November 15, 2020

Sunday

I woke up early to start cleaning my Airbnb from top to bottom. Today was moving day. I did the dishes, took out the trash, stripped the bed, packed my bags, and wiped down all the surfaces. Then I sat down to wait. With about an hour to go, I texted my ride to confirm she’d be arriving at 10 when I had arranged to deliver the keys. The minutes ticked by with no response. I began to worry, was she even awake? I sent her an email, to no avail. I was practically sweating by 9:30. I watched the clock until I heard a knock at the door. Opening it, I discovered the owner of the Airbnb and my ride standing a few feet away. The Airbnb owner resembled a scary French professor to an alarming degree, so I always felt on edge near her. She thanked me for the keys and said goodbye as I loaded my bags into Anne’s car.

We zipped through the countryside and I learned about all the services she was willing to help me with. I get one load of laundry a week, fresh towels, rides to the supermarket whenever she goes, trash service, and rides to Lyon if needed. She helped me get into the little apartment and her husband helped grease the lock so it would actually function. They left me to unpack before lunch.

I was invited for lunch with Madame Bodet and her family at 12:15. I thought Anne would be coming, but she did not. I found out Mme Bodet had worked in South Carolina and lived there for 4 years. She loved the US and had been able to travel to many of the national parks during her tenure. We got to talk about the US election, the school system, and I got to know her husband Daniel who is from Madagascar. They have a small vacation home there that they rent out when they are not using it. Mme Bodet took me for a walk around the village. She seemed to know everyone that we saw outside. I learned there are 1,000 people living in Anthon. She lives across the street from her brother and his family. At the end of the walk we agreed that she would take me to work the next day at 9:30. Perfect timing!

Tonight I have a few calls and I’ll be working on drafts of law school statements.