I have discovered why my french grammar, and probably that of every other person who tries to learn french as a second language, is so horrifically bad. Everyday I must help one of the girls revise and recite grammar points and now understand that it takes years of practice and that even the french themselves are far from a full comprehension of their language of love. I say if the french themselves have to do this, what hope is there for the rest of us...?
Paris continues to be a city of endless new discoveries. On the weekend I found Roland Garros in the heart of Paris. It seems the french go crazy for tennis and outside Hotel de Ville were numerous tennis courts and a huge screen. I watched the disappointing women's final at this strange site: the huge, old, beautiful Parisienne monument contrasting with the bright red courts. Another discovery: a street where every shop sells nothing but stamps, who knew there was a market for such things. More strangely however is the love between the french and their dog. Everyone knows that the french love their dogs, but just how much I was unaware of till the other day. I came across a woman and her dog taking lunch together. I say together for the dog was not just inside the cafe next to the table but ON the table, sharing a bowl of nuts with its loving owner. Dogs ride the metro, go shopping, share coffee and I'm sure if it was possible would wear designer trench coats and 6 inch heels.
I have started school, very close to where I live in the 11th arrondissement, and attend three mornings a week for three hours. Most of the students are from China, one from Italy, Colombia, and Japan. It is very funny listening to how everone's first language affects the way they speak french. As most of us have a team in the world cup we are going to have a little bet on each match (verbal only) and it seems no one has faith in France but to my personal dismay they all laugh when I say Australia has hope. I don't think anyone believed me when I said we have beaten Uruguay more than once. Either way, world cup fever is brewing in Paris and so from Roland Garros at Hotel de Ville I move to the big screen under the Eiffel Tower where apparently all the games are being played.
ALLEZ SOCCEROOS!!!