The Metro

We're inside the Metro, it's a maze of tunnels--you can get anywhere in the city.
At this moment the Metro is fairly empty....to get to your destination, you go up and down lots of stairs. Which reminds me to tell you that it's a good idea to pack light, because whatever you bring....you schlepp....up and down, down and up.
Once you get the map figured out, it's easy to find your way around.
Into the tunnel.......
This mosaic on the on the ceiling of the stop near the Sorbonne. Names of writers, poets.......
It's gorgeous!

We met Marci (our dear friend and neighbor) at the airport. Doesn"t she look excited! She had never flown before. We took the Metro (x3) back to the hotel, then walked around the area we are staying in. We stopped for lunch, then walked to a park near the Eiffe Tower. Marci was looking at everything else until we were very close to the Eiffel Tower, she finally saw it and let out a squeal. Two older gentlemen were sitting on a park bench nearby and started laughing.
More later.....

A sneak peak.....

A sneak peak of where we are.

What knockers!!!

While we were walking around Senlis, we saw a few amazing door knockers.

Senlis

Jean-Claude and Joelle took us to Senlis.
a small town not from from where they live in Nogent. Winding cobblestone streets, vines and rosebushes growing out of tiny areas of soil next to doors, that grow up the building and cascade down around windows.
In the center of town is Notre Dame Cathedral--Senlis. The craftsmanship is amazing. Oh, the details!

It is centuries old, the stone or marble floors have dips in them from people walking on them.
Here's looking at you....
Hand carved woodcarvings of the stations of the cross....very cool....
One of the alters....
this floor panel was hand carved, and worn away by centuries of people walking on it......
Someone was smart and pulled this one up and set it against the wall to preserve what is left of the design....

interesting manhole cover.....
These little do dads stick out of walls on both sides of windows, they flip up and down and hold the shutters open. This design was all over the town. Why, oh why didn't I bring sculpey?!
A fancy-schmancy hat shoppe......This advertisement is in just about every pharmacie.....cellulite cream......hmmmm, what's the French word for airbrushed?

Good French Friends

Our friends Jean-Claude and Joelle invited us to stay with them for the weekend. Considering that Joelle speaks no english and J.C. speaks a little english, we did pretty well communicating. Our ever faithful dictionaries got a workout. We had a great time catching up. After 35 years of marriage, they still call each other Cheri (darling).
Willy and Dany invited us to join them for dinner. Dany is an incredible cuisiniere. Willy and Dani do not speak english either, so we were a little concerned how we would do. We did just fine, we are understanding and speaking French much better. We are feeling a bit more confident, the next 10 days we will continue to practice.
It's market day in Creil,beaucoup des vendeurs. Everything imaginable, fruits and veg, fruits de mer (seafood), cheese, meat, clothing, shoes, flowers, and fabric....

Did I mention ham.....these guys wanted me to take their picture.
Great for people watching....Africans, Morocans, women in bright colors, some in black and only their faces exposed. Listening to many languages, looking to see what people buy. Great fun.
Ce canard made me chuckle, il est un vegetarien.

Our last day at Les Cedres

This is Edwin and Peta (from England), we ate many meals with them. They have been such an encouragement to us. They shared their struggles learning the language, which made us feel a better. It's been a long time since we've studied anything and had to use that part of our brain.
A little fountain with a cool spigot. There's cool stuff everywhere, you just have to keep your eyes open.

This bell has an interesting design on the handle.

The picture on the right is of the drain in the ladies loo.
The French pay attention to details.

I need to finish packing, we will be leaving soon.
I have a lot to process, our time here, all the emotions, the friendships that have been started, not to mention everything we covered in class. This next leg of our journey, visiting friends in Nogent and meeting our dear friend Marci in Paris on Monday and spending 10 days being able to see more of France, will be much more relaxed. A bientot.