My first Thursday

 Many of my days here have proceed in a similar fashion as this day.

First Thursday

There is nothing hurried about my time here. I awoke, showered and prepared my small breakfast. I read until noon, then ate my lunch. After, I rode my bike into the center of the city to do some shopping.

I went to Monoprix. It’s like a small upscale Target. I went there for simple things like soap and shampoo. I’m sure these things are cheaper at Leclerc, but they are easy to find in Monoprix, and I have a loyalty card.

I also went to Carrefour, which is a small grocery store. Again, probably cheaper at Leclerc, but easier access. Really, I went there for the cheap wine. Whereas, I would never purchase an $8 bottle of wine in the US, an €8 bottle of wine is certainly not going to taste awful nor give you a headache in the morning.

That evening, Theirry, my host (I hesitate to call him my landlord because it’s not like that) rang my bell. We are trying to get me onto their wifi. He tried a bit, but said that his partner, Pierre-Yves, was the tech person. About that time PY returned from work.

He moved my computer around the house and checked an app on his phone. He decided that they needed a signal amplifier, so he would do that.

They then invited me over to show me their home and have a glass of wine. Both halves of the duplex started the same, but they developed them differently. For their home, one walks into the eat-in kitchen, with the living room beyond and what we would call a three-season room at the back. They have arranged theirs for year-round use.

We shared a bottle of wine and really delightful conversation for nearly an hour. Like most everyone I have met in my time in Saumur, they are kind, gracious, intelligent and welcoming.

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