On my way home soon...

The past week or so has been pretty low key around the farm which is why there were not as many posts as there were in the first part of my trip. I am about to leave the Ferme Auberge within the next hour or so to return to Kate Hill's house for the night. Tomorrow morning I will take the train from Agen back up to Paris where I will have literally 24 hours in the airport since my train had to be changed. My friend Jonathan, who I spent a week with at Kate's is there but who knows if I will meet up with him to kill some time. I am very ready to come back to the states, I need a burrito or cheesesteak or something. the time I had here was amazing and I met so many  sincerely good, generous and inviting people throughout my time here. To those people who helped me out thank you very much and here's a little note personally for each of you:

Kate: Thank you for giving me the opportunity of experiencing what Gascony is all about the local food, farmers and people. I will never forget this for the rest of my life. The way you live your life is very inspiring, and what a lot of people would consider a fantasy, so thank for letting me experience a small part of it.

Jehanne: I know bringing strangers into your house and home, feeding them etc. is what you do for a living, but you do it so effortlessly ( at least you make it look that way ) I thank you so much for bringing me in to work/play on your farm for these past few weeks. I learned more then you may realize and have a greater appreciation for what you and people like you do. You are responsible for so much, a farm, the restaurant, your kids, the people who stay at the farm and the list goes on, yet you always seem relaxed. It's amazing and I wish you all the best... you know you like ketchup you just don't want to admit it.

Claire: the one who I consider my French big sister. First off, thanks for speaking English, with out that I would have been screwed. More importantly, you were the one who made sure I had everything I needed, was comfortable, and showed me around you're little part of the world. The market was a blast and everything else we did. You were a very big part of my experience here and you made it that much easier/better. Thank you. Oh yeah please translate the letter above to you're mom, thanks.

Symon: Oh Symon, you are certainly a character and I really liked "working" and hanging out with you. I agree it was great to have a guy my own age to hang out and talk to while I stayed on the farm. You are an extremely a hard worker and you know how to have a good time too. I have a massive amount of respect for you and you're sister, the way you help your mom out so much. Thanks for everything and you are OBLIGED to keep in touch. - Clemens - keep him in line!

Veronique: Not sure if I spelled you're name right but thanks for showing me the ropes. You have a good sense of humor and I really like working in the lab with you filling all the "boxes."

Except for the hairnet. Anyway Jehanne is very lucky to have you working there at the farm for so long at it seems like you are just another member of the family, you just don't sleep there.

Thank you.

The Chapolard's: Thanks so much for showing me what you do. Butchering is a lost art and you as a family seem to have it down to a science. I learned so much in the 2 days I worked with you and I am sorry again for missing out the last week. Hopefully one day I will be able to grow a mustache as good as you Dominique and when I do, I send you the photo. Most likely for the rest of my life, whenever I eat pork, I will most likely be thinking of you guys. thanks again and keep in touch.

Jonathan, Camas, Eugenie: I'm coming to Portland so I'll talk to you then...but until then, 

J-keep skating C-keep butchering E-keep shooting

Chef Huber- I will see you in a few weeks, but thanks again for inspiring me to make the move and experience things most people only think happen in movies. I am a better cook and person because of it.

Speaking of movies, I am almost done the movie I have been working on showcasing all the "decent" photos I have taken throughout my time here. stay tuned I will post it hopefully by Tuesday or Wednesday.

Thanks again everyone,

~Bill