We caught our flight to Lyon with no
problems, arrived in France, went
through Customs and began our drive to Grenoble. We started speaking French as soon as
we touched down at the
airport.
So we’re driving down l’autoroute and
suddenly the
Alps appeared. We saw tiny houses situated
on the faces of these
gargantuan masses of stone. Even some houses carved into them - les troglodites. We kept trying to
express our excitement about the coming semester but
none of us knew enough French to truly capture our
feelings. We arrived at our hotel
and headed off to eat lunch. It was a vast improvement above the
English dining we
did. Then we went back to the
hotel for interviews for
placement in host families (this took about 5 excruciating hours). After, we ate dinner and some of us called our families
(Marcia B. was so excited she spoke to me in French for half the conversation) and then, mercifully, it was bedtime after a long, long day. The next
morning I met
Christy for a run and we witnessed the sunrise over
the Alps… this place is brimming with beauty.
Then we ate and went to the
Université de Grenoble, where we will all be attending language
classes. We were briefed on
behavior and French customs for
when we live in our families. And
we were asked a few
supplemental questions to ensure correct host family placement.
Next we took our
placement test for classes, always a humbling
experience. The last time I took one was after my summer in Tours in 2000. You start with listening
exercises. They speak fast and you have to decipher what they are saying, complete sentences, and answer comprehension questions. Then
there is a written part
which tests grammar.
There is also a one
on one speaking session with a professor, so intimidating! I saw some
improvement which pleased me, but still I recognized why
I’m in need a whole year of language studies and immersion. When
that was over, we went
back to our hotel to meet our host families. I was greeted
by a divorcée with no children at home who lives near the
center of town. I am kind of far
from the rest of the
people I like in the group, but after I get mon portable, I will feel more connected. Europe really
knows how to do transportation. I
am a bus or tram ride away
from anywhere I want to go. I am
about a 35 minute bus ride
from the université though, so that’s not very fun. Though, I was told that’s a normal
student commute.
I spent an
absolutely wonderful evening with Madame Barby-Tarragon. She is hilarious, and so
are her friends. Her best friend
drove us to her apartment. She
showed me my little yellow room, asked
me what I like to eat, then went to market to get food for
dinner. Nicole, her friend, told
me she’s an excellent
cook and did she ever prove it at dinner.
She made
quiche-lorraine, a salad with a dressing to die for, mussels in a
vinegar sauce with cucumbers, onions and peppers as an
appetizer, and everything was fantastic.
We talked the whole
time. I barely had a chance to
eat. They asked me a lot of questions and I asked them everything I could think
of. Two of her friends stopped by
later and it was a regular
party. Five women sitting around watching the french Version
of “Fame” on TV with these young kids with horrible voices and aspirations of
becoming stars and it was SO funny.
All the women, Mme Tarragon, Nicole, and her two friends are
divorced. I showed them the
pictures I have of my
friends on my computer and they LOVED them. They laughed
and laughed at all the crazy photos and they especially
loved Matt Morgan and Nate. Luke, they think you are mentally
challenged. The only pictures I
have of you are ones from
King and Queens, and from Charades night.
We caught you in
some strange poses and they died laughing. They said (in
French) “Now we know why you are single, Karla!!” Ladies, they think you are all gorgeous. They commented on your beauty numerous
times.
We had so much
fun. They asked me questions they have about
Americans, they told me about their favorite movie
stars. We talked about the single
life, and how to get around
France. We talked about Grenoble and what there is to do around
here. I
am going to love
living here. It’s now day 2 in
Grenoble and the sun is
shining. It is warm and I’m on my
way to the tourism office
to find out about traveling. Hope
you all are well and I
look forward to talking to you soon.
Au revoir!
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