France 2022 Journal Entry #1: We’re staying in a fortress town with 1,000 year old walls!

Friday – November 4, 2022

I am so thankful for all of the opportunities that come across my path through my advocacy work. I can’t believe I am staying in a magical “castle” with 1,000 year old walls! I love being surrounded by this depth of history. Thank you to everyone who supports this advocacy work in one way or another.

I have been wanting to come to Europe to test European consumer goods (and public and private spaces) for as long as I can remember (for as long as I have been using an XRF instrument.) I am so thankful that France granted me permission to bring an XRF instrument here for testing. I am looking forward to sharing some interesting new information with all of you in the near future. I have already learned so much about regulatory standards for consumer goods in France (hint: some of them – at least – seem to be quite a bit better than in the U.S.!) in just two full days of being here.

If you know anyone in France (or nearby) who would like to meet up with me to have their things (dishes?, jewelry?, antiques?, heirlooms?, toys?) tested for free OR if you know someone here who would like to organize a free consumer goods testing event in their community while I am in the country, please have them be in touch with me! My life is truly an adventure and for that I am forever grateful.