After a three-hour train ride (we were stopped on the tracks for about 30 minutes), I arrived in Rennes on Sunday afternoon. I met my host family, who took me on a tour of Rennes and then home for a wonderful French dinner (4 courses is the norm).
I absolutely love my host family. They are so nice and understanding. Carole, my host mom, and Manu, my host dad, love explaining things to me in French and trading cultural information. Manu spent a year and a half in Toronto, so he knows a little English. Last night we had a conversation about "cookies," and Manu found a church cookbook he received while in Toronto. Since Maxime, my little brother, confessed that he didn't know what a chocolate chip cookie was, I have decided that we will be having an American baking party very soon.
Maxime (12) is really smart and funny. He challenges his parents all the time (normal in France), and they correct him. He is learning how to argue and stand up for himself, while at the same time learning obedience (he rarely wins) and French speaking skills (he is often told to say something so that it sounds "more French"). Maxime loves Mario Bros, and for the past three evenings we have played together. Maxime is Mario and in charge; I am one of the mushroom people and do what he tells me to, when I can understand his quick speaking (he is especially fast when playing Mario Bros because he gets so excited). Luckily for me, Maxime is very nice (like his parents) and doesn't care at all when I colossally mess up the mission because I didn't "Attends!" (Wait!) or "Viens!" (Come!) or "Saute!" (Jump!).
I haven't met Charlotte (9) yet because she is on a ski trip in the Alps with her class (how incredible is that?). Her teacher has been posting pictures online, so I've seen her with her in her bright red snow suit and skis looking adorable. I'm excited to meet her! She comes back on Saturday.
I also have a bird to count along with my other family members. I'm not sure what kind of bird it is because it was in French, but I do know that its name is Roucoups (must verify spelling) which is a form of the French verb "to coo." Roucoups coos all the time, so the name suits him well. He fills his little lungs up with air and then ruffles his feathers as he releases the air in the form of a very loud "WOOOOO" sound. Sometimes he does a little dance to go along with his song
My house is kind of like a townhouse--pretty vertical with almost no lawn. There are three floors. The first floor contains the foyer, kitchen, and living room; the second, my family's bedrooms; and the third...is all mine. I have my own bathroom and a loft-like bedroom furnished with a big bed, a desk, and a lounge chair, not to mention the ample closet space and skylight. It's perfect!
My house is kind of like a townhouse--pretty vertical with almost no lawn. There are three floors. The first floor contains the foyer, kitchen, and living room; the second, my family's bedrooms; and the third...is all mine. I have my own bathroom and a loft-like bedroom furnished with a big bed, a desk, and a lounge chair, not to mention the ample closet space and skylight. It's perfect!
My French self is a very adventurous eater. I've eaten raw mushrooms as appetizers, tested out some really smelly French cheese, and even braved fish tonight. (It was actually not that bad. For those of you not in the know, I usually make gagging noises when mushrooms or fish are on my plate.) It looks like Carole and Manu are willing to let me cook with them, so that should be really fun! Yesterday we made a "tarte" (pie) filled with ham, ravioli stuffed with basil, and sourcream mixed with nutmeg, and then topped with cheese. French food has a slightly different taste to it that I can't quite put my finger on. It's very simple and fresh, and definitely more healthy than most American treats.
My first class à la fac (slang for university) is tomorrow. I am taking an English class with French students majoring in English. It will be a great opportunity for me to meet French friends while owning an English class and getting a great perspective on how English works are read and taught in France. My course will cover some poetry by Emily Dickinson and William Faulkner's Sanctuary, as well as the works of one other author.
We'll see how it goes...
Otherwise I have lots of free time which I am using to read books (just finished Ella Enchanted for the fiftieth time, starting on Harry Potter 7 en français tonight), knit (tricoter), and relax with my host family. I watch the news with them and we discuss the headlines. Yesterday we talked about euthanasia and their dislike for the French President Sarkozy ("Sarko"). Sigh. It's just like Madame Allen said it would be. Only better.
That's good that you're being an adventurous eater! It was the same with me when I went to Spain, and now I'm able to eat SO much more than I used to.
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