For Those Who Would Like to Visit

We have had so many people express an interest in coming to visit us during our stay in France, I thought a collective post regarding this would be the most effective way to reach everyone.

First of all, let me say I am thrilled people want to visit. It makes this time of preparing for departure so much easier knowing we will not be completely isolated from friends and family for the next 12 months. Thank you for even considering it!

Logistically, there are some things anyone planning a visit needs to consider:

Lodging - While the fact that we are living at a B&B means we have PLENTY of room for guests - it also means that these rooms are a source of income for the family (and partially for us). (There is one guest room in our private quarters which can be for our personal use.) P&S have very graciously calculated the absolute minimum amount they need to receive whenever any guests use the B&B rooms and have left it up to our own discretion whether we charge something closer to their typical fees. Obviously, when we are hosting complete strangers, we will charge what they usually charge (65-100 euro/night). Our hope is to be able to charge P&S's minimum to anyone coming to visit us (roughly 20-40 euro/night) or put people up in our private guest room. But please see our next point:

Finances - Because of the exchange rate and the higher cost of living in France, our already slim budget has the potential to take on anorexic proportions. This means we honestly may not have the funds to feed/host lots of guests throughout the year. Not to mention having money to go on excursions (gas prices are the equivalent of over $7.00 per gallon!). We are hoping things will work out fine financially, but until we have been there for a month or so and learn how much we can expect to earn from the B&B, we have a limited idea of what state our books will be in as of yet.

Transportation - We have only one car and it fits only five people and David or myself are the only ones insured to drive it. We would certainly be able to pick up guests at the train station in Tours, but I am not sure how we would navigate going anywhere or doing anything once we were back in Chinon. In all likelihood, the easiest thing would be for guests to rent a car. Whether they did that from Tours or Paris could be up to them.

Schedule - David is still working full time while we are in France and has his typical, limited amount of vacation time. The children will probably be attending school there. I will be running a B&B. Therefore, our availability to explore France is most likely limited to weekends and French holidays (however I would probably be able to take people out and about during the school day). This does not mean that guests couldn't go off by themselves, but it does mean that while guests would mentally be in "vacation mode" (and rightly so), we will be in "work-mode."

I know the overall tone of this sounds like I am discouraging people from visiting. This couldn't be further from the truth. I just want to be honest and upfront with everyone considering coming our way. I don't want you to think you would only have the airfare to cover and be surprised when we aren't able to accommodate you in all other ways. As people who really know me can attest, it is very difficult for me to admit an inability to host in a more gracious and all-inclusive manner. Maybe we will be able to do more than I am assuming right now, but I would rather everyone go into their planning with a pessimist viewpoint so we can all be pleasantly surprised later on!

In hopes some will still come, I will bid an "a bientot"
Erin

Life Goes On

The strangest phenomenon is upon us right now. Our lives are about to radically change (even if only temporarily) but everyday life continues to go on as though nothing is any different. Sports, dance classes, Bible studies, visits with friends, home repairs, new cars; life keeps on going at the same pace it always has. If we're not careful, August 8th will be upon us without a single bag packed.

That's right. We leave August 8th. We can officially begin counting down the days (49 to go) and can unequivocally state we are definitely doing this. When I actually take the time to let that sink in, I definitely start freaking out. But honestly, it is tough to be mindful of the next year when today's life continues at this crazy pace! Maybe God is protecting me from a panic attack. Or multiple panic attacks. Or a complete nervous breakdown. Whichever it is, I am only mildly grateful, because of course it is driving me crazy to be so busy.

I wonder if life will slow down once we are there? I doubt it. Knowing me I will fill in the empty spaces faster than you can say "Bienvenue a France." After all, at this rate, the first week there will be a scramble for forgotten items, like a toothbrush and underwear.