Time Flies

After three months away from Hobart we feel very acclimated to our European life and are finding it hard to believe that in just over a week we will have to adjust to our Tasmanian life. After almost ten years of visits to this quartier of Paris we feel very much at home here.  We know the shopkeepers and many of the locals.

When Virgina goes to the newsagent just across the road, she is greeted with a hearty "Bonjour Madame," and each Wednesday when her favourite magazine is published the newsagent makes a big thing of pulling a copy out from behind the counter ready for Madame. 

The Newsagent

Similarly at the local Alimentation, the three Tunisian staff always greet us with handshakes and warmth and express concern that we prefer rice to cous-cous. When Virginia shops there on her own, they always ask after Monsieur and whether he is working on his ordinateur (computer).  It is a bit of a standing joke which they all enjoy.

Just across the road, too, is a florist where we have bought flowers and plants on a number of occasions.  He recognises us as do the people who cut our hair. 

The Florist

 Bruce goes to a charming woman who knows that we stay in the neighbourhood and chats with him about her teenage daughter.  Virginia goes to David who requires her to call from Australia to make an appointment.  She has to do this on Fridays since this is his busiest day and he just loves telling his clients that this is one of his "internationals."  He often talks to Virginia about his children as well.

And so on... Here then is a classic example of being immersed in the French language, and what a wonderful way this is of improving one's skills.  Once a relationship has been established between shopkeepers and clients, they feel comfortable in helping us with our French and we accept this kindness with much laughter and good feeling.