Last week we decided to do a double date with one of Céline's friends. Somehow it became this thing where the girls would do dinner and we would go a basketball game. I don't speak French so well and the dude didn't really speak English. So it already looked like a pretty good adventure.

First, I have to preface, this was a professional basketball game. Pro A is the top league in France and according to my guide basketball is more or less the 3rd most popular sport in France(behind soccer and rugby...there are some angry tennis people shaking rackets at me). So it was a bit of surprise when we showed up at the stadium 30 minutes early and we were at children's swim meet. Oh yeah, the team's court was in a community center, most of which was a swimming pool. Nothing like being two dudes milling around in that environment. Eventually, we found the gym which about the size of a high school gym. Concessions were awesome because they were cheap(baguette sandwiches and pringles) and I have just got used to the $12 hot dogs at mariner games.

The game itself though was way different from anything I have seen in the US. There was clearly the intention of showing us that "this is a professional basketball team". Imagine the crowd being a slightly large high school or small college sized crowd. But we were going to get a show befitting this teams professional's status. They had splurged on the equipment. A spotlight for the introductions. Sixteen giant speakers that had absolutely no business being in a gym that size. An inflatable tunnel. Cheerleaders who by my count went through at least 10 costume changes(every single timeout they had a different costume, I mean completely different, like we went from sailers to shoppers to cowgirls, it was outrageous). 

If this wasn't enough they decided to equip their die hard fans(as far as I could tell it was a bunch of high school students) with open-ended bass drums. I counted them - there were six drums total. Why would you give that many drums to bored high school kids? They beat them the entire game. If the team lacked fans they certainly made up for it with decibels.

The game itself was fun. It was a hodge-podge high-speed pickup game. A few homesick(the season ends soon) Americans holding on to the dream. There weren't that many plays and quite a lot of long contested jumpers. The score went all over the place, but it was pretty fun for the 3rd quarter. If you are ever travelling outside the US I highly recommending going to a basketball game.

Outside of that, it's been fairly mellow. My mom came and visited for a week. We did a lot of fun tourist stuff. Versailles, the Louvre, Sacre Couer and a lot of the different neighborhoods. Spending the day together in gardens at Versailles was really special. Of course, we ate entirely too much food too. 

Céline is anxiously awaiting the results of her exam. We are debating whether or not to buy a bottle of Champagne prematurely. At the moment I am just keeping the fridge well stocked with chocolate, seems like a good failsafe.

Gaël is trying really hard to talk. Not quite there yet.
 
I'm good. I've been really enjoying this year abroad. I love walking through the city. Exploring the neighborhoods. The food. Riding the city bikes. Especially my morning ride to work where I can just think. My mind wanders and I just soak up the spring air. Maybe it is easier because I know I am coming home soon and I can just enjoy these next few months. I'm starting to dream of the pacific northwest again. I'm hoping that when we get back I can get out into the mountains, the forrests and the lakes again more. At least before it starts raining.

Another one,

DJ