There’s a word for you that is très compliqué. The word for jet lag! Well above my french comprehension level. I didn’t come up with this phrase on my own, I downloaded this nifty itranslator app for my iphone that helped me to find it. The app gave me the meaning, the spelling and, the other uses (there are no others for this word combination) It even said the words to me so that I ccould say them to someone else. I was thinking I might need to use it if I had to explain to someone why I was ” sleep-walking ” today. HA ………..seriously, though, some of the worst jet lag I have had. I’m not sure why it’s affectig me this way this time. But…WOW…..am I tired ! I just had to take a nap so I could stay awake long enough to write this ! That’s a serious sleep issue !
On the upside, I am sitting in my cute apartment, my home away from home for about the next 3 months, viewing the setting sun out my living room window. I can see the tops of the trees in the courtyard that my apartment overlooks and a wide strip of light pink sky peeking through the leaves and blending into the darkening sky above. Just beautiful. It’s no wonder that arttists such as Cezanne and Van Gogh chose this spot for some of their work. It’s the light……..
It’s an interesting proposition deciding to ” live ” in a place for an extended time where you would normally “vacation” for a shorter period of time. Over the last 2 days, I have been thinking about whether I am a tourist or a resident. I’m really neither, and I find myself engaged in an odd mixture of activities…..finding restaurants to eat in and places to have a good cup of coffee, buying a local cell phone so that I can call out in the area without the massive roaming charges of my iPhone, exploring entertainment options in the town, researching places to visit as a tourist inside and outtside of the town, buying food to cook in my little kitchen, organizing my space for longer term living, and putting my mark on the space so that I have a feeling that I am at home. I’m really still in the “tourist” phase and will be for another short while, but I will soon transition into the “resident” phase as my language classes begin and I develop a living routine here. It will be an interesting experience filled with opportunities for enlightenment, I’m sure. Fun times !
I have had many highlights in my first few days here. At the top of my list has been meeting some new friends here at my apartment building and in town.. When I began thinking about how one would organize an adventure such as this one, I, as usual, began to network to see if I could find anyone that had some experience in doing an immersion in another country….particularly in France. Much to my surprise, I found someone who had done just this for a full year. We connected early on this year and became fast freinds. She introduced me to my hosts here in Aix en Provence and has coached me throughout my planning process. I have followed her well thought out footseps for several of the decisions I have made for my big adventure.
Monique and Dominique run the “bastide” (bank of apartment) where I am staying. They, along with their 2 daughters and Monique’s 92 year old mother all live here and have been very helpful and gracious in welcoming me. They are an interesting group of people that I will likely be telling you more about as I go along. Monique had some pistou (a type of provençal soup) waiting for me in my little kitchen when I got here. This, after the long trip, was much appreciated and very tasty I have to say!
In addition, today I met Adrian, who runs a coffee shop in town. He is also a friend of my San Luis Obispo coach. Very nice guy…and produces the best latte that I have had in quite a long time !
Adrian
My apartment is very cute and very Provencal, I thnk. I have a small kitchen, a living room, kitchen and separate bathroom. Monique is a artist and has furnished it with some very nice artwork. The colors are what you would imagine in Provence….muted blues, yelows and reds. There are very large Windows in each room that are situated so I can see the courtyard that I describe above. Lovely !
I am on the third floor. It’s and old building…no elevator…. so you know what that means. There will be lots of stair building walking in my future. My legs are already in the best shape of their lives.
As you know, my primary goal here was to learn to speak french. I was coached by William, my San Luis Obispo french tutor, that when I got here I should always try to speak French, even when people want to speak tome in English. He said should tell people that I am learning french and then try to communicate in French. For the most part, I have done that. Some communications are better than others. But, I did manage to buy some items at the markets today using my French and bought a pre-paid phone using my French as well. I l also treated myself to a nice fluffy pillow that I will leave behind after my stay, using my french to purchase this. I felt especially good about this interaction The word for pillow is particularly tongue-tying.I would put it down here, but I don’t think I can spell it.
I did meet a vendor today that was selling scarves at one of the many markets here in Aix. I had my now, usual, prelude with him of « I’m Learning French »., to which he responded back to me in French asking me if I liked his scarves. Of course, I didn’t get this totally right and said no. He then engaged me in a conversation about how I should have a private tutor here because it would give me more exposure to the language. He also encouraged me to watch french TV and go to some french movies. If I did all of that, he said he thought I would be speaking french in no time flat. He then gave me a quiz on french numbers, which I did not pass. I have been confused by the logic behind the numbers beyond 60. They don’t make sense to me. And, of course the french speak at the speed of light, complicating it even further. I think I have it now, though, thanks to my new friend the scarf vendor. Very nice guy !
And, I tried some french with Monique’s mother, who by the way, is very sweet. She told me that she doesn’t speak “American”. She used to, but not anymore. I will have more conversations with her as my french gets beter. And, it will….
I also had an excellent meal and a very cost effective one. I stopped in at a crepery place that was reviewed as the #1 place to eat in town. Around 4 :30 or so, I found myself on that side of town and stopped in. Not only were the crepes fantastic, but the place was cute, too. I went down into the basement into some « cave-like » rooms and ate a gallette (essentially a savory crepe) filled with spinach, goat cheese and cream. Also had a glass of some special cider made here in provence., All for about $9.90 euros (about $12.50 if the Euro is stil where it was when I came here. ) They even threw in 2 little muffins for dessert. Very nice. And such a deal. You know how I like that!
So, I am off to a good start. I’m giving myself a break from anything too adventurous and cutting myself a break on the french language until I wake up a little bit. Don’t want to make any avoidable mistakes. HA ! Anyway, I’m off to bed now to try to ward off the jet lag. Wish me luck…….ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzz
Travel With Betsy 
Leave a comment