raindrops keep fallin on my head

Yesterday was a sad day in Normandy. No, no one's hurt, I didn't lose anything, and I didn't get bad news. It was, quite simply, my last market day. The last time I'll wander through the stalls, looking for the best apples and wondering who actually buys their underwear in the middle of the town parking lot. The last time I'll watch the town's seniors at their peak, lugging their woven baskets and stopping to chat with old friends because hey! it's market day! And perhaps most importantly, the last time I'll order a saucisse, salivating as the man slaps on the mustard and wraps it up for my short walk home. Please, let's all take a moment of silence for the soon-to-be lack of sausage goodness in my life.

Most appropriately, it rained much of yesterday, and it was cold too. As my tomato man said, "And it's April 10th, quand même!" Hopefully it gets a bit nicer before my mom and Jean get here next week (next week already!!). This past weekend, thankfully, was pretty darn nice, and I was grateful for it because I finally made the trip to Giverny to see Monet's house. Friday night I headed to Rouen, where I stayed in for the night because I was waiting for an interview call and trying to get my money's worth of my expensive hotel room. Saturday morning I was up early and took a quick tour of the touristy parts of the city, then got on the train for Vernon. I got there and almost took the bus but decided to walk on the recommendation of my friend Karina. The walk ended up being a bit longer than expected but thankfully the weather was gorgeous so I rather enjoyed myself. Giverny ended up being much larger than I expected (not that it's large by any means, I was just expecting Monet's house by itself is all), but I wanted to take an earlier train back so I decided to spend time just in the house and gardens. The house was nice enough, but the gardens were amazing. Things had only just started to bloom, but there were daffodils, tulips, pansies, cherry and crabapple blossoms, among other things. Unfortunately I was a bit early for the famous water lilies, but oh well. The water garden was still most impressive, and I would love to have a garden like that. I think it would be really relaxing, to come home and take a walk through your huge garden. I suppose I need to make my thumb a bit greener before that's possible though. :)

This week started off slow but I think will go faster with classes and all, as well as packing, wrapping up loose ends, etc. Hard to believe my time here's almost over!