Bonjour mes amis et Famille! Today I did not attend any daytime events, so my blog will be short. Cathie, my host mom convinced me I should see a doctor. She had the morning off, so I agreed. We went VERY early in the morning; and it was an experience indeed. He spoke no english at all, there was no nurse, and Cathie's english is limited. I managed, but it was scary! He was very patient, and in the end, I now have SIX different medicines to get me well! With the high fever and the horrible cough, Cathie and le docteur were very concerned with me. So I stayed in bed until mid afternoon. So, mon mari-(my husband!) Eddie, you are proud of me, oui? It is hard to get me to do that at home! But it meant I had to miss one of the most important trips we had planned here. Our students went to Germany to see Struehoff (I think I spelled that ok!) a museum about the deportation and a concentration camp. It was difficult for our students, and they all took many pictures. I could not get my camera to one of our teachers, so I have no pictures yet. But the students and teachers should post on their own blog, and you may be able to see them there. Tonight was a very different story. Another thing I have learned here is that meals are not to be rushed. Each and every one is a production in itself, to be savored and enjoyed, and you should expect wine with both lunch and dinner. And not just ONE glass of wine; either! Here, it is as common as water. So we teachers do not wish to offend, oui? And we have learned to say this phrase: Se que se passe en France, restes en France! You figured it out, yes? What happens in France, stays in France!!!! It is ordinary and common to serve wine at events where students are. In America, that would be a cause for firing! Not so here! So we began the evening with a reception with the French students; teachers, and Headmaster of the school. I presented our quilt and had to say a little speech. I wrote it out on a "cheat sheet" and had Cathie check me over. It went well, and the students and teachers loved the quilt. After that, we waited for perhaps an hour or so for a dinner for the teachers with the Headmaster. a grande affair!!!! Did you know this school has its own chef?? He created our dinner this evening, and it was amazing. It was salmon with a rice pilaf, a cream sauce, and a mousse of fish on top. And of course, several kinds of wine and beer before, during, and after the meal, followed brilliantly with a delightful dessert and strong black coffee. And this started at around 7, and did not end until after 10 o'clock. It is quite common for meals to last three or more hours here. More conversation, less eating!
Tomorrow, I will have lunch with Sebastien at a local restaurant. Every Wednesday, the students here have the afternoon off- sports in the morning hours, then off they go! I will have several hours to shop alone until Cathie can meet me. I am excited and a little scared to be in France alone, but I will rise to the occasion! I have missed worship here, so I plan to spend some time in the cathedral too.
And now, I am trés fatigué! I promise more tomorrow!

I love and miss you all! Wish you were here!
Bonnie