Just Call Me Princess-- Loire Valley

March 8 and March 9

 Well the Loire Valley trip has come and gone. It was on the 9th and 10th. For the most part it was fun. The longer I am here there more disconnected I feel. Like everyone is close and I have to force myself to get an invite or be acknowledged. I will go through this later. The castles were beautiful. We started our day at 5:50! I got my own seat and slept the majority! This trip was different. We had to stay with the tour guide class and walk around the city, which was cool for a bit. But, its tiring and starts to sound the same. Our first stop a place was a place I wanted to visit anyway. I loved it. I saw the castle and Joan of Arc! We had lunch and saw the most magnificent church. I literally took my breathe away! Around 2 we headed to Tours but we stopped at a castle. It was one we learned about in school and was HUGE! The inside of the castle looked liveable. Up to this point the trip was OK. I hung out with Yafei, Jasmine, and Helen. They were hilarious!

The main and only problem is the hostel. It was better than the last one aka not as many stairs. I was in the room with the guides and they were too tired to speak English. They would have a conversation and summarize it in one sentence to me. I left. The nice guide who was in another room asked if it was OK and told me I got placed there because I'm American. FML. What am I supposed to say? I spent as little time as possible in the room. I did experience the French stereotype. When my roomies took her jacket off it smelled so bad! She did use spray deodorant, which did nothing. It just mixes and makes the smell even worse! Once we smelled ok! We headed to the best dinner I've had since I got here!!! There was medieval performers. We got 2 appetizers and a billion of this patty biscuit stuff. There was also wine. Of course, I always kept a full glass,

One thing I noticed was the difference between myself and the Russian girls. Everyone to poured them wine  and served them. The guy next to me continuously got asked to refill their glasses and serve food. I just did it myself.


The Next Day

We went to a castle and a city tour. This one guy guide was fun. He is really nice and actually good at guiding.

Villanary Gardens
It was so pretty even if it hadn't grown in yet. There is a reflection pond. The bushes shapes have meeting! The heart is love and squares are daggers,

Loire Valley is beautiful! If you ever have a chance to go take it! This trip is definitely worth it!

American Boys Take Notes

March 8, 2012

International Women's Day. Every COuntry or majority have heard of this holiday and celebrate except America! This holiday is to celebrate women. Men's is in September. fyi. The buys at school planned a surprise dinner for the girls. American boys take note. They went out and bought everything. It was so precious. First, Olli the greeter gave all of us  a salute and we sat down. Then they had a place setting. They served noodle like we were in a resturant. Followed by graded cheese. They the best pasta sauce ever!! While we were talking about how sweet this was. They were preparing dessert. There was a "women's" playlist with songs like who runs the world and You're so Beautiful Girl. Once everything was done. They had one last surprise. Right what more could they have done! They did all of our dishes! By far the most memorable and best day ever!!!

As far as school-- the classes are getting tougher more classes longer days and more information to remember. My typical school day looks like this. I wake up and have class at 8 or 9:30 am. That would not be so bad if my classes didnt end at 5:00. Regional is tough-- you have to remember the histry, region, and sites, and how is all goes together. French culture is fine we mostly look around Angers and take trips. Managerial Accounting is tough. She gives us problems and after failing for about an hour, she will tell us the answers. Then we repeat with a new type of problem. Tourism Management is ok just boring. Tour guiding is fun but we have to price tours and the information is never clear enough, COmmercial Negotiations is about to become hard. We are getting a case and have to negoiate it with an opposing team. Two classes are already finished. Food culture is boring and we may have a final in it and I have not learned a thing.

Our newest class is wine. This seems fun. Wine tasting who can complain right? Sports Management is just repeating the same lecture again and again. We have a test the day after spring break fml! The last class is French Language. It is terrible! The class has way too many levels so most don't even try and do well. Then there are people like me and fail! I talked to Stephan the instructor today. He said normally there are people at lower levels. Okay and? He said talk to the teacher who speaks no English. Right,

Major Update Coming TONIGHT

I have been very lazy about updating my blog but will be caught up by the end of tonight! I have a lot to say. I will also be staring the 21 reasons I am excited to be coming home and 21 things I will miss. Get excited!

PARISSSSSS

This was stil the best weekend ever besides that minor glitch.

I saw Notre Dame, Louve, Eiffel Tower, the Arch and a world famous garden. Everything was beautiful and crowded. We couldn't go to the top for Notre Dame and Eiffel Tower. The ques for tickets and going in were redic.

The Louve was my favorite. It is massive! We saw the Mona Lisa! I only saw like a 1/3 of it after 2 hours.

Arch We did get to go up and inside the arch. It was so cool! I really enjoyed that. Not many people go inside so the ques were non-existent. THE VIEW IS GREAT!!!!

Eiffel Tower- I took lots of pictures from the ground but next trip I will up to the top. It was magnificent and huge! It is also a pick pocketers heaven. They try to target US and UK people by asking for English speakers. They they want you to give them money for some story.  The tower at night is gorgeous. Definately a must see for pictures.

Notre Dame - It is free to go inside the church but the bell towers cost ya. I will do it eventually but the que was around the block. SO NO THANK YOU! The inside was gorgeous though.

Th garden was pretty and nice place to have a picnic. I wish I could have enjoyed it more but this was right after being pick pocketed. So I thought everyone was a thief and out to get me

Moulin Rouge is a daytime stop. It is in a very dangerous neighborhood. We didn't have a chance to go before the sun set. The train ride back was interesting. We left at 9:09 for a 9:55 train Christy had to be  100% sure we went the right way or we would be screwed. We ran 1/2 the time to the station. Like we literally ran with my huge suitcase! I was failing miserably at keeping up. It was 9:51 when we got on to the platform floor ad I ran to 1 and my trolley. Once I found my section and seat someone was sitting in it AGAIN!!!! This is 4 for 4! The checked tickets and one man was arrested! CRAZY!

Fun Fact: If you sneak on anything in Angers it is a fine. Paris you get jail time.

We saw everything caught up and are planning trips around Europe!

Dear Pick Pocketers, YOU SUCK!!! From, Me

Everyone warned me! Yes, I was careful. But, it still happened. I was a victim of pick pocketrs. Christy and I just came from the Louve. We were on the sub/ bus. This group of kids came on. YES KIDS!!!! I told you the worst. Anyway, this guy pushed me and I gave him a dirty look  then a girl pushed me. I ended up opposite Christy. The girl shoved me and I felt my bag move. In literally one second I look down. Bag open!!!! I see two bright pink object but no wallet!!!!

If you have had something stolen. I am sure it was devastating but this is 100000000000x worse. I am in another country and they have my entire life. My money, my credit cards, and most of all my precious visa/ passport. NO WAY in hell are they ruining my study abroad program. I am full panic mode. We just left the station so I had only a few minutes to get it back. As soon as we get off they will leave with it. So I yell to Christy that they have my wallet! They took it! She speaks French so she could yell at them more effectively then me.

I kept saying it over and over. I looked the girl dead in the eye and said you are thief. She didn't even have the guts to look at me! I am still saying they took it they took my wallet. I don't have it. Then my wallet "fell." I knew it was no accident and looked at the girl again like what the fuck? I picked it up and fumbled through it. My passport, cards, euros, everything was there.

The moment my wallet was in my hands again was like  Christmas morining, Drinking water when you are so thristy, it is the greatest relief and happiness.

What I learned

1) Even if your bag is in front of you. HOLD THE ZIPPER
2) Kids are the worst. They can't be arrested so they doit ALL THE TIME
3) If you fight back. You will be arrested. You just have to take it.


What I can do is say the girl has no soul. She is heartless, ugly both on the inside and outside. She is a little bitch and every other bad word in the dictionary. What goes around comes back around.

Paris Weekend With Christy

Christy Dump it is my long lost friend from middle school. We were inseparable. We drifted apart in high school. I could never figure out why? There was no fight and  no drama. We went from every afternoon to once a week to once a month to once a semester to never. I was not sad. I mean I missed but was so consumed with things I only noticed when I hear thousand miles, see a golden retriever, spongebob suarepants, okso alot of things remind me of her. She is someone you just can't forget. So when I do reminisce on old memories and end up creeping on her Facebook. So after 4 and half years, I was going to Paris to hang out with her. I slightly nervous. What if we have nothing to talk about? What if something did happen and she leaves me at the station ( I highly doubted that but it did cross my mind)? What if had nothing in common?

Either way were finally doing the onle thing we could never do in our youth and that is have a sleepover. I did homeowrk and slept most of the train ride. Finally arrived, Christy had trouble finding the station because of all the construction but one worry disappeared. Soon I realized I had nothing to worry about. Chisty is one of those people you can spend years away from but as soon as you are together it feels like no time has passed. I mean that is what happened lol

We walked to the train station and bought 12 vouchers for 12.70 euro and headed to her place. She lives in a school that is famous. Havard and Oxford are based off of her university. Once we got settled in we went out. Probally not the best idea since we went to sleep at 4 or 5 in the morning. Christy is the most legit host ever. She kept offering food. I tried all sorts of Frenchy things and even borrowed a sleeping bag from her French mom (A older Parisian  woman who basically adopted her and is open about everything!).

What I Learned From Christy
1) Most Parisians wear black with one thing that pops
2) Don't talk to anyone. Just say no and keep walking!
3) Parisians are aggressive. You say Pardon and then Excuse-moi or Allay Allay.
4) People yell baby and bonjour at you ALL THE TIME. Ignore them. At least in America I am worthy of some stupid pick up line.
5) WATCH YOUR SHIT. Kids are the worst! I will go through pickpocketing later!
6) Parians DO NOT smile. You look down on the bus and as miserable as possible.


This was the best weekend ever! I absolutely love it! The city and company. Au Voir!

Brittany and Normady Trip!!!

This was an optional trip for school. So glad I went. It was perfect! I felt a little rushed 90% of the time but you are seeing two regions in two days it has to be that way. Our adventure started at 7 am. The bus ride was forever! I hardly noticed though due to sleeping.

ANYONE THINKING OF TRAVELING SHOULD INVEST IN A NECK PILLOW. I had such a sore neck by the end of the trip. I really regret not having one.

First Stop
WWII American Memorial. After all the contribution and sacrifice we made to help Europe. France gave the US land to bury out soldiers. There were 9000 at this site alone. Yes, sadly there is more then one! It really puts into perscpective all the sacrifice our troops and the world's put into protecting people and defeating the Nazis.Everything about it was so calm, it is hard to imagine this was where D-Day took place. Each sign was in English and French, which was cool. A Fun Fact I learned was the beaches in the area are name after the missions names from D-DAY , which were random cities in the respective country.


The reason I know so much about this is the trip had guides. They are in a tour guiding class and this is their project so they research and present us a tour in English. I was excited at first but soon it became information overload. For anyone that looks down on the hospitality field -- you will eat your words with what I am about to tell you. Before they can pass the prerec class for this class. They have to have mastered 3 languages! Not just bubble in a test beable to give a tour and answer questions in that language. Crazy!

My other favorite place was Le Mont Saint Michel! It is the 8th wonder of the world and I saw it! Back in the day a man had a dream of a abbey on a mountain and then built it. I wish someone had a dream I had a mansion and build me one. =) This place was huge!! It was practically untouched case monks and nuns live in an abbey. Who attacks them? NOONE! I did find out that the monks prayed 8 hours day! I barely have time for an hour at the gym! I made it all the way to the top and if you are ever in France this is a MUST-SEE!




There was so much to see on this trip that I could go on and on about but I figured telling you my top two places would be better. This trip is definitely worth going on!

American Night

Every week a country's students will plan and cook a traditional meal. On the 10th, it was American night. The other cultures joked about Mc' Donalds and friend food. We the Americans did not want to diappoint. Our American meal was not Mc'Donalds. Instead it was Fried Pickles, Potatos, Burgers, Smores and Fried Oreos.

I baked the potatos using only a microwave, which is very time consuming and difficult. I managed though. Nick flooded the kitchen twice trying to thaw the meet. Catelina mopped and cut food. Brandy and Mariam, although Mexican, set up the food, cut, and grilled.

Doran and Rebecca were in the other kitchen cooking up those pickles and potatos. Once the party started, I continud to work on the Fried Oreos since they are better fresh. It was a huge hit. EVERYONE CAME OUT!!! There was about 30 - 40 people. It was great until the mean bald man kicked us out for too many people and beer.

We offered to get rid of the berages but then he was  like too many people and shut us down. Overall the night was a success, 60 burgers, 44 potatos, and dozens of fried cookies and pickles. YUM!!!

Boys Will Be Boys

Girl's Nights are the best. You get to hang out with your ladies and just dance and have fun! NO BOYS, no stress, no problems. Most guys do not understand the concept that sometimes girls go out just fro fun and look cute just case. On February 4th, I had the opportunity to use the Jenna Marbles Face.

A few girls and I went to a new bar. The bar or club was pretty much empty except to our misfortune a few old, persistent French men. We were dancing by ourselves and they awkwardly danced behind us and tried to break up our circle. They had a group. The circle breaker -- who jumped in and danced in the middle. The grabber-- who attempted to spin you around. The bathroom stalkers.

A HUGE DIFFERENCE  between America and France is the bathrooms the girls and guys are in the same room! This blew my mind when I first saw this. I kept asking where the girls bathroom was cause I saw the "guys" but no everyone goes together. So weird! Oh and it is not just at bars it is EVERYWHERE! I think this is how girls going to the bathroom in groups originated too.

The bathroom stalker kinda cornered you in the bathroom and chat you up as you are trying to leave. Catelina even told them to go away in French! She also asked some girls that were giving us dirty looks if they wanted to dance. I LOVE HER! If they were jealous the girl could have the creepy guys.

The highlight of the night may have been poor Hilly getting yelled at for stepping on some ladies shoes. A) you are at a bar what do you expect and b) don't walk through our circle. We were the only ones dancing so we were easily avoidable. Hilla is by far the cutest little drinker ever. She forget everything! She is always losing things and forgets she told you she lost it. So I heard she lost her key and thinks its at Riias about 10 times. haha.

On the way home it started flurrying again! YAY!!!!

Laundry Abroad < USA Laundy

I hate doing laundry. It is by far the worst experience I have encountered. I rather take on a creeper. I mean I disliked it in the US but if only I knew how good I had it! It is such a process. There are 2, yes 2, washers and dryers for the entire building so you have to sign up for a slot. That would be fine if you just came back and everything but no there is more. You have to go to the receptionist and pay the washer fee. You have to know which washer you signed up for cause you get a special coin to put in. You can only go between 12- 2 on Saturday and 12-5 Monday through Friday. I have paid for laundry so I was OK with this I just dont understand why you can't put your money directly into the machine. It is 3.50 euro too. So Expensive! I rather try doing it by hand lol. Also the size of the washer and dryer could easily have two loads. The dryer is forever. I started the dryer at 5:45 and it was finally done drying around 9! This is after multiple cycles. I am seriously thinking of just buying new clothes. =P

First Creeper!

I have a unfortunate habit or finding really creepy men. I do not know how I was blessed with this gift and truly hoping it went away in France but no it didn't. I was minding my own life as always when suddenly someone talks to me in ENGLSH! Do I look American? He was asking about the bus, etc. I felt bad -- first mistake. Actually the first mistake was answering period. I did tell  him the buses are unreliable on Sundays and this one was coming at this time. Unfortunately for me that was in 16 minutes and now he wanted to talk like we were old chums. He wanted to know where I was from, what I was doing here, how long am I going to be here, and lectured me on the importance of learning a second language and how he teaches himself. I don't know where he was from but I am a big tooth person and his were not white! I don't know if it is his thing to not brush or his culture but they were soo yellow. Finally, the bus arrived. I got on and thought this was over-- WRONG! He sat right in front of me and continued the lecture. He started asking my career goals and said I should have some. I am not telling this stranger my life story. he did give me tips on learning a new language so that was semi useful. Finally, I arrived at my destination the train station, which was where he was going. Thank god for walking fast cause I ended up loosing him. So unfortunately, creepers are a universal problem!

Sir Quacker

I recently purchased the BEST souvenir ever! Meet Sir Quacker! I found him at a little boutique and feel in love <3

SNOWWWWW

Everyone thought I was crazy but I had faith in the weather cause today, IT SNOWED! I woke ua at an ungodly hour to go to class. Again noone was there., not at the bus stop, downstairs, tram or hallway. It was not till I was in the wrong class I realized I was an hour early. That is actually positive cause it gave me time to take pictures. The snow was just flurries but Catalina and I were the only ones excited. We sat through class and shocker another project. I had to go home cause a) I had to make sure CAF was settled b) get warmer clothes c) get my buss pass ( I thought I was running late and left it so I was planning on sneaking on the shuttle .. mission accomplished btw) d) see if the toilet was fixed.Caf was ok but my toilet is still not fixed. While finding warmer clothes, I heard the fire alarm, which sound lie band pipes. lol.

I built a mini snowman and took tons of photos with Catalina. I love snow!

Nantes Trip!!!!

 So I survived my first week and ready for my weekend in Nantes!

I woke up amd wen down stairs at the time we were supposed ti be meeting. But, no one was there. I was afraid I would miss the train and left. Once I got there I easily found my train terminal since it is not as massive as Paris! I saw many farmilar faces too shivering cause it was redicoulously cold!

The train ride I slept the majority of the trip. Once we arrived, HIlla and Rita told me we had to stay and wait for the hotel people. The hotel people are the group of us staying overnight. There were 8 of us 5 were coming by car. After an hour, I wanted to leave. We would miss everything! In France, things close at 7 and it was going on 11! I would say we could go tomorrow but everything is closed Sundays so we can't stay here all day!

Once we left the station to start walking to the hotel we found a gorgeous park. I think it was more of a garden since you can't walk on the grass but it was beautiful!.After a long photoshoot, we continued to the hotel while snapping photos along the way.

Finally we got to our hotel! Everyone at one point in their life has stayed at a ghetto hotel. If you haven't , you're either lucky or missing out on stories for years to come. This one bets anything you have gone to! First, it is a door entrance. It kinda looking like the house from the full house except with stores.Anyways, they ahve a huge staff of one guy! He checked us in  and out, cooked and cleaned. He did it all!

The actual room was okay. The beds were normal. They did make look Days Inn look classy and nice. The lights were just light bulbs and the TV was a 20 inch hanging from the wall. The bathroom though. It was a few wall put together and a curtain. It also had not roof. so it was similar to a bathroom stall. Noone wanted to use it cause its awkward.

Finally settled in with a game plan, we went to get food. I had a sandwich but bought an okay dessert. Tartes are not my thing though. We also get to shp before the Hotel people contacted us. We left our numbers with the frint desk or one guy since most of us just got phones and had no numbers. We would meet in an hour since they were going to get lunch. So we killed time and were outside waiting again for them. When they called and said to go see the castle since they already did. At this point, we have to do our own thing cause this was getting ridiculous.

The castle was so pretty!It is amazing to see centeries of history. The castle was built inside a military fortress in the 1400s, when religious battles were going on. One of thier kings signed a treaty, after 80 years of war. The town also went through a mermaid and carnival phase and how their king was one of the key people involved in the slave trade, He stopped supporting 3 years before it was shut down. It also showed how the Nazis took over and implemented rules. Most people in the city were jewish so the town was deserted after 13,000 people were taken into France.

Once we got through the museum. We toured the cathedral. The church is as big as the castle, When I first saw it I thought it was the castle. Our night at Nantes was spending time playing Ring of Fire and drinking wine. We did try to go dancing but ended up at a Isih bar again.

This tip taught me a few things. Big groups travelling never work. People cancel etc. ( i forgot to mention meeting up with the group.) I am much more fast paced that other cultures lol.

This is how we found them. We meet at the church and they told us what happened. One girl backed out after they waited for her even though they were late. So they left late and didn't have a way to contact us. The girl who backed out told them to meet us in the wrong place.

Dinner was fun! We got Kabeb and the cashier had a crush on Hilla, a pretty blonde. A co-worker told us as we were leaving. I understood but HIlla didn't s I told her. The man offered a soda for a kiss on the cheek. It was hilarous! Once we got home  after a park trip, train and bus ride, my toilet was broken. fml. So I have to get it repaired and figure out how to say it in French.

I talked to Cameron the longest yet! We did absolutely nothing together! It was perfect!

Best 8 minutes EVER!!!

1/26/2012

I received a surprise Skype from Cameron during his break. It was the best 8 minutes! We are on such different schedules that this was the first time I really heard from him. He even called during his second break and we spoke for 25 minutes. I dont know if anyone else has had a similar situation but every time you learn a new word in French or experience another French thing like crepes, I want to call him or text him.  I can't. I mean long distance relationships are hard but different time zones and not having a telephone make it more challenging. The only positive is you realize how much you care about someone. I am not just talking about Cameron.
Jen R. skyped me and it was so much fun hearing about her new job and my abroad adventures. You maybe an ocean away but you still feel lik  your apart of their lives.

Anyways enough sappy stuff. I went to an Irish bar. Doran 9, an American girl, told me about this really yummy drink called Kilkenny. It was dark and creamy and yummy! Once I got back I worked on my trips until Cameron was one again, which was about 3:30 am. He told me about all his car issues and I hate his car! He could have bought a plane ticket with that money lol.

So some of my trips include:

Trip 1: Normady and Brittney
Trip 2: Valley of Lumor
Trip 3: England

The first 2 are with school and extra but they are all inclusive. The last one I am doing on my week off hopefully!. I really want to go but noone seems to be up for it so I may be solo . Alyssa says I can stay with her so I have a place for England but if I want to venture into other countries I need to look into hostels and couch surfing. Decisions!

First Day of School!

 1/23

Today was the first day of school. For everyone who takes the bus, it SUCKS! Class was at 8 am so we had to be on the bus by 7 and we were still late! This maybe the hardest semester yet. We went over the structure of the class and it seems easy yet intense. They have 30 credit hours and almost 12 sections, which is divided into 5 areas. There grading is out of 20 and 10 is passing! The professor said the highest grades are 14s, which to me is terrible! I love high grades and really nervous about that. They also do grading by averages so for example You get  a 12, 13, 12, 11 and 12 in the 5 sections. You would have a 12 for everything cause the average is 12. That maybe good or bad depending on the distribution. Also, they have continuous assesments and you can fail if you miss one by skipping a class. Classes change weekly. We will have a final on one topic per section but they do not tell you which one. Basically, your life is school. I am going to try to fit in a sport even though walking up the stairs to my room and class should count.

I found some cute Irish boys in class but sadly they have girl friends.Regardless, some of my friends would make such a cute couple with them cough Brittney Keating cough. After class, I went to the cafeteria and got lunch and failed to get my internet code again. The cafeteria is a steal. You get an appetizer, entree, dessert and bread for 3 euros.

I paid my rent and starting to see the end of my to do list  ONce you pay your rent you get your prrof of residence form so you can make a bank account. I can't get the form till 5 since their are so many of us paying. I attempted to open my account anyway but have to finish tomorrow. SO me and a few girls ( Catalina, Isabel and Hilla) are going tomorrow at 9am. Once that is compete all I have left is CAF (housing aid) and rent a bike.

I also signed up for Oral practice to work on my Francis. I definitely need it! Hoping for As!

First Weekend!!!

SO going out French style is very interesting. Imagine a Devanney's but smaller and 3 stories. The same goes for bathrooms, sticky floord. The only thing missing is drunk college students till midnight. So far France I am on a nocturnal schedule lol. I sleep all day!!! I have to break it cause classes start tomorrow.

I know I said it on Facebook but for all my single friends , you really should invest in a trip to France. There are so many cute boys with accents. Also it is simple to get them to talk to you. You look them in the eye and smile. They always come right over! I have done this accidently many times  until someone told me it is flirting. In America that is being friendly!

That pretty much summarizes the night. Oh wait-- the beer! I could not finish it! Don't hate me! The beer here is terrible and I am not saying that cause I am picky 4 people who love beer did not like it! I heard if you have to put this syrup in and its great again. I don't want to pay to find out though.

So I got up at 3 today cause no one woke me up for the castle or the bank. I couldn't open my bank account anyways so its fine but I really needed a phone so I went to the citi alone. After 3 hours, I found SFR ! I managed to buy a phone and the sales guy Mathieu even changed the language for me. I thought I deserved Mc Donald's so I had that for dinner. I was even able to order and sounded intelligent. Don't get to excited the names are the same in America.

By this time it was 6:30 so I attempted to make my way home. After  2 more hours and 2 extra stops I was home! I got off at the wrong places but think I am professional now!

On Sunday, I spent the day wondering and exploring the citi. Everything is closed on Sunday. SO imagine Chickfila but like that everywhere! It is as terrible as you think. I am trying to figure out what to do instead of eat, shop, movies and everything else. I will keep you posted!

I Made Friends!!!

 1/24/2011

Last week, I made friends. After settling up my computer and figuring out the time. I went down stairs to start my first official day in France and truly start my adventure of getting settleed in. This means id bank account, nternet, insurance and telephone. I accomplished one of the three and the reason is we went to the mall first. Unlike in America it is just indoor shops. There is a store similar to Walmart but not as nice of prices. Pens are 5 EUROS?!?!? It is crazy! It might be more of a  Target since it is in the "mall." Once we( Mariam (Mexico), Erica( Finland) Olli(Finland) and Brandy (USA)) put our stuff back in our rooms we went to pay for insurance.

I forgot to tell you how we meet. While I was asking the front desk lady how to get anywhere she said American. Then dragged this girl now know as Brandy over and said American American. So now we have to be friends. She really is nice I mean she loves and I do mean LOVES cats.

So anyways back to insurance. Before you get insurance you have to get a student id and green paper. The insurance place closes at 3:30 so before I could get to the student id place and back it was closed. Unlike UCF all these things are walking back and forth or by bus. So getting settled in is a multi day thing. Once that failed we went to the bus station. Each hour is 1.4 euro so 3.4 all day. So paying for the bus was getting old really fast!

After all that hard work I was starving! I had a panni thing, which was delicious. I tried a crepe! I attempted to order in French and failed miserably. I am still adjusting to the new language and kinda feeling silly thing. I have quickly picked up not tipping. All in all the French food is amazing!

A highlight of my day was using someone else's access code to  check my emails and go on Facebook. I even had a chance to talk to Cameron. He may have been at work since he didn't have much to say but I have only been gone for less than 24 hours. I did tell him to tall my mom I am safe since she is probally worried sick!

Finding friends is great. We are going out tonight! I am excited to explore the city. I learned the word for sale and free even with a language barrier I will still find sales! But for now I will go out to this college bar hopefully it lives up to my Devanney's standards I did hear beer is 5 euros per glass and 2 euros for a bottle of wine. Can you say pregame?

Good Bye America. Hello France!

Hello!

I decided to write a blog about my French Study Abroad adventure for a few reasons. One to look back and remember the experience and also let everyone else know how it really is. I am so happy to be here because this truly is a once in a life time opportunity!


My flight here was interesting. I thought I was ready but definitely NOT! I was still running around tryign to get the weight of my bags down and copies of all my papers. This is my first international flight  and my first flight alone. I realized two things: I am not as independent as I think I am and have no idea what anyone is saying. I rode on a French airline called Corsairway, it is a charter bus plane and the cheapest flight available. ALMOST 400 dollars less!!! Upon check in they gave me directions in French. I know I am goign to a French speaking country  but I know almost nothing. Actually, I know nothing! Luckily, he points so I avoided that awkward blank stare. Once I got to the counter I was worried he would not speak English well. Seeing as this is my flight to leave I was relieved he only spoke English too. I did not want to mess anything up and miss the flight.

After weighing my bags. It came up to 32 kilos.  over the limit! After removing ALOT of my clothes, the scale disappointed me again. He didn't charge me though. I think because we are both young and the other workers have no idea what we are saying anyways. Thank goodness! I did not want to pay 15 per kilo over! I turned in my luggage and hunted for my mom. After searching, I gave up and slowly headed to the boarding area.

My mom has never failed me and in the distance I saw her frantically walking as fast as she could looking for my flight. She is legally disabled, so her walking fast is a HUGE deal. (She payed for it the next day. )Our eyes locked and it was like a slow motion seen of running/ walking fast  to give each other a hug. As we walked where I board, we said our good byes. Turning around and seeing her crying it FINALLY hit me I am leaving for France!

I lose everything and everyone warned me about people stealing your passport, etc. Well I went through security. First, you have to show your passport. Second, you have to put all your stuff in the bins, including shoes. My passport would be the one to fall out of the bin.So I frantically looked for the passport stopped the whole security check point thinking someone stole it but the guy found it in the machine.


Once I got to the gate, I texted and facebooked from my phone for the last time and waited for my row to be called. I 'm not sure if they really called my row but they let me in and I discovered I had the whole row to myself! I was surprised how laxed security is. I was expecting to be drilled and interrogated. If you ever have the opportunity to go on a French airline or any that is not a US do it! The English translations are so funny!

My flight took off at 8:30pm and planned to land at 11:30 am in Paris. Even though it was early as soon as we could take off our seat belts I passed out until they brought out food. The plane gave us two meals: dinner and breakfast. Dinner was amazing. Maybe it was the low expectation or the beer but I loved it. It had a salad , fish , dessert and FREE Alcohol! Breakfast did not have beer only OJ and bagels, yogurt, and muffins. They showed cartoons with no voices such as Tom and Jerry the entire plane ride. I don't think anyone was watching but it was nice to be able to follow along.

Once the plane ride was over the real adventure began. I searched for a classmate I was suppposed to be meeting but I realized we were not at the same airport and would have to fend for myself. I struggled to get to the train station which left for Angers. With ALOT of help and pointing I found the place to buy a ticket and board. A nice, older man helped me find my seat and told me my exit. I tried hard not to sleep but slept 99% of it.

I had high hope that I would be able to find the school till the taxis ride. I gave the driver the wrong addrsss and ended up staranded. The Vice President found me wandering and offered to drive me to the correct campus. He also gave me water, candy and swag. We are best friends now. lol.

Finally, I got to my room. The room itself is pretty nice . It feels like a cruise room. It is compact and tiny. The toilet and shower are in a small cramped space a little bigger than a porta potty. The shower is controlled by the sink too. After organizing my room, I miss my mountain of clothes and will probally hate these clothes since I only have 12 outfits for 5 months! I hate to go shopping but I may have to!

Revoir!