one week already?

So, I went for the best bike ride today. I went to the Barrage de Bimont (a huge water dam like 2km from La Ginestelle where I am living). I rode on trails and across the dam and over down to the Bimont lake. Talk about paradise.

Not only did I go for the best bike ride today, but I spent the morning with Domino, the lone little girl of the family. As you can see, she's ready for America. She laughs and is absolutely precious. See facebook photo album for more details. Not only did we run errands in the city center today, but we also played in my bungalow while Laetitia and Stephàne met with the Architects who are designing the remodeling of their house over this next year. I morphed into servant mode as we dined on a delicious spread of gazpacho, tartine, mèlon, salad, bread, and fresh glacé (sorbet) under the canapé outside. What a brilliant way to spend the afternoon.

The quality of life is so different here. For instance, people actually spend time with other people. That is, there are actually moments of silence here when people don't talk, but are totally satisfied with just being in company. Compared to America's fast-food-fast lifestyle, the days seem much less busy. Au contraire! The days here are full of a different quality of life. People entertain people for the sake of building relationships. The competition is not nearly as prevalent here as in America. In fact, those who compete are shunned, because it just doesn't seem to matter here. The importance of the family and of spending time with people is front and center in their lifestyles. For cryin' out loud, there is even a bread man with his loaves of bread outside of the school each morning, surrounded by moms picking up their daily dread (no pun intended). Perhaps it's only me that has missed out on the importance of spending time together? Perhaps it's only me that has been so far engaged in the affairs of my daily planner that I have overlooked the affairs of my heart and soul too often. I like stopping to sit. It's good for me. I'm soaking in the quiet life. Isn't that what Paul recommended to the Thessalonians? I'm tellin' you, I'm really getting into this "living-the-Bible-out-loud" thing.

In fact, I read books all the time now. I went to the bookstore again today just to browse...yeah right. I walked out with 3 new books. The poor lady who helped me..she gave me a frequent buyers' card, and laughed because she bet that I would spend more than 200€ before I leave. I certainly hope not. My luggage would weigh too much. Yes, remember the luggage fiasco from the first day...multiply it by 12 if I buy any more books. For now, I'm totally immersed in "faire la connaissance" (getting to know) the region. Tomorrow begins a full weekend. I am off to Avignon and the Baux de Provence. I'll show you what it looks like from afar, but just know that I wish you were here with me.