They've arrived!

Here they are! Marie Therese and Anne Marie arrived safely at O'Hare and got through customs, etc., in about an hour. 

First thing we did was to drive past the house where I grew up with my grandparents and my mother. Marie had visited that house and stayed with my mother back in 1966 when I was in Africa, but in her memory, the house looked very different.

We drove along Devon Avenue for miles, past Catholic churches, and then past Jewish synagogues, and then past Indian and Pakistani shops. Finally we got to Rogers Park and the lovely home of Thom Clark and Jean Bryan.

Marie Therese, Anne Marie, Jean, and Thom

Thom went to buy fish. Marie, up for anything, decided to go with him.  

Marie: premier shopping en amerique une boutique de poissons comme dans le 19e  a Paris.

While Thom and Marie Therese were out buying fish, Jean showed Anne Marie some family photos.  Anne Marie:  c'est mon premier echange en anglais pas tres concluant

Thom is telling Marie about the Native American culture at Mesa Verde, a place which we will visit in a few weeks.

After our fish dinner, we stopped at the Heartland Cafe to see a photo exhibit. Two of Thom's photos are in the show.

Can you see how cold it is outside? Maybe not! We're having a good time.

Jean took us downtown Chicago to see "Chicago By Night." I was delighted to be back in my hometown, and I think Marie Therese and Anne Marie were impressed.

As I type this, Marie Therese and Anne Marie are sound asleep. I had hoped they could write a bit here in French about their first impressions. Maybe tomorrow!