July 8, 2013

Roth et Ramberg obtenir une voiture

Travel


Today we did a happy dance. Or at least we would have, if we weren’t sitting on nice leather seats driving through the countryside. To fully appreciate this moment, one must know where it began.

It started after we got the Ford Explorer unstuck, which was just after we hauled large flat rocks to put under the spinning tire. That was after we used a super clamp to replace the missing crank arm on the jack. Which was after we tried that same sequence, with some wood that just spat out from under the spinning tire. This, of course, was after we got the vehicle stuck, as far away from town as possible. Which was after we consciously rented a vehicle with no electrical—no power windows, power locks or instrument panel containing the speed and gas gauge. And this was after being told we couldn’t get a rental because the windows didn’t go down. 

That precious moment was after two rental places told us they did, and then did not, have anything to rent. And this, dear friends, was after we’d already waited three days for them to open so that we could rent one. So, despite our legs sticking to the hot leather seats in our sweaty rental, we were living the high life. We now have transportation.

Also worthy of celebrating was the fact that it’s hot and sunny. The weather in Saint Pierre is generally foggy in July, but we lucked out with gorgeous blue skies. Plus, we captured our first calendar worthy person today. Our first models are actually third generation Saint Pierre-ians. They were natural subjects and happy to have a chance to do something different then their normal routine.

French normal routine for adults is a 35-hour work week, Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 12:00pm, lunch then 2:00pm to 5:30pm. This is quite the adjustment for those accustom to working all hours of the day. We just can’t seem to get it through our heads that they aren’t always available. Not to mention they all have five weeks vacation a year, they’re living the life. 

Today we ate supper at the same time as the French—that’s anytime after 8:00pm, the later the better. And it’s the same for the children; they stay up late and even get to sleep in. No such luck for us, we’ve got four models lined up for tomorrow.

Beaucoup plus d’aventures demain.