There are not a lot of big things to report, just the process of learning our way around the neighborhood. And dealing with jet lag! Adjustment to a seven hour difference is a major challenge for a toddler. We have not gotten a lot of sleep the past two nights, although it is gradually getting better (from eight hours of wakefulness on our second night to less than half that time the next night.) We’re getting there!

A few notes about l’humilité, the humility required to travel abroad with curiosity and respect. We ask a lot of questions, and do make a many mistakes along the way. Example: in my previous post I was alarmed about the price of apples, but later I realized that of course, the prices are listed not in pounds but in kilograms. And that makes the prices very comparable to those back home. Whew!

Another example: on our first supermarket trip we picked up paper towels, only to discover that it was a package of toilet tissue instead! Oh, well, we will definitely use those.

The most important and frequent cause for humility (not humiliation, with such kind people helping us) is the process of communication. I can get along pretty well in French, but I know my grammar, syntax, etc. are not refined at all. I’ve done my best recently to study vocabulary, grammar and verb tenses, not to mention those pesky adverbes that have eluded me for years. But locals appreciate the attempt, and many of them can speak English when requested. As one nice man put it this morning, just use your broken French; it’s the only way to learn.

So, on with le rapporte, the report for May 27 and 28. There will be lots of photos in place of lengthy explanations. Pictures are more intéressants than my writing anyway!

Time to walk to our destination down the Rue Lodi, a main thoroughfare close to our rental. This is what a typical French city street looks like in a busy commercial area. There is a lot of al fresco dining in the temperate months, as you can see.

We went to the Metro station on Wednesday to get our one month passes for buses and trains. I must carry mine wherever I go, in case I need it. Sydney kept herself busy with the “rainbow bubbles” fidget toy I picked up second hand before I left home. It has proven very useful!

Next stop: lunch. We found a cafe where we were seated inside because all the outdoor ones were taken. Of course! It was a beautiful day! To learn the daily menus, les plats du jour, a blackboard is posted with the selections, which may include a formule, similar to those in the U.S. that offer a price for soup and salad, or a Number 2 meal deal at McDonalds.

We chuckled when the waitress brought the entire 2’x3′ blackboard and laid it on our table to make our selection! In our trips to Paris, Karen and I had never seen that before. I ordered a ragout with chickpeas, spinach bulgur wheat, and vegetables in broth. It was healthy and delicious. John ordered gazpacho with salad, one of two menu items he was told were gluten free.

We went to the main train station, la gare, to pick up a sandwich for Karen and Sydney, who didn’t like what was available at the cafe where John could eat gluten free. This is a fact of life for them, a small inconvenience to keep John safe. I took a photo of the train station to show you. Public transportation is nonexistent in my Iowa small town, but it is a necessity in Europe. If you live in a US metro area, I’m sure it is the same for you.

We found a supermarket within walking distance, where we studied the products and found many staples we needed, although gluten free items were rare. (Sorry about the ongoing talk about gluten free issues, but it is part of the challenge for us here, at least until we identify places to get safe food.) This market is where I bought the TP instead of paper towels. Duh.

On our way back, we decided to take the bus since we had heavy bags. I asked the ladies at the bus stop how to use our metro cards. They were so nice! One of them insisted on demonstrating the process as we boarded the bus. Then home again to eat supper on our patio, which is beautiful and private. Some important things accomplished that day.

On Thursday Karen, Sydney and I walked about ten minutes to a playground. We need to check the ones nearby. This one was OK, but more for bigger kids, and not much shade for these hot summer days.

We returned to our neighborhood to eat lunch at a patisserie. Such a pleasant way to enjoy a meal outdoors! We ordered two formules for the three of us, which included desserts. Oh dear, we had to select something sweet, what a challenge with all the delectable choices! Karen chose a palmier, her favorite French pastry. It is very simple, just flaky pastry and sugar. It is shaped kind of like a pretzel (see photo). I had a milles feuilles (with black and white frosting) for my dessert along with a salade de riz, a salad with rice. Sydney is lucky to have a sandwich with crusty French bread, something that can be hard to find in Iowa.

No nap for Sydney as we try to help her adjust her sleeping schedule. We decided to let her play with water on the patio. Voila! 90 minutes of entertainment for a toddler.

We cooked a GF (gluten free) meal to take to the group gathering in the evening, because we do not yet know where John can get takeout. Fortunately, as Karen and I took Sydney home to get to bed, we found a GF place near the church where the group gathers! Sans means without in French. The clerk assured us that these dishes are completely GF, for an added cost of one Euro.

Even MORE fortunate, we also found a Fran Prix grocery store not far from our rental, where the proprietor was happy to show us some GF products on his shelves. He explained that he has a cousin with celiac disease, so he is familiar with the restrictions. Thank you, God, for this kind grocer who can also speak English! We will definitely patronize his magasin, his store.

It’s the little things, right? When you travel, finding security in food and friendly people helps so much. And if it requires a little humility, that is a small price to pay.

À la prochaine! Until next time!

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