All in the course of a day...

This morning I set out to attend the English speaking church I found in Lyon. I figured I would take a new route to get there and explore a new bus and metro line. All good in theory, except that I could not find the bus line (#11), even though I am sure I have walked by it a dozen times? Plan B was to walk to the Part-Dieu train station and take the metro, but Plan B lead back to Plan A and I stumbled across the bus I was looking for! Okay so back on track and 10 minutes behind, but like a good sheep I found my way onto Metro line B where I got off at Debourg and began my 10 minute trek to church – and in the right direction for a change!!

Ah the nice familiar language of English and a roomful of people all in the same boat – original English speakers living in Lyon!! While the service was inspirational and incorporated great parallels and comparisons of living a God filled life, and the importance of advent and preparing ourselves for others, I was most struck by the sharing of peace. I am used to a simple shake of hands with the immediate neighbours around me but I was not prepared for the traditional French custom of kiss your neighbour!

Most people gave peaceful handshakes while wandering around the church greeting as many people as possible. The English Chaplain also made his way around the room and as we approached to exchange peace, and I began to extend my hand, I realized that he was moving in for the cheek to cheek. So peace to the Chaplain on each cheek it was…, which was made even more strange when he asked my name and where I was from, after the fact.

Fast forward to communion… Standard practice and tradition, except the congregation forms a circle around the alter and receives communion one by one including real wine!!! Did I mention that I haven’t had the pleasure of indulging in much wine since arriving here. I think I may have found a new home ;)

Following the service and on my walk back to the metro station, my MP3 player decided that it would not play. Maybe it was God cancelling out any convenient distractions or maybe it was because he too was listening to track 3 by Metric while I was walking to church; and I am sure it is not an appropriate Sunday morning tune; or maybe it randomly does not play because it is finicky that way...

 So sans music and back on the Metro, a man sat across from me and proceeded to get his next cigarette ready… This involved a tiny cube of hash, rolling papers and a lighter… oh yeah, and the metro was packed. Without hesitation he lit the block of hash and proceeded to prepare his manufactured smoke.  Trying not to appear as though I was watching as he was merely inches in front of me, we made eye contact and he asked some general questions about my day (en français) and then asked if I smoked, to which (don’t worry Mom), I said ‘non’. Then he explained that it was to de-stress and something that he does not do every day, as if he needed to justify and defend his choices. Hmm, maybe my MP3 player decided not to work so I could have a friendly chat with this man whom I would usually and naturally though my own interests not have the opportunity to meet?

It is now only 12:30 and I have kissed a priest, drank wine (okay only a sip), and met a man comfortable with drug use in public, while managing to find my way back home….  I think it is time for a nap….

weather forecast: 82% chance of snow flurries

Yesterday was my official first day of training for my new job teaching English... Many questions swirl around my head, and I am not sure if it is for me just yet....

Yesterday was also the first day of snow flurries in Lyon! While it was a bit chilly at 2°C, there were noticeable snow flurries most of the day! All evidence has since vanished without the faintest dusting of snow on the ground, but the forecast calls for more snow today! I have been told that snow in November is unusual, and anything more than snow flurries in Lyon during winter is exceptional. It is rare that the streets are covered in snow and anything over a centimeter or two of snow creates panic amongst drivers. I guess it is generally cold (around 0°C) for 10 days or so in December and January, but otherwise the temperature stays around 6-7°C.

Maybe I brought the good ol' Canadian weather with me...

maybe I am missing elements of home...

maybe I am reminded of all the blessings bestowed upon me...

maybe I am feeling a bit nostalgic...

and maybe just maybe I am thinking too much...

Oddly enough, when I thought about this entry and the day yesterday one of my favourite movies came to mind... ahh the ever puzzling, thought provoking, bizarre film that is Magnolia.... One of my faves, and one that reveals a new insight with each viewing, but one that I cannot fully grasp or understand.

Perhaps the parallels don't end here...

perhaps our paths are lined with preconceptions, misconceptions and realizations...

perhaps the light that illuminates our journey ever flickers, smoulders and embers...

and just perhaps our eyes are widened and awakened by the mystery of it all...

J’ai trouvé un emploi!!!

Another piece of the puzzle is in place…. I have successfully secured employment!!! Thank you to Marie-T and my expanding resource of global connections and support!

Last week I was encouraged to apply for a teaching position with a company in Lyon that offers language instruction to business professionals. In my best English I sent off an email of interest and within a couple of hours received a reply asking for my CV and cover letter. A few hours after emailing my info I received a call from my new boss, again in English ;) and was offered a formal interview on Tuesday Nov 23/10!

Tuesday morning, finally dressed in something other than jeans, I waited at the first of 2 bus stops…. And of course being one of three people at the stop, the other French girl had to turn to me (the French girl who does not speak French) and ask if I knew anything about a strike happening that day?!?!? Um, what, strike, I have an interview to get to and… wait, I don’t speak this language yet…. Ahhh, why didn’t she ask the nice looking guy to her left??? So I replied in my most convincing French, “je ne sais pas”, with an exaggerated expression of confusion since the French seem to be more animated and expressive in their communication which I have picked up without reservation! If you thought I spoke with my hands a lot before (blame it on my Italian heritage) you should see me now…. Not only do I use my hands to speak but I also have to act out and demonstrate most of what I am trying to say since I don’t know half of the words ;)

Manifestation (strike/demonstration) or not I was on the first bus without delay. Good thing I had a valid ticket for the bus because when I got off the first bus to board the second the French transit police were verifying all tickets… and of course… my ticket had to beep and reject from the scanning machine twice… great, now I have to try to explain that my ticket is valid in French… but lucky me!!! the nice transit police man just turned over the ticket to verify that the date imprinted on the back was from today and a language disaster moment was avoided!

Bus #2… I boarded the second bus at the last stop before turning around to head back in the opposite direction. Of course, again… the bus driver asks, “Où allez-vous?” And I, in panicked French, as I knew the direction I wanted to head in but did not know the exact stop by heart fumbled with the name of the street; but I think I came across as an authentic Lyonnaise because before I could mumble out the full street name (Blvd Yves Farge) he was off asking the same question of the next patron.

And alas, I arrived without further interruption to my interview! Forty-five minutes later I was submitting copies of my banking information and national identity card and confirming training start times for this Friday! Et voilà, je suis employée! I am now an official English teacher and will be teaching business professionals business English!!

Un Mois.

Yesterday was officially the one month mark! While it initially felt like the first week was as long as a month, my time here has started to balance out and this month mark feels right on track. I am starting to get a bit antsy and restless and my time for relaxing and laying low is coming to an end. While I have enjoyed settling in, I must venture out and explore my new home!

Not only was yesterday my one month anniversary, but it was also my brother Alex's birthday - Joyeux Anniversaire mon frère!! Five years ago to the day, I was vacationing in France celebrating my brother’s birthday with a glass of Beaujolais Nouveau!

Time is a funny concept… It has been 5 years since the last time I was here; over 2 years of longing for this journey, and now I am one month in … So much to process and explore, with endless possibilities and unknown adventures, but all with perfect precision and timing that is neither too short nor too long, but right on track with the rhythm and tune of the path we travel and trudge.

So on this day I checked the bus schedule and map and ventured out to an English speaking church in Lyon. While waiting at the first bus stop I had a friendly chat in French with a man at the bus stop who was very sensitive and patient with my broken French and tolerant to my level of understanding, tailoring his speech to encourage conversation. After boarding the second bus I arrived at the Lyon Anglican Church where I was greeted in the all too familiar and missed language of English!! A nice treat and sense of comfort and belonging, all too perfect for fitting into a community of church goers. I had the sense that I may the only North American there, as various accents permeated the room, but none sounded quite like my own. Before and following the service I met a few women who were welcoming and eager to share their experiences and information on various events and groups hosted by the church. Perhaps I have added a link to my chain of cultural connection…

Maybe the winds are changing direction, but I somehow became directionally savvy and took a completely different bus home. One I had not researched or visualized on a map, but rather had seen the stop, looked at the direction of travel, and knew that it was within the area of chez moi! Plus I was hoping to grab a bite to eat at a café or bistro and practice my ordering in French while starting a new novel in English.

I guess my entitled conveniences of North American culture have not completely subsided, as I forgot that it was Sunday and in traditional European standard, most shops, restaurants, boulangeries and cafés are closed for a day of rest. While those that are open are only open for a few hours in the morning closing at noon. So I headed home and feasted on jambon with way too much bread and cheese and settled in for a much needed sieste!!

Later that afternoon I celebrated Alex’s birthday with coffee and French pastries!! (And somehow one month in I am down 1 kg – a diet of butter, bread, cheese, chocolate and olive oil does a body good!!!) It was a good time of celebration and a realization that my understanding of the French language is improving and my deer in headlights expression is beginning to fade! I was able to participate in the conversation, with brief exchanges and simple sentences, and even more exciting I was able to follow the flow of conversation with fewer periods of misunderstanding!

The night ended with a familiar North American tradition of ordering in pizza, and playing backgammon with my dad. And so, it was a day of new experiences, discoveries and learning; while embracing and appreciating some much needed conveniences of home.

Stand By Me

I want to share a video I received from good friends in Windsor! It is a video for the song "Stand By Me", which was one of my favourite songs (and movie) growing up!

The video is a collaboration and integration of the musical talents and interpretations of various artists around the world.

A solidification of one world - one family!!!

I miss you all and love you all!

Video link (Stand By Me)

My Urban Village

Les faits de France (The facts of France)

I live in Villeurbanne (aka Urban Village), which is just steps away from Lyon. When I walk out of my apartment I am approximately 50 steps away from Lyon’s troisième arrondissement, where my road changes from rue Edouard Aynard to rue de l’Espérance.  

Lyon is the second largest city in France and is divided into 9 arrondissments or administrative divisions. It is also the capital of gastronomy in France, known for its cuisine and chefs!!

Lyon & Villeurbanne are within the Rhône-Alpes Region of France. There are 100 regions in France and the Rhône-Alpes region is identified as prefecture 69, where all licence plates registered in this region end in 69 and postal codes start with 69, (my postal code is 69100).

I live in a central area where I am a 20 minute walk from La Part-Dieu (one of the largest shopping malls in all of Europe), and the Gare de Lyon-Part-Dieu (train station) that connects to the rest of France and Europe (TGV/Euro Rail).  I am approximately a 45 minute walk from the centre of the city and Vieux Lyon, the heart of Lyon where the Rhône and Saône rivers converge. The city is easily accessible by bus, subway, tramway, or by foot or vélo (a system where you can rent a bike at one of many stations around the city).



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If I have learned one thing during my time here so far it is that in navigating the city, random exploration is the wisest way to stay on track!! Over the last few days, with weather finally permitting, I have taken the opportunity to explore the area around my apartment, and acquaint with the nooks and crannies of my urban village. My greatest discoveries have come through random twists, turns and paths which always seem to lead me in the right direction. My greatest adventures though, have come about by trying to stay on a straight path. How interesting … as how can you get lost on the straight path yet find your way home on the curved and twisted one? ...

Perhaps this is a lesson of not only physical direction and exploration,

but also one of spirituality and faith!

A couple of weeks ago while attempting to explore my new neighbourhood on foot at 9:15 at night, I decided to follow a ‘straight’ path, somehow losing my way back? Now I know that I am horrible with directions, and struggle with left from right, with an absent sense of north from south and east from west, but walking straight and then turning a full 360° and heading back in the same direction should be relatively easy, right? Well in theory I was walking straight, but the city is made up of streets, roundabouts, boulevards and intersections that curve, twist, turn and bend in all directions that it is not possible to stay straight or focused. In my initial quest to navigate this ‘straight’ path I ended up at a completely unfamiliar roundabout with at least 5 different directions.

Um, so now what? ...

Well, there was a vélo station at this roundabout and a large map of the city with all the stations on the map. So surprisingly I was able to locate where I wanted to be (aka chez moi), and I began to scan the map to find where I was? Trouble is I am at a roundabout and I have at least 5 streets to choose from, and, this giant map does not have a trusty arrow that points to ‘you are here’? So after at least 10 minutes of scanning the map and walking to a nearby bus stop to scan an even more elaborate map, I returned to the original map and caved and called my dad; who by the way had no idea of my last minute exploration.  It was now 10:20 at night and I announced through laughter, “J’ai perdu.” My dad asked where I was, and through laughter again I say, “Je ne sais pas,” and describe the roundabout and landmarks around it. And then he jokes, “what did you have to drink”, prompting even more laughter from me, because if I had I would not be in my current predicament, but I may have rather walked a random cloudy path back to my door?

So, aside from not exploring the city in the dark, I have also learned that I should walk without expectation, and rather explore and discover with innocent and unassuming intention. And from here on out ...

 I will traverse this new landscape of home and heart & land and self with intentions of discovery, exploration, integration and courage!

Chez moi x 2!

 

  

J‘habite au troisième étage (3^rd floor).

Les deux fenêtres à droite (the two windows on the right). 





Le rond point (roundabout), au coin de la rue (at the corner of the street).



La rue Edouard Aynard. Elle est à sens unique (one-way street).



Permis de conduire ...

Before I embarked on the road to French living, I eagerly went down to the local CAA with my friend Tefta on our lunch break to obtain an international driving permit... The fact that I have a valid Ontario licence and all of my points (I think), qualifies me to drive in virtually any country around the world for the next year?!

There was no concern about the rules, regulations and language of the countless other countries where I could potentially drive, and worst of all there was no test to see if I knew left from right (which is a tricky feat that I don't always get right). Plus, little did they know, not only am I intimately connected to the gas pedal, and enjoy the thrill of the occasional tail gate (and not the party kind - well at least not in this context), I also have only driven a manual auto a handful of times (staling at each intersection) and I have never driven on the opposite side of the street (for when I visit England of course), and a roundabout..... lord help me!!!

So... this past weekend I was helping my dad load the car for a brocante (aka flea-market). Like a kid in a candy store I suddenly became excited and giddy at the thought of possibly moving the car two feet to allow room to close the garage door. A sense of nervousness along with the thought of, 'maybe I can actually get away with this', came over me... because you know I am 33, have an international permit and have driven with my dad before, but this seemed like a brand new experience and an almost forbidden one, kind of like driving blind-folded or in the dark without any lights!

So with wide eyes, a big grin and a soft spoken voice I stated, not asked, that I could move the car, 'if it would help'. My dad, who had been talking about finding opportunities for me to drive and wondering what I would need to qualify for my very own French permit before I even left Canada, said okay and proceeded to give me instructions in French??? I barely know how to successfully have a conversation about the weather, and now I am hearing the french terms for clutch, gear, reverse..... And then it happened, I moved the car (at less than 10 km/h) 2 feet forward!! And then, once the garage door was closed, I reversed another 4 feet!!! And the angels sang - Hallelujah!

Without my international permit in hand, because I am a bad ass and like to live on the edge, I became re-acquainted with stick-shift driving in an area of Lyon where there are many driving schools and limited traffic. You would think this would be a great place to learn and feel comfortable, but not so much...

Okay so I struggle with left from right. To turn left is, 'a gauche', and to turn right is, 'a droite' ... easy enough? Mais non, to go straight ahead is, 'tout droit'. Come on, really, now to add to my confusion I don't know whether to go straight or turn?

The french also have a system of 'priorite a droite' which means priority to the right. While there are lighted intersections (with the traffic lights off to the side of the street where you need multi-directional bug eyes to see them because they are outside of normal peripheral vision). There are also occasional stop signs, an abundance of one way streets, yield and do not enter signs, roundabouts, chaotic parking (wrong way, on curbs, both sides of the street, backwards, forwards, sideways...); there are no all-way stops and instead for most streets and intersections you are supposed to yield to the cars on the right. This is great in theory, except that some streets to the right have stop-signs and to the experienced driver you can tell which ones do and which ones you have to watch out for. To add to the confusion, the streets are not straight and in a nice grid like pattern (like the farming history layout of Windsor Essex County), but rather curved, often hidden or located on a hill (great for learning stick-shift)!

In my quest to re-learn driving in France, I stalled at least 4 times at intersections where I was supposed to give priorite a droite, pretty much coasted in second gear because it was easier and more comfortable to drive at 40km/h, and was passed by way too many vehicles to count!!! So after 10 minutes, while stalled at an intersection, in a matter of fact, 'but, I don't want to', tone of voice I announced I was done with driving. I put the car in park, or neutral or whatever it is supposed to be in to stop, and walked around to the passenger side where my escalated heart rate and blood pressure slowed to a relaxed state.

With this I have learned that, I like my feet and walking is what I will do!!

Chez moi!

Mon mignon appartement. Merci Eric et Tatan Dominique!

 

Entrer!

Le Salon

La Chambre

La Cuisine

La Salle de Bains

Le Jardin (situé derrière la résidence)

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L'escalier