Friday, 06 July 07
We are so lucky to be here! The village of Chatou is quiet and quaint and will be a perfect place to return to after the excitement of the city. Clelia, Paolina and Léon’s home is so comfortable and artistic and french! Today we took it easy.
Karl woke up with an abssess in his tooth this morning and we got to see the French medical system up close. Clelia’s daughter, Amalie, came to the rescue. She came to Chatou and took Karl to the American hospital where they saw him immediately and sent him off with antibiotics and pain killers (15 euros worth!! Makes you wonder about pharmaceutical costs in the US…)
While Karl was off with Amalie the kids and I explored Chatou and the Seine river. We were able to order pizza without inadvertently getting snails or pig’s feet on it and we navigated our way through the village and down to a lovely walk by the river.
When we were in Capitola with Clelia last Tuesday she kept saying “California is so different from France!!” She wasn’t kidding. The French do things so well. They move at a much slower pace and take the time to enjoy life. Plus I love the fact that all of the cars are small and efficient. Not a giant SUV in sight. They recycle and consume so much less and live a lifestyle I so admire.
Since we didn’t go to Paris today we took the time to relax and play. We played cuillères (spoons) and merde (BS) and tried French wine (the boys liked, the girls gagged) and learned how to use a different kitchen and french electronics.
Luckily Karl was able to get the antibiotics because he was going to be miserable without them, and we were able to catch up to French time so we will be ready for a Paris adventure tomorrow.
La vie est bonne!
