Villefranche-sur-Mer (photo LP 2013)
As I mentioned in my last post my time in France, and in particular, Villefranche-sur-Mer,is going to be an opportunity for me to experience a different culture...and an extraordinary language learning opportunity at the Institut de Français.
After three days in this town on the "Riviera", and out of peak tourist season which I understand completely changes the atmosphere of this tiny ville, I have been welcomed by the locals.
The flight from Australia was over a period of 26 hours from Perth via Singapore and Paris to Nice. And then I had the discovery of my petite apartment in a 16th century building, my new home for a month.
My house in Perth is considered huge by European standards; my apartment in Villefranche is tiny in comparison. In Australia my home is surrounded by large gardens and lawns; here in Villefranche I live in five rooms, surrounded by other ancient buildings which are traversed by tiny, equally ancient laneways. My hours in the apartment are punctuated by the ringing, hourly, of the church bells only 100 metres from my building...and the wailing of neighbourhood cats, and the carousing of late night diners...a complete contrast.
Monsieur with the tapenade,olives and anchovies (photo LP 2013)
After my arrival and before the jetlag ensured I succumbed to exhaustion, I explored the ville and met the butcher, who once I had explained my situation as a soon to be enrolled immersion language student, assured me he would not serve me unless I spoke with him in French! I asked him about his produce and he suggested recipes...I felt immediately at home...
I had been recommended by my landlady to a particular boulangerie and after some faltered explanation I received the same assistance.
The following day I woke with expectation of the local produce market. And each of the stall holders showed me the same consideration...perhaps my fascination with food is a common denomination,and such kindness was shown to me,despite my faltering attempts at French.
The roast chicken but also rabbit stall. (photo LP 2013)
Perhaps also it is a consideration that I am travelling as a single woman. The restaurants I visited in my first few days, each day dining with an air of excitement with the expectation of something different, were accommodating in a manner which I would not experience in Australia. Rather than being placed at an "awkward" table, I was each time offered a table which would afford me a view of the other diners, an inclusive invitation.
The food experiences...will wait for another post...
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Villefranche...the restaurant strip beside the water (Photo LP 2013) After four weeks in Villefranche-sur-Mer,France, I have settled in and feel a little like a local. My regular contact with the people in the little boulangerie, the nearby small supermarket, the butcher, the Tabac and the small shops I pass each day on my way to and from Institut de Français has resulted in a familiarity which I would not have expected. The regular " bonjour, ça va?" as I pass, or when I visit the market each Saturday morning, has made me feel at home. When I have mentioned that I am a student at the Institut the local people immediately smile and encourage me to speak in French, which was awkward in the beginning but as I have improved my confidence and my ability to speak in their language, these "locals" have encouraged me with their compliments, week by week. I am going to miss each and every one of them when I leave. My first meal inVil...
Sounds like you are having fun! All you need now is some sunshine, and by the time your immersion month is over, you'll be the perfect 'française'!! Don't forget some buy some clothes while in France. Fashion-wise, France is always a year ahead compared to the rest of the world. In the fashionable boutiques, not at the local outdoor market, of course. Although you can up some nice bargains there too ... if you're lucky!! Have a great time and sorry to miss our 'scheduled' appointment. But next time, I'm sure! Martine
ReplyDeleteMartine, thank you so much for your lovely comment! Yes, I am settling in well and was surprised when I was placed in Intermediate 3...obviously my work over the past year has reaped rewards! Villefranche is making me welcome and I look forward to shopping in Nice, perhaps even this weekend. I am sure we will catch up in the not too distant future. And I look foward to reading about your next Loire Valley adventure...best wishes, Louise
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