On Photos and Friends

Fresh flowers tend to brighten up dreary winter days.

I don’t have a lot to write about since it has only been four days since my last post. But since my phone is broken I haven’t been able to post pictures on Instagram, so I thought instead I could post pictures that my friends have taken over the past few days before I go home for Christmas.

Gal pals (Briar, Becca, and Hannah) hanging out by some Christmas decorations in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue.

Anisha, Helen, and Becca (and Becca's fun pants) at our Christmas party.

Even though it hasn’t been easy, having a group of friends here (largely Anglophones) in Avignon has made an extraordinarily difficult transition and time that much easier. They push me out of my comfort zone, they encourage me to see or explore different perspectives, and they are always game to have fun.

Becca showing off our paper chains using recycled magazine paper! Fun, festive, and sustainable (sadly not an f-word).

The weather this past week was honestly dreadful, but it brightened up for the Sunday market!

This week, I spent time having a relaxing wine night while listening to the new Taylor Swift, made mimosas and brunch for a couple of friends, attended a Christmas party with lots of varieties of alcohol and delicious fries, and showed some pals around the market in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue.

I truly took so many photos of our decorations. Making paper chains is fun.

These dried flowers and wooden trees were gorgeous.

I also spent time with some French people as well, and was reminded for the nth time the importance of food and how much time is spent related to it. We went for a walk in the woods, but then came home and chatted while our hostess made mushroom risotto. Her partner came home with desserts for her birthday, and we had wine and bread and good conversation. It was really special.

Sadly I did not pack an ugly Christmas sweater, but I made do with the clothes I had to make a festive outfit for Christmas.

View of some of the stalls of the market from the banks of the river.

It was a great last week before I get to go home for Christmas! This week I’m especially excited to talk about Christmas with my kids, though I know they are going to be way too jazzed about Christmas and break to really focus on anything. But we will try.

Getting this paper chain hung from the beam was no easy feat and truly so comical watching Helen and Becca team up to get it done.

The weather this week kind of sucked and was cold and I learned that French people do not blast the heat like Americans do. While this is definitely better from an environmental standpoint, it is hard to get used to and means that when you get inside you still have a permanent chill in your bones that lingers until you go back outside, and then gets even colder. Most of my schools barely heat the teacher’s lounge, and often won’t heat the hallways between classes. Even if I’m inside, it’s a freezing walk from class to class.

Not sure what these flowers are but they sure are pretty.

Excited for cooking in winter in France - all the cozy, soup, cheesy, warm vibes await.

I do think it’s better from a global perspective, but man is it hard to get used to. I mentioned it to a teacher too, and she said it’s also because French people are frugal and do not like spending money on electricity. I get it - heating bills in Boston were no joke.

Made a lovely brunch complete with iced coffee and Bailey's, mimosas with fresh squeezed OJ, fresh bread, and omelettes!

Not much to report otherwise, as I’ve definitely settled into a routine here. But I am sure I will have more to write about in the coming weeks with Christmas!

We went on a walk to observe this fairly funny Santa that had a GIANT hand for you to sit on.