This week my class went to a comedy play at a hole-in-the-wall theatre. The theatre is named the Rideau Rouge; the play called "Vice Versa." The actors spoke French very rapidly, but I could still follow the lines!
We went to a tour of vieux lyon (old lyon) to learn about the old " stomping grounds" of Lyons famous 18th century puppet Guignol. Laurent Mourguet, Guignol's creator, was known for his sharp wit on the stage and began Lyon's tradition of puppeteering.
I saw Saint Jean's cathedral in addition to roman ruins and they couldn't have been more beautiful.
Later my class went to a local French high school to talk to the students about the way their school system is set up and their lives in general. Talk about intimidating! There were about 35-40 of them and only 14 or so of us, so I was paired with three French students! We talked in French for two hours, comparing our lives.
The studies of students in France focus on philosophy and language. The students I was speaking with each were taking English, Italian, French, and sometimes an additional language. They were in art history and philosophy courses that students in the US usually can't take until college. On the other hand, their math and science courses were very limited.
One of the biggest differences between students in the US and here is extracurricular activities. Here, students generally don't go to sports after school or have school teams. While I was on teams for three different sports in high school, the boy in my group said his exercise consists of running "once a month or so."
A side note.. It is very improper to be seen in running clothes unless you are actually doing your exercise in them at that very moment... In a specific place for working out. Exercising in public is as strange here as it would be to walk down the sidewalk in America lifting dumbells, while on the phone with your mom and wearing high heels.
So, one might ask, how are the french less...obese?
The answer is: a difference in mindset. The students I talked to were amazed that I have a drivers permit even at the age of 21. They walk, or bike, or speed walk into and around the metro, to get everywhere.
Here's a bunch of Frenchmen watching France's first game in the World Cup
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