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09/14/2004: "High-Low Tech Issues :0"

I'm having a hard time with water! First, our shower has a very strong pressure and the first time I took a shower, I tucked the shower curtain in and got the water to the proper temperature, pulled the shower knob up and nearly was knocked over by the stream of water. I shut it off, readjusted the pressure, and tried again. Without my knowledge, the shower curtain had 'jumped' out of the tub edge...and when I got out of the shower, I found that the floor was inches deep in water. Now, we were given 3 towels to use, and I used them all to mop up the water, but the floor was still damp and even a bit of moisture on a slick tile floor is a hazard! It was hysterical...slippin' and a-slidin' was the game of the morning. Then, yesterday, while Cheryl 'blogged', I thought I'd do a load of clothes in the washing machine. When it quit and the light went out, I made the assumption that it wax finished and opened the door (it's a front loader). Gallons of water poured out and again, the tile was toweled up and it took us another few minutes to dry things up and figure out how to make it spin the water out. Somehow, learning to handle French water is a problem for me.

Then, there was the scene of Suzanne and kaye trying to get their front door unlocked and after about 20 minutes of trying, I thought to ask one of the men in the bar next door to assist them. Again, after much effort, he did manage to get them entry. Somehow, the door lock had been turned too many times and was solidly opposed to releasing. Even his pals in the bar joined in the applause when it suddenly allowed entry!

We are having a wonderful time, despite the learning curve being a bit difficult for us. This Gite is beautiful and a wonderful place to stay. It does have all the modern conveniences and is very comfortable.

One thing that has completely amazed me is that we've had no problem at all having no French language beyond the little phrase books we carry. Everyone seems to speak some English and hand signals are all it takes. That's very different than prior trips for me.