Paris !

September 1st, 2011


Lovely, Beautiful, Magical, and I didn't even see much of this spectacular city. My host mom took me to visit Paris for a bit with my host brother. We went on a train that got us there in about 40min or so; it sure felt a lot faster than traveling by car. As well as relaxing to say the least. 
 Paris is a huge city that has so much to offer therefore I got tired before I could see all the iconic landmarks. Well part of the reason why I did get tired was because The Eiffel Tower was the first thing on the list to visit. After making our way through the undergrounds of Paris (metros), we made it to the famous antenna, because that is what it is in fact. Actually seeing it in person is so surreal, I honestly can't describe how it felt, I was in awe ! Pictures and videos can not justify the impact it leaves on its beholders. Absolutely nothing. 


At the Eiffel Tower, we were planing on taking the elevator that takes you to the top, but the line ended up being immensely huge to wait on, so my host brother and I decided to take the stairs. Which at first sounded like a great idea, No waiting in line, but I was probably regretting that thought 668 steps later. But my oh my, what an accomplishment ! I actually hiked the Eiffel Tower on foot, pretty amazing if I do say so myself. The views are spectacular as well !

The line for the elevator. Lazy tourists, jk

  After the Tower, we headed to the Champs Elysee, where so many people of all countries and France strut the streets. It's a massive area with so many high end shops and universal favorites like McDonald's.
Man was I tired after all the walking and climbing. I was done for the day without even having seen other famous Paris locations. The good thing is that I live somewhat close to this city, so there is no doubt that I'll be going back.

Never Ending Dinners

I don't know if I will ever get used to family dinners. I'm not talking about family as in household, but when we have visitors. Just to clear that out.
They can literally take about four hours composed of eating delicious French food, talking about just about anything: art, history, politics... I believe so, I don't speak French yet. But with the little knowledge I have, I believe that's what they talk about, OK.
So far I have only had two long dinners, and they both left me exhausted. At first I start off well and alert, trying to understand; picking out words here and there. Towards the end though, hmm, I'm so worn out. I guess my brain tries to process too much with all the conversations going on at once. French French French Francais Francais Francais, yes, too much. So I just sit there and eat. Best thing to do.
Speaking about food. There's an abundance on that too. So many different servings of almost everything. From the first dinner, I have learned to grab small portions so I can make it to dessert, which is always good cake. Spoons are used to eat cake by the way.

I don't have a picture of dinner, but here's a picture of the family pet Mayo :p

First Week

August 28, 2011

Dieppe is such an amazing and beautiful city that has so much history, as does all of France, but more particularly WW2 history. It's a coast city, but instead of the beaches having sand, they have pebbles, sort of different from what I'm used to.
 My host parents took me along to just cruise around the city and look around since it was a Sunday and most stores are closed, but surprisingly there was a lot of people. Something I did hear an abundance of was English; British English of course. I guess I wasn't so surprised since many people can take a ferry from there to go to England.
While in Dieppe my family and I went on a nice bumpy boat trip to see the nice scenery  that the shores of Dieppe has to offer. Really nice.

My first French Crepe :)

Quatrième Jour

4th Day

Today was somewhat more a chill day. I woke up early, which is a lot different from my normal like back in America. Actually two nights ago I woke up at 2am because there was a massive rain storm that woke me up because it caused the window sills to move all over the place, so I had to close them. I really do enjoy keeping my window open, it's too cute :p.
Anyways, today I went with my host mam to buy my cell phooone ! So that's exciting. Phones here are pretty cheap I must say. I kept seeing phones for 1euro, which i think mine was too. Well I got my phone, but I somehow blocked it and now it won't work 'till Monday. Is coo, don't matter, I have no one to call, well txt since my plan consist of unlimited texting and about an hour of calling.

I wan to discuss stores, like Walmart type of stores. They are so so different from the ones back home. They are pretty advanced if I say so myself. You could either check out normally or carry around the laser that marks the prices and scan everything as you go along. I guess once you're finished you insert your credit card in the laser and it charges you. That's pretty new to me :p. I guess I'll have to take video of my time in a store someday  :))

First time in IKEA today. It is a huge ass store. 'nough said

Versailles

I'd like to write what I do everyday so I can look back and remember what I did, but I'm pretty doubtful that's going to happen,, but I can try.

I'll start with yesterday.
So on August 26 my niice family took me to Chateau Versailles. It was about an hour and a half drive and well worth it. Versailles is a beautiful and antique city that has a feeling of the olden times :p. Think Marie Antoinette times. Speaking of which, her castle is so grand and lavishing. Makes me wonder how great the parties she through were. There was people from all over: Japs, Spanish, Brits, too many. Even though the weather wasn't all that great because of the cold wind and sprinkles, it was spectacular.
After wondering through the castle for a good maybe 3 hours or so, we went to eat at this really cute restaurant. Now keep in mind my french is pretty bad and this menu had no pictures, so I just had to wing it. I did love my dish, I believe it was escalopes, something like that, but my dessert... eh no. I ordered fromage, not knowing what is was. Turns out it's a Normandy cheese, and it was so strong, it just took one bite. I just settled for ice cream after that.

Surprisingly, not many people speak English, which is good for me, only one person has spoken to me in English since I've gotten here. It's weird how I understand what they are trying to say, I just wish I could reply with something other than, "yes", "i know", and other little things. Not even the young people speak english, and if they do, I guess they don't feel like it :p.Which they have every right to

:))

Wow

That pretty much explains it. I'm in France now, and it is just lovely. I arrived yesterday at about 1pm with an ok flight. It wasn't all that bad, but I didn't enjoy it much because, well, it was long.
Normandy is so green and very peaceful and it's not that far from Paris, probably about 2 hours I would say. I didn't tour around Paris, but on the way through it, I did get to see the notorious Eiffel Tour from the distance ! It was great feeling. I'm in France !

Both Elbeuf and Cadube-les-Elbeuf are beautiful towns that are just so different in their looks from the cities in the US. Cobblestone streets, Normandy architecture for their buildings that are so close to each other. Also the streets, woa, they are so tiny, I would say that a lane in Brownsville, TX is both lanes in comparison to them here.

My family is really great and patient. They are talkitive, as in French though, so I have to attempt to understand. A lot of the times I do understand what they are trying to say, maybe not word for word, but I get the picture.

Today I went to my future school to get my schedule. I don't really remember my classes, but I know I'm taking math, english literature, french, geography. I think, I'll repost when I'm sure. I also went to the store, think of walmart, but with other little stores inside it, to get my picture taken for my bus card and school.

my school

Seems as though everything is working out fine.

I smell really good food cooking downstairs :))

A bientot !!

When the Truth Is

The reason for this blog has finally come. My departure date has arrived. I guess the reality that I am leaving my comfort zone for a good 10-11 months is hitting me and my feelings differ. It's hard to say that I am completely excited and glad to be leaving because actually I'm not. Nostalgia is perhaps what I'm getting at the moment. I am not all that frightened, I'm just sort of sorry that my mom will spend this year alone without my presence. But I will make sure to keep in touch with this side of the world as much, yet as limited as possible; If that makes sense.

The luggage's are at their full capacity, and might I add, it was not a pleasant task to organize and eliminate clothing options. "Should this stay or go", it's a pretty difficult scenario to be placed in knowing I'll most likely buy stuff over in France and have to leave some of my now favorite clothing articles there for a lack of room. So, hopefully this does not have to happen.

Hastle

Well I am looking forward to opening a new chapter in my life that I have waited for for quite a while now. Seeing all my friends moving on to their college lives makes my move somewhat easier, everyone moves on, why can't I. Therefore I'm heading out on a good cheery note.

byeee

When the truth is, I'll miss you