Frances did some tricks, just like at home. But instead of money tricks with American coins, of course she did it with Euros. My dad put a coin in her hand (which was behind her back) and she named the type of coin it was! Without looking! It was amazing. She knew every coin with her eyes closed! I'll tell you how she does it: each Euro coin has a different lines on its ridge, so she would feel the edges to figure it out. I can almost do it.
My dad went on a bike ride, just like he does at home. But here, he had to use a map to decide which village he wanted to go to. And one of the villages during each ride, he has a coffee.
We at lunch and read at the table, just like at home. But here we do it on a Kindle.
We went on a walk the long way to the park. When we got to the park, we layed down on the grass and read some more. But at home, we usually go to the summit and lay on granite and read. Here, we spread out towels and ate Petits Biscuits avec tablette de chocolat au lait fourre lait. Not exactly dried mango and nuts like we eat at home!
While my mom and dad bought wine, Frances and I were playing, just like at home. But here, we were playing in a big open square and on the cobblestone streets. I even had a baguette under my arm while I was playing.
Tonight we had friends over for dinner, just like we do at home. But these friends were from Scotland.
Normal feels good. It feels like we're really truly going to have a connection with this place.
My mom says, "We even got a good political conversation in tonight. Obama, Bush, Blair, Health care. Fear. And once our guests left, Jeff and I continued the flow of thoughts and energy and talked about the social consequences of Facebook, Twitter, TV and before that, radio. As we talked, we ate another extraordinary meal (from Jeff ); and as we cleaned the small kitchen, the girls made surgical glove-puppets. Yep. Just like at home."
Bye! From Eleanore
Oh, PS, spring is here!
just like at home.
ReplyDeletewell, almost. but i can feel the similarities, the small differences, elle.
you write it so well. you write without a self-interest also. always writing about your little sister, and your mommy and daddy. they have become themselves over there: an explorer on his bike with the afternoon cafe and your beautiful mommy with her kindle, her shared thoughts with you two children, and her constant guidance well intended to prepare you for your years adventures. i love your blogs, eleanore. i just love them.