Finally I was on my way to study in France. While I was in the train reading my handbook which contained valuable information about future excursions our group would be taking and also ideas for things to do in Grenoble. As soon as I thought that maybe I'd just relax and take une petite pause (a little break) our group was preparing to arrive in Grenoble. I was really lucky to have someone meet me at the train station. Catherine is a friend of someone who stayed at our family's Bed and Breakfast (back in Alaska). Right before taking off to Paris my mom contacted this guy named Jacque who lives in Toulouse, France and asked him if he knew anyone who lived in Grenoble. He responded immediately (in perfect English, might I add) and told my mom that he knew of a wonderful couple: Catherine and Benoit who would be sure to take care of me. So after several email correspondences en français, parce je vous ai dit que j'aie besoin de pratiquer le français (in French because I told them that I needed to practice my French.)
So Catherine came to pick me up and after a long day of traveling/etc. I was eternally grateful that she offered to take my suitcase down the long flight of stairs. I will never forget the whole group schlepping all their bags and then Marie (our leader) saying "Bon chance!" (Good luck) as we saw a never-ending flight of stairs! So next we rode in the tram jusqu'à les résidences où je habiterai le mois prochaine (until the residence hall where I was going to live for the next month.)
After touring around the residence hall, which I was pretty happy with Catherine took me back to her apartment. At first I couldn't believe that we didn't have to drive to her house, everything is so quaint here and within walking distance. At her apartment which was extremely nice she welcomed me into her kitchen. She asked me if if liked le pâte (pasta) and I responded that I did and that sounded wonderful. Also she gave me an entire tomato, which I thought was sort of bizarre, but I ate the entire thing because I love les tomates (tomatoes). She also offered me le salade verte (green salade) which is definitely well dressed and I am not one for dressing. I told her this but in the French culture il faut essayer au moins d'une fois (It's necessary to try everything at least once.) so I graciously complied and ate one bite. Then for the pasta I wasn't at all used to the pasta being cooked separately and then just handing the person a jar of sauce. I guess I'm accustomed to it being mixed together and served as a single unit. As we were preparing to have dinner Catherine told me that she had to hang her laundry then she pulled down this chandelier-like contraption that was on pulleys and proceeded to hang up her sheets. I loved this, so resourceful! In France it is very rare to have a dryer.
So Catherine came to pick me up and after a long day of traveling/etc. I was eternally grateful that she offered to take my suitcase down the long flight of stairs. I will never forget the whole group schlepping all their bags and then Marie (our leader) saying "Bon chance!" (Good luck) as we saw a never-ending flight of stairs! So next we rode in the tram jusqu'à les résidences où je habiterai le mois prochaine (until the residence hall where I was going to live for the next month.)
After touring around the residence hall, which I was pretty happy with Catherine took me back to her apartment. At first I couldn't believe that we didn't have to drive to her house, everything is so quaint here and within walking distance. At her apartment which was extremely nice she welcomed me into her kitchen. She asked me if if liked le pâte (pasta) and I responded that I did and that sounded wonderful. Also she gave me an entire tomato, which I thought was sort of bizarre, but I ate the entire thing because I love les tomates (tomatoes). She also offered me le salade verte (green salade) which is definitely well dressed and I am not one for dressing. I told her this but in the French culture il faut essayer au moins d'une fois (It's necessary to try everything at least once.) so I graciously complied and ate one bite. Then for the pasta I wasn't at all used to the pasta being cooked separately and then just handing the person a jar of sauce. I guess I'm accustomed to it being mixed together and served as a single unit. As we were preparing to have dinner Catherine told me that she had to hang her laundry then she pulled down this chandelier-like contraption that was on pulleys and proceeded to hang up her sheets. I loved this, so resourceful! In France it is very rare to have a dryer.
After dinner was bien sûr le désert (of course dessert.) For desert we had ice cream, coconut, and ananas (pineapple) not to be confused with bananas (les bananes). Her son Paul brought the fruit from the marché (market). So around 23h00 (11:00 pm) the meal was over and then Catherine and Benoit walked me back to my residence hall. French life has a much calmer pace, I think that I could get used to this new style of living!