Surviving Traffic to Charles De Gaulle Airport

February 17, 2009 at 12:06 pm (my life in france)
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Monday, February 10, 1992

David has an early flight to The Netherlands, and as I needed the car, I succeeded in driving him to Charles De Gaulle Airport, surviving thru the traffic and French drivers.

Tuesday, February 11, 1992

Attended a church coffee in Louvciennes, even managing to drive to and from with ease.  It was great to visit with many newcomers to Paris and with those of us who consider ourselves to now be experienced survivors of this country.

Thursday, February 13, 1992

Since I must keep up my image as “Madame Presidente”, I took a batch of cookies to the office and we all shared in their fast disappearance.

Friday, February 14, 1992

Valentine’s Day.  Both David and I searched the stores (separately) for cards but they were not to be found (even in French).  So, I gave David a beautiful rose and he game me a “Love” card he had bought in the Netherlands and a 1985 (the year we were married) bottle of wine with a heart on the label.  He also greeted me with a great surprise.  He was able to get tickets to the Olympics for next Wednesday evening in Albertville – ladies figure skating.  I’m so excited.

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Western Coast of France Camped at Ste-Mere-Eglise

January 27, 2009 at 7:52 am (my life in france)
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Thursday, February 6th, 1992

David visits with Professor Lord (an orthopedic doctor) in the American Hospital in Paris to learn he has torn cartilage’s in his knee. So, it’s medication and therapy. This was as a result of a fall he had one morning on the way to the RER at the bottom of the slippery steps.

I became “Madame Presidente” of the “CCCC” (Chocolate Chip Cookie Club) at InterVoice S.A. I made the mistake of sending some cookies into the office with David one day which he politely shared and they loved them. The most probably reason for my being President is so more cookies would appear in the office.

Friday, February 7th, 1992

Michael Watson of InterVoice visited and enjoyed David’s delicious Enchiladas.

Saturday, February 8th, 1992

Weather was extremely nice for France at this time of year. So we packed the car, drove to the Western coast of france and camped at Ste-Mere-Eglise. On the way we visited the beautiful Basilique of St. Therese in Lisieux. She lived in this area and her parents tomb is contained in the Basilique with her own shrine being in the Carmelite Chapel.

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Encountering a Frenchman on the Road

January 8, 2009 at 2:00 pm (my life in france)
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Tuesday, February 4, 1992

David’s first encounter on the road with a Frenchman.  Driving to the airport in the early A.M. to depart for a trip to the U.K., in the midst of lots of traffic, a stoplight is green but there is no place for David to go because of traffic except to block the intersection.  He remained where he was and the car behind him began honking his horn (common practice in France) for David to move up.

As he didn’t want to block the intersection he remained at the light and the Frenchman proceeded to get out of the car, knocked on David’s window, and who only knows what he was saying.  But, David’s light turned green in the nick of time, he gave the man the international sign for “bug off” and then proceeded to drive on.

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No English Churches in Verdun

January 6, 2009 at 2:00 pm (my life in france)
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Sunday, February 2, 1992

No English speaking churches in Verdun so we drove to the American Cemetery located in St. Mihiel, France (where 4,000 Americans from the war are buried) and had our own private worship in the chapel there.  Continued on the road back home driving thru mountains, valleys, and more farm land.

Beautiful conutryside!  Nice weather today also.

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A Drive to the Northeastern Part of France

December 7, 2008 at 7:00 am (my life in france)
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Saturday, February 1, 1992

This weekend we decided to drive toward the northeastern part of France. We drove thru miles and miles of farm land with many war monuments throughout the land. The weather today was absolutely gorgeous, sunny, and high in the upper 40’s. We explored the city of Verdun, with its old Roman walls, old gates still standing which were part of walls surrounding the city in war times, and its many statues and monuments in tribute to the many war heros. We spent the night in Verdun (intending to stay at a chateau, but they were full) and ate at a very nice French restaurant.

We returned to the hotel, stopped in the bar, and what music do you think they were playing? “The Duck (Chicken), sung in French”.

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Visiting the American Church and a visit to Chateau Malmaison

December 4, 2008 at 7:00 am (my life in france)
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Sunday, January 26, 1992

Attended services at the American Church with an afternoon visit to the Chateau Malmaison in Rueil Malmaison, France. This was the early home of Napoleon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine. Early evening dinner at Louis and Isabelle’s, followed by dancing to French music in their living room. When the “Chicken” dance began to play we felt right at home.

They dance it the same way as we do, except they call it the “Duck”. Lots of fun! Then a trip into Paris to a “Super Bowl” party (the kickoff beginning at 12 midnight here). The game seemed one sided and we were all tired by this time, so at half time we decided to return home.

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Drive to Champagne Country

December 1, 2008 at 7:00 am (my life in france)
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Sunday, January 19, 1992

We knew the sun was teasing us – it’s back to cloudy weather and rain. Early up for breakfast tacos before church, 2 croissants after church and a drive to the Champagne country. The small roads were very scenic, leading us to a Parc Nautique in the middle of nowhere. Just beautiful! Huge lake, beautiful golf course, camping and hotel – truly a place we want to visit in the Summer.

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A Drive to Den Haag

November 30, 2008 at 7:00 am (my life in france)
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Tuesday, January 14, 1992

After an early meeting in Utrecht, we drive to Den Haag for yet another meeting. I check out the shopping center “Babylon” at the Central Train Station. We depart for Paris and return home about 10PM.

Wednesday, January 15, 1992

Usual work day for David and it’s “move furniture and put the house back in order” for me – the carpet looks great!!

Saturday, January 18, 1992

What a beautiful day! The sun is shining for the first time since our return to Paris on the 29th. of December from home. In the A.M. David played golf with Ray and in the afternoon a drive out of Paris to the Northeastern part of France where we discovered beautiful valleys, small towns, and Roman medieval buildings in the town of Provins. What a beautiful old sigh to see.

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The Coast of the Netherlands in Den Haag

November 28, 2008 at 10:33 am (my life in france)
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Sunday, January 12, 1992

Drove to the coast of The Netherlands, visiting the city of Den Haag (The Hague).  The fog was still very thick.  But, all of a sudden, about 30 minutes outside of the city, the clouds parted, the fog disappeared and the sun was shining.  Wow!  There really are windmills and many, many beautiful canals in the countryside and thoughout the cities.

We attended the American Protestant Church in The Hague and then visited the coastal beach area of this country.  But, I’m not sure we picked the best time of year to be walking on the beach – It was SO COLD! Off we goto Delft, Netherlands, driving thru beautiful back country roads and gazing at greenhouses as far as you could see everywhere – bulbs and flowers being a major industry.

We visited the “Town Square” in Delft and browsed thru shops of the beautiful Delft pottery and crafts.  The sun quickly disappeared and was replaced by rain.  From Delft we ventured to Gouda (pronounced Howda) – the famous cheese town of Holland.  Not a single cheese shop did we find.  They make tons of it here and export to the world.  It’s back to Utrecht and a visit to the 24th. floor of the hotel to the Railroad Mine Bar and Grill enjoying the view of a very busy train station below.

Dinner at Cafe La Passage consisting of delicious spare ribs, french fries and salad (made with real “head lettuce”).  We decided right away that tomorrow one of my tasks was to find a store selling the lettuce for taking back home.

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Drive to Northwestern Countryside of France

November 24, 2008 at 10:10 am (my life in france)
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January 4, 1992

After a much needed late sleep we took a short drive to the Northwestern countryside of France around the Pontoise area – more castles, cathedrals, and quaint, old towns.

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