Life in Toulouse

July 10th, 2009

Dominique's house is small, in a cramped street, but very pleasant. Although it's cramped, I feel much freer because everything is within walking distance- even church! No internet connection yet, but we're working on it. This morning, we went to run a few errands- a butcher's shop, a boulangerie, then a little fruit/vegetable vendor. They were all very "sympas." The butcher's wife talked to me about America, telling me that I didn't speak French at all like an American, and the fruit/vegetable vendor practically doubled what we bought with little free extras because he was liquidating in preparation for a trip for the 14th. Later, we went to a Casino (that's a supermarket, not a gambling place) down the street. Tomorrow, I'm going to go explore around.
Yesterday, I asked Dominique if I could try out her piano. Claire had had one at her house but it was so out of tune I didn't even try to play anything on it. Octaves were more like Minor 7ths. Dominique's is out of tune, too, but still quite playable, and I was able to blow everyone away with my mad Phantom of the Opera/ Hercules skills. They are easily impressed- my lack of practice these last two weeks deserves anything but the honor of blowing people away. I wish I'd brought my Sonatina book instead of the movie music, though. I miss my Sonatinas. Soon, I get to meet Dominique's former husband, Claire's father, who is a really good jazz pianist. I'm looking forward to the encounter. Anyway, today after I'd played around a bit more on the piano, I heard Dominique asking if anybody had seen her phone, and a couple minutes later, heard her talking to piano tuners on the phone! She's getting her piano tuned just for me! I'm only staying til Friday, too. Imagine that. They'll be here on Monday.
Dominique taught me how to cross-stitch today. I'm kind of slow with the stitches, but I caught on pretty quickly to the general concept. I'm enjoying it.


I'd like to dedicate this picture to my lovely, Malabar-loving, now jealous sister Rachel. (Unless it's that hunk behind them that she's interested in...)

Noemi working on her cross stitching