Back to the market

I went to the market this morning, after not having gone since before Christmas. And I can tell that my French is improving, because I mostly understood people on this visit. Not always the first time they said something, but I did mostly understand what they were saying if they repeated it. It used to be pretty taxing mentally (and emotionally!) to go to the market but now I feel much more in control of it, enough to ask for things I want, and to know, for instance, what a particular cheese is.

Inevitably one buys something from someone whose French is incomprehensible, another foreigner. This time the guy asked me if I was Spanish, not Italian, and then when he ascertained I was American, claimed, in French, that he was American too. Then he said, in English, "I love you!"

I bought so many yummy fruits and vegetables...almost got a kilo of mussels but I'm not sure a kilo of mussels would fit in my little pot, and besides, my wheely cart was already getting heavy. It's satisfying to see the spoils of my trip sitting on my counter.

It feels like I'm getting to be a part of Paris. Indeed, work is going well too, and I finally feel like my life is settled: not too fast, not too slow, a little of everything. Balance.

My plans today: might have a tiny nap, then to a nearby museum that's about the history of Paris, then I'm meeting a guy J-D (très français) for chouquettes, which I have never had, but honestly, I've never met a pastry I didn't like. He assured me these were worth it! In fact, he ordered some yesterday from his bakery to make sure we'd have fresh ones. Now there's a guy who's figured out the way to my heart. :)