Last Night's Lecture

I want to report my thoughts about the lecture I attended last night.  It was sponsored by the Occitan Circle, a group here devoted to preserving the Occitan language and culture.  This region was originally not a part of France and I guess some people here wish it still weren't.  This Simon de Montfort was the guy who defeated the Count of Toulouse and the king of Aragon, way back in September 1213, which sealed the fate of the Occitans and allowed the King of France to seize power.  That's a bit of an oversimplification, but I am getting quite the lesson in history since arriving here.

The lecture last night was about Simon de Montfort, the battle, the method of medieval fighting and the various machinations of the Church, the nobility and those in power, all in the name of getting more power.  Sounds familiar doesn't it.  Remember, this happened 800 years ago, and you wouldn't think there would still be much to debate about it.  What I am learning is that some of the families in the area have been here for the past 800 years.  I find it nearly impossible to wrap my mind around that kind of lineage.  Some still own the land that their ancestors worked all those years ago as well.  

There were 50 -75 people in the audience, I am guessing.  What surprised me was that anyone other than I would be interested in this, and furthermore, that most of them had opinions about this battle, the reasons for it, and the outcome.  It reminded me of people still debating the Civil War back in the South.  These folks were certainly the exact opposite of non-committal. 

Several things were apparent to me.  I am getting better at listening to French.  I recognized at least 98% of the French words as actual words.  I know that may sound strange, but one of the things that happens to me when I listen to French sometimes is that I hear syllables rather than words.  Last night I heard the words, and I was thrilled. I didn't necessarily understand all the words--but there were longer and longer stretches of time when I understood everything the man was saying, and understood it in French.  I was so happy about it that I wanted to cry at a few points.  I didn't get any of his jokes, but I got 85% of the substance of his lecture, which admittedly was pretty dry material.  (But not to these people; they all probably knew as much as he did and were ready to challenge him at any misstep.) I was impressed by how much they cared about this subject and how passionate they were about the Cathars.  The professor tried to downplay the Cathar angle, but people are NOT ready to let it go.  Even after 800 years.  What it has given me are new eyes with which to view the Crusades.

The biggest distraction to me was the group of what I believe were college co-eds in the row behind me. They were taking notes, in between checking their i-phones and whispering.  It was the whispering that was so distracting.  I know they were trying to be quiet, but they were rude.  I seem to be unable to filter out that noise--I have to concentrate SO hard on hearing what is said that any rustling, or other talking makes it very hard to focus.  I wanted to turn around and ask, no, tell them to shut the hell up, but I didn't.  They were simply being college kids trying to earn some extra credit from a professor.  The best revenge that I could wish on them is to have them be in a situation one day where someone is rude to them and prevents them from fully enjoying an experience.  That karma can be a bitch.

It was actually my first night out on the town.  Because I am alone, I don't go out much after it gets dark, although I do believe the streets are quite safe.  It was a lovely evening, the cite walls were lit up and there were plenty of people in the street. I am so glad I went, even if I had to work my brains to a frazzle to understand. Given that I haven't found the French equivalent of Sesame Street, I guess it's the only way I will learn.  

Concert tonight.  Chapeau Rouge   When was the last time you listened to a hurdy-gurdy?

I loved the Chapeau Rouge, a wonderful little theater.  I am intrigued by the Cercle Occitan del Pais de Carcassona.  I got one of their brochures and they are doing some more lectures, about bread--culminating in a meal on the 15th.  It sounds promising.  Mostly I was happy to understand what was being said around me.  I think I am making progress.