Somers to Enfield to Brooklyn to JFK to Paris to Sable to Solesmes

Friday, May 22, 2009

I needed a hair dryer. 

After finding that my hair dryer wouldn't adapt in France, Dad and I sought and found exactly what I needed ( a girl cannot travel without her hair dryer, right?) at Walgreen's in Enfield.  We were now set to begin our travels.

We arrived in Brooklyn in good time.  It had been Clare who suggested we leave the VW (and the extra keys) with her - she could keep it safely parked during our absence - and then use the Buri's car service to take us to JKF.  It worked out well!

After a short visit with Mary, Charlie and Catherine, Dad and I said our goodbye's and headed out for the airport for an early, painless check-in, a last smoke and about 90 minutes to kill before we boarded our flight.  We were so happy to find that there was no middle seat between us as we began our 6 1/2 hrs. to Paris.  

Saturday, May 23

We arrived earlier than expected, at about 6:45 a.m. Paris time, 12:45 p.m. our time.  Not having slept on the plane, we were tired but more than ready to make our way to Solesmes.  After clearing Customs, we found our car rental agency and headed out of Charles DeGaulle airport at about 8:30.

Dad had directions and maps printed for our "journey out of Paris".  Either I goofed or the sign to one of the major arteries was hidden; we crossed our fingers and hoped that we wouldn't end up in the center of Paris, trying to find our way out.   Dad navigated in the general direction, following signs to the major cities from th directions he had brought and we soon found ourselves on the new highway to "all points" France, and continued onward.

It was a fast drive.  At one point Dad observed that we were driving over 90mph; when you're in Europe, you just tend to drive like a maniac.   It was a fast drive and rather monotonous as far a scenery was concerned.  We watched for signs on the way and I dozed off just before Dad saw a sign for Sable ( the largest town closest to Solesmes) and breathed a sigh or relief.  That relief was short-lived as the miles behind us grew, and no exit to Sable appeared on the horizon.  

And then I saw it: the large, brown Tourism sign with a sketch of a monastery and the words, "Abbaye de Solesmes"!  

It had begun to rain as we exited A11 and drove to Sable.  Outside the center of town we came upon a small supermarket and stopped to stock up on bread, butter, cold cuts, milk, coffee and toilet paper.  Driving through Sable we kept our eyes peeled for a store that might sell a fan...but no luck.

View of Sable sur Sarthe from the river

It continued to rain.  Michael had called a few days earlier to tell me that we should check in at the Monastery and ask the porter for the key to our house, that he would join us there as soon as he could.  We pulled into Solesmes at about 12.  

 Dad parked our car across the street from the Monastery's entrance and was just prepared to exit when I looked out the back window and saw a tall monk running in the rain, holding two large bags.  

"Cy!", I yelled, "That's Michael!".  And sure enough, there he was.

Dad ran from the car shouting Michael's name and the two of them embraced and laughed, Dad pointing to the car and me inside, waving and waving to Michael.

Michael had thought we would be arriving by 2 earliest and so had wanted our house to "be in order".  He had fresh linens and towels in the bags and had prepared to make up our beds and make sure all was ready for our arrival.  Turns out that we had parked our car directly in front of  "le petit pontemain" (the little house), our house!

We parked our car right here.  At the end of the road is the Patisserie (the pastry/bakery) where Dad went every morning for our fresh bread and breakfast pastries.

Our house, just to the right of the brown gate.  The house next door ( where Aloise and Mercedes would be staying) is called  "le gran pontemain" (the big house) and shares a courtyard with  "le petit pontemain".  Pictures of that still to come.

It's just after noon our first day in France.  There is more, of course, but I am going to publish this now so as to give you a taste of things to come.