Alors, Nous Commençons!

Believe it or not, my travels have begun. As has my blogging about it. Please excuse the outbursts of french words in my writing - I am finding that as my French improves, my English deteriorates.

After 24 hours of uninteresting travelling, I arrived safely in Bordeaux at approximately 11 AM on Saturday August 21. The 35 Vassar and Wesleyan students I was travelling with crowded into the lobby of the tiny airport, frantically trying to find our host families. After 20 years of speaking English, I was suddenly being asked questions in French which I a) couldn't hear because my ears hadn't popped from the previous three flights, and b) I probably wouldn't have understood anyway. Finally, though, I found my host Mom, Catherine (who is lovely), who took one look at the amount of luggage Grace (who is my cohabitant in Bordeaux, and also a Vassar student, and also lovely) and I were carrying, and told us it wouldn't fit in her car. Momentary panic attack. She tells us it's alright, someone else will take it for us. Note to Self: French cars are tiny. Pack light next time.

By the time we got to Catherine's House sur La Rue Croix de Seguey, I was ready to pass out. Or, you know, die. All of my fatigue vanished, though, when she pushed open the giant iron door and I saw the inside. If you live on the left side of the river in Bordeaux, that house was

more than likely built in the 18th Century, and is probably beautiful. Catherine's house is no exception. It's impossible to have a bad view of anything in Bordeaux (as seen in the picture to the right, taken from my balcony). After dropping off our things in our respective beautiful bedrooms, Grace and I were called down to Lunch. I was slightly apprehensive of the food situation as I just gave up veganism for the trip, and sitting on the table was a plate of cantaloupe with ham on top. Trying some ham would have been a great first step, a good challenge for my first day with French cuisine - but there is nothing in the food world that I hate more than cantaloupe. It has no place on my plate, nonetheless in my stomach! Unfortunately for me, it is very, very rude to turn down food in France, and if you do, they'll serve it to you anyway. So, I sucked it up and ate the three (Catherine insisted) vile pieces of ham-topped cantaloupe that were put in front of me. I was off to a rough start in le département de la nourriture. Luckily for me, every meal since has been absolutely wonderful. There's a never-ending supply of fresh fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and breads qui sont absolument délicieux! Even I can appreciate that the cantaloupe is better here than it is in the states, although it's still disgusting. Hooray for positive thinking!

Later on during my first day, I started to unpack my things. It's very hot and very humid in Bordeaux, and the heat mixed with major jetlag was the exact formula for an accidental nap. I unintentionally fell asleep, even though I knew Catherine had planned a tour of Bordeaux for Grace and I later that day. I was already deep into my REM cycles by the time Catherine poked me on the shoulder and asked if I was ready for a walk. Being completely disoriented, I had completely forgotten who she was, why I was there, or that I was in France. In my state of sleep-deprivation, I believed her to be a stranger, whose bed I had mysteriously dozed off in. That being such a horrifying thought, I jumped out of the bed with a bewildered look (how could this have happened?!) and said "I'm Sorry!" probably forty times. Catherine doesn't speak English, and must have thought I was a fool. Talk about first impressions. But, I think we're on good terms now. She was a major du théâtre as well, so it gives us something to converse about, though I sound like a three-year-old with a speech impediment.

I have been in this lovely city for five days, now, and have gone on several tours. I think I'll put sightseeing into an entirely separate post, though, as this one will be too long otherwise. Having gotten my bearings a little, I'm very comfortable in this moderately sized city, where everything seems within reach. Our silly and wonderful Vassar-Wesleyan group travels as a gaggle of conspicuous Americans, although we occassionally parlons le français. We've discovered how wonderful it is to go into a supermarket and buy a 1,50 € bottle of champagne and sit in a park together to drink it. Everything is relaxed, and picturesque - although being in a place where sophistication is the norm definitely points out my Americanisms. I'm normally not a wine drinker, though I'm learning to appreciate it in Bordeaux (the self-proclaimed wine capital of the world, which is probably true), and while I normally prefer to keep myself moving and exploring the city, I'm starting to let myself sit and enjoy the company around me. I've still got a ways to go, though, as staying still for too long tends to make me a little jittery. Overall, though, for someone as paranoid and high-strung as I am, France has been an extremely calming experience. It's hard to believe that just as I begin to feel at home in this small city, I'll have to move to a much larger, much busier, much scarier place. But for now, tout va bien!

Unfortunately, I am currently experiencing the ramifications for not researching enough about the country I was planning on living in, because I now find myself without electricity. Which means that everything else I need to say will have to wait until next time. To all those I love, far and near, I hope all is well. Expect to hear from me soon! À Bientôt!