Time with old friends and former collegues

During my week vacation in France, I have also had the opportunity to see my adopted families and my former collegues at the school where i taught. During my last stay here, I met an American family who invited me every week to church and then to their house for lunch. They took me out for lunch one day to a nice french restaurant called Les Veilles Prison (the old prison) within the winding streets of Annecy. It was so nice to catch up with them and they purchased my *cultural* meal of what the french call *friture* I wasnt sure what that was but now I know it is basically fried minnows they catch from the nearby lake! In short, they were not that great but an experience nonetheless. After lunch, we did a bit of window shopping and discussed the diffulties of french life and cultural differences that take years if not your lifetime to understand. For the past few days, i have been staying with my french family in the little town in the mountains. They picked me up and took me spulunking in a small cave in the alps near Seynthenex. The people in this part of France are so active! My pants were loose before from grad school but now they practically fall off with all the walking and activity im doing! The hike by the cave was beautiful complete with waterfall and flora and fauna. I did slip at one point and caught myself with one arm centimeters away from falling in the mud!
I also visited my former place of employment, Lycee Rene Perrin. It has been a joy to suprise my former coworkers and students. Everyone has been happy to see me and have invited me for a meal or coffee. Word of my arrival has traveled fast. I went to buy a newspaper from my fav tabac shop and they knew i was here! I also went to an english teachers house for dinner one night and met her 8 month old baby. It seems that all my good friends here are either pregnant or just had a baby. No worries though im definately not ready for that yet.
Its a good thing im walking as much as i am! French food as the rumor states is so good and good for you. I have had quiche, veal, tarte aux pommes et fraises, french bread (which is what i missed the most), chocolate mousse, all sorts of wine and raqulette -le regional dish of cheese and potatoes. Life is always beautiful when youre on vacation, but especially beautiful when youre in the French Alps.