I would like to say that, though it may say so in the photo, it is has drizzled for like a few minutes off and on on the "rain" days. So, for the moment, I would like to thank France for the sunny days we've had recently. Now, if only there could be sun AND warmth...
Alright, now for a short update. My host mother runs a dance company where choreographs and dances in it. This week, she is away "working in residence" somewhere. (I really don't think she told me, alright?!) While she's gone, she has left us in the care of her parents who are called "Mamette" and "Papi." I was warned ahead of time that Papi talks really loudly, but he's not angry at you, and that Mamette would take very good care of me. Those were understatements!
Mamette is the most caring and maternal woman I have ever met. (She also is originally from Spain, and thus speaks French with a Spanish accent, and will pepper her french with Spanish phrases. Marie, veux-tu un...poco de vino??) She cooks amazing food, and is constantly trying to feed me more. On the first night, I had yogurt after dinner, since, she has made sure there is a small spoon and a yogurt hovering near my plate. My glass of water is always full, and in the mornings, she has my place set, water already boiling for my tea, and bread, butter and jams sitting in the table. She does this for everyone, too! My littlest host brother, Paco, wakes up a little later, but his place is always set with cereal and OJ ready. And, after she gently nudges him awake, and he walks in still sleepy, she takes the warm milk off the stove and pours it in the cereal. To ensure perfect eating temperature, she adds a little cold milk. And, for Papi, she has his coffee all ready, with warm milk and sugar, all his morning medications and vitamins on a napkin. It's so nice, I don't know what to do with myself...Ususally, the kids take turns doing the dishes in the evening, but, since Mamette has arrived, we are not allowed, she does all the dishes...so spoiled right now!
And then, there's Papi. Papi is a Tunisian of Italian decent who claims that he is African. He is a large man, who has a deep barking voice, and a ruddy complexion. He enjoys Pastis ("an anise-flavored liqueur and apéritif from France, typically containing 40–45% alcohol by volume" thank you wikipedia) before dinner, and red wine with dinner, and coffee after dinner. He is always asking everyone questions and joking with his grandsons, and he doesn't like pets. He says, "You become a slave to your pet." My host family has 2 cats, and so, he spends a lot of time meowing back at them...They will make a "Please, open the window so I can go outside" noise, and then he will imitate it back, it goes on for multiple minutes. Also, he really likes to whistle and sing, and he's really quite good. Though, he's still whistling Nutcracker songs, so he's a little behind...Also, while his two grandsons play the "xbox trois-cent-soixante" he sits behind and just watches and yells at the TV. Everything he says, though, is at a "yelling" volume.
Last night, Papi asked me, "So why did you take French?" I have no real reason, except that my mother had taken Spanish, and I wanted to do something different. (Oh, tweenage rebellion). I said just that, and he yelled at me for having not taken Spanish. I was replied, "I know! I know I have to take Spanish! I'll do it, OK?!" And his reply, "WHY DID YOU TAKE FRENCH?! YOU HAD NO ONE TO PRACTICE WITH?!?" At which point Mamette interjected, "But her french is really good! So what does it matter?! You asked her why and she replied!" Thank you, Mamette! There are conversations like that at every dinner with Mamette and Papi....Because of the verbal sparring with Papi, I was slightly frightened of him at first, but now I look forward to dinnertime chatter. If anything, I'm practicing my French?
In other news, we are 1.5 weeks away from the start of Bordeaux 3, and there are still no class times. So, instead of class schedules, I am trying to schedule trips for this Saturday, and the rest of the quarter. (Morroco, here I come!) Also, the methodology class I'm currently enrolled in is pretty fun! It's with Isabelle, the leather-pencil-skirt-wearing teacher from ILP, and she's still as straight forward and blunt as always. And, most days, after class my friends and I will pop into a cafe for espresso and a pastry. I already know that I am really going to miss that when I get back to the States, though my arteries and my waistline will probably rejoice....
All for now! A bientot!
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