Claix for a Day

Les bois

On Sunday I spent the day à la campagne. I was about 10km from Grenoble in the small village of Claix. How did I get there you ask? My host mother is determined to introduce me to as many Français as possible and this included an introduction to a colleague and her family. My host parents were in Paris for the weekend, so this Sunday presented the perfect opportunity. Her work friend, Sophie, came with her daughter, Manon, to pick me up Sunday morning. Manon is my age and studying Spanish. They drove me out to the country and showed me the surrounding valley and physical points of interest along the way. When we got to their house I met Percy the dog and her son, Jean-François.

Percy the dog making a guest appearance on the trail

I got a tour of the house before the three of us (Manon, Jean-François, me and Percy too, so four) set out on a hike of sorts. We went up the hill behind their house to where there are normally stunning views of the multiple mountain ranges that touch this area. Sadly, the entire valley and the hills were completely socked in with fog and thick clouds. I still loved it though- an eerily beautiful tromp through the French countryside. And it was such a nice walk. Being out with kids my own age and feeling like they understood what I was trying to say, for the most part. I still feel like I have no personality in French (so I must make a terrible first impression- quite and boring in the corner), but that will come with time and a better grasp of the language.

Brouillard épais

We got back to the house just in time for lunch. I met two of their neighbors who joined us, and then it commenced: the feast that was lunch. We had an apéritif, of course, with hors d'oeuvres and then a salad. After, the plat principale which was duck à l'orange, sweet potato purée and rutabaga à la dauphinois (covered in cheese and drowned in cream/delicious). Then a small pause, which I thought was the end of the meal. But no. This is France. It's never over. Then! they brought out the cheese plate. And if that wasn't enough, 3 desserts followed (with coffee, bien sûr). I only had the tarte aux pommes, but the other choices included something with chocolate and another with apricots. It was all delicious! I enjoy recounting my meals. They're quite an important part of my life here.

Anyway, we rested for a bit after our probably 2 1/2 hour meal. And then we went on another walk, this time much more flat and towards the village I believe. I wish I could remember all the names of everything pointed out to me, but the last week and a half has been a massive intake of information, names, places, hours, etc. So it's been a bit hard. We walked and we walked. We eventually made it to a tiny chapel that dates back to  around 1050/60. And inside it was stark and white, but decorated still with a traditional crèche (nativity scene)- here traditional is with a mix of animals and country folk surrounding the manger.

The Chapel

We made it back to the house just as it was getting dark and noticeably colder. We warmed up with tea and decided to watch a movie. The Adventures of Rabbi Jacob is what I picked out from their immense collection- a French comedy classic. It was hilarious. We watched and we ate crêpes with sugar and I tried to understand all the jokes. And after another movie and finally meeting the Monsieur (who had been away for the day and hadn't yet met me), they drove me back into Grenoble. It was such a fantastic day (and don't worry Mom & Dad, I said thank you so many times). I was left at my front door with a loaf of handmade, wood fire bread, lots of bisous and an à très bientôt!