Mon Nouvel Environment (My New Environment)

This morning Alain and I took out the Fiat Panda and drive it around in order to teach me stick shift and to tour some of the city. Fortunately, since I’d done a little driving this summer, I did pretty well with my little Panda. And without driving too far out of town, I saw three castles, each more beautiful than the last (pictured below). We went to Château le Vivier, Château Fort Blandy and Vaux Vicomte (my camera battery ran out at Vaux Vicomte, but it looks exactly like Verseille).

Château le Vivier

Quaint Old Town around Château Blandy

Eglise Saint Maurice next to Château Blandy

Château Blandy (much more impressive than this picture)

After that we went to a party for the niece of the parents. It was her first birthday. While I have been made aware of how terrible my French is, it was made even clearer at this party. Possibly the most awkward half and hour of my life happened at the party while I was meeting everyone and they didn’t yet know that I did not speak French. Clearly a new-comer, I was asked questions to which I responded with silence and blinking because I couldn’t translate and respond quickly enough. Also, as I am not yet a pro at the cheek kiss I probably offended many people. Mostly I hid away from people so that I could avoid the awkward smiles and franglais (frenglish?) conversation. The food was very good and the people were very nice. It turns out that most people know a little English and some are very good, so I did talk to some people. I also debuted the most French I ever spoke in France (I said that I could in fact speak more than I was showing, but I was afraid that my pronunciation would be terrible—yeay!! She was I was very good—yeay!!) There were some strange miscommunications, still. I had a plate of food that I finished and a little boy ran by and stepped on it. I brought it to the hostess, trying to explain that someone stepped on it. However, I think my gestures went awry and it looked more like I was trying to break the plate with my foot. The plate fiasco continued sometime later, when I asked her if I could help her with anything but she thought I wanted my plate back. Eventually, the whole matter was resolved when she "understood" that I "wanted" a chair. Miscommunication ended, thank heaven.

I came back to skype while the children went to see a movie. So here I am; writing to you about my day. Monday I will cook my first meal (yet to be decided) and also attempt to communicate with the parents in French, or at least as much as possible. Till next time!

Pronunciation key (For Americans!):

Chateau: Sha Toe --- Fort: Four -- Vivier: Veev yay! -- Blandy: Blondy -- Vaux Vicomte: Voh Vee Comt

Mon arrivée (My Arrival)

Ok SO! My journey! So much to write! Due to a number of reasons, I just didn’t really feel that almost overwhelming excitement in while I was in Atlanta leaving. Don’t get me wrong I was very excited to go but butterflies hadn’t taken over my stomach—which was good because I could eat and sleep like a normal person. Anyway! The plane ride was decent. I met a very nice couple, the food was good, and the movies were entertaining. I even slept some except for when a little girl started to FREAK OUT when we hit some turbulence. To keep you lovely people informed, I tried to remember some thoughts throughout my travels. Here are the recurring ones:
1. To Heck with this heavy, bulky backpack! Why did I need to pack so much!!
2. Thank Sweet Baby Jesus for Dr. Scholl’s inserts!!
3. HURRY UP!! I WANT TO GET THERE!!!
4. YEAY!! Finally!

I arrived in London to a cloudy morning (surprise, surprise) and waited in a long security line to get to my terminal. It was so nice to hear British accents! And some stores brought back some Scottish memories because of their names and products. But after a little sushi lunch, it was time to hurry up and wait at the gate.

This is where I really felt like I was going to France. All of a sudden I was on the flight and was going to be picked up by my family. Also, everyone around me was speaking French. Holy _____!!!! The plane is late to board and late to leave due to either rain or the 6 people in wheel chairs on the flight. I slept just a touch on this short little flight. Then I disembark and I am in Paris. Holy ______!!!! As I am holding in the contents of my stomach, I shoot through customs and go to get my bag. So I wait for my extraordinarily heavy bags and leave to meet my family!

CDG is not an impressive airport. So it was easy to spot the kids. I saw Eliot first and then Zoe. Neither really recognized me until I too-awkwardly-for-a-stranger smiled and kept eye contact. So I kissed Caroline hello and then the kids. Then we were off to the car!! I’ve been speaking in all English since I got here because my courage is fairly depleted right now.
The car ride was easy and their house is precious. They have ridiculous trees that grow apples and plums and apricots plus many vegetable plants. Their neighborhood in picturesque (pictures to follow—I’m trying hard to act like a tourist, but the second I get a moment alone—pictures-a-plenty, my friend) My room is small-ish and plain, but it’s all that I need.
I brought the kids books as presents (some say lame, I say ENGLISH!): Cat in the Hat and 1 Fish 2 Fish etc for Zoe and Indian in the Cupboard and Where the Red Fern Grows for Eliot. Loved it!! Zoe asked me to read with her, so I read her CITH and then she read/is reading (e haven’t finished it just yet) 1 Fish 2 Fish Fish Fish. Super cute.

The next day. We hung out and played board games after a walk down the street (beautiful). Zoe and Eliot talked more today. Super cute accents. And with little vocab, I’ve heard most of it I think. Zoe says many things are beautiful (boo T full) and judges the characters in the Dr. Seuss books are being beautiful or not beautiful. Eliot is the typical 9 year old boy energy, gas noises and all… but he’s generally chill. Apparently, it’s Zoe that is my biggest fan. AT dinner she asked for her parents to speak in English to everyone at the table, not just me. This is a first and a HUGE surprise for the family! I hope I can keep up the good work!

Final notes: I’ve eaten delicious cheese at every meal since I arrived. In fact dessert in this household is a plate with 4 types of cheeses on it, yogurt, and fruit. Hello digestive adjustment. Also, I sleep downstairs and the rest of the bedrooms are upstairs. Oddly, the family bathroom is downstairs and my bathroom is upstairs… Although it does have some logic to it because one if bigger (family) and mine is just a touch new (thanks French Fam!). I also get the new car because its easier to shift (thanks again Frenchies!).
Ah, mais bonne nuit mes amis! (Good night my friends!!) More to come later!!

– Brief funny story: The British flight attendant was giving drinks out and my lovely neighbor asked for tomato juice which then prompted the attendant to ask if she wanted sauce. I for one had never heard of sauce in tomato juice and neither had this lady. The flight attendant took that beat of misunderstanding to mean that we couldn’t understand his British accent and preceded to say sauce southern-like. Haha… maybe you have to hear it yourself...—