bonjour mes amis!

I really do promise to get better about updating this. I know it's been a while, but now I am finally in France, so I actually have something of interest to write about. Now I have SO much to write about.

I've been here for 5 days now, and have walked for most of that. Oy, I'm so tired. I will literally be in the best shape of my life by the time I get back. Between not eating a whole lot and walking so very much, there's no way I can gain weight. Not that I haven't eaten. I just haven't really eaten a nice, sit-down meal yet, mostly because I don't know anyone yet, and I don't really want to be that loser eating by myself. I have been grocery shopping a lot though, mainly because the markets here are fascinating. My second day, after sleeping for 18 hours, I bought bread, cheese, meat, and wine, because that seemed like the French thing to do. I'm always very skeptical about cheese, because I don't like to eat anything that smells weird. I got Camembert, and let me just tell you, it STUNK. But honestly, it didn't taste very bad. However, every time I open the fridge now, it's all I can smell. For the wine, I bought an inexpensive Cote du Rhone. And wasn't really a fan. It was very strong, and I don't know if that's just how that type of wine is or if mine just sucked. I wish I knew more about wine.

Another weird thing about France. THERE IS NO INTERNET. I figured I wouldn't have it at my apartment, but thought that there would be plenty of internet cafes and such to use along the way. It took me 3 days to find a cafe with internet. By wednesday, I felt so completely cut off from the world, it was ridiculous. If there's one thing I'm learning on this trip, it's to be thankful for all that I have. Never again will I take things like internet, dollar menus, dryers, or my beloved CAR for granted again. I vow never to call my car a piece of crap again. I finally found free wireless at mcdonalds. Thank God for McDonald's. I knew that I loved them. Not only do I finally get to communicate with people, but I get to eat a Big Mac.

Today in my wanderings, I stumbled upon Old Nice, which is basically the old part of the town. It was really quaint and pretty. It's basically just alleys filled with shops and restaurants, but there's something very comforting about that. It leads out to the beach, which is pretty much true with everything in this city. The beach is of course, beautiful. However, the old men in speedos in January are not. WHY?? Oh Europe, you never cease to amaze me.

I really, really want to post pictures, but of course dumb me left my camera cord in Auburn. Really? I brought every other cable I own, including the one for my old camera, which I also brought just in case, but I left my current one. Ugh. I bought a new one today but it wasn't the right size, only to find out that since my camera is a Casio, I have to have a special cable. So tomorrow I set out to find a card reader. C'est la vie.

Also tomorrow, I'm going to try to go to some museums around here. There's quite a few right over next to my apartment, so that should keep me occupied for a while. For all the walking around I've done, I haven't actually done that many touristy things. It's been more about getting my bearings, and familiarizing myself with the city, at least my part of the city. I did go inside a random cathedral today. I wish I knew what it was called, because it looked important, but that's the problem with being your own tour guide. You never actually have any idea what you're doing. But back to the cathedral. I mean, I've been in many a cathedral before, but it just struck me today how completely ostentatious they are. I don't mean to offend anyone, but aren't there better things to do with money than spend them on ridiculously ornate decorations? Is that really furthering the kingdom of God? I appreciate that they're beautiful, but it also kind of makes me sad, thinking about the billions of dollars the Church has spent over the years on appearance. But I'll get off that rant for now.

Everyone keeps telling me that in no time, I'll be fluently speaking French. Umm yeah, I'll believe it when I see it. I can basically get by and understand, but as for complete conversations? No way. You'd never know that I've taken 5 years of French. Of course, that's the difference in an American teacher speaking French and an actual French person speaking French. We'll see about this.

Well that's it for now! xoxo