Disclaimer: I wrote this in my journal yesterday.
At last, the program has begun! Aujourd’hui (today) was day 2 of class in Montpellier. It’s conducted primarily in French, like the last three French classes I’ve taken, but now I have to really open my ears to comprehend what’s being said at a faster rate. I’m not sure why, but I had this preconceived notion that I wouldn’t understand a lick of what people would be saying here because they would be talking so fast. To my pleasant surprise, I understand more than I think. I have moments when I think “wow, people actually say that here!” There’s something about learning a foreign language at school that disconnects the language from the form of communication.
In the past 8 years of my learning French (4 ½ years in classes), I never really thought that people actually spoke the words that I was learning. I was learning to learn and keep my straight As. Now, I’m learning to communicate better and gain a better understanding of the country, culture and language. This is definitely NOT America, but it’s not a completely different planet either, just an alternate world.
It wasn’t until I arrived in France that I realized how much I miss my folks back home. I had been trying for days to figure out the best and most cost efficient way to call my mama, and I keep getting on Twitter to see how my friends are doing. My roomies and I had done so much together this past semester that I was wishing that they were here with me instead, but sometimes God puts you in a new place to get you out of your comfort zone. In addition, with the 7 hour time difference, what 2 in the afternoon is for me is 7 in the morning back home. But hey, it’s part of the experience, n’est pas?
Quite a bit has and will be happening here in Montpellier. There’s a cucumber outbreak in several countries, including France, and there’s testing going on in the city being done to trace the source. This weekend is the 17th annual Lesbian and Gay Pride celebration. Extreme sports, marchés and an upcoming big sale day later on in the month, not to mention a music festivale ou deux.
I keep seeing some traces of Americana. A Virgin Megastore, Foot Locker, McDonald’s and the popular music artists that the French seem to really like. Heck, just today I found myself dancing to Trey Songz “Bottoms Up” (and my peeps KNOW how I feel about his music). It’s comforting and crazy to think about at the time. How can one country have such influence?
I know I mentioned that my next post would be on my adventures in Paris, but I will combine that with my time with my host mom. À bientôt!
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