Fall in France

Ah, fall in France; crisp, clear blue skies, and the smell of upcoming winter in the air.  Or that might be dog poo that I smell.

Fall is the time of la rentrée, when the town is reacquainted with hordes of children traveling in packs, monopolizing precious sidewalk space and irritating me with their perfect and slang-filled French.  I don't see how these kids ever get any schoolwork done, as they always seem to be traipsing back and forth between school and the gym located by where I work, or for walks in the forest. 

Fall is also the time when I start to wonder if I'll ever have heat in the apartment again - the heat is included in the rent, but as it's steam heat, the building is subject to the whims of the caretaker as to when it is turned on and off each year.  Brrr.

However, I'll have more warmth than I'll know what to do with as I head to Tucson, Arizona tomorrow.  It's still in the upper 90s there during the day.  I'm staying with friends who have a pool  (doesn't everyone there?)  We're also going to Oktoberfest this weekend, although beer and stifling heat don't go well together in my mind.  Just think, I could be going to Munich instead.  I should add that to my list of things to do before I die - Oktoberfest in Germany.