First Couple Days In Arras

Katharine was worries there would be no ketchup. These are the clementines.
I want to eat these everyday!

The North of France is warm, and wet compared to the winter wonderland that I left behind in Winnipeg. With temperatures hovering around 5-6 degrees, I have found it difficult to convince myself to wear a hat, mitts, or even do up my jacket. I do of course, the voice of my mother echoing in my ear.

We spent Friday evening grocery shopping and settling in. Grocery shopping consisted mainly of reading labels and trying to remember all the words for food in French. This was way beyond baguette, pamplemousse and cafe au lait. I ended up with creme fraiche for my coffee, clementines, a quinoa packaged salad, and the hugest slab of Brie that I ever thought I could get for 1.5€. It may have been bigger than my face. Also, a six pack of eggs from the happiest chickens in Europe. Apparently, they’ve replanted a bunch of trees to stop erosion and these are shelter for the birds, who spend their lives in this fowl paradise.

Saturday was spent in much the same way except with the addition of beer. Dear god — beer and wine are so cheap here and available in the grocery store – corner store – chip truck on the street. We had all the other house guides over and played some getting to know you games.

(the beer of French Objectivists!)

HIGHLIGHT – a French Mexican beer, flavoured with lime / tequila called Desperadoes — oh William Gibson was a prophet !

Also Saturday saw the start of the Crack Monsieur Research Project. We will be ambitiously sampling Croque sandwiches through the course of our adventures and travels.

Laura and Reta – Intrepid Gastro Explorers!

The beautiful square on a Saturday Night!

Waiting at the airport

I am waiting here at gate 181 for the plane to get new tires, at the Toronto Airport. I had a long layover and a tangerine Fanta. For those who know, this is probably the best drink ever!

This is the huge art installation in the international gates area. I thought any sculpture you can walk through is pretty kick ass.

Someone told me to end my blog with unique and insightful questions. So here goes – is this art?

The Parties Are All Done

About a year ago, I attended a workshop with my friend Andrea. It was all about mapping intentions and bridging challenges. On my map – two of my challenges were to build community and have adventures. Recently, I realized that since setting those intentions free into the universe, I have travelled to the Middle East and now am headed to France, to live for four months. I also have made so many good friends that I feel truly blessed by. This was so clear this weekend when I had two going away parties.

One downtown at a pub – where I drank many shots and glasses of cider, while consuming a “Big Kahuna Burger” which had jalapenos, bacon, cheese, mushrooms, and all the other usual burger things.

Then an amazing potluck at my house – with so many dishes, laughs, desserts, good times, Wii, and some hilarious in hindsight parking challenges. (I think that nine vehicles may be a record for my driveway.)

I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of good wishes and the sense of community that I felt. When I moved to Winnipeg from Brandon, I left behind a lifetime of friendships and for the first time in six years, I felt that feeling again.

I want to thank everyone that came.

First Post

So in a few short days, I will be headed to the north of France, to live in a town called Arras for 3.5 months. Why am I doing this?

I have been offered a chance to be a Student Tour Guide, though a program administered by the Veterans Affairs Dept. For over two years, I have wanted to participate in this program but as you can imagine, it is quite competitive. They only send 45 students a year, 15 per semester and thousands apply. One of the requirements of this program was museum experience and so I was led to the Manitoba Museum, where I have made great friends and learned many facts about fossils, Ordovician Era, and coprolites. (hint**they are trace fossils)

I am leaving behind my husband, my king size bed, and my library to tromp through the trenches of WW1, to explain to visitors about the sacrifices made by those who fought and died there.

More to follow.