Well, so I signed the French language pledge last night - vowing, along with the other 13 students, to only speak French for the rest of the 7 weeks. It's tough and a bit awkward and makes for some quieter dinner conversations, but well worth it. Do you know the saying when people tell you that you are beginning to know the language when you think in that language? Well, I didn't believe it until now - now it seems like every situation I think of in my head - past events, upcoming ones, etc. - I am thinking of how to describe or say it in my head. Even now, I am struggling to go back to English. Wow. Awesome.
So the past two days have been like a break - after speaking mostly in French in Paris and on the way to Tours, when I arrived in Tours, I spoke in English with the professors and students. Now - back to French again and full-fledged.
Today was quite cool - we took two field trips as a group: one to a "chevrerie" (goat farm) out in the countryside, where we tried some surprisingly delicious goat cheese delicacies and played with some cute goats. But the highlight was the next trip - to a town I had never heard of previously called Loches - 1 hour south of Tours, where there is a fabulous historical district dating back to the 1000s. Yes, that's the 11th century. And the castle is still intact. There were three parts: "le donjon" (a big castle, with dungeons, torture rooms, and a huge tower), la cathedrale (the least interesting), and "le logis royal" (the chateau where many kings have either lived permanently or from time to time). The whole tour was in French, of course, making it tough, but it was very cool.
Lastly, when we returned, I met my host family! They have 5 kids, 2 of which still live in the house and 1 of which I still have not met. The house is great and I have a large room to myself. There is also another student staying here - he is from UPenn and is named Chris. He showed me the ropes a little bit before heading down to dinner, where I learned that my family regularly visits the small town in Poland where my ancestors are from!! What a coincidence! I think the fact that I am Catholic and Polish suits well with them. We'll see how it goes!
I start real class tomorrow at the Institut!
A bientot,
Andrew
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