Dinner with a French Family
This semester, I have gone Monday through Thursday nights to have dinner with two other Vanderbilt students and a French family, the Bachs. The two other girls, Mallory and Chloe, and I meet up and walk to the Bachs’ house together where we enjoy 4-6 course authentic French meals and get to practice our French comprehension and speaking abilities.
We greet the Bachs with the traditional bise that is the two kisses on the cheek that is stereotypical, but very true of the French. During the colder months, we started out each meal with a noodle and broth or vegetable puree soup, but now that it’s warmer we either head straight for the main dish or have some crudités. The main dish is often a show of provencal cuisine with delicious meals of daube, pot au feu, white fish, chicken & seafood paella, or quiche. The main dish is ALWAYS followed by a serving a salad, then baguette and a selection of cheeses (gouda, camembert, brie, chevre, comte, gruyere, munster and Roquefort have all made appearances this semester). This is followed sometimes by a dessert, and then ALWAYS a selection of fruits. Even if all I ate otherwise were crackers, it would be impossible to say that I didn’t eat well while in Aix because of the wonderful dinners that Madame Bach prepared for us each night.
At the dinner table we discuss classes, what we’ve done during the day, our travels, our families and lives back in the United States as well as movies, some politics, and everything in between. The Bachs also happen to be good friends with a French lady, Annie, who hosts three other girls from the program and during the birthdays of two of us this semester, we have all united for some cake and champagne.
Eating with the Bachs is definitely one of the best parts of the program because of the great company and great food. I will definitely be keeping in touch with them after this semester (Madame Bach is already my friend on facebook! =P )