End of summer has a relatively significant meaning to it. No more tourists, open air parties, no more almost naked bodies on the beach etc. To me, it means good-bye summer friends, tank tops, fun in the sun, dancing in the streets, eating out on the patios and so on. But it mostly also means “Get back to work Helena!” And it is meant literally as I am off during the entire summer and start working again from September onwards. Why? For the simple and irrevocable fact; that is the lifestyle of a Teacher.
This is my 4th consecutive teaching year in France and I have been consistent in maintaining jobs, and not just any kind but the kind I love doing. It’s actually quite the contrary when you are a foreigner, jobs are hard to come by and I thank my lucky stars everyday. I have taught to kids from primary level ages, 9 up to ages 19 in high school. Each year I gain experience by teaching kids of different “quartiers” and backgrounds. This year I have pre-schoolers coming from high profile families. A rather challenging, delicate and singularly demanding tableau considering by virtue I’m not or should I say, was not really at ease with kids that young. Then someone important told me all the more reason why I should get into it, so I will learn by force to be cool as cucumber with them surrounding me every hour of everyday. I can’t deny it, it is working!
One of the many benefits of being a Teacher in France is that we get 2 weeks break every 2 months. I had my first school break end of October and we decided to go pay the green, white and red flagged country called Italia a visit, exploring Tuscany in particular. My partner and I drove through the coastal line from Nice to Florence, which took us approximately 4 hours. The scenery was crazy beautiful and once we arrived in Florence, our exploration commenced instantly.
Strangely enough, what impressed me most about Florence was not the art and architecture this metropolitan city offered from its Middle Ages and Renaissance historical era. It was all the well-prepared food, especially my ever favourite Ossobuco alla milanese (braised veal shanks in tomatoes, white wine and herbs) and accompanied by a bottle of Chianti Classico, my new found best-loved red wine. However, my front-runner part of this trip came in the days that followed. We drove to the country side to this little town called Greve In Chianti and visited a 17th century château where we had our wine tasting plus a guided tour of their vineyard and cellar, where they still stored wine bottles as old as 1900. Our guide was very friendly, as are all Italians, and we spent our entire day there, breathing fresh air, sipping delicious full-bodied Chianti and listening to Italian history. How blissful.
Diverting back to France, generally it rains a lot in Autumn but this year, it has proved to be the opposite. We’ve been blessed with some really nice warm days. Habitually by mid November, my knee length boots are out and are priority stacked right in front in the shoe closet, ready to be worn everyday by now. But that has not been the case and I’m not complaining. Nights are a little chilly and it’s always nice to come home after a hard day’s work and warm up to some divine “Kir” (a popular cocktail made with blackcurrant liquor topped up with white wine) or as the season offers, “Vin chaud” (hot wine). I guess it’s true what they say, the colder it gets, the more alcohol we need! It’s also true that when it’s cold, fatty foods like “Raclette” (melted cheese on potatoes) or “Fondue Savoyarde” (left over baguette dipped in several melted cheese) come in as a requirement to sustain the body. I think that’s a damn good reason to eat and fatten up!
I mentioned in my previous article, that I was learning to play the guitar. I have been progressing on it, mainly because I finally found an instructor who is passionate about what he does and very importantly, is super patient with me! You won’t be hearing me play tunes at a bar, behind a microphone in front of a crowd just yet, but I’m “digging” it and my ears (and my partner’s for that matter) don’t hurt as much as before. A rather good indication I’d say!
Moving on to another obsession, even if you think you don’t need it; Friends. I enjoyed hanging out with my summer friends, there were endless fun, mind-blowing activities, but summer’s over and they have left and I’m still here. As much as it’s hard to see, summer friends leave, new ones come and fortunately are here to stay. These are the ones who will remain here for awhile, and the endless events continue even if they are not as convivial as in summer, they count nonetheless.
It’s official: Summer’s over, in fact summer’s long gone and cold weather is in the air. Any regrets? None what-so-ever!
