First go on the metro, first mass in another language, first croque monsieur, first glass of wine, first kisses on the cheek, and first blister. Quelle journée!
My day started at 9am. I slept for about 10 hours the night before. It was much needed. There was breakfast on the table for myself and the kids. Special K, milk, orange juice, yogurt with honey, pancakes (not fresh made ones, I don’t know where they came from actually), some natural drink that I didn’t know the english translation for, so I didn’t try it, and bread with every kind of spread possible. I only had some cereal and oj, but maybe tomorrow I’ll branch out.
Church came next. I went to the church, 30 seconds down the road, and it’s BIG, or at least it seemed big. There were pews on the side of the altar, and in front were LITTLE wooden chairs with the woven seats all connected and no room to kneel in front of you. I found a spot on the end, but by the end of the second reading, almost every seat was filled. The mass is the exact same thing in English, so I knew what part we were at, and they had the major prayers on the back of the song booklet. There was an organ up top, and one man leading the songs. He was very animated and very reverent towards the music. I know France is not that religious, but you couldn’t tell from this church. There were people of all ages and races at mass. There was even a group of sisters! Since I didn’t know all of the responses in French, I felt a little lost, and I was paranoid that everyone was looking at me and knew I wasn’t from around here. When we wished each other peace, I just mouthed “le paix” and so did everyone else, so I felt much better. And then came communion. People are really excited for communion because everyone just ran up all at once! There was no orderly fashion; just go up whenever you want. I was very confused, but I got up eventually and received. I shook the priest’s hand after, and I went home.
After that, my host mother helped me with the metro, and I went with another girl in the program who lives on my street to try and find the school we’ll be attending. It took one metro transfer, but it was much easier than I anticipated. So we walked around that area and found a little book store to stop in. Nothing special, but I did find (and purchase) a french copy of “Qui es-tu Alaska?” by John Green! Less than 10 euros! Then we got lunch at a nice bar/restaurant. The waiter knew right away that we were not french, I suppose from our accents, but we ordered in French anyway. I had to order a croque monsieur. It’s a toasted ham sandwich with cheese on top. Very delicious!
It reminded me of pizza a little bit. We must have stayed there for at least an hour and a half. It’s so laid back; it’s wonderful. I had to use the bathroom before we left, so they waiter gave me a coin and said go downstairs. I went down the stairs (very sketch) and I had to put the coin in the door for it to open. It was just the strangest thing. Then after we paid, we walked around some more and I got a blister on my pinky toe :( but there are much worse things that could have happened.
When I got back, my professor, the girl I walked around with, and her host parents came over for dinner. It was really nice to have a big dinner with friends, and comforting to see my professor in France--far away from the Ruth Adams building. Again, it was picture perfect. They made pizza with des champignons et des poivrons. Fruit, vegetables, and cheese were everywhere. And the mother asked if I wanted a glass of wine. Wine with pizza? “Bien sur!” elle a dit. So, when in Paris, do as the Parisians do and drink wine with pizza! I didn't even finish the quarter of a glass she poured of red wine. And no, I don’t know what kind of red wine it was. The bottle was on the other side of the table. We (they) had a long conversation, a couple hours, and the other girl and I chimed in if they asked us questions. I understood a lot of what they were saying, and it seemed so normal for them to be talking in french. Every encounter I have with a person here, French seems more and more normal. I’m picking up a lot of little things to use and remember.
(This was dinner from yesterday)
I don’t know if it was the sun or the wine, but after dinner, I was/am very tired. I helped them clean up either way and gave them their gifts. I went to the Amish market by me and bought home made apple butter and an iron napkin holder shaped like a horse and buggy with blue white and red stars on it (for Bastille day, of course). It was very American (which I suppose was the point) and they knew who the Amish were! They apparently saw a movie with Harrison Ford as an Amish man, but they couldn’t remember the name. They were very thankful, and gave me two kisses on the cheek :)
I can’t stress enough how welcoming and kind my family is. They have no problem with me using their things and eating with them every night. Even the other family said I could come over and eat with them whenever. It’s still a little overwhelming and scary at times, but it’s a learning experience. I won’t get better if I don’t try.
Another day fueled by your prayers. Thank you.
“Fear is useless, what is needed is trust.”
Love,
Anna
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