Coucou, C'est Nous

Assistants
Originally uploaded by at32819.

We managed to get all of us together for a photo op. From Left to Right: Ciara (Ireland), Miriam (Germany), Raphaël (Spain), Julia (England), Me, Fiona (England), Isabel (Spain), Christine (Canada), Sylvia (Portugal), Noria (Spain), Marie (Scotland)

The Nice Thing About Hair Is That It Grows Back

I finally gave in to my increasingly long locks and went to the coiffure for a cut and style. That was an experience! I chose a place around the corner due to its proximity and the fact that they offered a student discount. After being seated, I was offered a free cup of coffee (in a real mug!) but turned it down since I never touch the stuff. My stylist was a gentleman of indiscriminate age and incredible patience. After a bit of work at communication, we figured out how I wanted my hair cut - or so I thought. I was looking for a cut that fell at my shoulders, maybe with a little layering. Something simple since I don't want to have to spend much time on my hair. He got to work after wrapping me up in a complicated smock full of armholes and random strings that needed to be tied. Just when I thought he was finished cutting my hair, he said he was going to start on the layering. I watched as my hair kept getting shorter and shorter while he kept trying to even things out. Finally he put down the scissors and asked how it was. Just then, the phone rang. Saved by the bell! I figured he was done and would start blow-drying when he got back. Boy was I wrong! He must've seen something he didn't like because he picked up the scissors and went back at it. I couldn't stop him at this point because my head would've looked a bit lopsided. To pass the time, I began to imagine what I would look like bald because I certainly seemed headed in that direction. He finally picked up the blow dryer, satisfied with his masterpiece…a good thing since I don't think I have the right head shape to pull off the bald look. I must admit, the title of this piece is a bit misleading. I'm actually quite pleased with the result (after I undid the poof he gave me in styling my hair). It's not as short as I was expecting it to be and the layers work out all right. I should be all set now until I get home. While I'm happy with my cut here, I miss my regular stylist!

Haute Cuisine

When we, Americans, think of French cuisine, we tend to picture expensive restaurants with penguin-suited waiters running around, sidewalk cafés where one can sit drinking a coffee and thinking deep thoughts about the world, or perhaps that little old man on the bicycle with the baguette strapped on the back (don't forget the striped shirt and the béret!). These are the images that we see in Hollywood films, but how true-to-life are they?? Do Frenchies really spend all their time in restaurants and just what do they eat? I've decided to highlight some of the foods that I have discovered over here and that will definitely be missed.

In no particular order:
Baguette: Ok, so this one had to come first. It is the most basic, most classic, staple of the French diet. Nothing back home compares to the crisp crust surrounding the delicately soft interior. This oblong loaf of bread has un goût (a taste) all of its own. Fresh out of the oven - can't be beat.
Sandwich du jambon et beurre: After the most basic staple comes the most basic sandwich. A sandwich made with ham and butter, on a baguette. Simple, classic, delicious!
Raclette: This dish is a favorite of the central region of France. It consists of using an electronic heat source to melt cheese, raclette (kind of like a swiss, but milder), in individual trays about the size of a pie scoop. The cheese is then poured over thin slices of ham and miniature potatoes. An interactive meal that provides great pleasure.
Fondue: The classic recipe involves melting cheese with white wine and dipping bread and meat. More ornate recipes add veggies to the mix. Fondue can also be used as a dessert - melting chocolate and dipping fruit and cookies. Fondue Fridays make a great party idea!
Crêpes: I would be remiss if I didn't mention this very French delicacy. As with fondue, this dish can be used either as a main dish or a dessert. The basic crêpe is a batter of milk, eggs, flour and salt (sugar for dessert), much like our own pancake. In contrast, the crêpe is much thinner and larger, about the size of a dinner plate. The crêpe is filled with the toppings of choice and then folded depending on the preference of the establishment. Très yummy!
Pain au chocolat: Moving into the desserts, I have found the pain au chocolat to be my favorite. It is merely a croissant with a couple of chocolate pieces (like part of a Hershey's bar) stuffed inside. A simple treat, but one that melts in your mouth.
Flan: Tastes a little like tapioca pudding but has the consistency of a meringue pie. An interesting combination that I've tried only in fast food joints so far.
Millefeuille: The name means "a thousand leaves." While I don't think there are quite a thousand levels, this dessert made of custard sandwiched between layers of flaky pastry crust is definitely a delicacy. Perhaps moreso in the sense that it is so delicate it's likely to crumble all over you while you attempt to eat it. Despite the icing on top, there isn't a strong sweetness to it. Malgré cela (in spite of this) I will miss it.

There are many more French delicacies that deserve recognition but I would be writing all night. I've not even touched on the wines and cheeses for which the country is known. I get lost in those grocery aisles and usually have to ask my way back to civilization. Each could provide a blog topic of its own. As for the stereotypes mentioned at the beginning…the first two are definitely accurate (although there are less expensive restaurants around as well) but the third seems to be that of a mythical creature that no longer exists, if he ever did at all.

Back in the Saddle

After two weeks of not-so-restful vacation (so much to see and do!), I'm back to work again. It's been an adjustment going from the quick-paced vacation back to my 12-hours-a-week schedule. The last two Tuesdays I said au revoir (and in some cases, good riddance) to some of my students. Just as I was starting to learn their names! :o) One of my schools has decided to give me a different set of classes starting next Tuesday so that more students get to work with me. The ones I'm losing were among my more challenging classes and I'm looking forward to the opportunity to work with new teachers and students. Of course, that means adding 100 new names and faces to the already challenging mix.
As if things weren't complicated enough, there is a new teacher at one of my other schools and she has expressed an interest in working with me as well. This is the school that, in creating my schedule, placed me with two teachers for each hour that I'm there (they must think Americans are good at being in two places at once). As it is, I have no idea which class I will be working with until I show up, making it difficult to plan lessons since the students are at different levels. Now I will be adding a third teacher for some of my hours there and I'm starting to think seriously about cloning. While I can understand their desire for me to work with as many students as possible, I am only there for 4 hours each week. Giving me more than 16 classes (I have a two-week schedule covering 8 different hours) means that I'm not getting to know the students very well, nor are they getting to know me. It begs the age-old question of what's more important: many people with little experience, or a few people with a more in-depth experience? Between the new classes and my magic tricks, it should prove to be an interesting couple of months!

New Year's à la Bourges

Bonne année et bonne santé to all! It seemed a little strange not watching the ball drop in Times Square this year. About the time everyone back home was passing out kisses and wishing happy new years, I was in bed about an hour away from my alarm going off. Although the celebration here in Bourges didn't include thousands of little light bulbs, it was an experience in itself. Celebrations began that evening with a Baroque parade down the main street. According to my dictionary the word "baroque" refers to a time period in Europe lasting from 1550 to 1700 that is characterized by "rich and sometimes bizarre ornamentation." That description fits the parade to a T. It did not involve floats as we have in the States, but rather was made up of approximately 20 "characters," some of which were on stilts. They were all dressed in rather demonic costumes. They walked up the street, stopping occasionally to put on a show. There was a person in a giant metal ball who did fire-breathing tricks and the others walked around making incomprehensible noises. The parade included the use of many smoke canisters as well. In all, it was a somewhat scary experience that made me think more of a pagan ritual than a celebration of the New Year. But as they say, when in France (Rome)… :o) I've since asked my students for an explanation for the parade but they just look at me like I'm crazy, so who knows.
After the parade there was an international fireworks show that represented four countries: China, Portugal, Spain and, of course, France. Each country presented a 10-minute spectacle that was judged by members of the audience. Each show was done to music chosen by the country and involved the use of one of the old buildings. China started things off with an impressive display of pyrotechnics. Portugal followed. Their fireworks weren't anything special but they had selected music from well-known movies (Indiana Jones, Back to the Future, Star Wars, etc) as their background. Spain was incredible. While the other countries used the building as a backdrop for spinning, colored lights, Spain took a more active approach and used a laser light to outline the different parts of the building (windows, doors, etc) in tune to the music. Well played! France brought up the rear and was rather disappointing considering that they were the host country. The results were announced at midnight with Spain being the winner. Everyone took to the streets where parades of cars drove around the centre ville honking their horns and shouting "Bonne Année." It was an interesting evening but I'm looking forward to getting back to Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve next year.