Quick update of how I am now basically Quebecois.

So today in the epicerie (grocery store) the cashier asked me if all of the peaches that were buying were the same type.  I

a) understood what she meant and
b) replied completely in French!

Explore program = official success!

Summertime and the living is easy

Salut mes amis!

This week my francais class got serious... I had not one, but 3 tests, ack! Not to worry, I fit in plenty of fun too. Including:

Photo credit goes to my friend Sarah

A visit to the Quebec Provincial Legislature on Wednesday. The tour was in French (obviously) but luckily I already knew a thing or two about Canadian government, so I wasn't too too lost. The Parliament buildings are rather grand. (Though not as grand as Ottawa HAha) Unfortunately half of the building is under renovations to couldn't see it in all of it's glory. Did see a statue of Lord Elgin on the exterior of the building though. Lord Elgin is the fellow who lent his name to my street in Ottawa. Oh, and he did other stuff too like being a key governor general that really had the Quebecois backs. Thanks wikipedia...

Stained glass window showing Jacques Cartier leaving France

Waterfalls where I dipped my toes 
(photo not mine, my photos stuck within my bb) 

Other fun and games included going for a randonee (hike) this Saturday to Vallee Bras-du-Nord. Once again I made the boneheaded idea of going with the tres rapid (very fast) group. Apparently tres rapide actually DOES mean very fast. I was a huffin and a puffin as though there were trois petite cochons (3 little pigs) nearby. Good exercise though! And beautiful views of waterfalls and rolling valleys.

This upcoming week promises to be busy yet again with a ghost tour on Wednesday and a trip to Ile d'Orleans next Saturday.


A bientot!

Tara

Word of the day: Parapluuuuuuuieeeeee (umbrella)

Bonjour mes amis!

What to update since last week? Well class-wise had an "oops" moment when I mis-remembered the days of the week and was greeted on Thursday morning with an unexpected test.  I mean, who really remembers that Jeudi=Thursday?? (except every person in Canada that has ever taken grade 4 french...) Luckily, it was only a petite test. Phew!

This weekend was spent in Old Quebec, soaking up the sights, sounds, and smells of the town.  Also perfecting the art of the flaneur. (wandering abouts).  It was wonderful :)  This weekend also involved:
1)  Trying duck confit at a fancy pants restaurant in Old Quebec.  J'adore.

2) But on the other hand, the worst ever french onion soup.  Apparently worst and too much cheese can be used together in a sentence. Blech.

3) An awesome trip to the National (teehee those Quebecois) Gallery of Fine Arts.  Blair particularly enjoyed the Unicorn Rooster, and we both really liked Good Night Darthy. 

Good Night Darthy

Unicorn Rooster

Thus, after a wonderful weekend in Old Quebec it's back to reality.  In "explore" speak this means one thing: conjugation conjugation conjugation.  Yes, it's practicing the etres and avoirs for me!

A bientot! (Laters!)

Tara

The 2e week

Bonjour mes amis,

The past two weeks have been busy busy busy, but fun too! So a petite update. 

How Explore Works

School

So everyday (except for weekends) I have class from 8:30-noon.  That means I have to get up at (gulp!) 7am every morning.  I am still not used to the early bedtime, so I often pay for it with a bleary eyed purchase of cafe (coffee) in the little lounge that the program has set up.  It's 50c and often nice company for saying a little bonjour in the morning.  Class has been going well so far.  My professors are AMAZING.  They speak slowly, clearly, and simply with plenty of gesturing.  Also they seem friendly and like they really want us to learn.  I have been very impressed so far. Maybe check back in a week when I start actually having tests?

Chair sculpture in the Old Port disctrict

Excursions/Activities

At the beginning of the program, I had the opportunity to sign up for paid activities such as hikes (went to Jacques Cartier Parc last Saturday), ghost tours, the sugar shack (last Friday).  However, during the week I have also been trying to catch other gratis (free) activities.  For example, yesterday afternoon I went on a tour to the Old Port area.  Wandered through a market where my eyes were definitely bigger than my stomach. (What possessed me to eat lunch beforehand???).  Some older ladies at a fruit stall tempted me with a taste of fresh strawberries, and I really couldn't resist. 

Cirque du Soliel

ok, now imagine the most amazing things that
the human body can do, and costumes and lights... and and and... 

Last night, went to Cirque du Soliel with my friends. For free. 

Yep.

Can't even describe how wide my mouth was open for the entire hour show! It was a spectacle with acrobats, dancing, live music, lights...! Even more impressive, it was held underneath a traffic underpass near the Old Port, a great use of an otherwise underused public space. 

Well, that's it for now, bed time!

Bon soiree! 

Tara

A taste of my weekend...

Afternoon tour in Vieux-Quebec

Evening at the cabin a sucre

Hiking in Parc national de la Jaques-Cartier

Day One Finis

Good morning friends, or should I say, bonjour mes amis!

I write this from my room before heading off to ecole (school) at Universite Laval. I am living in a basement apt close to Laval University, about a 15 min bus ride.  From Old Quebec, another 30 mins from there, to give you an idea on location.  The family I am staying with lives upstairs and unfortunately for a girl trying to learn French like me, haven't seen them since the first day, so no chance to practice with the very local locals. However I do have internet and my own room - 2 things I was not sure about.  And my roommate Nirosha is fun and sweet. We make our meals together, which is nice. :)

Day 1 was nice, but very overwhelming and exhausting as well.  Trying to speak in French most of the day with a limited vocabulary and no sense of sentence structure is tough! We did get schedules and more of a feel for the 5 weeks.   I am hoping that today, with its trip to old quebec (weather permitting) and pub night will be a little more fun.


That's all for now!


Tara 

Bienvenue Back!

My new home for 5 weeks

That's right, I have decided to start up the old blog again, to document my (mis)adventures in learning French this summer in Quebec City.

As you might guess from the Franglish title, it will likely be an interesting time. Hopefully there will be some fun things to write about.

Currently headed to La Belle Province via the train. When I arrive I will either be greeted by my host family... or not. We shall see. As long as I don't spend my first night sleeping on the front porch of a house in the 'burbs, I shall consider Day 1 a success.

That's all for now,

Au revoir!
- Tara