Monday, July 22, 2013
The clothes line
Today we did laundry at the rental house, and although we eventually figured out the washer, which is also supposed to be a drier, it was clear that the drier part didn't work so well. So after an hour of "drying", our clothes were still pretty wet. As I was starting to hang them on the patio chairs, Monique told me that there was actually a clothes line behind the house. It had been probably 15 years since I had to use one, so I was pretty amused as it also brought yet more childhood memories. Lionel was not amused at all though, because considering how much we are paying to stay here, he fully expected a working drier. I can also see his point, but it could have been worse. The weather was dry and sunny, so I knew the clothes would dry quickly. Besides, as I also pointed out for him, the real fun with a clothes line is when it starts raining, your clothes are still wet, and you have to rush to bring them inside and hang them everywhere. He didn't have to deal with any of that, so after his initial annoyance he had to admit that it was all ok.
Sunday, July 21, 2013
New book
During vacation I have started reading a new book. It has been a while since I gave myself time to do so, but it is something I truly enjoy. The thing is, I hope I can finish reading it before we go back. Otherwise, I may not find the time do so once we are back on the routine.
Back to me
It is not Christmas time, but during my vacation I have come up with a new resolution: I will get my French back, and at least some basic Italian. Especially if I do take my sabbatical next year, and come back to Europe, I need to do better in that front.
L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Market
This morning we went to the local market, and I liked it. It was very hot, crowded, and as usual we had to carry Bella for part of our visit. But it reminded me of Mexico, and more specifically of Tlaxcala - where I grew up. It reminded me of going with my mom and my sister on Saturday mornings to buy all the food for the week. If I close my eyes, I can so easily pretend that I am there. I can see the food, the crowds, the bags that are so typical of Mexican markets, and the line of white taxis at the end, just waiting for their next client.
Back then it was a chore, but nowadays it is a fond memory.
Back then it was a chore, but nowadays it is a fond memory.
The rental house
The house we rented is quite nice, and it seems to be the poster child for what you would expect from a house in the south of France. From the facade, to the plants, to the chairs outside. I am guessing that the owner must be an artist - a painter, a sculptor, etc. - or an interior designer. There are many decorations that I would assume have been collected over a long period of time, and that have been carefully placed so it all comes together.
Cugini
Yesterday marked the very first time - EVER - that Bella and Sofia met their Italian cousins. Being kids and all clearly none of them had any idea of what that means, so they all said their "Hi" in the way kids do: Casually, quickly, completely uninterested, and ready to get it over and move on. But us, adults, knew that this day was way overdue and were happy to finally have them together.
They did interact later in the night, and have interacted today thoughout the day, but there is no doubt that the lack of a common language poses some unusual challenges. Not only for the kids, but also for the adults as we are trying to help them. The kids are trying, but some of their comments or questions are being met with a blank stare by the one who is expected to help or answer them.
As the only adult in the house other than their parents that speaks a bit of Italian, I am trying to translate for them as much as I can. But given that both my French and my Italian are rather rusty - and that might be quite the understatement - I am also finding myself mixing languages. Every time I am about to say something that I was initially quite sure was Italian, I realize it may actually be French. There are certainly advantages to Spanish, French, and Italian being similar, but in some cases that may actually cause quite a mess.
They did interact later in the night, and have interacted today thoughout the day, but there is no doubt that the lack of a common language poses some unusual challenges. Not only for the kids, but also for the adults as we are trying to help them. The kids are trying, but some of their comments or questions are being met with a blank stare by the one who is expected to help or answer them.
As the only adult in the house other than their parents that speaks a bit of Italian, I am trying to translate for them as much as I can. But given that both my French and my Italian are rather rusty - and that might be quite the understatement - I am also finding myself mixing languages. Every time I am about to say something that I was initially quite sure was Italian, I realize it may actually be French. There are certainly advantages to Spanish, French, and Italian being similar, but in some cases that may actually cause quite a mess.
The train, the drive, and Provence
Even though it took me a while to fall asleep last night, I was still too tired to write about our day. So this afternoon I am once again playing catch up.
Yesterday afternoon we took the train from Paris to Avignon. But first, we had to take the subway to the train station (La Gare de Lyon), carrying all of our luggage. That was fun. We then took the TGV - the fast train - for what was supposed to be a stress-free 2.5hr ride. Unfortunately for us, the AC was not working at all, which made for a very steamy, uncomfortable ride. Lionel was sweating like crazy from the very beginning, and even though I was Ok to start with, the heat also got to me. Fortunately - yes, there was a fortunate part to all of this - there were two other children sitting next to us. So the girls entertained themselves with them for a little while, and also eventually fell asleep. Bella insisted on getting her blanket out so she was sweating like crazy, even though I moved it to the side so she was just using it like a pillow. As we were finally approaching the station, Lionel announced that we only had two minutes to get out of the train, which momentarily increased my blood pressure. We were not the only ones waiting to get out, and by no means the only ones with heavy luggage. How in the world were we supposed to get out so quickly? And what if only some of us managed to get out, while the other ones got stuck back there?
After we survived the mad rush getting out of the train, we got the girls a quick snack, and stopped by the restroom. Just like in Mexico, you had to pay to use the restrooms which was ok with me. I rather pay for a clean restroom any day of the week. Lionel's parents were supposed to pick us up at the train station in a rental car but their flight into Avignon got delayed, so we were not sure how quickly we were going to be able to get out of there. Luckily his brother - who drove from Milan in his own car with his family - was able to come get us. We waited outside the train station for about 30 minutes until he arrived, and 30 minutes later we finally arrived at out rental house. Sadly, Lionel and his brother, who jointly selected the house, did not realize that the house had no air conditioning. Luckily, even though it is pretty hot outside, that has not been a problem as the house seems to stay pretty cool despite the intense heat outside.
By the time everybody made it to the house it was close to 7:00pm, and the decision was made that trying to go out for dinner with the kids would be complete hell. So Lionel and his brother went to buy food, while the rest of us - or at least me - started to unpack. When they came back with the food all the adults pitched in to get dinner ready while the kids jumped in the pool. Dinner, kitchen cleaning, and showers, and that was it for the day.
Yesterday afternoon we took the train from Paris to Avignon. But first, we had to take the subway to the train station (La Gare de Lyon), carrying all of our luggage. That was fun. We then took the TGV - the fast train - for what was supposed to be a stress-free 2.5hr ride. Unfortunately for us, the AC was not working at all, which made for a very steamy, uncomfortable ride. Lionel was sweating like crazy from the very beginning, and even though I was Ok to start with, the heat also got to me. Fortunately - yes, there was a fortunate part to all of this - there were two other children sitting next to us. So the girls entertained themselves with them for a little while, and also eventually fell asleep. Bella insisted on getting her blanket out so she was sweating like crazy, even though I moved it to the side so she was just using it like a pillow. As we were finally approaching the station, Lionel announced that we only had two minutes to get out of the train, which momentarily increased my blood pressure. We were not the only ones waiting to get out, and by no means the only ones with heavy luggage. How in the world were we supposed to get out so quickly? And what if only some of us managed to get out, while the other ones got stuck back there?
After we survived the mad rush getting out of the train, we got the girls a quick snack, and stopped by the restroom. Just like in Mexico, you had to pay to use the restrooms which was ok with me. I rather pay for a clean restroom any day of the week. Lionel's parents were supposed to pick us up at the train station in a rental car but their flight into Avignon got delayed, so we were not sure how quickly we were going to be able to get out of there. Luckily his brother - who drove from Milan in his own car with his family - was able to come get us. We waited outside the train station for about 30 minutes until he arrived, and 30 minutes later we finally arrived at out rental house. Sadly, Lionel and his brother, who jointly selected the house, did not realize that the house had no air conditioning. Luckily, even though it is pretty hot outside, that has not been a problem as the house seems to stay pretty cool despite the intense heat outside.
By the time everybody made it to the house it was close to 7:00pm, and the decision was made that trying to go out for dinner with the kids would be complete hell. So Lionel and his brother went to buy food, while the rest of us - or at least me - started to unpack. When they came back with the food all the adults pitched in to get dinner ready while the kids jumped in the pool. Dinner, kitchen cleaning, and showers, and that was it for the day.
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