Just an ordinary day here in France. I came into work, played some tennis midday, and will probably have dinner and go to sleep this evening without encountering a single cookout or firework. We'll be thinking about everyone celebrating the 4th, though, and send our Independence Day greetings!
Last night our friends Chris and Liz came for dinner at our apartment with their children Kate and Jack. They have spent two sabbaticals in Paris and they come to visit every summer. It was wonderful to talk to them for two reasons: to compare notes about their experience and to hear how they have continued to maintain ties and friendships in France after having lived here and moved back. They spoke frankly about what they missed in Boston when they were in Paris and vice versa and how they tried to reproduce some elements of their life here back home. Liz, especially, made some interesting points about the relative importance of the more superficial aspects of lifestyle versus integrating into a society more fully. France, in particular, is a tough nut to crack socially and culturally, and, although I have enjoyed my year immensely, I have barely scratched the surface of integrating here in any meaningful way.
We talked about American politics and French politics and what Americans think about French politics and what French think about American politics.
We ended the evening watching England beat Columbia in a penalty kick shootout in the World Cup and eating some extraordinary chocolate, vanilla, and caramel éclairs that Chris and Liz brought from the pâtissier Carl Marletti in the 5th. So delicious.
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