Didn't Expect That!

Beziers, France

20 May 2024

Dear Family and Friends,

When I last wrote, Béziers was preparing for its Medieval Festival. I’m not a connoisseur of medieval festivals, but Lisa is, and based on her delight alone I think it was a pretty good one.  There were costumes, dancing, ax throwing, falconry, glass blowing, arts, crafts, and even pole dancing on a pirate ship float that paraded around the Allées. Béziers does a good job of providing interest, fun and free opportunities for all ages. To top off the afternoon we ended up at an outdoor bar chatting with a group of expats. It is a lot of fun getting to know both Béziers and this community of folks who have chosen to land here. Some are here to stay and others are here for a while, but they all have interesting journeys and stories to tell.

Another unexpected blessing of being here in the South of France is running across my friend Dennis Sellin. I have not seen Dennis in many years and truly it is a most welcome an unexpected surprise! It’s been so many years that we agreed we wouldn’t even calculate the number. This past Saturday, Dennis visited me in Beziers and it was such a pleasure to reconnect. He’s studying French in Montpellier this month and contemplating his own move to France. I hope that my experiences can be helpful to him, although I feel like he is already much more prepared than I was. Our time together flew by and I’m looking forward to keeping in touch.

I’m still in a waiting period for my new apartment, but as the end of the waiting period is nearing its end, the final bits of getting life administration cared for is taking an increasing amount of time and effort.

Most likely you’ve shopped for insurance before. You probably have shopped for internet service, electric services, and gas service. But have you done it in a foreign language? I’m not recommending it, but it does add a whole new level of complexity to the mundane. Thankfully my new friend Najma has been extremely helpful and that has been invaluable to me. And when she’s not helping me with the mundane, she’s challenging me to new heights!

Yesterday was a prime example. We went for a hike up the side of a mountain, across a cable bridge and up some more steep paths in an ancient village atop that mountain. Ruins, medieval gardens, panoramic views, and a welcome beer were the reward before the final trek to the very top where the mountain is crowned with a very large statue of Mary. It was a fabulous walk and certainly some good exercise, but I will admit that I’m not that fond of heights and the cable bridge was not my favorite part of the journey. But I did it! There and back again, and back again was worse than there because I knew what to expect! Bouncing up and down a bit was okay, but combined with swaying side to side was unpleasant, if you ask me.

I’m hoping for good news this week in the form of a final date for the closing on my new apartment. Listen carefully and wherever you are you may hear me celebrating.

I hope you are all well!

Bonne Journée!