First Impressions

We live in a family building in a 2 bedroom apartment on the third floor. The Rices (Tim, Kathy, and Nancy- also going to Vanga) live just across from us. When we arrived, a bunch of other families greeted us and helped us carry our luggage up.

We live on the third floor (left two windows). Our classrooms are in the far left building.

The scenery is gorgeous. The school is in Albertville, which, by the way, I didn't know how to pronounce until our first day of class. ALL BEAR (with the R gurgling in your throat) VEAL. It is a "small" town of around 18,000 located in the French Alps. There are lots of hiking and biking places, and in winter a lot of people ski. We bought a used bike from another student with a child seat for Sydney, and Ryan bought 4 pairs of skis at a yard sale for 5 Euro. (I wonder if they even work for that price?) 

Mon, Tue, Thurs, and Fri we have school in the building next to our family building. The lunch break is 2.5 hours! So I have time to go to the local bakery, cook lunch, eat, clean up, and study a bit before heading back to class. 

Bakery, or boulangerie in French

Living takes a lot more time here than working, it seems. Bread is bought almost  daily... or you need to invest in a hacksaw. Food is made from scratch and eating out is rare. In the supermarket, there is an entire aisle for chocolate, another two for cheese, one for yogurt, two for wine (which is cheaper than water), and a couple for everything else. A bit exaggerated, but you get the point. 

Sydney is watched by Nancy Rice during the time we are at school. She naps a lot during those times, but has great fun with her nounou (nanny). Her best friend is Snickers, the community cat. She now has four teeth, two top and two bottom! She can say "mama, dada, nana, and itty!"

Ryan is hoping to play club soccer to learn French sports lingo and has already joined them for several practices, and I've played recreational volleyball to get out into the community. 

The French people are very gracious with our mispronunciations and very helpful. The school has been around for 47 years, so most of the local shop owners know to help us say things correctly. Hope this gives you a glimpse into our daily lives!