Day 12

I had planned on going to church today, the flea market and then the open air market to buy some fruits and vegetables, but none of that happened. Instead I couldn't for the life of me wake up this morning despite having gone to bed relatively early. I spent about two hours straightening my hair, the whole time fearing that my convertor would catch fire. Thankfully it didn't.

My host parents invited me down to have lunch with them; I was still in pajamas so I felt a little embarrassed when I walked downstairs and they had three friends over. For lunch, my host mother had foie gras "fat liver" made from duck. It's actually good, so despite that it is liver, it must be sampled before critiqued! That was the entree. It's eaten with bread and white wine (duh.) The meal was a Moroccan dish (couscous, potatoes and chicken.) My host parents love other cultures so I'll occasionally have Asian, Caribbean, Indian dishes, etc. For dessert we had what resembled a fruit cake but with a hard crust.

I tried to keep up with the conversations at the table, but not only did they speak fast but sometimes there were two conversations going on at the same time. One of their friends at the table was half American so she translated things for me and tried to help me keep up. She was very helpful in that sense and in also advising me on some things French. She showed me how to eat the foie gras; showed me that it is customary to finish everything on one's plate; that American coffee is indeed different from most of the world and if I go to a cafe, to simply ask for coffee and not accept cafe americain. Also, French people in general are very quiet and they do not go around the house stomping and slamming drawers and doors like Americans do. I'll have to be even quieter at night because even flushing the toilet makes noise because of the pipes.


Lunch was followed by multiple slideshows of the cabin my host parents made on their land in the south of France and pictures of China. I did not think China could be so pretty, but it is and I would like to visit someday. Unlike France where the sun comes up at like 10am, the sun rises really early in China (like 5am) and so do the people. Seriously, I haven't seen the sun in a while. I hope it's just the season. I don't understand why it's so cloudy here! Even when it's below zero in the states, the sun will at least be out.

Anyway, once this group of friends left, I looked into flights for Spain with my host mother. Another couple of friends came over soon after. I had enough French and confusion for the day so I retired to my rooms. Sort of a lazy Sunday, but I need my rest for Monday: I have 4 classes beginning at 9:30 and ending at 6:30. Oh la la!


This post is a longer than the average, I'll throw in some random pictures to make up for that.

My schedule

View from my bedroom (Day)

(Night)