I think it's fair to say that despite having been here for over 6 weeks (God is it really that long already?) I haven't really lived the French life. I spend most of my time with the Erasmus group, who lovely as they are we always speak English, or curled up in my room catching up with British TV. It came as quite a shock then to get on a train to Vichy and spend an internet-less weekend in a small village in the countryside with a French family.
On the Friday evening my friend Marine and I hopped on to a train to make our way to her home in Brugheas, where her family had very kindly offered me to stay for the weekend to experience real French life, and what a life it is. I very quickly learnt the importance of food in the French home, especially when you have guests. I mean, we all know that France is the country of fine dining, but who knew that they have two 5 course meals a day? It's insane! Although I am very grateful and I did get to try many new things including the four French staples of pain, vin, fromage (all from the Auvergne region) and saucisson, and of course who can sample the great French cuisine without munching on les escargots?`
I think it's safe to say that most of the weekend was spent sat around the dining table, slowly digesting the feasts and enjoying the company. Marine's family is very sweet and traditional, and her parents take part in a weekly folk dancing group in Clermont Ferrand. Another exchange student from America, Jason, joined us on the Saturday morning and that evening was very enjoyable with Marine's dad playing the accordion and her mum teaching us all some of the regional folk dances. It was definitely one of the highlights of my weekend.
As for those rare moments in between meals, on the Saturday Marine took us on a tour of Vichy, only a short drive away. I know it is a popular tourist site, but Vichy really is quite a lovely town, even in the cold October rain. We visited a few main sites on the way, such as the Opera and La Mairie, but one of the most unique things about Vichy is its natural springs, famed for their healing properties. No visit is complete without going and tasting these springs, although I soon discovered that they were of an acquired taste, especially those of a sulphur base.
I think it's safe to say that most of the weekend was spent sat around the dining table, slowly digesting the feasts and enjoying the company. Marine's family is very sweet and traditional, and her parents take part in a weekly folk dancing group in Clermont Ferrand. Another exchange student from America, Jason, joined us on the Saturday morning and that evening was very enjoyable with Marine's dad playing the accordion and her mum teaching us all some of the regional folk dances. It was definitely one of the highlights of my weekend.
As for those rare moments in between meals, on the Saturday Marine took us on a tour of Vichy, only a short drive away. I know it is a popular tourist site, but Vichy really is quite a lovely town, even in the cold October rain. We visited a few main sites on the way, such as the Opera and La Mairie, but one of the most unique things about Vichy is its natural springs, famed for their healing properties. No visit is complete without going and tasting these springs, although I soon discovered that they were of an acquired taste, especially those of a sulphur base.
All in all it was a very lovely weekend spent in good company. I thank my host family very much and would love to get another opportunity to visit and experience more of that wondrous French life.
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| Me and Jason outside the Opera at Vichy |
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