Oh sure, I took it in high school. But I was lazy and unmotivated. Now I am lazy and old. Studies prove it is easier for a young person to learn a language than for an older person.
So I ask this question: Who put the parley in vous?
I have had several conversations with people in French/English.
Julia's neighbor speaks English, but she prefers French.
In French, she asked how I was. In French, I replied I was fine and hoped she was too.
We both laughed. Last time, she called me "the professor" and has given me a couple of pointers on how to say something over the years.
That fairly competent moment was followed by a conversation with a woman who owns a winery down the street from Julia. I have gone there several times. I know she speaks English, but her husband does not.
So I saw her on the street and said, "Bonjour....how are you?" My combination French/English greeting confused her. She answered, in French, "I am fine, thank you." I then came back with the amazing response, "Merci." And I bowed! She still does not know what I am thanking her for, or why I bowed. Hell, I don't even know what I was thinking.
At least I understood her, unlike the truck driver who asked me for directions. Or for money. Or offered to buy me lunch. He talked so fast, I had no idea what to say. So I bumbled out, in slow motion: I don't speak French; I speak French not; Merci! and finally, I don't understand you, I am American. At which point he thanked me, probably for his morning laugh, and drove on.
At the bakery, I managed to buy one loaf of bread and a butter croissant, ordering in French. When the lady asked me which baguette, something or blanc, I went with blanc because I know that is white and I wanted white bread.
So I have started listening to podcasts of Coffee Break French. The lessons are about 15 minutes long, hence the coffee break tie in. They are free and fast paced. I am on lesson four. If I had done this six months ago instead of playing spider solitaire, perhaps I could parley vous with the best of them.
And now, for some exciting pictures.
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| The croissant was still warm |
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| Julia's downstairs neighbor is blaming this on us...has been beautiful for two weeks! |
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| The funicular is closed....cement and tracks replaced, again. |
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| Chardonne funi station ... a little messy with the construction, love the wood building |
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| Julia's apartment building....notice the sun is out, just not over the lake!! |
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| Pinot noir in the making |
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| Grapes are being harvested now....these beauties look ready |
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| All the times I have been here, don't think I have ever taken this picture! |
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