Happy New Year everyone! I cannot believe it is already 2015, which means it is the year in which I turn 18 and graduate high school. Not possible, but at this time last year it had not entered my thoughts that I would be celebrating the New Year in France in 2015. My resolutions:
1. Speak more French.
2. Stop procrastinating.
So in order to follow my second resolution, my post on what it was like spending the holiday season in France.
1. Speak more French.
2. Stop procrastinating.
So in order to follow my second resolution, my post on what it was like spending the holiday season in France.
In order to write this post, I have had to work my way out of the food induced coma I have been in after participating in at least five big family meals in the past two weeks. Essentially, what I am saying, is that my host mother can cook very well. It is a talent I have spent a lot of time observing in hopes of absorbing some of it.
Christmas was a huge family celebration with around fourteen people for le réveillon Christmas Eve and lunch Christmas day. All my host siblings came home for Christmas, including my host sister who lives in Hong Kong and I couldn't believe just how much I felt like part of the family. I am getting to know everyone enough now that we can joke around with each other and the fact that I can follow what is being said at the table allows me to actively participate instead of just listening. With the two little grandchildren running around, the constant chatter in the house and the album of Christmas music playing, it was impossible to feel lonely. Instead, I felt like I was in a second family.
Since my host family is not religious, they did not attend midnight mass, but just like practically every other family in France, we had a large réveillon. The réveillon is a large dinner, traditionally served after returning from midnight mass and in total took about five hours and four courses. Our menu included foie gras, farse, turkey, a cheese platter and two bouche de noël.
Christmas was a huge family celebration with around fourteen people for le réveillon Christmas Eve and lunch Christmas day. All my host siblings came home for Christmas, including my host sister who lives in Hong Kong and I couldn't believe just how much I felt like part of the family. I am getting to know everyone enough now that we can joke around with each other and the fact that I can follow what is being said at the table allows me to actively participate instead of just listening. With the two little grandchildren running around, the constant chatter in the house and the album of Christmas music playing, it was impossible to feel lonely. Instead, I felt like I was in a second family.
Since my host family is not religious, they did not attend midnight mass, but just like practically every other family in France, we had a large réveillon. The réveillon is a large dinner, traditionally served after returning from midnight mass and in total took about five hours and four courses. Our menu included foie gras, farse, turkey, a cheese platter and two bouche de noël.
The bouche de noel are log cakes, an old French tradition. We had two for dinner, one chocolate and the other mango passion fruit, and an ice cream one for lunch the next day. See pictures below. As the French take their pastries very seriously, these were ordered well in advance from one of the best pastieries in Rennes. And of course there was champagne and wine. Both were excellent as well.
After the two children were put to bed and sound asleep, all the presents were placed under the tree, artfully arranged and then everyone lingered, talking and laughing before we went to bed around 1h30... only to bed waken by the same two little children jumping up and down in excitement at 7h30 in the morning.
Everyone went downstairs together and we opened presents. I was touched that my host family got me a few gifts, and then we ate breakfast before getting dressed and setting the table for lunch. Lunch included canard à l'orange, one of my favorite dishes that my host mom makes. It takes six oranges to make, amongst other ingredients.
The days after Christmas were similar to those back in New Jersey; eating leftovers, taking naps and just spending time with each other, while mentally preparing for New Year's.
After the two children were put to bed and sound asleep, all the presents were placed under the tree, artfully arranged and then everyone lingered, talking and laughing before we went to bed around 1h30... only to bed waken by the same two little children jumping up and down in excitement at 7h30 in the morning.
Everyone went downstairs together and we opened presents. I was touched that my host family got me a few gifts, and then we ate breakfast before getting dressed and setting the table for lunch. Lunch included canard à l'orange, one of my favorite dishes that my host mom makes. It takes six oranges to make, amongst other ingredients.
The days after Christmas were similar to those back in New Jersey; eating leftovers, taking naps and just spending time with each other, while mentally preparing for New Year's.
New Year's Eve was a lot less calm than Christmas. My youngest host brother got to take over the house and with his girlfriend, threw a party with seventeen people. We danced, ate, danced some more and toasted with champagne at midnight. It was amazing to celebrate the New Year in France and it was well celebrated, considering that when I went to bed at 3am, the party was still going strong.
I will be posting other little things too about the holidays in Rennes, but figured that a posting covering Christmas and New Year's was appropriate.
With that, I would like to wish everyone best wishes for a wonderful 2015.
I will be posting other little things too about the holidays in Rennes, but figured that a posting covering Christmas and New Year's was appropriate.
With that, I would like to wish everyone best wishes for a wonderful 2015.