IFALPES and Enjoying Life in Chambéry

I arrived in Chambéry on Sunday and met Sylvie-Anne and Alain, the family that I am be staying with this week.  Both are librarians.  Alain at the university here and Sylvie-Anne just retired.  I have my own room with the best view in the house.

I am taking a one-week intensive course in French this week from IFALPES.  The school used to be located in a chateau in Chambéry, but they needed to find a larger space.  So I am taking classes on the first floor of an office building.  Still, it is a quality program.

Monday was a very full day with introductions and placement exams in the morning, then a tour of the city center and class assignments in the afternoon.  I was placed into Level 4 (Level 1 is for absolute beginners and Level 5 is the highest).  So far, I have been able to understand everything although it's a bit hard at times.  Yesterday, I was amazed at how much better the French of one of my classmates was. Then I learned that she is a French professor in Germany.  Now, I don't feel so bad.

I am mostly speaking French these days; however, it's relaxing to have a conversation in English every so often.  Needless to say, the level of my language skills is inversely proportional to how tired I am, and I am usually very tired at the end of the day.

I have, however, managed to sneak in a few rides.  I did a loop over the top of Mont Revard yesterday afternoon.  Mont Revard is a 20 km climb from Aix-les-Bains with lots of 8% grade.

Today's schedule: breakfast, a short recovery ride, and an afternoon of French.