Another day, another post. I will try to catch you all up, but I’m pretty far behind on thoughts, escapades…the spills and thrills I’m experiencing. I want to start this one with photos missing from my last post. You see, this way of introducing you to the sights along the way will save you from having to sit through the dreaded hours of a “slide show” …so to speak! Methods to my madness!

Emily took us up to an overlook that would astound just about anyone…can’t be too general…it probably takes more than this for some!

We moved on to a quaint Provencial village of Eygaliers, passing St. Remy along the way (opted for sights over shopping….I am NOT a shopper).  In meandering along the cobblestone streets, we came upon a church where a wedding was gathering post nuptials at the entry courtyard. I truly enjoy these unexpected moments! Not disappointed in our mutual decisions to promenade through the town!

I’ll continue on from here to tell you of our evening with Emily and her family.  I’m truly grateful that they welcomed us to life in France!! To be continued…..

Finished the moments of immersion and sighed….a bit of relief, a bit of accomplishment. Am I better off having done this…you bet! Have I started to understand and speak a bit more? As my instructor said “petit a petit”. I have additional sites to continue reviewing and I’ll get to that again soon. I’ll have to write a tad more regarding the excursions and events that I took advantage of through the school, but now I need to catch up on just the past three days!

My weekend with friends Emily Durand of Your Private Provence, and a friend made, Kathy, from New York. A friendship has been almost instantaneous with Emily since the moment she picked me up in Marseilles on that first day arriving for this adventure. We’ve met from time to time and have always enjoyed these encounters, as she has a passion for this Provencial region from a Southern Oregon foundation. A mother of three great children and a very charming husband, living in such an ideal area….I understand how this creates her enthusiasm to share this special place!

So, to tell you all we did could take all day and I’m sure this probably should last only long enough for that cup of coffee you’re sipping, if read prior to getting your day started….or over a glass of wine at the end of the day to imagine just what in the heck Liza is doing!!!! 

Let me just say….driving through Provence…first a stop at Chateau d’Estoublon for a promenade (I’m getting good at this), an incredible brunch to absorb this lifestyle….off to Les Beaux and the Carrières des Lumieres. It was suggested…and thank you, Lorraine Rawls for this! It was incredible. The artwork of Chagall illuminated on the magnificent walls of the quarry! And have I mentioned the choreographed music? It was amazing and really can’t be replicated as much as I would try! Breathtaking is all the can say! 

Onward after a spectacular view of this from afar…we chose a quaint village (I’m not big on shopping options) to meander. Eygaliers, how picturesque can it be? Strolled past a wedding having just taken place….cobblestone streets with history to boot…..once again I would ask you to pinch me!

So, I’ll post this now…only to return with much more to share!

A bientôt 

Liza

Here I am, feeling a bit anxious, as my expectations were far greater than reality. What this boils down to is, being too hard on myself…one of my issues that I’m working on. I put myself in a situation that I thought I would excel from the starting gate..,reality is far different! Honestly, my speaking French will not happen in 2 weeks time…my brain is just trying to remember some of the conjugations/definitions from years ago. Let me repeat this….years ago and with time…my memory has diminished a bit, but, that being said, I shall continue on with trying…and I have to accept it!

The question was posed, “why am I taking a course in speaking French??”  It seemed my answer, ” for my own pleasure”, was the only one presented in that fashion.  Among the many other students from all over Europe, of various ages, most were there to communicate, further enhancing  commerce. Most had been speaking French for years. My friends, stateside, can testify that I would throw out a word or two in French during some random conversation….we’d giggle or they would roll their eyes, and then we would move on! So, what was I thinking??? I guess I wasn’t! I will give myself a gold star (I always like getting those!) for trying. I vow that I will continue, as I think the practice of learning a foreign language helps to keep this brain of mine active. Sudoku will not suffice each morning in challenging my  brain to move forward!! (I still enjoy the morning puzzle ritual…I’ll admit). 

I’m into my second and final week, deciding I’ve had enough for now. The process has created a quieter, more reserved Lisa, just because of my lack of quick synapses in creating thought to spoken word. Pretty unacceptable in my book…immersion is an honorable attempt, but the resulting angst is not part of my plan….just exactly what it is…I’m still working on that….but at least I know what it isn’t. I guess I also had ulterior motives when I enrolled in this class. It was to meet like-minded individuals that maybe found themselves needing similar contact in a foreign place,  with English as the starting point…nope, that didn’t happen. So, on to plan B as the saying goes. I’ll let you know what that is when I figure it out! I will complete my course as I had planned and I’m better off having taken it. Another chapter to add to my adventure.

Oh, I have to thank those friends who have checked in as I haven’t been posting blogs as often as I had hoped. I will try to keep the information and descriptions current, but no pressure!  Au revoir for now…..

Have to apologize for not being able to put in the accents/being grammatically correct as I don’t know how to accomplish this within this venue…..but, c’est la vie!  Don’t hold it against me!

Had my first day of la classe francais…again, disregard the absence of grammatically correct accents. Oh mon Dieu! Do you think the French abbreviate it as OMD as opposed to OMG??? it started with my half-hour hoof to the school, orientation and then,  les examens, oral and written. No need to try to impress them and move ahead of my curve….so I have been assigned to level one….which another student relates….we’re number one!  But, I think you know truly its a beginning class, and I’m totally ok with that! 

One aspect I didn’t expect….the variety of other languages spoken with the desire to learn/improve their French. Many spoke multitudes of languages and they were enthusiastic about perfecting yet one more. Americans…not so much. In fact, I think I might be the only American among the 30+ students in this congregation of eager learners. I’m thinking the attitude of English “superiority” is really old news. I think we should embrace other languages. It’s a sign of respect and acceptance…and possibly can be considered a mental challenge to those who should attempt the opportunity to speak another language (or two), to step up in this ever- shrinking world. So, off my soap box for now….

My head is smoking…close to explosion after today…but it’s just day#1. In discussing options, I hear that some are here to participate for 5 weeks. I am actually envious, only signed up for two. Rethinking, but not so sure yet. They also offer outside activities…a trip to St. Tropez, Avignon, and participating in a game of petanque! Not sure if it is so different from bocce ball, but it is a favorite here! I’ll keep you updated. Don’t think it’s an Olympic game as of yet, but I’ll work on that one! I’m a diehard for horseshoes and this is close, I’m thinking.

So, pas des devoirs ce soir. It will get serious tomorrow. Wish me bon chance! Au revoir!

This region is so rich with history, culture and scenery that it is no wonder artists have been drawn here (no pun intended, but it works). This brings me to my guided tour with Sarah Pernet and “Discover Provence.” This company provides custom tours, private or not, of local attractions with a touch of flair and attention to history with passion for this region. Emily, my new BFF from “Your Private Provence”, suggested that I contract them for tours if I wanted, as she was busy and they work together in accommodating  clients to provide the best of their time in Provence.

This tour focused on Van Gogh’s later life in Arles and St. Remy with a stop in Les Baux. We covered quite a bit of territory in one day and I hope to return to explore further. Six of us started with introductions and conversations and before we knew it, we were walking through Arles, along the Rhone, with shared information about Van Gogh aided by easel-sized replica’s of artwork along the path. 

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Arles is also rich in Roman history, becoming a stop between Italy and Spain. We walked among many of the ruins.

After a delicious lunch stop to recharge for the afternoon (should’ve taken a photo of the devine raspberry macaron dessert but that was an afterthought), we headed to Les Baux and the countryside with a tour of an olive farm where they produce olive oils.  I shall make it a point to return, wanting to see the Carriere des Lumieres which focuses on Chagall at this time. I will be back!

Our final stop to St. Remy was at St. Paul Monastery and Hospital where Van Gogh had spent just over a year in treatment. He completed 143 paintings and 100 drawings. Easels with replicas are viewed around this still-functioning mental hospital. Here he painted “The Starry Night.” Treatment for mental disease was brutal by our standards. This facility is still being used today, but it focuses on art therapy as treatment for psychiatric disorders. A much more humane and respectful way!

It was a busy day of touring. I hope to use Discover Provence again in a couple weeks, post my French classes, for a trip to Cassis (and then, possibly more). I would like to get to know Sarah, as the opportunity wasn’t conducive, for conversation among hopeful friends.