Fencing in France

 You can imagine my surprise when my friend Alex asked me if I wanted to go fencing with him.  I've always enjoyed stick fighting with my brothers and friends (not to mention the plastic lightsaber phase of my life.)  I've always wanted to learn about this interesting sport and Thursday night, I got my chance.
   We went to the club where Alex fences, and it reminded me of the aerobics room at the GRC, (a wood dance floor with a full wall mirror at one end.)  On the ground were painted the fencing lanes.  I never dreamed that the fencing stance would be so difficult.  As most things, it is awkward and unnatural at first.  I didn't know that you had to be "plugged in" to fence at a club.  But the swords are connected to a cable so that when the tip is pushed, a light lights up and each dueler knows who has one. Being attached would be more difficult if the matches were not in lanes.
  After Alex taught me the basics, I began to "spar." I put spar in quotes because I didn't really accomplish much expect for working up a sweat.  But, I looked around and didn't feel out of place because once the others had removed their masks, I could see that they were also perspiring.
  Next, I fenced against a girl from the club, and after a couple of minutes she said, "You know, it's ok for you to attack me."  I felt kind of silly... I wasn't holding off because she was a girl, I was playing defense because I wasn't sure of myself on the offensive.  The other lady I fenced against, once she realized that I really didn't know what I was doing, took it very easy on me, and still also beat me basically every time.
  Towards the end, I sparred again with Alex, and he continued to teach me and point out the errors of my form and manner of fencing. Instead of lunging straight forward, I would often get close and move the sword from side to side (bad habits picked up from dueling with broomsticks).  Also, I moved like a good basketball player, letting my feet lead my hands.  But, that is not helpful in sword-fighting. When you lunge forward, you have to let your foil "drag" your arm, torso, and lead foot forward, while you back foot stays planted.
  All-in-all, it was a great time.  I loved learning a new sport that has always fascinated me, not to mention the replaying of the Princess Bride fencing scenes in my mind.

"Then why are you smiling?"

"BecauseI know something you don't know. I am not left-handed."