Language Lessons

Bonjour, all of you:)

We've all recovered nicely from Katherine's recent "near poisoning" of the family, and we're ready to live dangerously again.  No more city-park chestnuts, though - those are just for tossing in the river.

Speaking of the river, have I mentioned that Katherine and I get to cross not one, but two rivers each day on our way to French class?  We really do, and we're taken by the beauty of each of them every time we cross.

The Saône River

Again, the Saône

The beautiful Rhône River

Lyon lies at the confluence of the Saône and Rhône rivers, and the city is home to many, many bridges which cross them.  Each morning after we drop the kids at school, we head to our own language class.  It's about a 30 minute walk- just right.

 Leo's feet never tire of walking in Lyon!

We've been in our classes for only three weeks, but already I'm really fond of each student in the class with us.  We are all from different countries and cultures around the world, and there for the same reason: to learn French.  We are lawyers, doctors, chefs, college students, ski instructors and, ahem... a high maintenance classical singer.  But, this daily intensive French course equalizes us all, and I love it.

The classes are challenging, and our teacher is a serious task-master.  That said,  I can tell how we have all become connected in a really neat way.  And, since each student is studying there for varying lengths of time, each Friday we may or may not bit adieu to any of our fellow classmates. 

This week was the final class for two students, and I could tell that everyone was genuinely touched when they were handed their completion certificates.  The class is absolute immersion, so we've all been thrown into the same den of confusion.  

The girls' French is so good they can talk to their friends and we have no idea what kind of plans they're making.

This is the picture above Leo's coat hook at school:)

Crêpe-making with friends from school is a universal language.

All that said, there are days when we feel like we understand everything, and the language sounds beautiful and clear.  Those are great days.  I had one like that last week.  It was so energizing, and I felt like I had cracked the French language egg.  Personal pronouns and indefinite articles, you have no power over me! 

Other days the egg falls on my face, and this is what I seem to hear from everyone, everywhere: "ajdpoineinjakldnklfj osijkld;ak oiand k;laj ioajkla;lknwlknk;aldkjioehnkl;akdjal jflkaj lkajkldiujwpondkl;vhap;djfa klda;iwjekl;adkn balkdj?"

My blank stare is also a form of universal language.... 

Cora is an expert photo-bomber.

Laughing at my language skills...

Daphne can translate "Mussels" in any language.

We'll remain in our daily classes through at least mid-December and, all kidding aside, we are learning lots and lots each day.  It's actually very helpful that after three hours of immersion class, we step outside and are still immersed.  What is the French word for immersion, you ask?  "Immersion!!" See?  It's so easy...

Finally, to entice more of you to visit us, here are some random shots from our walks.  My cousin, Heidi and her husband are joining us here in October.  Who's next??

The Basilica, seen from between the towers of St. Jean Cathedral

A very crowded market in La Croix-Rousse

The view from La Croix-Rousse

A recent Jazz festival in our neighborhood (complete with Accordion)

So many restaurants and shops have cats here.

 

Isn't this the best bookstore entrance you've ever seen??

Cora's very worn shoes after a long day of walking.

Much love to you all,

Aaron