Travelling again

Hello all! I’m on the train right now headed to Paris. After visiting the lovely Versailles, I leave for Sardinia, Italy  on Monday. I’ll be spending more or less a week in Italy. I really can’t wait. I hear that Italians usually don’t leave the country for vacation like the rest of Europe because of course they have the best food and the best espresso.  I’ll let you know how the espresso is.  In other news, I have to buy a new camera because the cost to repair my old one is about the price of a new one. I recently purchased a tent in hopes of going backpacking in France. I must find my way into some mountains soon or I think I will implode.

I met another two other Christians; one’s (Julie) engaged to her fiancé who is studying in Spain, and one (Didiana) is married with a newborn in Mexico. I’ve had some amazing conversations with both of these girls. It was such a big blessing to be able to talk to another believer and relate as brother and sister in Christ.

Last weekend I met on an excursion to Saumur with a group that plans trips for the exchange students for a decent price. The day included seeing an Abbey (sp?), a French meal, and wine tasting.  My favorite part was obviously the meal. Les foués is the name of the meal. They brought out these plates of various spreads (including escargots butter) and beans, and ham and so forth. And then they brought out baskets of hot bread. This was no ordinary bread. It had been made right there in front of us in a brick oven.  Each piece of bread was like a roll, but in an artistic shape, and when opened was like a pocket. Thus, you fill your “bread pocket” with whatever you like. I watched the French people to see what went well together and what didn’t, but I eventually found out on my own. They kept bringing out baskets of this straight-out-of-the-oven bread until we were finished with all the things on our table. And then for dessert you could choose either ice cream or more bread things that had warm chocolate and caramel to put inside. Mmmm… I luckily was able to try both.  After that wonderful meal we got to walk around and see the chateau in Saumur from the outside. It was simply a beautiful day. The wine caverns tour was cool because I’d never seen that before. Eva (from Spain) and I, who both don’t drink, sat and colored a picture while the others tasted the wine :D

Am I enjoying my time here in France? Of course I love it! It’s an amazing experience. I’m learning about many new cultures, learning French, and making lots of non-Christian friendships. I’m not sure I really know what I expected to come out of this experience. All I know is I’m learning a lot of things about myself and how to interact with others. Yes I wish I were more ingrained into the culture and language by living with a family, but I also really love living with all these international students. We are able to relate a lot easier and even learn French together as long as we both don’t share the common language of English. I think at this point, I am satisfied with the rate at which I am learning French. I’ve gotten a little more comfortable speaking French these days. And even though I may not reach the fluency I had once hoped for, I am satisfied at what I am learning. I now know it takes a long time to actually become fluent at a language.

Anyways. Enjoy your day in the land of Fahrenheit.