Last days in France...

Hello everybody!

Well Thursday's boat dinner was absolutely wonderful. I have to say that everyone looked pretty good! And the dinner was excellent! We started with foie gras (goose liver)...not my favorite, but it's ok, really.

Then we had salmon, rice and vegetables with a special nantaise sauce – DELICIOUS.

I love salmon and rice. After that was cheese and salad, and then a lovely raspberry cake-like dessert.

We also had plenty of wine – white and red. I have to say that after my time here, I’m definitely more of a red wine person than white, which is the opposite of what I thought at the beginning. Funny how things change. The boat went up the Erdre River, passing many chateaux, sailboats and pretty scenery. We also caught an absolutely beautiful sunset. It was a really great setting to spend a last night with everyone together. It also made it easier to start the good-byes…

Friday morning was spent sleeping – Thursday night got a little early…. I had some great French toast trying to use up some bread I had left over, and then set out to finish packing most of my stuff. I’m pretty impressed with myself for how the packing process went. I was nervous about getting everything to fit, but everything did! AND I don’t think I will have any weight problems with the two bags I’m checking either – GREAT NEWS. However, some clothes did get thrown out due to holes and two pairs of shoes as well that were completely worn down, so that did help with space.

Friday afternoon I spent browsing around the old part of Nantes getting a couple of last minute things. I also went back to IES for the last time to say some final good-byes. Then last night I had my final dinner with my family. Segolène joined us as well, which was really great. We had foie gras, a duck dish, salad and cheese and fruit. Delicious. I love my host mom’s cooking. I will definitely miss it when I’m back in the states. But I have to say that I am excited for some more American style cuisine, like hotdish! :)

This last week has been pretty surreal. Finals were just a blur – stressful and overwhelming - so it was a huge relief to finish those on Wednesday, but after that I didn’t know what to do with myself. I panicked, suddenly having a huge list of things to see in Nantes before I left. Who knew there was so much to do in this town??? But in trying to pack and Thursday night’s festivities, some things got vetoed, and I suppose I’m ok with that. It just means I have to come back :) Plus I had too many people to see and talk to before they headed home, and before I left – way more important than seeing where Jules Verne lived.

This morning I took the train to Paris. It was hard to leave my family, but I’m certain that I will see them again, so that makes me feel better. It will still be hard to head home, knowing that their lives will continue and that soon enough, I will not be the only adopted American in their family. In fact, a new student is arriving at their house on Tuesday, and he’ll get my room. Can we talk about being replaced?? No, but they will always be my French famille, despite the experiences they will have with their new students in the future. I like to think that I’ll be their favorite :)

I really cannot express on here how thankful I am for the family I was placed with, and how blessed I feel to have been a part of their lives. They were so generous and welcoming and just nice. My experience here would definitely not have been the same without them – it would have been different, and probably not in a good way. So I just want to say – MERCI BEAUCOUP!

Today I have been wandering Paris with Lisa. We checked out a market by Place de la Bastille, eventually making our way to the river, and Notre-Dame.

AND at Notre-Dame, there was a bread festival going on! A huge tent was set up, where at least a dozen different bakers were making bread and other delicious pastries. It was fun to watch and smell! There were other smaller tents set up as well, where we found some excellent samples, and decided to buy some bread and cheese for lunch.

We then made our way over to the Latin Quarter, where I had been in the outskirts of before, but had never actually been in it before. It’s known as a University neighborhood – kind of like a Dinky Town feel? So everything is cheap, which is grrreat in Paris. But I loved it. Very chic, cool, relaxed atmosphere. There are lots of restaurants with all types of food – Italian, French, Indian, Spanish, Japanese, you name it. Also, plenty of cool shops.

Funny thing though. We were about to sit down at a café, when we ran into Erin – a friend of mine from Luther! She’s been studying in Madagascar for the semester, and we had talked about meeting up, but hadn’t talked yet, so it was really bizarre running into her. Especially in Paris, where there are thousands upon thousands of people everywhere – what are the chances? Oh, but then! After finally getting our tea and waiting out the rain, I ran into another friend from home, Laura, who has been studying in Montpellier, in southern France, for the semester! Absolutely crazy. And fun! Again, WHAT ARE THE CHANCES?? I spent the rest of the afternoon exploring more of Paris, but this time, Erin came with us for a bit. It was really nice to catch up and get a taste of her experience in Madagascar.

Now, I’m just hanging in the hotel until dinner. I’m meeting my friend Ellen from home! Another exciting event of the day, and a good start for my re-entry into the States :) So more about that later!!