Day 14: Fonetiks

14 septembre 2009 (Day 14)
My phonetics teacher is crazy. She wouldn’t let this girl record the class to re-listen to at home, she doesn’t like having many students, and she can be quite rude. After having us attempt to read a poem spelled in the phonetic alphabet (which was a horrible idea seeing that we don’t know the symbols) she had a very humorous rap of the poem we read. Classes here are definitely not what I expected. Even art history did not meet my expectations. I suppose they were too high from the amazing lessons I had EVERY day with Mr. Oram. Our teaching is planning on just vaguely dipping our toes into this and that, never mind details or names. My fencing class was not what I expected either, but fantastic none the less. Fencing is a really neat sport; it is much more psychological than you’d expect. There are also rules and formalities and is NOT like what you see in movies when people fence. It is a really good hot and sweaty workout due to the mask and protective jacket. Since it was our first day our teacher taught us some basic rules and then let us play against each other. It is going to be a very fun class. In regards to French classes, I think History may end up my favorite, although it was at the bottom of the list before.
People in Nantes are so ridiculously nice, it amazes me. I found myself lost yet again while trying to find my fencing class. I stopped a man getting out of his car and he proceeded to get a map, show me where on the map, and then walk me partway there. This sort of kindness happens quite frequently here. This city is an interesting mélange of city and country. There are many shops, mass transit, etc. but it is still a very family oriented, in the country kind of town. I think it is great how the majority of male runners are out in their spandex and that no one expects you to have your hair even straightened. Many Utah social norms are completely thrown out the window here.
It’s almost like being at Hogwarts. You get a letter, saying you are accepted to some place you’ve never heard of; you pack your trunk and leave. There is the Hogwarts Express (the TGV and the tram), there are people from all over and you are there for a common purpose. Some are better than others at magic (French). Some teachers are good, others terrible. The mannerisms, vernacular, and dress are not those that a Muggle (foreigner) is used to, as well as the alleys that lead to nowhere, many magical shops and wonderful people. They even have scrolls (or at least odd paper- it is so long) here. Your conversations with your family come by owl (internet) and sometimes other magical things like looking into fires (webcams [give me artistic license with this one]). There are Berty Botts every flavored crepes and gelato, and tons of candy that you’ve never heard of. The butterbeer (hot chocolate) is divine. The Resto-U is quite magical, like the feasts at Hogwarts and I am quite sure that the anal cleaning ladies are distantly related to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named (or at the very least Severus Snape). Apparently someone left their plate in the kitchen last night, so we are infinitesimally close to having our kitchen locked. It is such a foreign yet magical place that changes every time you walk through a different door. And the most important part, if you have the summer at home to either look forward to or dread.