I have been happy to be back in Alexandria and seeing friends. It is amazing that it is so easy in some ways to re-integrate in my life in Alexandria after being away for 2.5 months but also how emotionally difficult it is as well.

I went for a walk on Monday morning in hopes of speeding up recovery from jet-lag and ran into three people that I knew in an hour walk. This would never happen in Toulouse. In the 2.5 months there I ran into 4 people I knew. It is true, I know a great deal more people in Alexandria than Toulouse but it was both a surprise to see those people and comforting.

Things in Toulouse were mostly simple as I had a routine that I followed while there. Here I have not established the routine yet so at times I feel lost as what to do and what needs to be done. I had basically seven days of clothes in Toulouse where here I have an entire closet and dresser full of clothes so I have to think more about what I am going to wear. I feel overwhelmed by the choices at time.s

Same goes with grocery shopping. In Toulouse I would only really shop at the Marché Victor Hugo and the outdoor markets so there were not as many choices of food. Even when I shopped at the grocery stores, it was for very limited items so I was not overwhelmed with choices. I am amazed (this is the second time as I had the same experience after my 3 month backpacking trip) about how many varieties of cereal we have in the United States. Most grocery stores here are at least twice if not 3 times as large as the Supermarche in Toulouse.

I have spent lots of time with friends and doing the usual things that I do in DC. I have returned to the running groups I run with Pacers on Thursday and NOVA Rogue Runners on Saturday. I do have to figure out one day of running as there is not a running group that runs both on Tuesday and Thursday the way there was in Toulouse. I have been to two wine tastings at my two favorite wine stores and restaurant – Vintage and UnWined/Revel. I have hosted two dinner parties to see friends. I have other scheduled activities to see more of the people I have not seen since I left.

I definitely miss the lifestyle and beauty of Toulouse. I more than anything miss the food! I, also, miss the community that I was building over there.

Next up is scheduling French lessons so my experience will be even better when I return to Toulouse in the fall.