Notes from Home.
Living with a foreign exchange student in our house for three weeks, I thought I'd occasionally record a few thoughts on how life is progressing and my worldview is expanding.
As noted in the original post Ouí Ouí!, this was a perfect summer of non-travel for us to accept such a challenge (Kathy's 30 weeks pregnant). It is also a great way to "try before you buy" the whole exchange program idea, as it's only three weeks, good or bad.
First, let me simply say that two days into it, all is tres bonne! — except Robinson, our student, who's feeling a bit under the weather with an upset stomach. But, a very amiable boy, a 15-year old teenager from the center of Paris.
Robinson has two older brothers (16 & 26) but has been very good and patient with Mssr. Maxwell so far. He lives with his mom, Film Editor Juliette Welfling, near the Bastille area of Paris.
His English is good, but hesitant. In just the past two days I've already seen his comfort level rise enormously, so it's been a pleasure talking with him about all manner of things, from football to language to accent to the weather last year.
Travel Treasures: One of the treasures of travel is the opportunity to visit a new country — often without your luggage. In this case, Lufthansa (bless their hearts) left all the kids' luggage in Frankfurt before whisking them off to Colorado.
But, they have survived and prospered. We used it as the perfect time to introduce them to Target and the super-sized nature of American shops and malls. They were dutifully dumbstruck... good? Bad? Who knows.
They finally got their luggage last night at 11:45pm, and I can tell you that Robinson wasn't going to sleep without it! Drooping eyes were nothing compared to the desire to see that big red bag.
First Meal: A-OK!
Yes, our student is not feeling so well, and his stomach is a bit sensitive right now. Saturday night after returning home, we offered him all manner of foods, and he finally said, "Rice."
Rice? Did we get the wrong exchange student? Nope. He just wanted something bland, so we pulled out the ol' Rice Cooker and let 'er rip.
Yum, he loves basmati rice!
Football is Soccer? I couldn't resist such a tired headline. We spent quite some time discusssing soccer and playing a bit of footie as well.
I've already noticed one difference in going out to kick the ball around. Here, when we suggest doing so, we go outside, and kick the ball back and forth, from me to you, from you to me, from me to you... I think you get the pattern.
On the surface, it's similar with Le France. The difference is ball control. First, Robinson would play with the ball, bouncing it around, in the air, trying to keep it airborne and do a few tricks. Then he would send it across to me, and I would attempt to keep up...
A much better way to have fun, do a few tricks, and learn close-in ball-handling skills. I think I approve.