I finally feel comfortable walking around the 16th Arr.  I know once I find the enormous advertisement of Bradley Cooper eating Haagen Dazs ice cream that I am not lost.   I am enjoying the daily stops at different cafes.  In fact I have had more coffee in one week in France than I have had in the past 11 years.  Maybe I needed caffeine all these years.  I must say that the fruit also tastes much better here.  The strawberries are the best I ever had and they are of normal size- not like the steroid injected ones we often find in the states.  I have been getting along with out Chris- although I couldn't figure out the remote controls to let the kids watch TV.  Why is it though that I was easily able to figure out how to use a French washing machine and dryer?  Doesn't seem fair.  I have yet to encounter the "rude French".  In fact, I have found quite the opposite.  I went to the market this morning and in my best French accent said, "Bonjour Monsieur. Cinq pêches, s'il vous plaît".    The gentleman looked at me and in his best English accent said, "five peaches please".  We exchanged smiles and I was on my way feeling a bit more comfortable.  Just a little bit of effort goes a long way.  I highly recommend learning a few key words/phrases and of course be polite! A simple "Excusez-moi Monsieur.  Pouvez-vous m'aider, s'il vous plaît ?  Je ne parle pas francais." (Excuse me Sir. Can you help me please?  I don't speak French) will get just about any Parisian to stop and eagerly assist you.  I have used it twice today and everyone has been quite friendly and helpful.  After all, what would your response be if a Spanish tourist in Chicago asked you in Spanish "hey- where's the Sears tower?"  You might ignore them or muffle under your breath to learn some English.  But had they attempted politely in English, you know you would help them!

On a different note, today was another successful day at school.  In the morning I  looked at Olivia's school work from yesterday and she had written that she was Mexican.  I asked her why- and she said she didn't understand the question and wanted to do something different.   I asked her how she was going to explain today that she doesn't speak Spanish.  I told her to tell them she was American.  She said it was too late and that the boys already thought she looked Mexican.  She was too embarrassed to change her story and would rather pretend for another week.  But that is my Olivia- as yesterday she didn't know how to ask in French if she could use the bathroom.  Rather than make an attempt, she waited until she got home from school.  Luciana's teachers told me she was not allowed to wear sandals. They said she is very independent and fearless.  They were very worried at the playground as she climbed to the highest points in her flip flops and said they could not devote all their attention to just her.  I agreed!  After school we went to a public pool with the children's new friends.  At the pool one is required to wear a bathing cap and the boys must wear tight fitting suits.  Both are available in a vending machine.  As you can see in the photo, Alex looks adorable in his speedo!  This indoor pool had a solarium.  There is a door that leads upstairs to a cement roof deck and a bit of grass that is meant for sunbathing. Fortunately only Olivia noticed the topless sunbathers as I know Emilia would have asked questions loudly!   Kids had fun and we ventured home on the train. We made it 36 hours without Chris...but I am so looking forward to his return as just hearing him speak French makes me smile!