montauban home life

Somehow, everything seems to work out. It may not be the way you planned, but sometimes what happens is even better than what you planned.

Before coming to Coly, I was told that I'd have my own room in my au-pairing-family's house. Imagine my surprise when I found out that not only was I sharing a room, but I was living in the back of the hotel with the rest of "the staff."

This turned out to be the best part about being in Coly. My roommate, Oanh, was one of the nicest people I met in Coly. We'd stay up nibbling on chips, take walks during our time off, and even took a day trip to Terrasson.

Rooming with Oanh became an even bigger blessing when I found out that I wasn't staying in Coly anymore, and that I had to leave before the end of June. With no where to go, Oanh asked her French host parents in Montauban if I could stay with them, and they graciously welcomed me into their home.

I still can't believe there are people like this. I wasn't surprised that I was being overworked as an au pair, but I was shocked that a family could be so sweet as to welcome an almost complete stranger into their home for several days solely on the recommendation of their host daughter.

These are some bits and pieces from life at home in Montauban. The family had a beautiful garden with their own fruit (including fresh tomatoes that we ate every day). They taught me how to play Rumi in French, we took walks at the local park, and they introduced me to vanilla fromage blanc (one of my favorite French desserts to date).

I can't even begin to express how grateful I am.