I started this blog as I moved into the next phase of my life – with the death of both my parents over the last years and retirement, I knew my life had changed and wanted to record some of those changes. In that time, I have adjusted to holidays without my parents and living a different life in retirement. All of this has been a good experience and I have enjoyed this chapter a great deal.

I have documented my first Christmas without a “home” to visit during the holidays by going back to Verona, Italy, one of my childhood homes. I documented my transitional trip with Liam and Tom when I had retired and they were in transition also. We visited the Baltic states. This was where I first visited Toulouse and decided it was the city I would use for my European life adventure.

Over the last two years, I have documented life in Toulouse. This was all done as a journal of my life for me to be able to remember and revisit the experiences I have had. It has been a good outlet and a nice way to think about things I have done and enjoyed.

I realized that the blog was becoming repetitive and somewhat boring. This made me realize that living in Toulouse was no longer an adventure but real life. I have become so ingrained and accustomed to my life here that it is “normal”, just like my life in Alexandria is “normal”. I do not blog while in Alexandria as everyday life is not that interesting and I do not have to document it for memories. I am not at that stage of life in Toulouse.

I have my normal routine of daily life. I shop, I run, I walk, I go out, I eat out and just do normal everyday life. It is not something that I have to document as much and write down to have the memories and history.

I did have a new adventure as I found a very nice new restaurant to try. I broke out of my routine of eating at the same places that were comfortable and easy.

I was walking in the St. Cyprien district – Faire Sens – and saw a restaurant that looked interesting. As in many restaurants, the menu was posted and it looked very good. I went home and made reservations for Saturday night and went.

One of the fun things was that they texted me and asked if I wanted to sit at the bar for dinner. I cannot decide if they did not want to sit one person at a table or thought I would be more comfortable at the bar. I definitely prefer sitting at the bar when I am by myself so that worked out well. I did not know there was a bar to eat at or I would have asked to sit there.

The menu was built on sharing which is always somewhat problematic for one person. The dishes sometimes have too much food for one person. On a coupe of dishes this was the case but it worked out as I ate as much as I wanted and just left the rest.

The food was very good and I will definitely go back. The atmosphere was very lively and the restaurant was packed.

Last night, I ran with the group. I was doubtful as how the run was going to be as it was raining as I headed out. The weather app seemed to indicate that the rain would stop during the run which was the case in the end. I am glad I went.

The biggest part of this trip is I am heading back to Alexandria today for Arianna’s wedding. Arianna is my goddaughter. I am excited about the wedding but it is a lot of travel for a weekend.

I am feeling like a real jet setter as I am traveling without luggage as I have everything I need in Alexandria so do not need to take anything with me. It will be odd doing a total no luggage trip. Also, it is about 24 hours of travel for 4 days in Alexandria. I am looking forward to seeing friends while I am there. I will run with the NOVA Rogue Runners on Saturday.

I hope to update on this trip as I go.