For Spring Break, mom and dad came to visit me in France and we went to Cinque Terre in Italy and then drove around Provence.
One of the best parts about having them come to France was that they got to see where I live. There is nothing quite like the Collège, it's just one of those things that you have to see to believe. We really are right next to the Mediterranean, everyone is happy and having a good time, and we really are speaking and learning a lot of French.
Cinque terre is incredibly beautiful. We took a chance on our hotel, which got rave reviews, but was situated far away from the main town, wo we had to take a bus to get to it. Although the views were definitely to die for, I think if I had a choice I would have liked to have been more accessible in terms of my mobility. The thing about Cinque Terre is that it is a series of towns built in the side of the hill on the Mediterranean that are not easily accessible by car, so for the most part they are very quaint and well perserved. There are hikes along all five of the towns that overlook the sea and the views are amazing. While we were there, one of the hikes was closed, so we had to take an alternate route. Sometimes, unexpected roadblocks make for a richer, more fulfilling experience, and this was certainly one of those times. We ended up taking a more difficult hike that proved to be the best one of the day: extraordinary view and almost complete isolation. Very cool.
Another thing that I learned while in Italy as how dependent upon my French I am. I'm very used to being able to understand most everything around me here, and I forgot what it was like to be in a place where everything was completely foreign. I guess it means that I need to start working only next language ;)
More later on Spring Break, my weekend in Provence, and life in general. tout à l'heure.
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4 comments:
The remote hike was spectacular. Glad you vetoed the park attendant who decided we were fluffy and should take a bus around the detour. I believe your exact words were "we didn't come THIS FAR to take a bus. WE'RE HIKING." Thank goodness you are a teeny bit bossy and have an adventurous spirit or we'd have missed the grandeur of the scene.
Spending much time in a country in which you don't have a command of the language and having it be pleasant seems to depend on one's ability to communicate your intention without words. That and not meeting up with bus drivers who are hostile and have disdain with your very existence. I'd love to have many languages too. Perhaps a universal translator like on Star Trek.
Why are all the people at the college happy?
One more thing....Rick Steves is currently in France,Italy, and Spain filming. He was there when we were. If you see him, IT'S HIM! Tell him he knows your parents and ask him for a job.
xoxo
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