Back to School and Trekking to the Supermarket

Today, I (Pat) went to school, in actual fact, a language school….L’Atelier des Langues on Rue Danglars, only a short walk from the cottage. (5 minutes walk around the

Church Square

and down probably one of the steepest streets/lanes – Rue Jean Jaures)

The following are the websites for the language schools - which are operated by Giles Murray

http://www.atelierdeslangues.com/

http://www.frenchresidential.com/

This is an introductory course offered on Wednesday mornings – a 1.5 hour class per week of French for beginners and very rusty students and I believe I fall in the latter category.

Today, there were only three students, myself and a lovely Dutch couple who are fluent in English.

I studied French in Canada throughout High School Grades 9 -13 and my mother who was born in Belgium was more Walloon (French-speaking) than Flemish; she was  one of five girls and she spoke French quite regularly at home when her other two immigrated sisters, Anny and Georgette visited or on the telephone … when I was growing up. The French language was never foreign when I was a young girl.

But like many things if you don’t use it, you lose it.

Every time, we travel to France it takes time for me to feel comfortable using the French language. I want to feel confident when I am conversing with the locals and also avoid any mistakes due to the language barrier or misinterpretation of the written word.

It hasn’t happened for me yet on this trip, but in 2005 while in Agde at a restaurant in the square with some dear friends, Doug & Shari…I ordered “les petites Poisson frites”, which I literally interpreted as “small fish fry” i.e. A small order of fried fish which sounded delicious and I didn’t want a large portion…that was not the case…the waitress delivered our orders and my eyes couldn’t believe what I had ordered. It was a large platter piled high with over a 100 small fish (whole), the size of minnows/ sardines deep fried with their little eyes staring at me. We enjoyed a good laugh at my mistranslation.

So, I’m hoping my teacher can help me remember the words and how to use and pronounce them correctly in the right context.

My first class was very informative and I came away with homework; so it is really like school …does this make sense at my age?

In addition to being able to converse while in France; I hope to be able to have conversations with my oldest grandchild, Chloe (7) soon to be (8) who is in French Immersion at her school.

Just before we left Canada, we had a visit with the girls; Chloe and Sydney… Chloe spoke in French so innocently without apprehension and she sounded so francais. Oh, to be young again!!

I was at school from 10:30 AM to 12:00 Noon today …arrived home to the aroma of homemade chicken soup for lunch…my honey was busy this morning.

After lunch, we ventured out to the larger Supermarket –Inter Marché on the Route de Fumel on foot; which we estimate to be about 3 ½ km there and back, plus the extra steps in the store and our mantra was we will only buy light things …do you believe that?  

You may ask,”Why did we go there?” flyer specials of course …one of the offers this week; Sandeman Ruby Porto at 5.70 Euros (what a deal!).

We walked every aisle in the store to orientate ourselves, and tried to only purchase light weight items because we knew we had to carry them back to Rue Marsis.Before heading back home, we had a most delicious Café Crème at the café.

Then, we trudged back home with some complaint because of the weight of the shopping bags and distance.

Finally, at home we prepared a delicious dinner of Toulouse sausage, roasted potatoes, and white beans in tomato sauce.

I completed my assigned homework…and am now enjoying a glass of wine…Chateau Pineraie (Cuvee des Dames Maison fondee en 1836) 2009 Cahors, Puy-L-Eveque).

We were going to head to the Promenade Café (our Wi-Fi connection to the world) to post our entries and check emails…but it will wait until tomorrow! 

Have a good evening everyone!