Two nights ago I experienced my very first "aperitif." Translated literally it is, "appetizer." In France, one of their many fabulous customs is joining friends or neighbors for aperitif in the evening. It is not something one does everyday, but if you have a dinner party or simply wish to visit without dinner you can host an aperitif. A traditional aperitif includes but is not limited to snacks such as nuts, olives, cheese, etc. Traditional beverages for aperitif are things such as champagne, vermouth, lillet, etc. Basically, appetizers and cocktails! This practice is a bit more common here than in the States, or at least where I am from in the States.
I joined my Host Family for aperitif with our neighbors on Wednesday evening. They are an older couple who live just over the fence and they wanted to meet me and visit with the children. We had a very pleasant evening and I was able to practice my French! Like many older French folk, they don't speak English. My French is far from fluent so communication was a bit spotty, but it was fun. They served me my first real champagne. By real I mean that there is actually only ONE champagne that is actually champagne and the rest is simply sparkling wine. I was completely unaware of this before moving to France. How do you know if it is real champagne? Simple. If it comes from the region of Champagne, France then it is champagne. The rest is all sparkling wine. Who knew?! Not me. You learn something new every day, and sometimes education tastes tres magnifique!
_________________________________________________________________________________
On Wednesday afternoon I had my first driving lesson for my manual car.
My host family gave* me a Ford Focus but unfortunately, it is a manual car! Yikes. I have NEVER driven one of those! Okay, I take that back. I tried several years ago when my ex-boyfriend made me try to drive his. He loved his car more than anything else so my attempt was short and sweet. I wasn't about to risk scratching that thing. However, this time I don't have an option. I have to drive while I am here and like 90% of the vehicles in Europe are manual. Great. Just great. My Host Family bought a new car so that I would have my own so I cannot really complain. While I am extremely grateful, I am terrified. Time to face more fears, I guess!
My first lesson was not so terrible but it wasn't good either. The whole three-peddle thing is an entirely new concept for me. Who came up with this crap, anyway? I had quite a few scares and screams but I made it.
You may be wondering, "why is it so hard for you? Its really simple." Yes, in a way, its not really so bad... when you are on FLAT ground. We live in the Alps... nothing is flat. Also, if you have never driven in Europe you may not know that the roads are really small! Oh, and French driver's are CRAZY. They don't care that I am stalling and rolling backwards. And screaming. And clearly have no idea what I am doing. Zut alors! I was okay if I could keep going but stopping for traffic or signs was another story...
Today I had my second lesson. It was scary. as. hell. Scary, I tell you! However, I tackled some bigger hills and actually made it up without "jumping ship" and making Guillaume take over. I was panting and sweating, but hey, I did it!!! I am getting better... I think. We will see what happens tomorrow!
*I do not legally own the car but it is mine to drive while I am here, and I will have insurance for it.
No comments:
Post a Comment