Living
in Chatel-St-Germain for a week has been a bit of a surreal
experience. Finally taking full advantage of my surroundings the
other day, I embarked on a long walk around my neighborhood and
realized once again how lucky I have been to experience a real French
neighborhood for a while, however affluent the circumstances. For
most of my sojourn, I felt a bit in awe, as it really was like
wandering around an enchanted dreamland of pointillism. Peering into
houses and gardens, I was struck with passages I've read from “The
Secret Garden”, “Anne of Green Gables”, and at other moments
(particularly mentioned for my New England friends) flashbacks to ye
Ole Sturbridge Village field trips in Elementary school. In addition,
I have seen glimpses of French cliché coming to life quite as real
as the architecture around me... Of note so far: French people really
do in fact eat cheese after every meal, and have a baguette on hand
at all times. I was actually apologized to once when only offered one
type of cheese after an already substantial lunch. I made it clear
that no apology was necessary, as I am not at all accustomed to a
fromage digestif every day. Not to mention the fact that I have never
had so much bread and wine in a week long period... ever... The
picturesque comes to life...
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