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timvrip

(32 posts)
Fri Mar 4, 2022, 05:53 AM Mar 2022

Hi 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!

30 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Hi to everyone (Original Post) timvrip Mar 2022 OP
Welcome to DU! SheltieLover Mar 2022 #1
Welcome from Hawaii! pandr32 Mar 2022 #2
HOWDY from Texas, timvrip! Skittles Mar 2022 #3
Welcome to DU! secondwind Mar 2022 #4
Welcome to DU, timvrip. Be sure to check out our many interesting groups... littlemissmartypants Mar 2022 #5
Welcome. It's good to have you here. nt abqtommy Mar 2022 #6
Hi Bernardo de La Paz Mar 2022 #7
Welcome to DU! Silver Gaia Mar 2022 #8
Welcome to DU! livetohike Mar 2022 #9
Nice to meet you! Emile Mar 2022 #10
Welcome to DU, timvrip! gademocrat7 Mar 2022 #11
Welcome from Florida! Native Mar 2022 #12
Welcome to DU! mnhtnbb Mar 2022 #13
Thanks timvrip Mar 2022 #26
Welcome ! Gilbert Moore Mar 2022 #14
Not too fluent timvrip Mar 2022 #21
... markie Mar 2022 #15
Welcome to the community. Welcome to the convo! Demnation Mar 2022 #16
Welcome to DU... 2naSalit Mar 2022 #17
Welcome from Minnesota! pazzyanne Mar 2022 #18
Bon jour! SallyHemmings Mar 2022 #19
And welcome to DU from Northeastern New York! Rhiannon12866 Mar 2022 #20
Welcome to a fellow photojournalist!! Ferrets are Cool Mar 2022 #22
It's a beautiful place! nt timvrip Mar 2022 #27
Enchante timvrip Sucha NastyWoman Mar 2022 #23
Not bad timvrip Mar 2022 #25
Welcome to DU from a proud Democratic member of the 14th Congressional District of Georgia!!! japple Mar 2022 #24
😍😍😍 secondwind Mar 2022 #28
Hiya! Ohiya Mar 2022 #29
Welcome! IrishAfricanAmerican Mar 2022 #30

littlemissmartypants

(22,632 posts)
5. Welcome to DU, timvrip. Be sure to check out our many interesting groups...
Fri Mar 4, 2022, 06:57 AM
Mar 2022

Thanks for saying "Hi" to everyone!



🌻🇺🇦❤🇺🇦🌻

mnhtnbb

(31,384 posts)
13. Welcome to DU!
Fri Mar 4, 2022, 07:41 AM
Mar 2022

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!

timvrip

(32 posts)
21. Not too fluent
Fri Mar 4, 2022, 08:13 AM
Mar 2022

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!

timvrip

(32 posts)
25. Not bad
Fri Mar 4, 2022, 08:53 AM
Mar 2022

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)
24. Welcome to DU from a proud Democratic member of the 14th Congressional District of Georgia!!!
Fri Mar 4, 2022, 08:30 AM
Mar 2022

It might be MTG's district now, but we're gonna get that worked out soon.

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