We have just had the regional elections. I must admit to being a little confused about the different layers of French government. I am an elected representative (unpaid) in the town council. Last year we voted in elections for our departmental representatives. This year it is for the region ones, then in a few years time it will be the national elections again. Not forgetting of course the European elections. So many representatives with different powers that are not always easy to understand.
Anyway these latest elections were seen as a test of popularity of the ruling central government and our President. Many people are angered by his governments economic failings, while he tries to reinvent himself as a world leader in the fight against terrorism and climate change. The vote has two rounds as the number of parties is whittled down. This time the first round saw a surge in support for the Front National (FN), France's far right. There was a sudden effervescence by the other parties and the second round saw the FN kicked back into third place. I remember the same thing some years ago during a Presidential race.
In my little village, traditionally left leaning, the FN led after the first round of voting to the shock and dismay of many. Then to a collective sigh of relief the left wing won the second round. But the worm is still there at the core of the apple. Questions need to be asked as to why people are turning away from the mainstream parties to more radical alternatives. We breath a sigh of relief again but the rot is still there growing slowly and gaining strength at each new test.
Personally as a citizen I feel ignored and forgotten by the powers that be. While as an elected town councillor I feel powerless to make any meaningful change or have the voice of my neighbours heard. I hope never to vote for the extremes but I do feel more and more compelled not to participate. However we are told this plays in to the hands of the extremes. So I am stuck between a rock and a hard place, if I vote for one of the mainstream parties nothing will change, but if I do not vote the extremists will win. I wonder how many feel as I do?
Monday 14 December 2015
Tuesday 6 October 2015
A busy weekend of volunteering
The concept of "benevolate" is very strong here in France. It translate as volunteering. Many French people undertake some sort of "benevolate", giving their time for free to train kids in a sports club or run an "association" (club).
This weekend there were two big events in my local area. The first was a "vide grenier" (car boot sale) to raise funds for the local primary school. The "Parents d'eleve", litterally "pupils' parents", organise fundraising events throughout the year. The autumn "vide grenier" is one of these, I wrote about it in 2012. This year I helped out with setting up the tables before and clearing up after.
Unfortunately the event was scheduled at the same time as the annual "Virade de l'espoir", thereby stretching the volunteer resources. The "Virade de l'espoir" is an annual, national event that raises money for Cystic fibrosis, or "Mucoviscidose" as it is called in France. In our village the event takes place next to a local lake. There is the obligatory "buvette" (tea stand), there was also one of these at the "Vide grenier", where drinks and snacks can be purchased. Crepes spread with Nutella are an essential ingredient of any self respecting "buvette". Then there are various stands offering prizes, a tombola, a book stall, a trampoline, and finally artistic displays by various dance and sport associations. My particular favourite is the country dancing club. The members are usually very serious and complain about not being able to dance in optimal conditions. Apparently a wooden floor is essential to any self respecting country dancer. The music often leaves me perplexed as a large part is more celtic than country, and the dance moves seem the same whatever the music. Finally no display is complete without a few 'yeehas' randomly thrown in. But it is all in a good cause and everyone present gives their time for free.
Since school went back in September (the rentree) every weekend has some type of event or activity that calls for volunteers.
This weekend there were two big events in my local area. The first was a "vide grenier" (car boot sale) to raise funds for the local primary school. The "Parents d'eleve", litterally "pupils' parents", organise fundraising events throughout the year. The autumn "vide grenier" is one of these, I wrote about it in 2012. This year I helped out with setting up the tables before and clearing up after.
Unfortunately the event was scheduled at the same time as the annual "Virade de l'espoir", thereby stretching the volunteer resources. The "Virade de l'espoir" is an annual, national event that raises money for Cystic fibrosis, or "Mucoviscidose" as it is called in France. In our village the event takes place next to a local lake. There is the obligatory "buvette" (tea stand), there was also one of these at the "Vide grenier", where drinks and snacks can be purchased. Crepes spread with Nutella are an essential ingredient of any self respecting "buvette". Then there are various stands offering prizes, a tombola, a book stall, a trampoline, and finally artistic displays by various dance and sport associations. My particular favourite is the country dancing club. The members are usually very serious and complain about not being able to dance in optimal conditions. Apparently a wooden floor is essential to any self respecting country dancer. The music often leaves me perplexed as a large part is more celtic than country, and the dance moves seem the same whatever the music. Finally no display is complete without a few 'yeehas' randomly thrown in. But it is all in a good cause and everyone present gives their time for free.
Since school went back in September (the rentree) every weekend has some type of event or activity that calls for volunteers.
Monday 14 September 2015
Trail running
In recent years running seems to have exploded in
popularity. More and more of my fellow villagers drag themselves out of
bed at the weekend to pound around our local reservoir. Last year my wife
decided to set a target for her approaching fortieth. She set her mind on
a marathon. I tried to train with her but a torn meniscus in my knee gave
me a good excuse to sit it out. Despite not being an enthusiastic runner,
my wife stuck to her training plan and in early 2015 completed the Geneva
marathon. I was there at the start and the atmosphere of
anticipation and adrenaline was infectious. Once all the runners had left
I felt empty and very lonely. Then at the finish I felt jealous and
envious of all the successful finishers.
A few months later these feelings returned as we
volunteered to help out with an Ultra Trail near our home in the Belledonne.
The Echappe Belle is not for the faint hearted,
144km and over 10, 000 metres of altitude during three days of trail running.
The race has the reputation of being very demanding. We were at the
finish line and saw the first and last runners come in. The general
atmosphere of good humour and the sense of achievement on the faces of the
runners motivated me even more. I decided that I would try and train for
a race.
I picked trail running because of my love of the
mountains. Our family walks a lot, often from our own doorstep. We
have the advantage; some might say inconvenience, of living in the mountains.
So going off road and uphill is pretty much obligatory. I had heard
that trail running is less violent for the articulations than road running.
We are also very luck to have a trail station in the vicinity.
The concept of Trail
station was launched a few years ago in the Chartreuse by the
company Raidlight,
maker of trail equipment. Each station offers running routes of varying
lengths and distances for trail runners. So great training opportunities.
So with the lazy over indulgent summer ended and
the kids headed back to school I have started running. Just small runs of
6 - 10 kms, three times a week for the moment but I will intensify things from
October. And my goal? Well I am undecided but the Echappe belle
offers a shorter 47km run in a years time so who knows. In any case I
will be charting my trials and tribulations through my blog Time
to trail train.
Tuesday 20 January 2015
Changing career
For some time now I have been disenchanted with teaching English. When I arrived in France some thirteen years ago, I hoped to find some work in tourism. I naively believed that my four years experience managing a small museum in London would make me a good candidate. Unfortunately I came up against the "diploma" barrier. In France if you don't have a qualification in a particular field it is very difficult to work in that field. I was advised to go back to school and study for a BTS in tourism. However I had neither the money, time, nor inclination to return to study. So I took the easy option and used my TEFL certificate to start teaching English to adults. Teaching is an easy option as there is plenty of work and it is relatively well paid. Despite this teaching has become a chore for me. Dealing with French people's cultural hang ups about having to learn English bores me. I would be a rich man if I had a euro for every new students who has started their first lesson with,
"Je suis nul en anglais" (I'm rubbish at English)
before going on to speak passably well, or telling me,
"J'ai un accent épouvantable en anglais" (I have a terrible accent)
before speaking with a slight accent that would be a miracle to eliminate. Then they sneer at any French public figure with the courage to speak in English. No it's time for me to move on and leave the battle to younger more motivated teachers.
So the question is what to do? I have far too many interests. A couple of years ago I undertook a 10 day course in "Permaculture", and since then have tried to promote it in my local community. At the same time I was invited to sit on the local council. I also found myself volunteering my kids local primary school; accompanying outings and giving short English lessons. All this required time which was difficult while teaching. Over the years various clients have asked me to translate documents for them so I decided to try my hand as a translator. This frees me to indulge in my other activities.
Then out of the blue the headmaster of the local primary school asked if I would be willing to accompany the school trip to the sea, "La classe de mer". I would be going as one of the four parent volunteers who accompany the trip. I also learnt that there would be four "BAFA animateurs". BAFA animateurs are people who have passed a certificate to look after children in after school clubs and during school holidays. The experience of accompanying the school trip was very positive and I enjoyed it so much that it set me to thinking about working with children.
I decided to complete the BAFA training. The training involves a first 7 day initial training course, followed by a 14 day work experience, and finally a 7 day final training course. On my initial course I was the oldest participant, even counting the trainers. During my evaluation I was asked why I was there. Very often the BAFA is used by young people for a summer job to earn pocket money. I patiently explained, as I have had to many times since, that it was to have a qualification which enabled me to work with kids. The BAFA is a quick and cheap qualification to have.
My 14 day work experience was undertaken with my local "centre des vacances", run by the town hall for the village kids. We organised daytime activites for children aged between 3 and 17, in three age groupings. I was lucky enough to work across all age groups. Again this was a positive expereince even if some of my young colleagues were lacking in motivation and dynamism.
My final BAFA course was a little different, the participants were older and I chose a specialisation in nature. Everything went well and I obtained my diploma. Over Christmas and the new year I found a job running a "Kids club" in an holiday centre in the Alps not far from my house. With two other colleagues I was looking after kids while their parents skied. It was a good opportunity to test my new skills but also to meet and discuss with people working in tourism.
Now I am wondering what is my next step. I have applied to some summer camps but committing to two months away from home is difficult. The idea of being a nature guide is appealing but I lack a biology or ecology degree which most employers would demand. What is certain is I really do not want to go back to teaching. Changing career in France is not easy but if you are determined enough it is possible.
"Je suis nul en anglais" (I'm rubbish at English)
before going on to speak passably well, or telling me,
"J'ai un accent épouvantable en anglais" (I have a terrible accent)
before speaking with a slight accent that would be a miracle to eliminate. Then they sneer at any French public figure with the courage to speak in English. No it's time for me to move on and leave the battle to younger more motivated teachers.
So the question is what to do? I have far too many interests. A couple of years ago I undertook a 10 day course in "Permaculture", and since then have tried to promote it in my local community. At the same time I was invited to sit on the local council. I also found myself volunteering my kids local primary school; accompanying outings and giving short English lessons. All this required time which was difficult while teaching. Over the years various clients have asked me to translate documents for them so I decided to try my hand as a translator. This frees me to indulge in my other activities.
Then out of the blue the headmaster of the local primary school asked if I would be willing to accompany the school trip to the sea, "La classe de mer". I would be going as one of the four parent volunteers who accompany the trip. I also learnt that there would be four "BAFA animateurs". BAFA animateurs are people who have passed a certificate to look after children in after school clubs and during school holidays. The experience of accompanying the school trip was very positive and I enjoyed it so much that it set me to thinking about working with children.
I decided to complete the BAFA training. The training involves a first 7 day initial training course, followed by a 14 day work experience, and finally a 7 day final training course. On my initial course I was the oldest participant, even counting the trainers. During my evaluation I was asked why I was there. Very often the BAFA is used by young people for a summer job to earn pocket money. I patiently explained, as I have had to many times since, that it was to have a qualification which enabled me to work with kids. The BAFA is a quick and cheap qualification to have.
My 14 day work experience was undertaken with my local "centre des vacances", run by the town hall for the village kids. We organised daytime activites for children aged between 3 and 17, in three age groupings. I was lucky enough to work across all age groups. Again this was a positive expereince even if some of my young colleagues were lacking in motivation and dynamism.
My final BAFA course was a little different, the participants were older and I chose a specialisation in nature. Everything went well and I obtained my diploma. Over Christmas and the new year I found a job running a "Kids club" in an holiday centre in the Alps not far from my house. With two other colleagues I was looking after kids while their parents skied. It was a good opportunity to test my new skills but also to meet and discuss with people working in tourism.
Now I am wondering what is my next step. I have applied to some summer camps but committing to two months away from home is difficult. The idea of being a nature guide is appealing but I lack a biology or ecology degree which most employers would demand. What is certain is I really do not want to go back to teaching. Changing career in France is not easy but if you are determined enough it is possible.
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