One month in Lille

We left Virginia on July 31 and today is August 31. It's been a month but we've been very busy so the time has flown by. Here's a few observations in no particular order of importance.

• Bailey has adjusted to a lot of things very quickly and very well. She has no problem being on a leash and no issue with doing her business while leashed. The biggest aspect of city life that still bothers her is the traffic, and motorcycles in particular (too loud and fast).
• I've been walking an average of nine miles a day, most of that with Bailey. What I don't know is whether the increased calorie burn is making up for increased consumption of bread and beer. We are eating much more fresh fruit and vegetables, but I don't yet know the net result in terms of its effects on my weight and blood sugar.
• Speaking of beer, I have a new favorite style, which is the Belgian Triple. A nearby French brewery called Paix Dieu makes my current favorite but I've yet to have one that I don't like.
• Clay's exhaustive research and planning have really paid off in terms of finding a nice Air B&B as a temporary home, getting our immigration status settled (and Bailey's), getting internet and phone service that works, finding our way around, and even finding a new apartment. I don't know how anyone would ever make a move like this without Clay.
• I'm enrolled in an language course beginning the second week of September, three hours a day, five days a week, and although that sounds onerous, I'm looking forward to it because I really would like to be able to communicate better, especially with people in the dog park.
• Everything has been going very well. The locals are friendly. The only bad, really devastating, thing to happen occurred yesterday. We were riding the subway back after visiting a brewery in a nearby suburb. It was fairly crowded so we were standing when some young man looked at me and offered me his seat. While that gesture reinforced my point about the locals being very friendly, it dealt a death blow to my ego and self image from which I may never recover. I will accept senior discounts wherever they are available, but I prefer needing to prove my age to get them. I guess it's time to start a skincare routine. 

Pictures and video below are of Bailey on walks and at the dog park.