After a long flight (actually not that bad, a direct flight of eleven hours or so), I made it back to good old California. Rented a car for two weeks and made it down to Monterey in no time.
Not much has changed, and it feels great being back in familiar territory. What a relief it is being able to speak only (American) English again -- and having everyone understand all of what I am saying.
Of course, the BEST thing of all is seeing my mother again. She is the same old happy, active and "talkative" mother. Not bad for a grandma. The (puppy) Zoö was wild and crazy in the beginning, but has settled down. Enough now to just lie at my feet in the living room so I can read next to the window with the morning sun shining in.
I kind of miss Thea and the kids, but still plan to make the most of these two weeks, just hanging around and doing nothing in particular. Excercising the mind by enjoying this pilgrimage to its fullest will be well worth it.
It's off to Lover's Point for a picnic with the Frenchies from Albi who are paying homage to the explorer Jean-François de Galoup, Comte de La Pérouse who came to the Carmel mission and was born in Albi.
"Bonjour, ça va? Oui, ça va bien merci..."
