On the ski lift there was a very little kid with a helmet and a pinney from the ski school, going up alone. I moved over to sit next to her in case she needed help getting off.
"Vous êtes française, Madame?" she asked.
"Non, américaine," I said. "Is this your first time skiing?"
"No, I have been going for several years. Today I passed my Première Étoile."
The French ski school-- which used to be a monopoly until very recently, so I am not acquainted with other ones-- has a system of tests that kids pass to get to the next level. Sometimes I think they're sorry they don't give a written test. It's very French to have exams even when you're on holiday!
"I want to be a championne," said the little girl. "But we only go skiing two weeks a year. I wish I could go every day!"
"In Germany and Austria they have schools where you have class in the morning and ski in the afternoon," I said. "Maybe there is a school like that in France, too."
"I would really like a school like that," the little girl agreed. "Je suis très sportive." She got off the lift perfectly well and waved. "Au revoir, madame! Bonne route!"
Where were you when I fell off of the ski lift TWICE in Colorado my first time out about 8 years ago? They had to stop the lift so I could drag my very mature, ought-to-know-better self out of the way. (very red faced) I never went again after that day...so that little girl is a wonder to me. Good for her!
And good for you...a guardian angel whose services were not required.
Meilleurs voeux!!
Posted by: blueVicar | 07 January 2007 at 07:17