Last full day of work.
It is Thursday, April 08, 2010; and today is my last full day of work here in France. I will work till the afternoon tomorrow; then load the car and drive to Lyon St. Exupery airport hotel, turn in the rental car, and have one last dinner in France before boarding the plant to Paris early Saturday morning; then on to San Francisco.
The experience has been wonderful. History comes alive when one walks the street of Barcelona – as Nancy did or rides a tour bus for one brief afternoon – as we did together. The joy of hiking near Alpine villages in Switzerland is very difficult, if not impossible, to overstate.
There are a lot of things Nance and I will miss: Saturday mornings at the open-air market just a block from our apartment. FRESH fruit and vegetables lovingly displayed. Fresh hot bread from the boulangerie. Friday nights exploring new (French) restaurants. Weekend outings to Provence, Lyon, Adelboden, Paris, Camarque, Bern, or just exploring local museums. Watching Spring awaken new beauty in the Alps. The astonishing views driving to and from work every day. The wonderful hospitality of co-workers, acquaintances, new friends from church, etc. The growing recognition of French words on the radio or in written form. The morning ritual of shaking everyone’s hand or “air kissing” of cheeks and “Bon jour.” And, of course, French pastries!!!
I won’t miss some of the strange quirks of drivers here – if you have to ask – you have not been here. We won’t miss not seeing our grandchildren for long time periods , nor flying to the cabin for a weekend escape. We won’t miss the praise program at church on Sunday AM; nor the fellowship of long-time friends.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment