Now I've made two good friends whom I often meet for coffee. One of them even took me to a bal trad, or traditional ball, where we danced local folk dances. This reminded me a lot of Greek dancing and made me feel closer to home.
A new hobby I've developed in Le Puy is hiking. People here really enjoy getting outdoors! The Haute Loire region feels a lot like a French version of Colorado with its scenic views and many outdoor activities. In the summer and fall, this means going on long walks or hiking, while in the winter, people like to go skiing or snowshoeing. My French colleagues definitely enjoy getting out into nature and are happy to share their beautiful region with me. Thank goodness I brought my hiking boots! We'll drive out into the countryside and walk by castle ("chateaux") and farms. Often in the distance we'll spot Mont Mézenc, the highest peak of the Haute Loire.
After three months of singing, dancing, and hiking, the holiday season was arriving. The friends I had made in my community welcomed me into their homes for Christmas, and I got to see how French people celebrate the holidays. Sharing a traditional holiday meal was definitely the highlight of the season. All of the wonderful dishes were cooked from locally grown vegetables and animals raised on nearby farms. You can easily find these ingredients at the Saturday farmers' market. After our delicious dinner, I asked a friend to show me around the next market and introduce me to her favorite merchants. Getting to know and appreciate the local cuisine and holiday traditions, as well as meeting the farmers who grow my produce, really helped me to further integrate into my community.
