So not long after I began to settle into my “temporary new home,” Benoit and I left to spend last weekend at the beach. We both had been invited to Saint Cast le Guildo, which is located in the northern part of France, by a mutual friend, Eugénie. When we arrived after spending two and half hours in a full car, we were warmly greeted by friends and many a “bisous” (the normal French greeting of kissing one another on each cheek). I was absolutely delighted to see friends that I haven’t seen since Christmas, or since last summer for that matter, and we all celebrated my return by an aperitif, a complete sit-down dinner, and a venture to the local “dance club,” where we were the only two to show up all night. We had the whole dance floor to ourselves, so needless to say, c’était génial! (it was AWESOME!)
Advice #1: When a friend tells you to bring warm clothes because it is going to be a bit chilly that weekend, she really means, bring a hat, gloves, boots, and a parka. I had a bit of a geography lesson this weekend, realizing that Nantes shares the same latitude line with Seattle, Washington, signifying the fact that where we were that weekend is parallel to Canada. In short, IT’S DOWNRIGHT FREEZING. It rained almost the whole weekend, although there were small intermissions of sun, and we spent most of our time in jeans, sweatshirts, jackets, and scarves. We were able to take a few walks along what is known to Americans as “boardwalks” and “fait quelques magasins” (do a little bit of shopping).
If you may be wondering, things with Benoit are going great! I must admit that it was/still is a bit strange to be spending so much time together after spending a whole year apart. I, myself, find it hard to believe that I am finally in the situation I have dreamed of since I left France last August. Last night Benoit and I stopped by his parents’ house to pay a visit to his mother who had been asking about me, although it was mostly because Benoit ran out of clean underwear and we do not yet have a washing machine. Nevertheless, it was wonderful to see her. She is a very classy, traditional, and what we would call “typical” French woman. As always, she was dressed in high-heels and pearls. Benoit’s father works in Paris during the weekend and only comes home on the weekends and while most of Benoit’s brothers and sisters are still living at the house, they were all at scout camp or traveling somewhere; so Mrs. Roblin seems to be happy to have the company. When we arrived, she was already enjoying the aperitif!
I am going to look for my hat this afternoon for the wedding this weekend with a friend. Can’t wait to tell you about it!
I love you and miss you, but having the time of my live J
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