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| The bushes surrounding Helene's yard |
Monday 17 July 2017
Had afternoon classes, breakfast with
Helene and Monique in the garden. Dinner with Helene Rémi and Monique again.
Terretare again for dinner.
Tuesday 18 July 2017
Afternoon classes, missed breakfast
because of doing homework in my room. At dinner we talked about the childhood of
Helene and Monique. They grew up in Strasbourg and told me about its history. It
was part of Germany for 40 years, then became French, then in the war it was
occupied by the Germans, before becoming French again when the war ended. This
explains why a French town has such a German name. In fact I thought Strasbourg
was part of Germany before they gave me all this history.
Wednesday 19 July 2017
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| The garden table where we eat with guests. |
At our dinner conversation today Helene
and Monique told me about about the first time they saw American soldiers. They
were about five years old. Monique said when she first saw an American soldier
running into the town she thought he was German at first and was very afraid,
but he gave her candy and when he spoke she knew he was American and was so
happy. The first American soldier Helene saw was a black man. She had never
seen someone with dark skin before and was scared at first, but he also gave
her a piece of candy.
Then we got into a conversation about
education. The two old ladies argued over whether Latin and Greek should still
be taught at school. They were getting so heated about it, it was great to
watch.
Thursday 20 July 2017
Another dinner conversation about
politics. I learned about Federations in Switzerland and Germany, and we
debated whether or not the Presidents have too much power in France and the US.
Talked about suffrage and Monique explained why France was so late to give the
vote to women. She said it’s because of being Catholic and patriarchy which she
described as being under their fathers thumbs.
They both talked about the first time they
went to vote. Their fathers told them who they were supposed to vote for, and
they both said, “Merci Papa” politely. Then they voted for the person of their
choosing. They remember what it was like before women had any rights, and they
are very passionate about living the way they want to live. Definite feminists.
Monique said that my French has improved
as well, but that is more than likely because I am less afraid to speak in
front of them.
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| Helene's tomato plants |
Friday 21 July 2017
After school I went to centre villle and
looked for a tea set but was unsuccessful. I walked home in the rain and it
felt wonderful. I was quiet at dinner, I think I was a little bit tired. It was
Monique’s last night with us. I was sad to have her go. She is a very happy
person, as is Helene and Rémi, but I think I enjoyed most watching her and Helene
talk about their childhood or debate about politics.
Helene served stuffed tomatoes which were
more delicious than any stuffed tomato I’ve ever had. It was also Remi’s 45th
birthday, and they had champagne, and sang Joyeux Anniversaire.
Helene told the story of Remi’s birth very
excitedly. The doctor kept telling her to wait, wait before pushing and left.
When he came back he told her again to wait, but Helene said she told herself, if
the doctor was not back by a certain time, she was going to push anyway. The
doctor walked in just as she began to push, and had to catch Rémi on the table,
he came out so quickly. She laughed and said she thought Rémi was just in a
hurry to get into the world. For dessert she also served chocolate and small
biscuit-like cookies to celebrate. I love how simple the dessert is here, it
feels so good to have fruit after a meal.
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