On the plane our seatmate turns out to be a professor of robotics teaching students with a masters degree. He is returning to France after having spent 2 months attending a robotics course at Northwestern. He lived with five other students studying different concentrations and they were able to bond like in the movie Auberge Espanole. Very interestingly, he says the experience changed his thinking. Before he was a typical Frenchman who after completing his studies settled into a career and expected to continue in it until retirement. Now, he is exploring the possibility of creating his own startup because he has changed his expectations from "career to consider other alternatives"after being with others who thought more entrepreneually. He felt that this exposure to another culture changed his view of himself and what he could do with his life. Wehope to keep in touch and see where he goes from here.
We arrive in Paris with too few hours of sleep but have managed to stay up all day. Krista (granddaughter from Austria who competes in voltige) is here with a collegue before leaving for Germany tomorrow to buy a new horse for the club's training program. She is in her early 20's and is so impressive in her ability to switch instantly from French to German and back again in a conversation. (Her friend speaks on German). After we settle in, we take a walk in Luxembourg Gardens hoping to stay awake a little longer. It is a windy but warm day, the park is beautiful and we feel at home. I think the theme of the blogs will be how much we feel at home here but how we still feel like strangers. The contradiction of being in two homes. Early to bed (they bought a new mattress which is sooooo much better) after dinner at a pizzaria nearby.
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