Two whole months here. I haven't written anything in a while. I think this is a good sign actually. It means I've settled in.
The month of May has been great! I've managed to establish a bit of a social circle. I've added some new friends to my existing group and now have lots of opportunity to do different things depending on who is interested in what and when.
I was also blessed with a visit from Charles and Ros (my aunt and uncle from the UK (my mother's brother and my Godfather) for a few days. We packed a lot in and it was fantastic! We saw Carcassonne and Pont du Gard and we ate some amazing meals together (and drank some wine too!).
Carcassonne is a world heritage site and its designation is well deserved! Dating back to Roman times, this castle and walled city has been beautifully maintained and restored. But not restored in the Disney sense, you really do get the feeling you are walking back in time as you pass through its gates and into the main courtyard of the castle. The streets of the town are narrow, cobbled with little shops on either side. As you wind your way through the halls and rooms, the walls and towers of the castle, you get not only a great sense of history but are able to capture some amazing views of the countryside. We had a glorious day, lots of sun, not to hot, and the view of the mountains in the distance was lovely.
The second visit was to Pont du Gard. A Roman aqua duct that crosses the Gard river. Also incredibly well maintained, it stands as a monstrous piece of architecture and engineering in the wilderness. They have maintain the site in a very natural setting, you can sunbath on the rivers edge, swim, kayak in the river as you pass beneath this amazing site. The museum and visitors centre gives you all kinds of great information including pictures and video of remaining aqua ducts that connect to this one as they meander through the French countryside to Nimes. Again, the French need to be applauded for the sense of preservation and appreciation of their history.
As I said farewell to Charles and Ros and settled back into my 'regular' life here, I realized that I have really settled in nicely. The move to my new location was a very good decision. George, Nicole and their neighbour Mark are wonderful! Incredibly welcoming, friendly, warm and generous!
As May drew to a close, I came to realize something that I will have to get used to. While I'm here for 6 months, that is the exception not the rule. So I had to say goodbye to two friends as they ended their tour and headed off on their next adventures. It was sad to see them go as I really enjoyed their company. Another friend headed off on a week's vacation also and I suddenly felt my little circle close in. In short I started to feel lonely again.
New students arrive every week but so far those that I've met, I haven't bonded with in quite the same way. I will have to get used to people leaving all the time I suppose. I imagine this is what it must be like for people who are part of the Armed Forces. Always having to say goodbye as you move onto the next place.
The other thing that I have noticed is that my french seems to be going backwards!!!! I have found myself making mistakes. Little errors, but errors that I shouldn't be making. In the last week in particular I have struggled to speak in general and it was even pointed out to me that I sometimes even forget to conjugate my verbs!
Perhaps it is over confidence? Perhaps I'm feeling a bit overloaded after two months? The classes do move very quickly. Maybe I need to just slow down when I'm speaking, literally. The other thought I had was whether the events of the last year are not yet properly dealt with. Either way, Dan says that I should just take a deep breathe and stop being so hard on myself.
Funny how that theme rears its head time and time again.
Perhaps that will be my focus for June.
It's nice this life. A very short to-do list, lots of time to do it in.
If this is what retirement is like, sign me up!
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