At 8:30am we touched down at Charles du Galle airport in Paris! The flight was long, but filled with great movies to catch up on. After locating all of our bags we met up with the Abbey Director, Robbie, who was kind enough to pick us up and drive us back to the Abbey where we would be working and living for the next 3 weeks. Since we were still on U.S. time, we were all starving(!) and we decided to stop in Blois, a town about 25km from Pontlevoy, for a typical French lunch. After some much needed cafe (coffee) and pommes frites (french fries) we were refeuled and decided to walk around the town for a bit. It was very quiet because it is Sunday and it was "siesta" time -- which apparently happens in France as well as Spain! Blois was very quaint with cobblestone streets, fun pubs and brasseries - we defintely want to go back when it's a little livelier. 
Not long after, we found ourselves pulling up to the Abbey itself! Pontlevoy is a small town (1800 people) and the Abbey is literally right in the town and very much a part of the culture. It is beautiful! We hauled our luggage up 4+ flights of stairs (no elevator here!) which resulted in laughter and people needing to shower...and after a brief hour long "settle in" period in our individual dorm-style rooms, we were ready for a tour of the property given by Robbie. Not only does he manage all of the programs here, but he keeps all of the grounds and buildings up as well! We hope to post pictures as we take them because words cannot begin to explain how large the property is here and how much detail is in each of the buildings. There are stories behind everything! We also walked through Pontlevoy itself where we saw the local cafe/pub, bakery and a random street carnival taking place. Tomorrow we will go to the market and buy food in order to cook our own meals.
We are all so excited to get started on the project now that we've actually seen the amazing property we are working on behalf of. With a 5 hour time difference we're all struggling to stay awake right now, but we're having pizza for dinner in about an hour!
Au revoir for now! Enjoy the photos of our first day.
Not long after, we found ourselves pulling up to the Abbey itself! Pontlevoy is a small town (1800 people) and the Abbey is literally right in the town and very much a part of the culture. It is beautiful! We hauled our luggage up 4+ flights of stairs (no elevator here!) which resulted in laughter and people needing to shower...and after a brief hour long "settle in" period in our individual dorm-style rooms, we were ready for a tour of the property given by Robbie. Not only does he manage all of the programs here, but he keeps all of the grounds and buildings up as well! We hope to post pictures as we take them because words cannot begin to explain how large the property is here and how much detail is in each of the buildings. There are stories behind everything! We also walked through Pontlevoy itself where we saw the local cafe/pub, bakery and a random street carnival taking place. Tomorrow we will go to the market and buy food in order to cook our own meals.
We are all so excited to get started on the project now that we've actually seen the amazing property we are working on behalf of. With a 5 hour time difference we're all struggling to stay awake right now, but we're having pizza for dinner in about an hour!
Au revoir for now! Enjoy the photos of our first day.
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