Petanque

Yesterday evening we had one of the several activities of getting to know French culture—petanque! At the petanque field of the city. (Walked there through the corner of the old town near the Maltese church, of which I'll post some photos later.)

I think I have played petanque once or twice earlier, in 2000 or so. This means most of the rules evaded me (such as the throwing order and score calculation). But everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

By the end of our game, I seemed to get the feel of the throws, and could repeatedly throw the metal ball within a few tens of centimetres of the small plastic marker ball. Some similarity with pool (I really do not remember when I played it last; perhaps in 1990) and golf putting, of which I have mainly theoretical knowledge. One bit of golf theory could be put into use: after a high throw, the ball does not roll much; after a low throw, it will.

The game started at 5 p.m., the bar opened at 6 p.m. by which most games had ended. I think our team and the opposing team lost track of the score already after a few rounds ...of petanque, I mean.

Exhausted

Seven hours of classes, last three of them one-to-one tuition which proved to be very useful, much more effective that I had expected.

In electric hardware shop

Needed an extension cord and had to ask it from the salesperson. Before my turn came, I checked the dictionary; no, it wasn't there. So I asked what I assumed was right, and indeed, a simple extension cord was brought. I then explained (much with hands) that I needed one with several sockets, after which the saleswoman brought another one and very kindly explained that the adjective for multiple sockets was multiprise! ☺