*On the first day of school in Indianapolis. Zinnie wears a school uniform, but she is allowed her own choice of socks!*

Emily and her family are living in Indianapolis, Indiana for the fall this year. Jos and Emily were invited to be the biennial visiting International Theater Artists, and to teach an undergraduate course for the fall quarter as well as directing a student play at Butler University. Quinn and Zinnie are attending an international school. The family is living in a house on campus that was provided by the theater department. They are having quite an adventure!

After James and Daniel’s celebration in Berkeley, they flew to the midwest and took up residence. They are finding that everyone is extremely kind, welcoming and generous. When they arrived, they discovered their little house full of groceries, flowers and gifts. Four bikes were provided as well as musical instruments for the kids and if they even mention something they might need, it instantly appears.

They were also somewhat surprised to find that the campus is quite beautiful and expansive. There are lots of trees and wildlife. When I think of Indiana, nature isn’t the first image that comes to my mind, but they are, in fact, in a very beautiful location.

*Zinnie and Quinn ride their bikes along a canal to get to and from school*

It’s quite a change for the kids, who of course have their friends in Paris and began this new school year knowing no one at all. Quinn is starting his first year of high school this year. In France junior high school is four years and high school is three years. He is an American sophomore. Zinnie is in her second year of middle school. Apparently they are meeting kids and finding it easy enough to integrate into the classroom. Of course it’s also an international school so many of the other kids have lived all over the world, which makes for less of a culture shock.

Emily thought that the American teaching style might be an eye-opening experience for Quinn and Zinnie. Certainly there are fundamental differences in the French and American educational systems. So far they are enjoying their classes and they have several fun “clubs” which they find entertaining.

*Zinnie is assigned her own locker. This is iconically American. French students don't have lockers*

The American school has a lot of resources and is new and fresh. They are being given music lessons as well as following the usual academic schedule.

*Quinn enjoys the basketball court at his school*

On one of the first weekends in town, the family was invited to the Feast of Lanterns, a city-wide free event with music, food trucks, arts and crafts, vendors and lots of pretty lanterns. The purpose remains a mystery but it was certainly festive.

Jos and Emily have made friends easily in the theater department and seem to be enjoying a kind of social whirlwind. One of the professors is Russian and another studied in Paris at the same time Jos did. They have several mutual friends. Butler University is a prestigious school and therefore attracts some interesting people. Indianapolis turns out to be quite a pleasant place to live. I wouldn’t have imagined that. My father had a job in Fort Wayne, Indiana for a very short period, just long enough for me to be born there. My mother, a San Francisco native, really detested it. They moved away while I was still an infant and I’ve never been back.

*Lots of food and drink to choose from at the feast*

The part of Indianapolis where the family is living is full of upscale residences. The houses look very Americana. The farmer’s market on Saturday mornings is a family favorite. The houses could almost be the set for The Music Man.

On a recent weekend, the family was invited to the home of a tech billionaire entrepreneur, turned philanthropist who just happens to be friends with some of the Butler crowd that Jos and Emily hang out with. It was something of a surprise for them to find themselves in a luxury boat on a lake.

*This is not a hotel but rather the swimming pool and private dock*

Apparently everyone had a great time, kicking back and participating, if only briefly, in the life-style of the rich and famous.

*Someone seems to have just said something very funny*

The afternoon included a challenge for Quinn. The boat pilot tried to knock him off the inner tube by racing the engine and turning in and out of the wake. Quinn held on tenaciously, and was greatly admired for his endurance.

*Preparing to be towed behind the motor boat*

Yesterday there was an arts festival in town, just a fifteen minute bike ride from their home down the canal. It is reportedly the biggest art festival in the U.S. with 20,000 visitors shopping for arts and crafts of every type. The family rode up on their bikes to the ticket booth ready to pay their entrance fee, a rather hefty $20. a piece. The ticket vendor informed them that someone just before them had bought four extra tickets and asked him to give them to a family. So they entered free, feeling as if they are currently living under a lucky star.

The event was held on the beautiful grounds of the Indianapolis Museum of Modern Art.

*The day was mild and the atmosphere pleasant*

There was music, dancing, food and lots of art. Another interesting experience for the family.

*There were several stages with various entertainments*

All in all, the family is really enjoying themselves, even as they work hard and feel a little twinge of homesickness. They feel as if they’re living in a bit of a bubble, in the middle of a kind of unexpected, but very amazing adventure.

In any case, I daresay they’ll remember this short time as a kind of pleasant lark.

Meanwhile…

La Belle Epoque

Preparations