Séduisant Samedi

I've almost been here for one week and I think I've learned as much as I did within an entire year of French instruction.  I think my progress is the product of a number of things: previous French instruction; complete immersion; longer hours in the classroom; stronger desire to learn. 

I set a late alarm today (10:30am) and actually woke up before the alarm, so I have definitely caught up on all my sleep and I am very grateful that I never really suffered from jet-lag.  I think a lot of that is due to the fact that French coffee is awesomeeee.  Let me set the record straight - I'm not a fan of coffee.  I never really liked the bitter taste, and I'm too embarrassed to put enough milk into the coffee to make it finally taste good (in public).  So if you ever see me drinking coffee aux États-Unis, I'm not likely enjoying it.  That being said, the coffee that I make for myself every morning is amazing.  Even when I put too much coffee in, it never tastes bitter.  C'est encroyable!!  I'm not sure if the impeccable flavor is the result of the French grounds or of the fact that the coffee is made with a French coffee press, but I can't get enough of it.  And it's so potent - I had coffee 3 mornings this week and never felt tired throughout the day.  The other days I didn't have coffee because Ramon, who I walk to school with, was waiting for me.  And I definitely felt more tired and had to take a nap those days.  I think I'll have to stock up on those magic beans before I return stateside.

So, as I was saying, I woke up a little late this morning, had some coffee, and decided to make my way to the Jardin Public of Bordeaux.  I left the house with a map, and ended up going in the wrong direction because I had improperly marked, on the map, the location of my house.  Oops.  So 40 minutes later, after much backtracking, I finally found the garden and went for a 25 minute run.  The garden is really beautiful complete with waterfall, ducks, some species of goose that I had never seen before, and so much more.    I will try to upload the pictures that I took, but no promises.  By the time I had finished running, it started to sprinkle so I took my leave from the garden and headed back to the house.  It's really quite easy to find, once I looked at where the house actually is on the map.  And it's an incredible place to be able to run... I'm so lucky to be in France!

Waterfall (une cascade) in the Jardin Public, Bordeaux

Jardin Public, Bordeaux

After my run, I returned to the house to take a shower, and then left again to return to the Basilique Saint-Seurin.  The outside, as I had mentioned before, is beautiful.  And the doors are huge.  Something about old buildings and huge doors.. and you know, people were smaller back then too... Strange. 
Anyway, I get to the giant door and all I hear is organ music and singing.  As I open the door, a damp, cool air settles over my skin and I enter the church that seemed to be lit solely from sky light in the stained glass windows and candles that were lit for prayers.  The construction of the wall seemed to vary in different parts of the church, likely the scars from many additions onto the church.  There are about 6 "chappelles" off of the main nave where sarcophagi of saints lie, such as Saint Étienne, Saint Martial of the XIV Century, and, of course, Saint Seurin (apparently I need to read up on my French Saints...).  It's incredible to think of how much history this one church has seen, especially compared to little old St. Joseph's in Chester! 

I spent about an hour in the church, which also has a crypt that was closed today.  I think it was closed for a wedding though, because as I left the church a large crowd of well-dressed French family members were gathering outside the church. 

Stained glass window in the Chappelle St. Joseph in the Basilique St. Seurin

Chappelle de la Sacre-Coeur in the Basilique St. Seurin

You can see how old the Basilica is just by looking at the walls!

Le Sarcophage de Saint Étienne

From there I went to Auchan, a supermarché that rivals Wal-Mart in size and diversity of goods, and rivals Target for quality.  The supermarket has 3 levels, and you can take your big shopping cart up the escalators because they are just moving-walkways on an angle.  It's something I've never seen before! Come to think of it, there was a part of the annoying Parisian train/metro system where I had to stand on a moving walkway that dropped and climbed as we went further underground and then resurfaced.. Quite cool. I went to Auchan because I needed pens and pencils... It seems I only brought one pen with me, and I'm pretty sure it's about to die.  That would have been horrible if it happened in class!  So I needed to stock up.  I spent quite some time in Auchan because I was sure I needed something else, but everything seemed so expensive that I couldn't really justify buying anything. 

After that I returned home for a skype date with Andrew.  Whenever we talk during his lunch break at work during the week, he only has time to talk to me for 12 minutes... You date someone for four years, then study abroad and they only have time to talk to you for 12 minutes...?  Not what I want!  But, I guess it's good that he's busy and he's working hard.  Though I would much rather him be here in France with me!

Alors, yesterday my host family made dinner for me but had plans to go out for the evening, and the other gentleman who is being hosted was out for the night, so I ended up eating with an older child of the host family who goes to Bordeaux University and studies medicine.  He doesn't speak any english, so it was very interesting having a conversation with him!  It truly was a test!  And, after telling him about Jill, I learned that the word for surgery in French is very difficult: chirurgie, I believe!  Try saying that twice fast... or even once fast!

Maintenant, je pense que c'est le temps dormir.  I have to get up with an alarm tomorrow to go to church and learn what the "Our Father" is in French.  À bientôt!!

(Oh, and excuse the appearance.  This website does not make it easy to format your entry with photos!!)