Sunday in Montpellier, September 11

 
 

Sunday in Montpellier, September 11, 2011

Nothing could be more peaceful than Michele's garden this morning on such a sad anniversary. I am privileged.
Home alone, for 30 hours with nothing to do and all day (and night) to do it in.
Such luxury. The first time I have paused for a “do nothing day,” since I left NZ 17 days ago.
Michel and Michele went to a wedding yesterday afternoon, in Uzes and won't be back till tonight.
The sun is shining, again, and the temperature is rising. I certainly know I am in the south of France. The light is amazing.

Yesterday afternoon I made the most of the solitude and lazed about on a sun lounger under the apricot tree. With a good book, The Help. I have just walked down to the boulangerie and came back with my first fresh croissant, a warm baguette, apple patisseries for tonight, and a tartelette framboise for my lunch!
Superb! What a breakfast with French jams, cherry and strawberry, and double cream goat's cheese.

I am inspired now, to go out and about, to a park and river not too far away, before it gets too hot. Tomorrow I will be in school after all.
I am looking forward to catching the tram to the Place de la Comedie. The trams are works of art and in addition to the orange flowery tram and the blue birds line, there is now a new line. I look forward to seeing the new design.

Tonight, after dinner with Michel et Michele, I move to the home of Marie, a Servas host. Not too far from here. She will host me for two nights, then her neighbour, Clauderic, will host me for the rest of the week.
I will be in classes each morning and on two afternoons, I will be having French cooking classes, in French! I attended a senior class at Accent Francais for two weeks in May 2008. This time I will be with a mixture of students, probably all younger than me. No problem, I am sure it will be interesting and fun. Michele said my French has improved since my last visit, so with another week in school, I should make even more progress. Plus I will have another two weeks in France to practise!