morning

L'arc a la Place Darcy (where i catch my bus)...sarkozy is IN. but he isn't nearly as chic as obama.



jon weiss' house, where i take my culture class


pharmacien


morning rush


les drapeaux

leaving the suburbs

my bakery


FLOWERS







okay, so i totally stalked a group of french children this morning.

a

my favorite part of the day here is my walk to centre-ville. inevitably. always. rain or shine. id rather be late to class than take the bus farther than necessary, despite the fact that bus encounters are bound to be interesting, especially as i smile, upon boarding, at the people who've laughed at me running desperately, hand out to push the doors open. if i don't get my morning walk, things don't feel right and i arrive at class unsettled--it's on those days that french sounds more foreign to my ears than it should at this point.

the sun hits the sidewalk just right around 8:30, and i love to watch the vendors put their flowers out on the sidewalk, to see the pharmacists mop their linoleum floors as the doors open at 8:55. men, women, grandmothers, aunts, everyone walks babies in perambulators down the cobbled streets, and les drapeaux blow colorfully in the wind as the streets narrow beneath the wheels of the buses, one after another. bakeries are bustling, and people of all ages are ready to meet the day, baguette in hand.


***

today, i had the honor of interviewing my host parents about immigration, racism, and french identity. they were honest with me, informative, patient, and most of all--candid. i am very greatful to them for their authenticity and their willingness to let me into their world. i have a lunch date with another francais tomorrow to ask more questions about being french, and i'm praying i get more answers.

my host mom gave me a latin book of Ovid's today--she teaches latin, and she knows he's my favorite. flipping through it has been a nice break from church architecture and history for me.


Mama, thanks for making me go to sunday school when i was small. you have no idea how many students i've explained bible stories to over the past two weeks. i am officially bible-knowledge girl who also knows random facts about St. Jerome and owns the vulgate. got to love that this here junior is useful for something.