We finally arrived in Toulouse, France where summer is still full-on and it is just gorgeous out! We have come to stay with my friend, Krista who I met in college. She married a French man and has 2 children now: Boy- Ethan, 7 and girl - Anouk 4 1/2. Anouk and Ruby are exactly the same age, and when I say exactly I do not mean they were born the same year, but that they were born just hours apart. Krista and I were in labor at the exact same time and we are still figuring out who came out into the world first - we do not have Anouk's exact time of birth yet, and we have to figure out the time change since Ruby was born in Alaska and Anouk born in France.
It has taken us a while to get settled and to realize where we are. I reallly liked Istanbul and wanted to stay longer, but I decided to stick with our plan of coming here, and knowing Istanbul is only a 3 hour flight makes me realize how easily I can go back there. I actually miss Turkey, yes! I liked it so much I miss it. I miss the sound of the prayers in the distance, and the view of the Maramar Sea, and the turkish coffee, and all those lovely desserts of baklava and turkish delight! And the beautiful carpets in the carpet shops. I love the blend of Asia and Europe all throughout Istanbul.
Ah, but now we have France, and France is just lovely. I like that I can take a short walk and get a really good baguette and get Ruby some choquettes (little donut hole like pastries with powdered sugar). Ruby loves these and she loves croissants.
When we were in India I considered going up to Dharamsala like I did 8 years ago, in the North of India. This is home to the Dalai Lama and many Tibetan refugees. When I was there in 2003 I thoroughly enjoyed it there and attended HH the Dalai Lama's teachings and it was great. Well, I decided not to go there this time while in India and instead come to Krista's in Toulouse, France where we are now. Days after we got here I noticed a local newspaper with a photo of the Dalai Lama on it and read that he is here, this week, in Toulouse! I went and got tickets and today I will go to one of his public talks. I am so glad! Really seems amazing that I leave India and show up in Toulouse to see / hear him. Life is so good that way : )
And it has truly been an amazing last 8 months. Really great to travel with my daughter and see the places we have seen and meet the people we have met and to see Father Joe and now Krista and to meet her children for the first time. Krista has a lovely, cozy home and warmly welcomes us and she is a great cook too! She knows so many great French dishes, that I have begun to experience.
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