I was pleased the today to receive some emails from the other assistants in the Ile-de-France. They had decided to meet at the fountain at St. Michel. Little did I realize, they had actually meant Thursday and not Wednesday. However, I went to the fountain anyway, and was pleased to meet another assistant who just as confused as I was. Her name is Elizabeth. We waited in the rain for about 30 minutes waiting for other assistants who of course never came. So, we went and had a coffee. We both had a fair amount in common growing up in Christian homes, attending small Christian liberal arts colleges and both loving France! We had some good conversation over coffee, and then decided we were both hungry so we went looking for a place to eat.
We found this warm cozy Irish pub on a little side street. It was rainy and cold and we were looking for something warm. So, in the spirit of finding something warm, I ordered this delicious Irish stew and washed it down with an extremely smooth and well poured Guinness. I couldn't have been more content. A nice girl sitting a cross from me and my belly full of stew and Guinness. (At some point in our conversation she dropped a hint that she had a boyfriend, but I was ignoring that for the time being because the situation was all too perfect except for that little tidbit).
We both decided that we were going to go to church together, so I am glad to find someone to go with, even if she is already taken.
Last night, the actual night everybody was supposed to meet up, Elizabeth and I finally met some other assistants. There were about 20 of us who met at the fountain and then went to another Irish Pub and then a Sangria bar after that. It was nice to meet the other assistants, but I am not sure how many of them I would hang out with on a regular basis. None of the guys were all that interesting and mostly they were just bragging about this and that or the other. A couple of guys and I talked about classical literature and the state of our government, but I wouldn't really hang out with them for fun. I do enjoy Elizabeth's company, so I imagine that we have the possibility of being friends.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Paris, Seulement
The last several days I have spent mostly alone, with the occasional call from my mutha. I really started to feel like an expatriate in a foreign country because some of the newness had worn off and because all the teachers had gone back to work. So, I was left to fend for myself. Basically, everyday, I would go into Paris, walk around for a while and get lost. I went to book stores, clothing stores, cafes and even got lost in the red light district. It was during period when even the slightest fleeting conversation from anyone was quite welcomed.
Every other day or so, I go to this fruit stand that is outside my train station. The guy who serves me is in his late 20's, so not much older than me. He was quite friendly the first day I bought some peaches and bananas from him. When I am came by the second day he said a friendly hello and how are you (in french of course) but I was so elated that I recognized someone and they recognized me! This was the first time in days I had seen anyone that I knew in even the remotest of ways.
Every other day or so, I go to this fruit stand that is outside my train station. The guy who serves me is in his late 20's, so not much older than me. He was quite friendly the first day I bought some peaches and bananas from him. When I am came by the second day he said a friendly hello and how are you (in french of course) but I was so elated that I recognized someone and they recognized me! This was the first time in days I had seen anyone that I knew in even the remotest of ways.
Une Soiree a Chez Alex
I was able to spend the next several nights with some other teachers from the Lycee. The first night we went to the pub to watch the World Cup of Rugby, specifically a match between Ireland and France. I have never watched rugby so most of what was going was lost on me. I did have a good pint of an Extra Special Bitter and some good conversation. It was funny as I was watching the match because people around me could tell that I was confused. And, if they didn't know me, they would try to explain to me in all different languages what was going on. Some thought I was French, English and Spanish. I guess that is a good thing because I didn't look obviously American, which is of course every American's dream in Europe, not too look American.
The next night I was invited to a "soiree" at one of the teachers apartment. I walked to the old part of the village I live so I could get something to bring to the party. Upon entering the boulangerie, I asked, in French, the lady behind the counter what I should bring to this little party I was going to. After a couple of questions she brought out this nice gateau and I was on my way. The night of the soiree was a beautiful night and we were eating and drinking outside in this beautiful little courtyard. This town they live in used to be a farm town and they acutally live in an apartment that used to be part of the original farm house. There was a table setup on the cobble stone courtyard with candles lit, red wine flowing and little Diana Krall drifting down from the window above. When you looked up, just over the building you could just see the steeple of the little church in the village. It was absolutely perfect.
The next night I was invited to a "soiree" at one of the teachers apartment. I walked to the old part of the village I live so I could get something to bring to the party. Upon entering the boulangerie, I asked, in French, the lady behind the counter what I should bring to this little party I was going to. After a couple of questions she brought out this nice gateau and I was on my way. The night of the soiree was a beautiful night and we were eating and drinking outside in this beautiful little courtyard. This town they live in used to be a farm town and they acutally live in an apartment that used to be part of the original farm house. There was a table setup on the cobble stone courtyard with candles lit, red wine flowing and little Diana Krall drifting down from the window above. When you looked up, just over the building you could just see the steeple of the little church in the village. It was absolutely perfect.
First Blog
Well, after a little more than 18 hours of traveling, I finally arrived in Massy, France. My new home town. One of the teachers from the school was kind enough to pick me up from the train station (of which there are two in my town!). Upon meeting up with her, I found out that my room was not ready at the lycee. At first this was a little unsettling, but she said that I could stay at her place for the next couple of nights until my room is ready. I spent most of the day with another English teacher at the school because she is younger and is going to be my main contact. Her name is Myriam. She is technically Canadien. She speaks English fluently as she did a program like I am doing in England. I am not sure how old she is, probably 25 or 26. She is extremely friendly and quite attractive as well (and she is single!)
We went to the Boulangerie/Patisserie that she says is the best in our town. We got some pastries for tea. We had tea with her long time friend Emily. Emily greeted me with a bisou or kiss (my first from a real French woman!). After tea, Myriam wanted me to meet her father, so they took me out to dinner. They were both extremely friendly and during our dinner we covered everything from John Lennon to religion and finished with a discussion of politics. Several things we are taught not to talk about in an American family, but that are quite common in French conversation. I was happy to talk about anything of these topics with them and share my opinions (as anyone knows me can attest). It was a great time and by the end I was ready for bed because I had not slept for nearly 15 hours or so. Today, I think I am going to open a bank account and do a couple of those sort of things with Myriam. That's all for now.
We went to the Boulangerie/Patisserie that she says is the best in our town. We got some pastries for tea. We had tea with her long time friend Emily. Emily greeted me with a bisou or kiss (my first from a real French woman!). After tea, Myriam wanted me to meet her father, so they took me out to dinner. They were both extremely friendly and during our dinner we covered everything from John Lennon to religion and finished with a discussion of politics. Several things we are taught not to talk about in an American family, but that are quite common in French conversation. I was happy to talk about anything of these topics with them and share my opinions (as anyone knows me can attest). It was a great time and by the end I was ready for bed because I had not slept for nearly 15 hours or so. Today, I think I am going to open a bank account and do a couple of those sort of things with Myriam. That's all for now.
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