Cultural learnings

As we sat down with an aperitif or two last night, my mum noticed a small bug in her glass. As said bug was carefully removed with her fingertip, she told me how you dealt with such incidences in the tropics said a lot about how ‘native’ you had become. Most newcomers would naturally throw the contents of the glass out and refill it whereas those who had been in the country a while would simply remove the insect. Then there were those fully immersed in the culture who would drink the lot regardless. I aspire to be one of the latter eventually here in the little village of Rouffiac.

I finally moved from L’Horte to the new house in Rouffiac on Wednesday. Once I had put everything necessary in it’s place, the woofers and I decided to explore the rather palatial garden which is a lot bigger than I had originally thought. Within an hour I had met two neighbours, one English and one French and two more passing by the gate. I ought to mention here that they all had dogs which as we all know, is a conversation starter but I was immediately struck by the welcome. In all the 24 years I had at chez Knollys, I don’t think I new more than half a dozen neighbours and for some of those, just a fleeting hello. Yet here, everyone says “Bonjour” and gives a smile. I even braved going down to the local epicerie ( a sort of French corner shop that sells fresh croissants as well as washing up liquid) to get some breakfast, I was told later that she was impressed with my French but I was astounded that she understood any of it. The first day ended with an invitation to have drinks with the previous owners and our French neighbour, how could one refuse?

My nephew Max tells me that the easiest way to learn a language is to immerse yourself in the culture. Since he is a multi-linguist, including various Arab dialects, I am taking his advice. The sort of drink the whole glass including the bug type. However being able to be understood by those around you is not the only lesson needed to be learnt by this ex-Londoner. Life here goes at a completely different pace. Shops close at lunchtime, on Sundays and pretty much nothing happens on Mondays. You can’t just open a bank account online, you have to get an appointment with the local branch. Before I get one of these, I need to go down to the Mayor’s office and get a certificate of domicile ( an official ‘she lives here’ document) but there are only certain days and times that they are open. I am assured however that one doesn’t need an appointment as they never seem to have anything to do. Life here means slow down and stop stressing about the small stuff. Quite an education.

So as I sit here in the garden tapping away at the keyboard, I can feel myself starting to relax. I can’t say I’m not a little frustrated at the lack of internet ( a problem to deal with next week ) but if writing this surrounded by snoozing woofers shading under trees, life can’t be too bad. Even if I have to swallow a few bugs…..

“Sometimes we can only find our true direction when we let the wind of change carry us” (Mimi Novic)