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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsChristmas Update from France - 2020 edition
Happy Holidays!
Life goes on here in Aix-en-Provence. Were trying to bloom where were planted, by making friends and participating in both the expat community and local life. We dont consider ourselves expats but rather immigrants. This is our home now. And as to that, we have now gotten four things that one has to have - French driving licenses, health cards, residence cards, and mobile phones (though weve had the phones for quite awhile).
The driving license exchange process took from January 2019 to November 2020. Now, we can throw all those cautious habits we had away because we were driving on foreign licenses. We can drive like the French - texting, speeding, eating while driving, shouting at other drivers, tailgating, and smoking.
Mrs Gos has been a guest writer for a blog called Aixcentric over the past year, reviewing restaurants, market traders, bakeries, and wine shops. She has a good following and hopes to continue. Shes also been recognised by the Mairie (Mayors office) as a volunteer for feeding, trapping, and neutering feral cats, complete with an official badge. And eating whatever I cook. And to that end she has been walking, sometimes 7km a day - far more than me.
Ive been taking more photos, inspired by the black and white photography of Peter Turnley and others. I post regularly on Instagram, and keep trying to put together a photoblog. I do a bit of writing. I do a lot of cooking. And, if Im bored, I can shout at random strangers on the innertubes(sic). My guitar continues to stare balefully at me from the closet.
Our French is not improving, though we continue to try. The confinement has made it very difficult to get out and speak French. And just watching movies and TV isnt enough. However, we will keep at it.
Weve both gone back to learning more about wine. And its not all rosé in Provence, despite what everyone thinks.
We have been adopted by a cat. Dora lived upstairs and used to use the elevator. Then her mom died and Dora moved in with us, mostly on the balcony. Shes a joy.
What an Annus horribilis its been for everyone. The political situation worldwide started the year off and then there was Covid. The amount of existential dread, free floating anxiety, and generalized (or grande) ennui just kept getting larger. We all no longer had anxiety cupboards, but anxiety condominiums with double garages and additions for the extra bits.
However, there would seem to be some light at the end of the tunnel (heres hoping its not an approaching train), in the recovery of sanity in the US with the election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
Glad to see that Biden is picking competent, experienced, actual human beings for his cabinet. So glad that the shape shifting aliens with the ill fitting human suits will be shown to the exit.
Plus, the vaccine roll-out has started! And there might be the added benefit of addressing some other diseases besides Covid-19.
Hoping that next year is better for everyone, with small joys and big delights, many meetings, and hugs.
Peace, joy, kindness, health, and love.
Sam
MLAA
(17,350 posts)GoneOffShore
(17,342 posts)Karadeniz
(22,600 posts)Looking at us now. Joyeux Noel!
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,754 posts)I'm glad to hear that you're settling in nicely.
And I really hope that you'll post some of your photos in the Photo Group!
You know we would all enjoy them.
All my best to you and your wife!
Loveya, Peggy
GoneOffShore
(17,342 posts)Thank you for the kind thoughts.
Sam