So Similar, Yet Different

Its (sorry, cant find an apostrophe on this computer) a good thing that I know what the various options are on blogspot simply by where they are placed. Because I cant read them. Why? Ive just been immersed in a foreign language - French!

So I flew through the night and arrived in Quebec City to begin this Quebec adventure in a dazed state (airplane seats are simply not comfortable for sleeping - regardless of how many possitions you try!). My first impression of Quebec? Its much the same as BC. Everywhere I looked, I saw familiar restaurants or stores: Tim Hortons, Costco, Burger King, The Bay, to name just a few. If it wasnt for the French signs and the lights at the intersections being horizontal rather than vertical, I would have thought I was in some city in BC.

What surprised me even more was that the landscape that the bus drove through - from Quebec City to Chicoutimi - was surprisingly similar to what I had just left in Northern BC: Endless ridges covered with pine trees; dry, rocky ground; the occational clump of deciduous trees not yet green; and dots of blue lakes. Reaching Chicoutimi, I realized that I have, for the second time this month, gone back in seasons - most trees arent blooming yet and a cool breeze greeted me as I stepped off the bus.

While the place may look familiar, the language definately reminds me that I am in another part of the world. During the short van ride from the bus stop to the university, I began to feel rather intimidated when the Explore students (from all over Canada) began striking up conversation in French with the driver, laughing and talking. I felt lost. The staff that greeted us at the university were very friendly but they communicated entirely in french and sign language. If you havent guessed already, I dont speak french, except for je mappelle Miriam and a few other simple words. But its amazing how much context, gestures, and a single word will give me a good idea of what people are telling me. Its also amazing how much I miss...

Fortunately, I quickly met several other just as intimidated as me students and I felt a little better. Some of us played cards, speaking a mixture of french and english, while we waited for our host families to pick us up.

So, now here I am, at Paulines house. Shes a really nice lady, works at the university, and has four grown-up children. A lady from Morocco(whose name I cannot remember) is living with her for the summer - shes also super nice - she made dinner for us because Pauline had to go to the hospital. By we, I mean Julie and I - there are two of us Explore stduents staying at this house which is cool. Especially as Julie knows more french than I do so I have someone to help me understand what is going on!

Well, enough for now, dont want to bore you. Tomorrow morning we will be back at the university for info, a walking tour (I think, much of the info Im gathering is guess work at this point), and placement tests. Im excited to get into classes and really start learning - now that Im here, Im motivated!