I am on vacation and feeling the bliss.
I took on another class in January because there were new students asking to start their lessons in French and there really wasn’t a choice. So I now have three classes.
The Monday class is the most advanced as we started two years ago and are to a point where we have brought in a native French woman to focus us on our conversational skills.
The second (online) class meets on Wednesdays and began January 2021. They are progressing beautifully.
The new class is people who have never studied French before but need to learn it having recently moved here. They are called “nouveaux débutants” and we meet on Tuesdays. Thus it is pretty hectic from Sunday when I begin to prepare, through Wednesday every week.
France is generous with time off. Schools have intermittent breaks, usually every six weeks. This is the winter “ski” break and it lasts two weeks. So I am “‘en vacances”’as of today until March 7 and feeling the freedom because, to be honest, it is a lot of work to prepare lesson plans for three different two-hour long classes every week including Powerpoint presentations to add to the various texts we utilize.
After the class ended today, I was pumped and decided to celebrate. I went into Carcassonne to a pub I heard had good hamburgers – a rarity here. I arrived to find they only serve food Thursday-Sunday.
I had passed an interesting place en route so backtracked and had a nice single-malt scotch to start, then a delightful boeuf bourguignon with green salad and a small carafe of red wine. It was just what the doctor ordered as I rarely treat myself (especially given COVID) and I have been diligent sticking to my low-carb diet – now down 27 lbs since July 2021 and only 7 lbs away from my targeted goal. I have eaten too well in the three years I have been here and have paid the price.
Next week, I travel to Nîmes to discover the most Roman city outside of Italy. Stay tuned.
PS: The photo heading this post is one I took in November 2021 with a telephoto lens from my terrasse. The Pyrénées continue to inspire on a daily basis.
Bonjour, Tom! Largely inspired by your story, we moved from Texas to Montpellier in January. Last Friday we took our first day trip, to Nîmes. It’s a beautiful place and the Roman ruins are spectacular. Enjoy!
Bienvenue en France! I hope you enjoy your new life here. I am happy my love for the country inspired you. Profitez bien!
The photograph of the Pyrénées is spectacular!
Profite de tes vacances!
Merci!
Great choice for a holiday visit Tom. The amphitheatre in Nimes is one of the wonders of the Roman world (as is the one in Arles and both are still in use) , The Maison Carre (can’t do the acute accent on the “e”!!) is a must. But above everything else, if you have not yet visited the Pont Du Gard (very close to Nimes) I found it as dramatic and stunning enough to match anything I saw in Rome (!). A truly astonishing feat of ancient engineering. I look forward to the pictures and the report in a future blog.
Merci, Dennis! I decided to take the train so I will have to save the Pont du Gard for another day. I am looking forward to getting away.
Love your post. Had the dream some years ago but my husband’s Chiropractic license doesn’t prevail in France. Too bad because he’s the ” best in the business” as they say. So we live vicariously through your posts. Thank you!
Merci! And maybe the day will come in retirement as it finally did for me. Bonne chance!
Your blog posts also have helped to focus our retirement wanderlust on France. We’ve secured a temporary apartment in Vaison la Romaine to widely explore the south of France for a new home.
Super, John! I wish you luck. Be sure to monitor temperatures and drought in whatever region you choose as things are intensifying. Nîmes & the eastern Hérault along with the Dordogne have been hard hit. Bonne chance!
Oh, Tom, I feel your excitement as you contemplate treating yourself many times over while ‘en vacances.’ You have developed yourself as a kind, patient, effective instructor, as so many of us can attest. But it’s a lot of work! Enjoy the wonders of your world , your chosen home, these next few days in particular. Profitez bien 😊 !!
Merci, Janis! J’attends avec impatience à voir Nîmes. À bientôt.
Glad you are having a getaway. Your teaching soundS time-consuming yet rewarding.. How lucky your students are. Could almost taste that scotch and beef you savored. Always love the accompanying images! Kristin
Thanks, Kristin. And that lovely image is thanks to you for that wonderful new camera! 😘