Antibes Saturday, Monte-Carlo (Monaco) Sunday

Well, I'm through 4 weeks now and I can't believe how fast the time has passed. It is sad really, because there are still so many things to do, see, and learn. However, I can report that my progress is more evident now than before and although I still have a LONG way to go, I feel that I have accomplished exactly what I was looking for, the life experience. Being here has been a great educational experience, but is has also been great to learn more about myself, those I have met here, the culture, etc. On the weekends, I take advantage of exploring new places and during the week I experience the local tradition of hanging out with my friends, often at the beach with a bottle of wine, other nights I try to study! I feel like there is still so much for me to do and my time is running out! I am so happy that I made the decision to come. I can't believe how many people do this on a more frequent basis and now understand why they do it and am envious of the experience they gain. Here are some new pictures out and about... Antibes, me at the Princes' Palace, driving around town, and the famous Formula 1 corner in Monte-Carlo.

Saorge

Saturday I went to Saorge. I guess it is considered a part of or the tip of the Alps. What was supposed to be a visit to one of the 40 prettiest villages in France became a hiking expedition. There was no sign for how pedestrians can get to the village, so we hiked up the mountain to get to the village. I tried to find out how high up I hiked because the pictures don't do it much justice, it was far and high as hell! Things are still well and I think I will be well prepared for my french class at home. I'm not sure where I'm going this weekend, but should be somewhere good. I'm visiting with a friend of Calvin's and his family Thursday, so I'm anxious to meet them and work on my french. I'll keep the message short and let the pictures speak for themselves, although the beach view is from Nice, not Saorge, but is was so pretty I had to include this time. Hope everyone is well.

It's not all fun and games, but it's sure close!

Tuesday, Bastille Day, I had a good day. I got to walk the red carpet in Cannes and view the fireworks there that night. I held a conversation in French with one of my classmate friends; however poor and basic it might have been, I was still excited. It's been great, but I am a little exhausted trying to keep up with school, studying, travelling, and socializing. I know, what a tough life!! It is going to be hard to leave, especially since I don't have to clean, cook, do my laundry... I sure hope Calvin is ready, becaue I'm spoiled now!

I'm anxious to start my French class back home, I hope this helps progress my studies, but I'm sure it will. Although I have a long way to go, I have noticed that I continue to pick up something new every day. I'm still not sure what I could or will do with a language, but I've sure been having fun in the meantime. I can't believe how fast the time is going. I still need to figure out where Calvin and I will travel to when he visits, let alone make reservations. I have some areas in mind, like Tuscany, but if we are going to rent a car, we'll have the ability to take things one day at a time.

I've added some pictures from Cannes. On the red carpet I wore an Old Navy dress, American Eagle sandals, and the earnings are from Claire's, I believe. I did my own hair and makeup!

I'm not sure where I'm going this weekend, but you'll find out soon...

Grasse

Well, yesterday (Sunday) was a visit to Grasse. I was hoping to view the lavender fields, but apparently they are in the hills and accessible only by vehicle, so instead we just walked around and toured the perfumery, which was interesting. On the way home we made a stop in Mandelieu, which is next to Cannes. Not really much there, but cute; however, we missed the train and had to wait 3 hours for the bus to Cannes to catch the train home from Cannes. Oh, I was tired and pooped, but glad everything worked out. Tomorrow we are free of school, so a few of us are going to Cannes to watch the festivities for Bastille Day, that should be exciting, but Wednesday it will be hard to get up early again. I don't have anything new to report and plan to go home and study now, but things are still well and school was good today. Until next time, here are a few new pictures...

Èze

Okay, maybe my last post was a little down, so let’s try again… I’m having a great time; no work, beautiful surroundings, great weather, and access to experience other great places. I went to Èze the other day. It was another great little town. Today, Saturday, I went to the beach for a little while to work on my tan! I can’t complain; I do have school a few hours a day, but no work, I can take naps, layout on the beach, and I have a great room to relax and/or enjoy tv or a movie, etc. This is the life! As I stated, the only problem is I’ve been here 2 weeks and have not learned much new material, so I am going to try to study more on my own or with some other classmates. One of my friends left today, so I’m terribly sad, but I still have a couple of good friends to hang out with, and they are here as long as I. Tomorrow I will visit Grasse, which is known for lavender fields and perfumeries. Next week I think I’m going to try to hit some things in the city, such as the library, museum, market, etc. I have not worked out at all, although I do walk a great deal. I eat well, but have had to try quite a few pastries, breads, cakes, chocolate, and everything else! I’m not sure my clothes will fit when I return. The fruit, oh the fruit, is so delicious. I love the pastries, but I should start to substitute for the fruit because it is so tasty. I can’t get away from the bread, not only because that is part of my breakfast, but also because lunch is usually a sandwich. I haven’t found another healthy substitute to a sandwich, so I’d rather have that than the junk you can find.
Next week will be fun because of their holiday, Bastille Day. I think they have entertainment on Monday and then on Tuesday I am going to watch some fireworks in Cannes. It is so much fun to get to these great places so easily. Although I miss home, I will miss it here when I leave. Life, although not all great, is just different here. I think it makes you realize what you don’t need and how to incorporate what you enjoy into your life. It is nice to take a step back and realize that life is not about working all day to come home and prepare for the next day. I’ve been so inspired by the friends I have made who travel to different areas for a certain amount of time, maybe work in some places a little to save up, and then start a new venture somewhere else. Now, I don’t and can’t move around like that, but I would like to take more time to do and see things more (with Calvin) - that’s just a matter of persuading.
Some new pictures are here of Èze and me, not trying to be a model, but I liked the water, rocks, and sky in the pictures! A few weeks to go and then back to reality. In the meantime, I will continue to enjoy the serenity and try my hardest to learn more than a few words and phrases that I’ve picked up.

Villefranche

Yesterday, I went to Villefranche, which was a very close train ride. It was very cute and I think I will pass through there with Calvin when he comes out. Nothing really new to report. I'm not that pleased with the school at this point and am debating whether or not I should change programs, change schools, or just freeball the rest of the time. I don't have much to talk about, so here are some photos...

One week down...

So, I've gotten through one week. I was happy to have a free weekend. Saturday I went to San Remo, Italy. It was okay, but Nice is nicer. I am excited to venture into Italy further, so the experience was worth it. I went to a french film, which was very bad. I love foreign films, but not this one. Today I watched Ghost with french subtitles for more practice; it is both entertaining and educational at the same time.
Sunday I went to La Tour Belanda and the Parc de la Colline du Chateau for some spectacular views and to see the cascade up close. Then I watched a small bit of the first group of cyclists from the Tour de France pass through, very exhilirating!
Today we had 60+ students start school, which helped put me into a less formal class. Things are well. My host is great, my room is nice, and it is very pretty here. I have forgone to watch what I eat and rather enjoy some of the specialties that I would like to try. Hopefully my clothes, that are not here yet, will still fit. It seems, since I mailed my clothes, two boxes, customs has held them up because they are under the impression they are for resale. My clothes are nice, but didn’t they see the underwear!? Who resells dirty underwear, joke!
I just want my clothes and since I forgot to put one of my bathing suits in my bag, I have yet to make it to the beach. The bugs or mosquitos, whichever it is, are horrible. I have welts all over from bites, which I think are a combonation of mosquitos and fleas. I can’t seem to get rid of them either, they last forever and everyday I get more.
I can’t seem to post a photo slideshow here, so I’ve posted just a couple of photos. I will continue to see how I can post more without covering the page. Five weeks to go and I can already tell that it will be a mixed goodbye. I miss some of the amentites and routine of home (especially my family), but there is a part of me that just can’t get enough of Europe.
I want to send a “shoutout” to my sister Janah because it is her birthday today, July 6! Happy Birthday sis!

Day 3

Today was rough. I woke up ill and missed my morning class. I woke up in the afternoon and made it to my afternoon class, so hopefully I am all better!
I am going to relax now, but tonight I am going to the beach with some other students, so I'll let you know how that goes.
I am not sure how to display a picture slideshow, so I've attached a few from an album; we'll see if it works; otherwise, I need to beg my favorite sister for some help!

Oh la la!

It has been hectic since my arrival, so I have found it difficult to write. Therefore, let’s start from the beginning…
Above arrival at the Atlanta airport, I found out that my connecting flight to Nice was out of a different London airport than the one in which I was flying into. There were no substitutes and no availability to change, c’est la vie! It was hard to say goodbye, but soon I was on my way, all alone! My flight was delayed over an hour out of Atlanta, so when I arrived in London, I knew I had no time to haste. However, in London, my bags were delayed at least 40 minutes, maybe longer? I run for a taxi to get me across town, in the city, to catch my connecting flight. But what should have been a four hour delay has turned into less than two, not to mention needing at least one hour for check-in. The taxi driver tells me it is not possible at 1h 40m to go; plus, I do not have any pounds and he does not take credit.
With my head down, I go to the customer service line to see what I can do. Graciously, they put me on a flight just shortly after my original connection would have been. Although Atlanta told me the flight was sold out prior, there appears to be a place for me now. Luckily I slept on the flight to London, because I met a girl, Abby, from Scotland next to me and we talked to whole way to Nice, two hours or so. When we arrived in Nice we were told the plane’s baggage did not make it to Nice. None of the last three flights had any baggage. So, we had to wait in a line for over two hours to provide our information for delivery, etc. Abby and I made the most of our wait talking, so I was glad to have the company. Although attached picture may appear we were having a good time, it was a long and stressful endeavor.
I finally arrived at the flat of my host, Marie. I tell you, it has been a challenge just to figure out how to open and unlock doors, let alone in the dark! So, I basically went to bed and woke up to put on the same clothes, no makeup, etc. What an impression! There is another student in the flat, Kate. She is 17 and from Boston, nice girl. We both started school Monday, where we endured testing and then a full day of lessons. After testing, we were divided into fluency groups, obviously me less fluent. However, I did not realize or think I would be THE ONLY ONE not to have a fluent base! Wow is all I can say. Most of the students are fairly fluent and trying to enhance and expand on the language. This has made it tres difficile.
By Monday, late, I received my luggage! Today, as I am writing this Tuesday, has been a little better, but class is still difficult. In addition, I attend all day from 08:45-15:45, with an hour and a half for lunch. Today, I had a sandwich at the beach. I met a couple of girls at school, all of which are younger than me, but still mid-20’s, so it is not too unfortunate. We plan to visit Italy this weekend. During the week, because of my class schedule, I do not have much time to explore. I have homework in the evening and have not made a schedule to allow me to save time for exploring, etc.
Anyway, everything is fine; my room is good, see pictures for view! The food has been good and everyone has been kind. I am anxious for the weekend when I can go enjoy the beach, not topless though! I love it here and can’t wait for Calvin to come visit. There is something about Europe that I enjoy so much more than the States, whether it is the character or just my old soul.