The DU Lounge
Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsHi to everyone
I'm new here, although I've been coming to DU for information for the past few years. I figured it was time to become official. I'm a retired photojournalist and newspaper editor.
Anyway, here's a copy of my profile if you want to know a bit about me.
I'm an American ex-pat who moved to central France about four years ago, mainly so I could realize my dream of traveling all of Europe without having to cross the pond on every trip. Though Covid has put a damper on the travel, I have fallen in love with living in rural France. The people of this region are some of the nicest people I've ever met. Most of the older folks still respect Americans as friends and liberators. Because this area was also home to the Maquis (French Resistance), there are many historical markers detailing the atrocities of the Nazis. It saddens me to see what the MAGA crowd is doing to the country (USA) of my birth. Hopefully, it's not too late to save her.
Viva la France!
Viva la Etats-Unis!
SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)pandr32
(11,581 posts)I love how our community (DU) includes people from all over.
Skittles
(153,150 posts)glad to have you here
secondwind
(16,903 posts)And greetings from the Caribbean 🌴
littlemissmartypants
(22,632 posts)Thanks for saying "Hi" to everyone!
🌻🇺🇦❤🇺🇦🌻
abqtommy
(14,118 posts)Bernardo de La Paz
(49,000 posts)Silver Gaia
(4,544 posts)livetohike
(22,140 posts)Emile
(22,699 posts)gademocrat7
(10,656 posts)Native
(5,942 posts)Hope to hear more from you soon.
mnhtnbb
(31,384 posts)We have another DU'er who moved to Aix en Provence from Philly several years ago. GoneOffShore posts photos frequently in our Photography group.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/103698093
I toyed with the idea of decamping to Lyon, but Covid hit before I could plan an extended stay of several months to try out the idea. Now I think I'll be limited to visiting, once it feels safe to travel again.
Your timing was good!
I'll look into the photography group.
Gilbert Moore
(218 posts)Timvrip,
Are you fluent in French ?
timvrip
(32 posts)But total immersion is a great way to learn a language.
The French are very happy if you try to speak in their native tongue. Most of them know a bit of English and then, of course, there is Google Translate when all else fails.
Bonne journée!
Demnation
(391 posts)2naSalit
(86,572 posts)Wish I were there with you!
pazzyanne
(6,549 posts)This is a great place to share, receive information and discuss ideas.
SallyHemmings
(1,821 posts)Rhiannon12866
(205,237 posts)We're glad to have you with us!
Ferrets are Cool
(21,106 posts)I envy you living in rural France.
timvrip
(32 posts)Sucha NastyWoman
(2,748 posts)How is the cost of living there?
You might be living my dream.
timvrip
(32 posts)Fuel is more expensive. Right now around 1.80 euros per liter, which would make it around $7.50 per gallon.
Grocery costs are the same or lower.
Real estate is very reasonable.
So, not a whole lot different than the U.S.
Travel is very cheap. Trains run everywhere. And planes. I recently flew to Spain for 38 euros roundtrip.
C'est Bon!
japple
(9,822 posts)It might be MTG's district now, but we're gonna get that worked out soon.