The Bay of Villefranche
Following the suggestion of my friend, Candy Hammond, I have decided to become a blogger! It seems like a great way to share my adventure and photos with you along the way as I prepare to spend 6 weeks in Villefranche-sur-mer.
The title of my blog, La Vie En Rose, literally means "The Life In Pink". This is the way I like to look at life, and I think it will be a particularly lovely shade of pink in the south of France... I thought of naming it La Belle Époque (literally The Beautiful Era), because that too seemed like an appropriate name as I embark on what I know will be a life-changing experience. Somehow though, perhaps being more sensitive as I approach 50, it sounded a little too mature (it is also sometimes loosely translated to The Golden Age).
Beginning February 4, I will be a full-time student at the Institut de Français in Villefranche, France (the photo above is a view from the balcony at the school). This is a total French language immersion program--8.5 hours a day, five days a week, with occasional cultural excursions on evenings and weekends. I will have breakfast, lunch and tea at school every day, and during those times we will converse (only) in French with fellow students and teachers. I will live in my own apartment, not far from the school. The village of Villefranche is perched on the edge of the Bay of Villefranche, overlooking Cap Ferrat on the Mediterranean (the French Riviera...ooo la la!). Here, the alps run down to the sea, and the village is built into the mountain. Lots of steps! (I'm considering this a 6-week gym membership as well...) Here's a link to my school: http://www.institutdefrancais.com/index.html
So, now I've officially posted my first entry in my first blog! Instead of clogging your e-mail, I'll be blogging you as the adventure unfolds. Thanks for coming along with me!
I have miles to go before I sleep (on the plane) so will sign off this first post. A bientôt!
