfort and also with having the money to pay for admissions, a car, gas, etc. . . We are also at the mercy of Mike’s work schedule. The first 4 days we were here, he was working nights! And our main objective is to see him, no matter how much we would have liked to spend a couple days in Paris seeing the Eiffel tower and visiting the Louvre. But I also know that I have done much better at the one thing Luke said I was not good at, doing nothing.

I am thankful that I had this opportunity. I have been overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of the people of La Petite-Pierre. People have said that the French are very rude. This must have been a reflection of the person who said it because everyone we have met has smiled and wished us “Bon Jour!”. In a part of France where the two language options are French and German, we learned ways to understand each other. Like the little boy who couldn’t understand why I was telling him that I couldn’t speak French, when I was speaking French and who attempted to tell us his name (which much to his horror we completely mispronounced) or the wonderful old lady who wanted to tell me something about my children as we were walking down the street but after learning that I only spoke English had to just shrug and smile. Or the waitress at one of the restaurants that we frequented who would bring the English menu and the French one so that I could find what I wanted and then show her on the French menu. And the hoteliers! They have been so kind to give us 2 bedroom suites at the same rate they were giving Mike his one bedroom room so that we could be more comfortable as a family.

While here, I read our July book The Glass Lake, Mom said that that’s what I was doing, vacationing in a town like Lough Glass. Oui! I have enjoyed our trip here. I don’t think I will look at it with the wistful look many of my friends have. I most definitely did not take in the exotic tastes of France but I have loved the bread! I do think someday I would like to come back and travel as a tourist with Mike. Someday, I would like to see the Louvre. But for now, I’m excited to be heading home and will anxiously be awaiting Mike’s 2 weeks(hopefully) with us before he heads to Germany.

Micke D's place

This part of yesterday was rather, interesting. Mom and Dad had wanted to go to an Italian restaurant, but it was closed. There was a McDonald's near by right next to it so we went there instead. Apparently they actually do have McDonald's in France (WooHoo!) I had saw that they had 1. a play structure like in America. 2. was way more crowded. 3. Even the menu was French! I ordered a happy meal which had 4 chicken nuggets, french fries (we are in France people!), and applesauce (I gave that to Dad). Mom said I could have ice cream if I ate my applesauce. I didn't. But when we got back to the hotel, the Concierge came up and gave us some ice cream. That was awesome! Then today we walked down to the bakery for the last time because it is closed tomorrow and we are leaving Thursday. I had an escargot vanille which is a pastry that looks like a snail shell. I liked it except for the custard inside in the middle. I'm really going to miss France.

Ekul=Luke

One hour hike-->5 hour hike

Hmmm. . . . .Bon Jour , or, Bon Soir? Today we didn't go for a walk/hike. Know why?. . . . .Yesterday?. . . . .BINGO!!!!!!! What happened yesterday was this. We were playing and Mom said "Let's go for a hike." So we went down a trail that we had never been down before. We didn't know where we would end up. So we get out at this random place, and go the wrong way. We went hiking for at least 1 to 3 miles before Mom realizes that we're going the wrong way. So. . . . .hehheh.

Today was pairs day. I saw two cats, slugs, snails, and everything else you can imagine. Altogether, there were 164 pairs, mostly trees. We even bought 2 postcards and we mailed them today.

I look forward to seeing everybody when we get home. Au Revoir!

Olivia

PS Happy Birthday Mrs. Mary and Millie!!!

Ow?

Today wasn't very agreeable. It started out okay, but after the hike, unnnn. NOT good. We decided to go down a trail. At the end of the trail, we went the wrong for about a mile. Then it looked a little brighter when we started heading the right way. This is the not so bad part I got a blister which popped and pain in my foot then all of us got "somehow" cut by blades of grass (does that even make sense?). Then we got so tired I have no idea how I could walk that far, that long but when we finally got back here we washed our feet and ate some lunch. I really wish we hadn't gotten lost in the first place, but hey, that's what happens.

Ekul=Luke

PS-Happy Birthday Uncle Ben!