Rich 'n Katy Land

France is DELIGHTFUL, especially when you can bounce from one good friend to another. We are in Grenoble now with the coolest cats, Rich and Katy Splane, who are studying french for the year.

So, Grenoble is in a valley surrounded by mountains, the ALPS to be exact. It was pretty cloudy and gloomy the first couple of days, but has been bright and sunny (sometimes windy) for the last three days.
Pictures of Alps: (these are only the small mountains right around the town. The LARGE, rocky Alps are behind these smaller ones, but, we don't have a very good picture of the big guys because it has been too hazy up there.)



Where Rich and Katy live. (you can see a bit of the Alps over the right corner of the house, they are in a pretty sweet spot)


When we first got here, Ty was SO excited to see his pal Rich that he was following him around everywhere. In fact, our first day here, instead of going and touring Grenoble a bit to see the sights, he wanted to stay and help Rich clean. He chose the mop over the Alps, you know he was missing his RICH time!!


Unfortunately, we haven't been able to do much since we got here. Almost the moment we walked into their warm and relaxing house, we got SICK!!! First I wasn't feeling good and then Tyrn hit a wall. I made him go touring for a bit even though he was feeling sick, but took pity on him and took him to the doctor the next morning.
The sick trooper visiting Grenoble for his wife. The things you do for LOVE!


Visiting the doctor was quite the experience. We waited in the waiting room for about an hour and a half for the doctor. So, no the French health care system is not speedier than ours, even though their driving is.
Tyrn in the waiting room at the doctors office.


Then we go into the doctor's office, which is also his examining room. He has papers everywhere with stethescopes mixed in. His mail is sitting on top of a scale, his equipment is all strewn about in his office, on tables, his desk and the examining bed. Even though our first impression of this guy was a mad scientist; he turned out to be really nice and took care of us.

Tyrn has Tonsilitis and a bit of Strep throat, I had a minor inflamation of my sinuses and glands. So, he prescribed 4 different medicines, which surprised us as we are used to 1 or 2 usually. Then came the best part, our visit cost 28€, so he asks Ty for it. Ty responds by wondering if he pays the receptionist or the doctor right there. But it was the DOCTOR, so Ty gets out the money and hands it to the doctor across his desk and the Doc pulls his wallet out of his pants pocket to give Ty his change! It was so bizarre, paying a doctor like that!

Tyrn is feeling much better today and hopefully after laying low for another day we will be able to see more tomorrow.

K & T