My neighborhood

Everybody, I’d like you to meet my neighborhood. Neighborhood, I’d like you to meet Everybody!

Almost 2 months ago (Yeesh! Where did the time go?!?) I moved into my very cute apartment. It’s about 20 meters squared (about 65 feet squared), completely furnished, near the city center, and is quite cozy on a cold winter’s day. Here is a silly video and a photo:

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My neighborhood is quiet most of the time, but it can also move and shake: bustling with young teenagers at 8am (I live next door to a high school), quaint cafes and secret nightclubs… summed up in a word—charming. Here are a few photos from around my ‘hood: 

Clermont Ferrand, the part of the city not limited to the block around my apartment, is just as charming if not more. The city is surrounded by dormant volcanoes and so the people have made use of what resource comes with volcanoes… lava. That’s right. I live in a city filled with black buildings and sidewalks, and the most incredible of all, a black cathedral made from lava. Some find that depressing, I find it positively awesome. I mean who else can say they have a gothic, catholic cathedral made from black lava?!? Clermont can!

Cathedral

Opera House

Notre Dame du Port! The most amazing mosaic work I've ever seen! 

The main street leading up to the cathedral

My lava cathedral! 

The city is small-ish, only 70,000 inhabitants, but it in no way feels small because there is always something fun to do. There is an amazing music scene here with a variety of musical talents from folk to heavy metal. I have never been to so many concerts in my life! Also, Clermont is home to the internationally recognized short film festival, which happens in February, and I have heard only good things. I’m very much looking forward to that! 

And last but not least, Clermont Ferrand is home to France’s best rugby team, A.S.M. I haven’t been to a game yet, but I look forward to the day when I can put on the yellow and blue war paint and drink myself silly at a real match.

After being a student for so long, boy is it weird to be on the other side of the desk… As is often the case, I have a new appreciation for all my teachers! Lesson plans—what a pain! Trying to find interesting and yet important subjects to teach, encourage discussions and remember all of our names. I bow to you! “Am not worthy!”

My School

So, needless to say, teaching has been interesting. I like the opportunity to impart knowledge on the youth of France, but when everyone suddenly becomes so interested in their pencil case the second I ask a question, I get a bit frustrated. Trying to inspire kids to want to learn is the most challenging, but then again I know they study 10 subjects for 7 hours a day, 5 days a week. I may very well be tired and overwhelmed, but as are they.

Please don’t get me wrong, my kids are great! I teach 12 hours a week, so I have about 12 different classes and every student I meet is wonderful! I was really lucky to be placed in this school because it is a good school with great kids. I even started an English Club so that even more students could practice their English with a Native; I had my first meeting last week and it was great! We talked about everything from WikiLeaks to TV shows to Prince William's engagement to Kate Middleton. It was so fun and inspiring that it even reminded me of a certain Book Club I was once in!

  And lucky me, my colleagues are fantastic, too! Everyone in the school, from administration and teachers, to hall monitors and janitors has been warm and welcoming. My first weeks here, I was invited to the homes of several of my colleagues from the English department. I did take up one of them, Isabelle, for lunch at her home.

It was the day before my birthday, so I welcomed the idea of a nice meal with a nice family. (Sorry guys, I tried to replace you!) And it was lovely! A fresh ratatouille with wine and French conversation… heavenly! And then Isabelle surprised me with a birthday cake!

Yummy! Then after lunch we went for a hike to the top of a hill atop which a small, old chapel stood with a magnificent view of the patchwork fields that stretched as far as the eye could see. Then we went for a little drive through some of the neighboring cities… I saw buildings that dated back to 1010!! Take that, “historical neighborhood” in Mesa (who's houses are from 1911-1950)! 

Isabelle and her two lovely daughters, Lisa and Rafaelle 

In other news, winter has arrived. I’m already ready for it to be over. Seriously. I’ve realized that I don’t really like snow, or rather I like it but I don't want to live with it. I mean it’s cold, slippery, deceiving, and gets in your eyes. Sure it’s pretty, but I can’t appreciate anything because I’m too busy walking like an old lady, staring at the ground, trying not to fall over. It’s going to be a long winter…. 

I don't have any pictures yet of the beautiful Place Jaude with the big Christmas tree and ferris wheel all covered in snow, but I will work on that and get back to you! 

I hope you're all well! Happy Holidays!