We left Paris early in the morning, and picked up our rental car at Charles De Gaulle Airport, north of Paris. Pascal and Muriel's little village is only about a hundred miles north of Paris, but we had quite a time finding them. As is so often the case, we (meaning Jan) finally asked for help. A very nice lady in a nearby town finally got us on track, after involving most of the staff in her restaurant, making some calls, and even printing us up some maps and directions. Merci!
And we were welcomed with hugs, and wine from a bottle sporting their own label.
We speak even less French than Pascal and Muriel speak English. Somehow though, people find a way to communicate. We all share the need to articulate, but not always the same words for doing so. Enter the computer...
Pascal and Muriel invited their friend over to help with the translation, and we all managed to have a wonderful time together, sharing the commonalities and stories of our lives as best we could. Sometimes words are only part of the equation.
Birds will sing... balls will fly...
Pascal has some beautiful chess sets!
And a cat named Domino
We also met some other neighbors of Pascal and Muriel's, Greg and Mary, who came late to the party and were lifesavers in the translation department. I liked Greg's attitude about business, that it's better to retain your independence and integrity, and do things your way, rather than sell your business and ideas to someone else.
Au revoir...
We enjoyed meeting you, Pascal et Muriel. Thank you for your hospitality and a fun visit. We will cherish our memories of our meeting, and maybe we will meet again one day. Merci, mes ami!
Nous avons apprécié vous rencontrer, Pascal et Muriel. Merci pour votre hospitalité et une visite amusante. Nous chérirons nos souvenirs de notre réunion, et peut-être nous nous reverrons un jour. Merci, mes ami!
