August 30-31 2014

The day before I got stuck in Iceland. It was crazy weather, violent winds, downpours! Iceland's airport is like a huge ski lodge where it's like everyone is snowed in. I met a lovely couple from Virginia on the plane who were on their 30th anniversary and heading to Paris. The lady was very kind; she appreciated our in-depth conversations and even invited me to stay at her home if I ever visited the South. Now that is southern hospitality if ever I saw it. I took a long journey from the Charles de Gaulle airport by the RER B train to St. Rèmy des chevreuses, not far from where Sophie lives. She picked me up with her lovely friend Marien. I had a marvelous dinner with their family and got to play with Sophie’s two nieces. I was surprised that I didn’t use my French dictionary once. It was all coming back to me so fast like an old habit. I got to have in-depth conversations with Sophie’s older brother, Patrick and his wife Anne about American and French worldviews, politics, culture, vocab, and stereotypes. I drank plenty of rosé, made plenty of mistakes in French, but it wasn’t a struggle and it’s only the first day! Off to a great start! I even had a fun time sharing American and British English word differences with Patrick e.g. soccer, jersey, etc. In return he helped me with some French vocab. I miss my parents because I wish they could share my adventures, my joys, and the wonderful people I have come to know here and call friends.

Here is an interesting quote I found in a book I’m reading:

“To learn a second language, you have to be willing to give yourself up, the self encoded in your first one. You are no longer a person who speaks with facility and authority. You are less than what you were as a child: You cannot transact a phone call without help, discuss matters more complex than the color of fruits and vegetables. You cannot signal who you are. Most of us, by the time we’re adults speak in so many words. We convey information through tone: I am sad, or I am displeased, or Is it not clear? I am important.” –Dreaming in Hindi, Katharine Russel Rich