We're off to Sarah's aunt and uncle's house tomorrow. They live in an old mill house on a river in Central France. Because they may not have internet, this could be my last post until the 27th.
Last night, Valenciennes had a huge celebration. Apparently for the year 2007, it was the Capitale Regionale de Culture. I didn't realize all that entailed. Last night, they inaugurated a new sculpture and had a massive spectacle. The areas here in the north of France are known for having Geants--giant puppet characters that show up and dance around. Around 15 of them performed last night amid smoke and lights. Fireworks shot off for 30 minutes before the parade. Chefs in white tents passed out soup to the cold spectators. A comedy? troupe entertained people. It was madness, but last night they (literally) passed the cultural torch to Bethane, so I'm hoping this doesn't mean an end to special things in Valenciennes in 2008.
I took a picture with Santa Claus with some friends. Actually, we were taking a picture next to some white Christmas trees (they spray paint live trees white, red, blue, purple or silver here). Santa walked out of the town hall. We yelled "SANTA". This poor man had no idea what we said, but somehow sensing that we yelled at him, he took a picture with us anyway. In French, he is called Pere Noel (Father Christmas), but he is just not the same sort of jolly and joyful as my Uncle Vic.
My students LOVED the letters from the U.S. It was so cute translating them! One little boy had to get a letter from a girl... so of COURSE it was the one signed "Georgina Smith P.S. I love you as a friend." He blushed and blushed and blushed. I tried to explain what it meant, but that isn't really in the culture here. Guys and girls aren't just friends as easily as at home. Also, it was so good the letters talked about the real meaning of Christmas because then I could talk about it with them (without breaking the law). Not all the kids seemed to know it was Jesus' birthday. And that we exchange gifts because of the wise men. It was just so great!
Also, I read them "The Night Before Christmas" and had them learn the first few lines. They put the 'h' sound on the wrong words and leave it off the right ones. "And hall trew da 'ouse" is how it sounds when they repeat. Alvin and the Chipmunks have a funny version of it, by the way. You should have seen the kids eyes when they heard the chipmunk voices!
That's the big news from my end. Miss you all. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
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