The simple things: A Spring Afternoon

Sitting in French class one day, I decided to introduce to this blog a section on “the simple things” in life. A snapshot in words. A slice in time. The idea came to me because at that instant, I felt completely and utterly happy. Life was suddenly so simple and so sweet. And I realised that those were the moments truly worth capturing...

The sun is setting slowly below the Alps, its pink and orange rays reaching into the classroom, embracing us in its warm glow. Our professor’s vivid red hair, cut sharply into a bob, is a ruby and garnet kaleidoscope. Petite but bursting with life, she leads us in a lively discussion on intercultural verbal communication. My classmates – Italian, American, German, Portuguese, Russian, Canadian, Dutch, Swiss – and I, Chinese Australian, marvel and laugh at each other’s (often bizarre) cultural conventions. Fiddle music floats up from the courtyard below and through our open window, accompanied by the hum of happy voices and laughter. The improvised melody is perfect in its imperfection. My fingers are suddenly itching to caress the strings of my own violin and my feet begin tapping on their own accord. How I wish I could jump up and dance! But the waves of our discussion pull me back, and soon, I am lost once more in the beautiful sea of French and culture... La vie est belle.

A Most Excellent Weekend

Last weekend, I walked through old cobblestoned cities and gazed in awe at stained glass windows. I ate delicate almond pastries and truffle-centred brie. I crossed Lac Léman and set foot in my second European country.  I admired grass animal statues and took a million photos... It was great, of course. But what made my weekend truly amazing was the company.

For forty-eight short hours, I talked and laughed with two of the most wonderful people I have ever met. Their kindness and intelligence continually astound and inspire me. Some may call me young and naïve, but I promise that if you had met them, you would say the same. Because the human heart recognises goodness instinctively. So, even without having witnessed the beautiful things they have done for the world and for each other, I know I would still love them as much as I have come to now.

Ferry across the lake, surrounded by the misty Alps: Lausanne, Switzerland to Evian, France (city known for its bottled water). No need to buy a bottle of Evian here though, help yourself straight from the source!

 

Saturday morning markets at Riponne Square, Lausanne. Breads, pastries, cheeses, macaroons, dried fruit and nuts... Clearly irrestistible.

 

La Cathédrale de Lausanne. Magnifique, non? It was built in the 1200's...a Gothic masterpiece.

A weekend of learning and sharing:
1) The above flowers are called grape hyacinths

2) To be parochial means to be narrow- or close-minded

3) The French word for sparrow is moineau

4) Rivella is the Swiss equivalent of Coca Cola

Montreux: a beautiful lakeside city with adorable grass animal creations and bamboo windchimes and water features.

Now, add chocolate and discussions on linguistics, European history and travelling to the equation... A most excellent weekend indeed.