Lifestyle, Tea Room, The Pre-Alps, The Language, Musique

Salut,

Tout va bien! All is well! I'm getting adjusted to the routine here and the weather is nice but a little hot. I'm learning alot and enjoying every bit of it. Enjoy!



Lifestyle

The diet here is great. Cheese, (healthy) bread, good cuts of meat, vegetables and exercise. Yes, tons of it without having to pay for a gym membership. Yes, that's right. Lausanne is extremely hilly especially in the center of town, it's easy to see why the people look healthy. I like the ability to walk or take the subway anywhere I need to go. I like the cobblestone streets downtown and the easy access of the Alps and Lac Leman.

Back to the food. It's good. I have Swiss sausages, Swiss dishes and drinks and Swiss experiences, more on that later. Raclette is very 'chessey'! As you eat, you boil the cheese and pour it over your potatoes and dig in. We ate it with black tea because it aids in digestion. Accompaning the meal was maize, small red onions (interesting smell), pickles and more. It was very good. In fact, nothing that I have had has tasted bad except for the green appetizer dish in the photos at the grillade. It was too foreign! My palette for cheese and food is improving. I enjoy eating cheese with bread or eating 'jambon' (which I think is ham) over cantaloupe. It sounds different but give it a try. I had pizza on Sunday evening that was superb. It will beat Papa Johns anyday. It had sliced hard-boiled eggs, ham, green onions, and some other good vegetables! C'est magnifique! I wonder what France holds in store for me!?!?

Living here with Alex and Anouck is great preparation for living with my host family. Sharing a bathroom (which I have never done with anyone other than family) has been a new experience but fine nonetheless. My host family has 2 girls and 2 boys who I will share the bathroom with. AWWWWWW! Je deconne (I'm joking)! I'm sure we will work out smooth routines but the adjustment will be interesting. But, my time with Alex and Anouck has been nice, encouraging, helpful, and eye opening. Eye opening for me!


Tea Room

Well, what an experience. On Tuesday, I went to the nieghborhood cafe to get out of my comfort zone, amongst other things, and get out I sure did. I knew that things were different but not this different. It was my first time here but my friends frequent this cafe. I wanted to sit down for breakfast but I didn't know how it worked. When it was my turn (I spoke in French except for a word or 2 here and there) I ordered what I wanted and told her that I wanted to sit down. She told me ( I think she told me because she spoke fast) 'sit down and we'll bring it to you'. Well, as I sat down I noticed that croissantes were on the table so I thought "Bon!" and I helped myself to one. A different woman who I guess is the server or 'Damme' brought me my cafe and the ticket. I didn't expect the ticket so fast but voila. So I finished my coffee and my croissant and paid and left. Thinking that I paid for both the coffee and the croissants I left but I was very curious as to why the ticket only said 'Coffee 3.30 francs'. I arrived at home and asked Anouck and low and behold I didn't pay. In fact, Anouck and later her sister, confirmed the confusion associated with Tea Rooms. Well, I went back around noonish to apologize and explain the situation and resolve it. It went GREAT! The women thought it was nice and the woman who was there that morning was still there which comforted me because I didn't want to leave any bad impressions in her mind.

The next day I went back and more confusion lay ahead. Who knew? Well, I tried to order a cheese danish but I didn't get but I ended up with a Tranche fromages (a grilled cheese pizza with nutmeg. To all the cheese lovers 'Why are you not here?"). The best mistake ever!!!!!!!!! I wasn't upset that I got the wrong thing because I wanted something new and different anyway. It was as if my mind thought one thing and my mouth said another. Funny! It doesn't end there. The ticket came with the coffee again so ok. When I was ready to leave I asked the Damme where to pay and she told me the boulangerie. I went and the woman behind the counter didn't understand me and had to go in the back to find out what I was talking about. But, she emerged knowledgable of the situation and all was well! Whew!! :) I will go back next week but for only one day that is some expensive coffee 3.30 francs for 6 ounces. Tu deconnes?



The Language

My language is improving daily, hourly and minutely. Even now as I listen to Alex, Anouck, and the insurance guy I'm able to slow them down and keep up. However, my vocabulary still needs improvement so voila! I'm at the point where I feel confident going out by myself however, on two occasions I got lost in the city but stubborn me I didn't ask for directions. The first time was a few days ago as I was looking for the 'Migros' so that I can buy some floss. It took me about 25 or 30 minutes to find it. I take that back I did asked a young woman in a store called FNAC (similar to a Barnes & Noble or Fry's Electronics) but I didn't understand her fully. The other time was last night, I was trying to find this venue where jazz was being played but I never did and I gave up. That will be the last time I give up, and the last time I don't use Google Earth's directions and street views. C'est vache!

Everyone is helping me with my language skills. They're great teachers, very patient, great explainers and 'chou'. We must work on the speed. :) Mme. Larsen, you would be happy with their efforts. This weekend I'm headed to the Pre-Alps and staying at the family's chalet. Her mother speaks no English and her father does it should be fun!



Musique

My friends, Alex and Anouck, know only the 'name' of Miles Davis! Oh my oh my I must turn them on to more of him, Coltrane, Hancock, Mingus, Dolphy, The Bird, and more! We do like MC Solaar who basically made French hip-hop or rap what it is. Solaar worked quite a bit with Guru formerly of Gang Starr, Solaar is well respected here. I am playing 'Kind of Blue' by Davis for them and they are enjoying the music. I'm going to try and keep it playing during dinner.



The Pre-Alps

I have so many pictures of the Alps because I can't take my eyes off of them! They're breathtaking coming from a guy who has lived in Houston. Beautiful, majestic, curious, compelling, and cool! They beckon for me to come and investigate them, explore them, relax in them, and I will! Au revoir!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll take as many as I can!