Salut! I apologize in advance for any odd grammar mistakes, I'm still trying to figure out this mixed up french keyboard. After two unforgetable, yet very tiring two days in Paris, where we visited Notre Dame, the Eiffel tour and many other well known landmarks, we, the other OSEF students travelling to Lyon and myself, made our way back to Charles de Gaulles airport, to catch our TGV (a train that travells at 263 km/h hence the name TGV, which in french translates to, very, very fast train) to Lyon.
We arrived in Lyon 45 minutes en retard, which I think was due to a broken down train in front of us. At the train station I was met by Mme Salesse, otherwise known as Linda and Laura and was immediately introduced to la bise, the way in which people in France greet each other, by kissing the person you are greeting on both cheeks. For everybody reading this that have been to France or plan on coming, you will learn or have already have learned this greeting technique very quickly.
We then drove for a meer fifteen minutes to arrive in the charming village of le Tour de Salvagny where I will be staying for the next three months. What amazes me the most about le Tour de Salvagny is how it feels so much like an old, quaint, southern European home in the country, where all the houses are archaic, with red tiled roofs and gorgeous views of hilly fields, where the local farm animals enjoy grazing in the warm sun, and that even though it feels so much like I just described it, we're only minutes away from the large city of Lyon that lies on the banks of le Rhone. Le Tour de Salvagny and it's near regions are an outstanding mix of big European city and quiet European country, all of this topped off with the warmth of the sun that always seems to be shining.
We (now myself and the present Salesse's) arrived at the Salesse family home after a quick stop at the local boulangerie (which smells absolutely delicious!), to pick up some baguets for dinner. The Salesses house is lovely, with windows that open like doors onto the porch, which offers breathtaking views of the the grassy hills, speckled with red roofed houses, alluminated by the soft glow of the sun. *Sigh*, I could get used to this.
Laura and I then rode bikes around the village, all the way to College Jacques Coeurs, where I now go to school. After returning home I was even more pooped than before and started to unpack my bags. Later that evening we had a big french dinner with all the family, Laura, my exchange partner, Linda and Jean Jacques, my host parents, Elsa and Alex, Laura's older siblings and Allan, Elsa's boyfriend. It was a really great dinner, I even tried patté, which isn't actually that bad. At the end of a fantastic and delicious dinner, exhausted I went to bed.
Before I knew it, it was 6:30am and I was up in a flash, or at least I would like to think so, ready for my first day of school, which I was a bit frightened about, not going to lie. Laura and I took the bus to school, where I did la bise more times than I can count on my fingers and toes. I have met many new people, who I can soon hope to call my friends. They are all very friendly and welcoming. At school I stuck out like a bit of a sore thumb, I wore a bright green sweater, whereas everybody here, I have learned, prefers to stick to more neutral colours, oh well. Because of this and the small Canadian flag pin on my back pack, everyone at school knew that I was the Canadian exchange student, although at first most of the students thought that I was German.
School was great. I enjoyed most of my classes, which all flew by, because they are only one hour long. The only class I didn't understand what the heck we were supposed to be doing was french, hopefully it get easier. Here, for gym, we get to go rock climbing, play ping pong and other such activities, no push-ups, planks or runs, how unfair is that?
To sum it all up, I am having a great time! I miss you all and hope that you are doing well. Feel free to post a comment or send an e-mail, I would love to hear from you.
Cathryn :)
