So… I had this exposée, and guess what? And it’s in my favorite class, history, which my favorite history subject, Egypt <The Gods To Be Specific>! I got fifteen out of twenty! (This is a good grade in france) YAY!
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The Crosses of Normandy
When we imagined living in France, we thought we’d jet away on weekends to little get-aways to learn the area, culture, history. It’s not as easy as it sounds, given that Curt is traveling well over 50% of the time (and me just wrapping the Fall Speaking season), we are barely holding it together to be here, in Paris. But, after four months, we did our first trip and chose to go to Normandy! The thing they don’t tell you is Normandy is one big region hard to plan a trip without knowing what city to aim for. More on that in a minute.
We left from Gare St. Lazare. We took the metro (with our bags, coats, umbrellas in tow!) to get there.
Going up and down stairs with bags is a good reason to always pack light. We only had two roller bags and one duffel bag. Turns out Duffel bags are hardest to deal with cause you do 2-3 miles on foot to get places when using things like the train. (Post-trip, we now own a third roller bag!)
At the train station, Curt noticed that the train right next to ours was going to a city called Caen. And we were going to La Havre. The “ruh roh” sound had to have been playing in his head but he didn’t say anything to us.
I passed the time researching some stuff for Book III plus also reviewing some other’s proposals. Kiddo loves train time, and he bums my headphones when he forgets his. When we get to La Havre, it becomes clear that we’re a little discombobulated. Curt has forgotten his California Drivers License (why carry it unnecessarily in your wallet?) and we can’t rent the car we planned on. Plus, we’re now well over a hundred miles from our hotel because we went to the “wrong” city from where we could have gone.
I argue to turn around, and come back another day.
Curt insists on pushing thru.
Kiddo is more in my camp.
But Curt rarely asks us for things, so we decide the answer is to take a public bus to the other city we could have taken the train to (Caen). So far, two train rides, one bus ride. And we’re still not there. But we realize we’re at the mouth of the Siene and we should find it … (kiddo, not so happy, pictured.)
Lunch helps attitude. It’s because the Restaurant Le Lyonnais in la Havre (7, rue de Bretagne) is very good with great service. We try some apple cider thing that’s the local specialty. Curt doesn’t mind it, Drew won’t try it and I pass on it after one sip.
By the time we get to Caen, we still need to take a cab (Curt wants to take another public bus). I know, I know, you’re thinking… you live SUCH a glamorous, global life. But we finally arrive at the hotel at dusk.
Now, we’re talking.
( great b & b, the Clos de Bellefontaine, rue Bellefontaine, in Bayeaux) Champagne served when you arrive. Any time of day.
One of our favorite things to do is just walking around a city to orient. Found century-old walls.
And some great street art.
And the magic of the Bayeux Cathedral. Every major city in France has a “notre dame”. This one in Bayeux, is one of the largest and oldest — nearly as big as the one in Paris and it survived WWII in tact (which is why you don’t know of a lot of other Notre Dame’s).
So first day didn’t start off so solid but we ended up glad to have come.
The next day, we got to see the Notre Dame Cathedral in full day light.
Epic.
Also, saw the incredible tapestry that captures the Norman Invasion in the form of a storybook cloth. It’s super long and detailed and you wouldn’t think could be that interesting but it’s basically the first generation comic book with a gazillion hours of hand work. Kiddo liked it so much he wanted to see it again. I super wanted to get it as a puzzle but alas, they are missing out on the commercial application. (This, by the way, is VERY French.)
![EdwardHarold[1]](https://chezsoi.dad/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/edwardharold1.gif)
Then onto the Bayeux Memorial for the British Soldiers of WWII.
[ The solemnity and magnitude of the place really got to us. The acts of selflessness and community were conversations throughout these few days. ]
Then, and because we didn’t have a car, we ended up going to Normandy Beaches “Places du Debarquement” with a guide. Bayeux turns out to be an easy 20 minute ride to the first set of beaches and the perfect spot from which to do this trip. Interestingly enough, we didn’t know that before we planned it. So if it helps you, man, we write it here. Go to Bayeux. (not by way of Lahavre etc). Take the direct train which is once a day from Paris to Bayeux.
Bunkers.
Omaha Beach.
The crosses of Normandy.
Lincoln Bear
When we were out and about one day, I saw this really cute mouse and bear in the corner of a shop.
The bear turned out to be incredibly cuddly and so got packed up to take to Lincoln (kiddo’s nephew) in the US. We miss our family in ways we couldn’t possibly describe. They are always on our minds and even though we are doing a rather shitty job of staying in touch, it is not because we don’t care but that we do. It aches.
Does This Make Me Look More French?
Last week I got my 2nd haircut in Paris. Pal Shannon turned me onto this salon. And I generally just let the guy, Leo, do whatever he wants to cause my french is pretty “mauvais” and he seems to have a handle on it. Plus I have a sense that if I let him, he might actually make me more chic. I have no idea what that means in reality, but sort of a *poof* moment will happen, and like Cinderella, something will be changed.
This was my first one…
I didn’t realize this “secret” desire until getting a postcard from Jubie back at home and she asks, “have you upgraded your style since moving to Paris?” and I was like YES, YES, YES. I have. I have no idea what that means but, YES. Recognizing, of course, that it could just be wishful thinking on all our parts.
It’s a funny thing to want to be French. I love the language and even though it’s not “sticking” in a way that I’d like, I so honor it that I want to learn it really well. I want to be more relaxed about the small things, like Bringing up Bebe pointed out. I want to be more “in the moment’ to enjoy the city. All these things and more, I want to be changed by Paris. Author of Bringing up Bebe, Pamela Druckerman, recently wrote that she’s applying for dual citizenship for France. And I had this little niggle that one day I might do the same.
Does a haircut change us? The food we eat? Perhaps those are just things we are doing while we are being changed by the essence of the place itself.
Walking in Van Gogh’s Steps
After months of being here, we realized we hadn’t actually enjoyed this place we now live in. So we headed off to Auvers-sur-Oise, the city where Vincent Van Gogh spent his last days. 
We took the RERC to get there, just a few minutes from the apartment. We definitely feel lucky to get so many places without a car. We had to take one train far out and then a tiny “milk train” to the final city.
After which we walked around this beautiful city. It was raining off and on … Kiddo now has winter boots, which he has never had to have before. In California, you can basically wear summer footwear most the year round. We definitely notice the difference. <brrr. wet. colds.>
The city had a lot to offer.
Besides Van Gogh’s tomb (he died in 1890 and was buried at the new cemetery inaugurated in 1858. Theo, his brother and bestie, who died a year later, is buried nearby.)
There’s the city’s Notre Dame (every major city in France has a Notre Dame!) 
And the other requisite tourists being guided in English.
(tilted cause, you know, it’s probably how Vincent thought of it.)
We also went by the Chateau that Vincent painted. 
Which we imagined would be a great place to live. You know, our “place” outside of Paris. Our weekend place. Our chez-soi.us.
Goofballs, right?
We saw the Absinthe Musee whic was interesting enough. I finished early and found a lovely spot to rest while everyone finished. For some reason Absinthe seems like the weirdest drink to me. But the spoons — the accoutrement — definitely have appeal. Unfortunately, I dont have pics of that cause no pics are allowed inside the musee. I think they realize there’s so little to see that if someone saw pics ahead of time, they’d have seen everything in about 4 shots.
While we were out and about, we thought of the people we miss back at home, who are celebrating birthdays and anniversaries. Soeur is the french word for Sister.
And finally we wandered our way back to the train for a return trip to Paris.
Kiddo especially seemed to enjoy the day just being together. That’s been the hardest part of this move. We’ve lost our bearings on how to take time to be together. But this was a good start.
Yay!
The last week I have been staying with my “Tante” Joanie. It was quite fun. We have been logging what we have done so I will re-inscribe it here. One of the main events that we did was doodling. She is an art teacher, so that works well. Here is something that I made:
I made the “In The Lunchroom” Type of thing because of the gross “Cantine” Food that we get for lunch.
Another thing we did was go to the Musée d’Orsay, which was pretty cool, cause we got to see Van Gogh’s portrait, Which in French they pronounce the G in. Also, there is this epic restaurant on the top floor! If you didn’t know, Musée d’Orsay used to be a train station, so you can look out of the clocks, which have transparent faces and backs. We looked for a painting featuring the Battle of Solferino, but the search was rendered fruitless.
We watched ratatouille too, and that was très intéressant, seeing as we were in the same city as the movie was based in. But, it was also extremely annoying. I mean, they cover the sights, and the taste (of the food), but the smells and sounds are just fiction.
So, that was a little recap of da week. See ya later!
Wait! We just went to the Eiffel Tower again and took a pic! Cool!
The Good And Bads of Paris
The Good And Bads of Paris:
(I will write every other question in french.)
Since we all like to be optimistic, I’ll start with the goods:
One: The Boulangeries. When you go to America, you can get bread, of course. But it’s not the same as here. There, you grab some ol’ bread that all look the same: A square with a hat on. But then here comes the french bread (cue presidential music)… Grab butter from Monoprix, and put it on bread. You have a meal. And also, pain au chocolat. Bammie – Wham!
Deux: Poulet Roti. Vraiment, Il n’existe pas une chance pour le poulet américain. Sérieusement. C’est terrible contre le poulet français. (Google Translate)
Three: Languages! I love learning them cause I find them kinda cool. And then it gives you an “Understanding Power” With peeps who speak a language that you speak too.
Bads…. Dun Dun Dunnnnn!
Une: Beaucoup de stress…. Les langues sont une arme à double tranchant. (Google Translate Again)
Two: The urine smell in the city. I don’t have to go farther except to say i’m not joking.
Trois: Les Amis. Je n’ai pas beaucoup à l’école. Et quand c’est tout en français, c’est un petit peu difficile. (Google Translate. Last Time, I Promise)
So that was my Pros and Cons list on Paris. See ya on my next post!
Chess
WHOO HOOO! I just did some chess camp the last few weeks, and I got something to show for it!
So the morning of the tournament me and mom walked in and as soon as we did, he ran up to my mom. He was extremely enthusiastic about getting my mom to come to the tournament, and I had to do some translating to get through. My Mom settled on a “Maybe”, and the day was off.
{Time Passes}
I was sitting in the tournament room in chess camp. Everyone had finished their games, and the professor was giving out the trophies. My Mom got into the room and I waved. She was standing there for about five minutes while the awards were being given out for this chess week. He had just finished giving out all of them. Well, almost all of them. He had skipped past the second place. Then he made an announcement. He went on about a special awarding of the trophies, and three kids told me it would be me. Obviously, I said that it wouldn’t at all (I had gotten a bronze medal [Last Place/Participation]). Then the professor continued. “I just witnessed this child win all his games in the other tournament.” . Wait. That was interesting. I did that earlier… “And the name is…… KiddoInParis!” (He didn’t really say that I just edited it for privacy.) Yay!
Ok. I’m gonna play chess with my mom now. Bye.
Afternoon Delight
Sunday afternoon, we got a chance to visit some friends at their home in Paris. Of course, we HAD to bring champagne. The kids played video games, the moms spent their time in the walk-in closet, and the dads managed to get a soccer game going. Afterwards we learned that the homework due over the vacation was not done. So a sad ending to a lovely afternoon.
Oups!
We just had a serious oooppppsss moment in the metro station. Walking in to “ligne une” Me and my mom heard the metro speeding to a stop. So she passed through the entry no problem, using what was thought to be her navigo and running down the stairs. I looked in my pockets, didn’t see it and yelled for my mom to come back. Mais malheureusement, She was already gone!
I calmed down and read a book that I had since I had brought it to the café, our last stop. Luckily, she realized once she got on and she changed directions to get back. When she had returned we realized that I had given my pass to Her. It was okay after that, but when I tried to fall asleep that night, it didn’t work out. So, 1/3 of the way done, and we still have Quite a lot of adjusting to do. Allons-y!
Chez Soi 