Life in Province
Anywhere that is not in ‘La region Parisienne’ is called ‘Province’. The Parisians are quite scornful of anybody who comes from here. When I left Orleans people kept warning me, ‘Oh…it’s going to be different in Paris.’
How they were right! No more long leasurly meals, so more peace and quite, no more nipping out in the car…
But here in Tours, I’m back in Province - And I’d forgotten how nice it is! I drove to church this morning in calm. No cars honking, no undertaking, no craziness. I was able to park in a carpark with loads of room - the sheer luxuary!
After the service I was invited to a BBQ. I expected it to be Paris style, ie over in 2hrs becuase everyone has to rush off somewhere. Oh, no…remember, I’m in Province. We were on the patio of an old farm house out in the country, a long drawn out meal in the sun and then a walk in the woods while stopping to gobble up the wild raspberries. I finally arrived home at 6.30pm. Lovely! I had forgotten how relaxed life outside Paris is…or I didn’t realise how stressful living in the city was.
I think I’m going to like it here! 
