Exploring

Today is my free day to rest and recover from jet-lag. After sleeping in till 10:00 a.m (4:00 a.m. Michigan time) I got up, had my quiet time, grabbed a French map, and headed out to explore the town.

I wore my favorite long green coat today. Bad idea. I'm pretty sure I was the only one down town wearing something other than black, blue, gray, brown, or some other neutral color. Since I was trying to discover where everything was, I walked by the same stores and cafes serveral times. I can only imagine what the people shopping or sitting must have been thinking. "There goes that girl again in the long green coat. She's got to be a tourist." Culture rule #1: If I want to blend in, wear neutral colors.

I had a few goals I wanted to meet while down town. One was to find a bank to exchange money so that I could meet my other goals of purchasing comfortable - yet dressy - walking shoes, get some groceries, and activate my cell phone. I couldn't do any of the above since apparently all banks are closed on Mondays. Lesson #2: Exchange money in the airport. Otherwise, be prepared to do all banking Tuesday-Friday.

At training they encouraged us to celebrate our cultural or language victories. My friend Leslie, from training, taught me the phrase "Excusez-moi de vous derange mais..."which means, "Excuse me for bothering you but..." Apparently if you preface every sentence with this, then the French will gladly help you. She was right! I tried this several times today and got a friendly answer each time. That was the first victory. The second victory was that I actually understood them and was able to find the places I was looking for.

So, I'm pretty excited about where I'm living. I discovered that I am in walking distance from the Palais de Versailles - one of the most famous castles and garden in France. I'm about a 15 min. walk away from the train station that takes you right into Paris, and just far enough outside the city where it's more tranquil and country-like. The houses around here are the typical European style with the gray building and colorful shutters and doors. Mine happens to be the house with the blue door and blue shutters.

My host family is very nice and friendly. The mom is from Ireland and the dad is French. The children speak both English and French. My mission team here is amazing as well and welcomed me in yesterday with a party. Tomorrow I learn what my daily schedule will be like.

While it's fun and exciting to be here. It was really hard to say goodbye to my parents and to Kyle. I know this time is going to be amazing and that God is going to do so much in us and through us while we're apart yet this was still the toughest goodbye I've ever had to make.