Good Times With the Roomies

I had a very interesting conversation with my roommates the other day. I said something about the Revolutionary War, and they asked if that was another name for the Civil War. I then went into the story about the Boston Tea Party, Paul Revere and all that. They had never heard about any of that, which I guess proves the point that war is told by those who win. Sarah said that she did American history in high school, but the course started at the Civil War.

It has been really interesting to see how different we are even though we speak the same language. Our vocabularies are completely different, and there have been many times that I had to ask what they were saying they use so many different words. I have also learned that in England they don’t know the game Red Light, Green Light, and their French toast is just small pieces of toast. I am going to have to make them some real “American” French toast.

I have found out that in England a flannel is not something you wear, but what they call a washcloth. We have also had quite a few misunderstandings when I talk about chips and they talk about chips. Also in England anytime you have to ride in a car for more than two hours is a really “long” ride. Yet there are many different dialects from places that are just a few hours apart. Which I found really interesting because in the US you can’t tell too much of a difference between the people from all the Western states.

Sarah is from Croyden, south London, and she goes to Oxford. Mandy is from Leeds which is further to the north and also goes to school there. Their accents are completely different, and at first I found it a lot harder to understand Mandy. Now I really don’t notice their accents, and it has only been a few weeks!

Anyway there is a little background on my roommates, and some of the differences I have found so far. We are really having a good time living together. It has made the adjustment to France a lot easier for me because there are people going through the same things as me.

So both of my goals for yesterday were not accomplished, which was a little sad. It looks like the floor in my room is done (it looks really nice now), but it is still a mess. I am waiting on the landlady again. Then the guys came to put in the Internet, and they said that they couldn’t do it because the wires are on the front of the building and they don’t know how they are going to get it around to our apartment. They said France Telecom would have to come out and look at it. They are suppose to call us later, but I have no idea when. I hope it doesn't take too much longer!

I had four classes today, and they all went really well. I played BINGO with my third year students. They really loved that, and it was good for them to review their numbers. Then with that little kids I went over what countries spoke English. They had to put the names of the countries on a map. I started by asking if they knew any countries where people speak English. One kid said England, the next said Canada, and then this other little boy yells "RUSSIA". I had to try so hard not to laugh too hard because he was so proud of himself. It was really cute.

I have two classes tomorrow afternoon, so I can sleep in the morning. Then on Sunday I am going to with Sarah and Mandy to Bale (or Basel), Switzerland to meet Sarah's parents at the airport. They are coming to visit for the next week. The three of us are going to go in a little early on the train and explore the city a little. I hope the weather is nice! I have been to Switzerland, so it should be fun. Even if it is only about 35 miles form here!