I have completed my first week of studies at the Institute of Touraine in Tours, France, a city about an hour-and-a-half southwest of Paris. It is comparable in size to Cleveland or Pittsburgh when you account for the respective surrounding suburbs of each city. My arrival was unfortunately more complicated than I had hoped it would be, although I cannot say the difficulties were entirely unexpected. I knew upon arrival that the only available train from Charles De Gaulle Airport (CDG) to Tours, until 16h30 (4:30 pm), left within half an hour of my arrival at 9h (9 am). Airport security and customs staff are not known for their speed, of course, so I expected to miss my TGV high-speed train to Tours. I arrived at the TGV station, which is beneath CDG Airport, and quickly realized that I had no idea how the train system worked or behind which door I would find my train. I attempted, in French, to ask an attendant where I should go, and realized just as quickly that he had no idea what I was asking. He instructed me, in English, to descend the stairs behind Door 3 and find my train. I walked through the third door to find my train pulling away from the station in front of me. Zut!
This episode taught me a painful lesson in foreign language study: you only know a language when you can use it in a crisis. So began my six-hour wait at the airport before a two-hour train ride to my host family.
I began my course at the language institute the next day with an oral language assessment. Last summer, I began learning French in the excellent language immersion program at Middlebury College in Vermont. That placement, too, began with an oral language assessment, and when I could not say anything more than my name in French, I was placed at the beginners’ level. I was thus very interested to see where I would begin here at Tours. Happily, I was able to place into a much more advanced class this year. Learning a foreign language can be extraordinarily frustrating, because the effort does not always match the progress. It was thus satisfying to know that my efforts before the program have taken me from a complete beginner to an intermediate student. I am eager to see where I will come out after six weeks of hard work.
My host family took me to a truly unique place this first weekend: au Parc Équestre Fédéral. Their granddaughter competes in the equestrian activity of “Pony Games,” and I was able to accompany them to see her team compete. I was told by my host family that between 5,000 and 6,000 teenagers and young adults compete in various equestrian sports in the months of May and June in France. Below is a picture of the clubhouse entrance.
There were three different equestrian sports on display yesterday: the aforementioned Pony Games, “Horse-Ball,” and “Horse Polo.” Their granddaugther’s team came in first place on the day in Pony Games, which consisted of a series of obstacles and tasks, including picking up a ball off the ground and placing it on a cone as one rides by on a horse. Incredibly difficult for anyone, yet alone teenagers.
“Horse-Ball” and “Horse-Polo” involved two teams competing against one another to advance a ball across a field. “Horse-Ball” was especially fun to watch, as it was like basketball except on horseback. I was told that “Horse-Ball” is an especially dangerous sport, because the two teams are often jostling against one another and someone can easily fall beneath the horses. I saw no falls in my time watching the “Horse-Ball” games, but I was amazed to see the skill involved. The players had to balance their bodies, control their horses, and coordinate with one another all at the same time. It was an amazing sight.
I look forward to more unique French experiences throughout my time at the institute. My first week of classes were beneficial, but I hope the next five weeks prove even more profitable. à tout à l’heure!