We arrived this afternoon to retrieve the keys to our fantastically ill-equipped apartment from a nice professor of 20th century French literature. (We have no garbage pail, no towels, no toaster, no heating…only an Internet connection which, frankly, is the only thing saving this place.) We then spent a little time with The Frenchman’s mother and eventually with some friends of his who are keeping our car for the week. I’m insanely excited about being here, so I don’t know how much I’ll update until I get back to Aix.

But I will say that I’ve seen more incredible places this week than I’ve seen in the last 20 years of my life lying nose to toe. France is profoundly magical. (Pictures are forthcoming.) And now I’ve met almost all of The Frenchman’s family. I’m happy to say they’re all incredibly wonderful people, all of them.

More when I can!