but then again

As Alison said, when I leave, I'll miss it here, too. And I will: it's already hard to imagine going a day without talking to the new friends I've made, and it's strange to think that I will be a fuzzy memory to the children of my friends. I will miss the way fog comes over the Doubs and fills up the town as though tucking it in for the night. I know I will miss the trains. And Paris, where I went for the day, the other day, how everything is near everything here. I walk everywhere. Today I walked through town and walked through the country to find a cycling shop. The air smelled like fires in fireplaces and rain, and it did rain a little, but I had my umbrella.

And um, yes, I do indeed think I will miss thrift shopping here. I know it's not quite the same as, well, a river or my friends, but I have to say--I went with friends to EMMAUS in Dijon yesterday, and it was so, so neat. Found old buttons--mother of pearl, bakelite, plastic, metal, leather, wood, glass-- and embroidery floss and tiny rosettes for military wear, still on their card. And a patch that says FRANCE. And a blouse that fits perfectly, in soft cotton with embroidery and ribbons, from the 1920s, and a pair of PANTALOONS!! I couldn't believe my eyes. I'll wash them and then take a real photo.

So, silver linings everywhere. Internet in the apartment? Not so much. But soon.