Sunday - the guaranteed weekly cultural experience.

Lots of events. Not really that normal but these people get seriously excited about “la rentrée” or “going back to school time.” Friday night (took some pictures) there was an enormous concert in one of the who knows how many town squares with lots of fun, more people, and even more young children carrying open containers.

The main guy was Yves Jamait – no idea who he was but the girls behind us and plenty of others were very enthusiastic and knew all the words. It was very fun, catchy, and contemporary and the 4397854 confirmation that the accordion has firmly and permanently implanted itself in this culture.

Another highlight – Mireille has a small garden plot about a mile away from the apartment so we went there to pick stuff. My weight in tomatoes and lots of beans but delightful all the same. We ran into this crazy old man who has a plot next to hers (“the biggest!” he declared proudly. Declared other things – more later) and made me eat lots of cherry tomatoes without pesticides or other garden steroids (“comme les bijoux” – like jewels. Cute.). Apparently he also said some other things to me (“[I’m not going to tell her that]” – Mireille). But my hands smelled like dirt and tomatoes. Good times. Childhood memories.

More interaction with the locals the next day when Kassie, Louisa, and I discovered a big market in la place Wilson. As in our President Wilson – a bit of a mystery. We have a little research to do as to why Wilson got a large circle of ground and a fountain dedicated to him in the middle of Dijon, France. Curse Ms. Peters for retiring. My wealth of information.

Talked to a lot of people while I was there ( so much better than class!!!) and got asked a lot if I was voting for Obama or McCain. If only I could express well that I think Palin would do so much to help me and my 6 young children. No?

Did a lot of random adventuring which I don’t think Louisa is into so much (Germans are just so darn goal oriented). It was wet and cold so we went into Monoprix (Target of France maybe?) with Alex (English boy who lives with Liz) and Liz for more wandering. Louisa was long gone at this point. She was a little over it. Decided that we have a hot date to kill a 3 euro bottle of wine (let me do a little layman conversion. $5??). We’re going to do it sometime at Liz and Alex’s when their host is out. We’re convinced she’s a high class prostitute but seriously, people, the hours? The outfits?

Now it’s Sunday. France = closed. Kassie and I are going to get on the bus and ride the line until it ceases to be. Supposed to be some big commercial place. In the great American tradition they don’t have time to close. Good. Done.

Now if Kassie would just get out of bed.

Tomorrow there is a cocktail party at 4 in the afternoon for the international kids. Hmmmm. Should be notable.