Well, 5 weeks of French immersion has come to an end – it's a little sad, but I think I'm ready for something/someplace new. I'm typing this as I take the train from Quebec to Kingston, where I'll be staying for a week in a hostel while I look for a place for September. I think I got most of what I wanted from the program – all I really wanted was to be able to speak and have actual conversations in French, and I think I've done at least that in the time that I've been here. Living in home-stay was a good idea, at first I was concerned that I'd be a little old for this, but the arrangement was really what made this a really valuable experience for me. I had tons of opportunity to practice the language outside of class, and outside of the usual short conversations you'd get from shopping or asking for directions on the bus (not that I didn't also find those super useful), I actually have full on conversations with these people on anything from what I did that day, to Chinese history/culture/traditions (it's been a while since I've been at a place where I'm a novelty...) and Canada/Quebec politics. It was really interesting to hear what people here have to say about their province and what they think of their history, what they think of the rest of Canada, what they thought of their image outside Quebec – and how worked up they get about the Duplessis era.
I can't wait to come home though – I was really hoping to spend more time in Vancouver before I start school again, but my time in Quebec was definitely worth the little detour. I'll be home on August 15th (JJJ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!), so excited to be sleeping in my own bed once more. Not to mention home-cooked meals. I feel like I've mention home-cooked meals at least once a day ever since I got here (likely due to the lack of kitchen access in my home-stay – which I also mention at least 2 or 3 times a week). Oh, and Chinese food. Somebody please take me out to sushi and dim sum when I come home – I'm going into serious withdrawal here...
Aside: as I'm writing this, the little girl sitting behind me had her stuff animals date, kiss, and marry each other all w/in 30 seconds – and has been on a cycle of doing this for the past 5 minutes (so yes, the fur balls have been married like 6 times in a row). I don't know if I should be amused at what she's doing, be impressed at the little ditty she's managed to come up with to mark the occasion, or be annoyed at her singing...
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