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  La Rosiere, Île-de-France, France
Sunday, January 11, 2009

SATURDAY

Today was a sleep in for me. Jessica had work again until about midday, and I didn't have anything to do until then. I got up at about 9:30 and had breakfast with her dad, Roland. I was already dressed, so we watched TV for half an hour or so we decided to go on a walk. We walked into the centre of La Rosiere. Today there was a telethon, to raise money for kids with neurological problems. We walked up to where the ski lift was, and there were heaps of people. There were stalls everywhere, and music was pumping. It was a really nice atmosphere, a really good vibe. There were a few competitions going on, and we watched them. One was a slalom, and the other was jumps. Watching the jumps was more entertaining. There were just amazing skiers and borders, some just 11, doing backflips, crossing the skis, turning and landing backwards, and tricks that I don't even know how to describe! There was one guy, I remember in some very bright green pants, who fell after all of his tricks. I admired his persistence; he just kept going back up and trying again.
We walked to the chalet where Jessica was working and waited for her. I saw another chalet nearby that had all these animal skulls mounted on the front of it---- most people just have a wreath during Christmastime, but it was interesting. They also had a tiny house (like a birdhouse) for the bees to make honey in mounted next to the skulls.
After we had felt that we had waited long enough for Jessica, we walked back home. Martine was there, making some food for the night. Jessica arrived not long after we did, and we sat down for lunch. This was only the second time that I had had lunch at Jessica's house, as we usually eat at school or her grandmother's house.
Jessica and I got changed and ready to go skiing. We just skied alone.
The runs were absolutely deserted. It was almost scarily quiet, .. it was a Saturday afternoon, after all. We skied on the same run a few times. There were a lot of rocks and grass patches sticking out of the snow, which made it difficult to ski quickly.
We had planned to ski in Italy, but abandoned that idea after we saw how many kite surfers were there, meaning that there would be a lot of wind.
When we went up one chairlift, it goes up and over a road where lots of cars park. This tiny part of me always just wants to drop my pole of the windscreen of the cars, I have no idea why, but that would be silly; I mean, how could I ski with only one pole after that?
It was pretty cold out; I didn't feel too bad, but Jessica was freezing, so we retired early. We sat in Martine's work as we waited for Roland to pick us up. It was shopping time, just to pick up a few things for my sisters. They took me to a souvenir shop that was owned and run by family friends. As soon as I walked it, it was "Oh, you must be the Australian". We chatted for awhile before I looked around. I didn't really like anything, but as we were the only customers, and they were friends of the family I bought something anyway. We got back in the car and went home. We just sat for awhile before we got back in the car and went to a ski shop. There, Jessica bought a new ski mask for herself and something else, I think thermals.
Roland and Jessica took me to a souvenir shop, one that had a lot of wood. I didn't think that I was able to take wood back into Australia, as we have always avoided wood when shopping in China, so we went to another shop. I felt guilty for pulling everyone into so many shops, and I also liked this shop the most, so here I bought my last few things. Roland pulled out his credit card and paid for everything before I even had time to take out my wallet. It was so nice; he said that it was a gift to me and my family.
We went back home and watched One Tree Hill in French (in France it's called the Scott Brothers). We then got ready to go out.
We had dinner with everyone from karate. There were just so many people; not only the karate students, but their families, too. There were also a lot of people from karate that I didn't recognise , as there are karate classes all week, and I only vaguely knew the people from the Wednesday class.
The dinner was held at a primary school in Bourg-Saint-Maurice. It was a good-sized hall, and well lit.
We talked for awhile, then ate. The food was passed up and down the tables (which were in a U shape) and people took what they wanted. Everyone brought a plate of food, and the whole system worked well. For dessert, we had a gallette again, but again, I didn't find the object inside. People started to pack up at about 9:30, putting the tables away and throwing out the paper plates. We got back to la Rosiere at 10, and Jessica and I spent the next hour or so giggling over random things.


SUNDAY


Today wasn't a sleep in, as it was Sunday and we were going to Church. We actually went to a real church, in the nearby town of Montvalezan. It was built in 1688, and from the outside, it's plain but inside it was beautiful. The service went for an hour, and I understood more than the time before. I knew now when to stand and when to sing. I think that it would help if I was Catholic, as I would know more about the traditions.
The church was surrounded by a tiny cemetery. Today was the two year anniversary of the death of Jessica's grandfather, Roland's father. He died on this day in 2007. He was buried in that cemetery. Jessica's aunt and uncle, who I had met on Christmas had come up on this special day. We walked up to see the grave.
Usually I believe that I am a relatively well-spoken person, and I usually act appropriately instinctively, but in this situation, I didn't know what to do at all. I didn't know whether to join them at the grave, or to hang back a little. I was afraid that either way could seem disrespectful, and I was at loss for any actions. I decided to hang back, and I stood about two graves away. I thought that giving the family space was the best option. I didn't know what to say when Jessica's grandmother explained to me "that's Jessica's grandfather, my husband, there." I'm not sure what I said, probably something like "oh, okay". It was a little emotional for the family, as one can imagine. We then went to another part of the cemetery where we saw the graves of Jessica's grandmother's mother, father and brother.
We got back in the car and drove back to La Rosiere. We dropped Laure, Jessica's grandmother, at her house, and Jessica's aunt and uncle stopped there too. We drove back home and I gave Jessica photos that dad had emailed me of Jessica's last day in Australia.
After an hour, we went to Laure's house for lunch. We had a raclette for lunch. The was when you had meats from the delicatessen, like salami and ham, and potatoes. You then had cheese and put it in this open open-type thing and when the cheese is melted to your liking, your pour it over your food. I really like it, it tastes really nice.
Jess and I went back home after lunch and got ready to go skiing.
We went out there and skied until three in the afternoon. We went into Italy and skied there for a few runs, before returning to France for the last part of the afternoon. There were more people today than yesterday, but not really a whole lot.
Martine took us home and we ate before Jess got stuck into her homework. I tried the delicacy of a warm baguette with chocolate inside. I was surprised, as I really like it.

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