I wish I had more time to write a blog about each trip and experience I have taken in the last month so that I can share with you all what wonderful experiences I have had. But instead I will talk about what November as a whole has been like.
In order to get ready for Italy I had to work my butt off to get homework and papers done early so I had no worries when I was gone. Funny as it sound now I got on the plane to Englang and swore I forgot to turn off my stove. With one broken computer already I was afraid that I was going to blow up my dorm and my precious computer along with it. !! Luckily I got ahold of my friend and she took care to ease my fears.
I breifly mentioned England in my last blog and how wonderful it felt to be in an English speaking place. Watching the british "telly" in my quaint little B&B was just wonderful. And the next day I was off to Italy.
I spent the weekend with Susie in her beautiful hometown of Parma, Italy riding vespa's around, drinking wine and eating too much pasta! It was wonderful though. The coffee beats France by a long shot too!
Saturday Susie and I took and adventure to Venice where we spent the afternoon. There we almost missed the train in Bolognia, and got to Venice ready to explore. Venice was beautiful and it was even better spending my time there with Susie, a lifelong friend. We had lunch (pasta of course!) and I haggled some guy to give me a knockoff channel for 20 euro. His starting price was 75! I ruled at that. Thanks Dad~ you know I got that skill from you : )
Saturday night we were exhausted but went out to meet some of Susies friends. They were all so nice and friendly. I enjoyed seeing that part of Susie's life. Judging by the way her friends act around her I can tell Susie has a lot of really good friends who love and care about her a lot. It makes me feel even luckier to have her as a friend. One of the things I noticed about Italians is how much more affectionate they are with eachother. They show eachother that they care by always kissing goodbye and touching with their hands. It is nice to see people showing that they care and I wish that our culture was more accepting of that kind of affection.
Sunday was tour of Parma with Susie. Fede (Susie's childhood and lifelong super sweet Bff) joined us on our vespas for a tour of Parma. It is a beautiful city rich in history, culture and kind people. There is a river that runs through it that gives you a breath taking veiw. Then it was coffee with the girls. Julia, Fede, Susie and I went to a "Starbucks" like cafe that is popular in Italy. Though i'd have to say even their corporate coffee houses are better than our starbucks! We hing out for awhile until it was time for Susie and I to go to dinner with her fam.
I was looking forward to this dinner because it was a typical Parmesean restaurant that Susie and her family were regulars at. It also happened to be voted best in Northern Italy the day before. Here i ate truffle mushrooms, bologni from Bolongnia, parmasean cheese of course, parmesean ham, and many other delicious foods. Susie's dad looks over at me before desert in his Ralph Lauren american Flag sweater (Worn for me! ) and says "Desert, its a hard job but somebody's got to do it". That right there is Susie's dad. Her and her entire family overwhelmed me with their wonderful hospitality. I felt so greatfull to be there with them and even better when I received two kisses on the cheek (fr good friends only) and an invitation to come back any time.
The next day it was off to France. Back to French and school. And I wasn't looking forward to it. At this point of the month it was tough. I was homesick and French sick. But luckily I had the Nagster and Jay flying here it just two days.
So it was a good thing I got my homework done early : )
I was a little nervous to see Naggie and Jay. I wondered what they would think of how I looked, or if my French would be good enough to get us by. But the moment I saw them all my worries were washed away. I felt home with them half way accross the world. That describes the entire vistit with them. It was wonderful. Our first night we went out for pizza in my favorite sqaure in Pau. It was delicious. I had ham with olives and chevre (goat cheese). The next morning it was off to San sebastian!!!
Tappas and Xchocotli-Spain was as beautiful as it was tasty.
In our lovely decorated pink pension located in the heart of old town we stayed. Throughout the weekend we took walks along the coast, wine searching excursions and many coffees in order to use the bathroom (thats how you got to do it in Europe!). We had lovely dinners and one day walked up to the vernicular and saw the breathtaking veiw of the city. On Saturday night we went to a traditional Basque restuarant where we ate cheeses, baby pig and goat! It was all great. The night before I tried clandestines (Naggies favorite sea food) with black/purple/green pasta (the color is up for debate :] )
Sunday I headed back to Pau on my own and met up with Naggie and Jay on Tues for a belated birthday dinner at "Le Berry" a traditional Bearnaise (meaning really good) restaurant. It was so good that we went back two more times! Wednesday we went to Cauterets where we enjoyed the quiet city and a trip to the Thermal spa for thermal baths and mud masks. We enjoyed a nice lunhc and some local wine and then headed back to Pau for dinner. Our bus driver had on an Obama t-shirt that said "brunettes for Obama" it was quite entertaining to see our French bus driver in France wearing that t-shirt.
Dinner that night was at Le berry and this night we tried escargots. It was a new experiences for all of us. We also got the enjoyment of our server who seemed to pay extra attention to me and even brought us complimentary drinks after our meal. "magic potion" he said it was.
Thursday Naggie and Jay went to Lourdes and I went to class until they got back and we met up for dinner. Pizza again. !! After words we hung out in their hotel room for a while and just talked. My favorite part of their trip: just being with them and enjoying the moments together.
Friday we toured my campus and then went downtown to Pole Bosque where Jay, Naggie and I all bought toys for our babies back home. Then in was off to Le Berry for our farewell dinner. My farewell to them and their farewell to France. Sad to see them go I felt so lukcy to have spent the week in their company. What made me happiest was being able to share my life here with them. They got to see what I have been able to experience over here, me speaking French, meeting my professors, seeing my school, my dorm. I was so happy to have been able to show someone that. And am so glad they came to visit. It was such a wonderful time : )
Two weeks later and it is Thanksgiving. My that month went by fast. I had no plans for Thanksgiving and honestly wanted to keep it as any other day as to not be sad about being without my family. But since a few Usacers were getting together I decided to join in on the Fun. It ended up being such and amazing night. Filled with "turkey tarte" (since turkey is not as easy to come by) deviled eggs (not as good as naggies though!) green been casserole and of course CHEESE and BREAD!! I am in France! There was mashed potatoes and way too much wine and desert. There were about 20 of us there crammed into one little room. We went round and said our thanks and it was a great reminder of what i really do have to be thankful for. My opportunity here, the places I have seen, the people that I have met, the language I am learning, the memories I have made, and the perspective I have gained while being here. Those are all just the things in France. I am thankful for my health, and my amazingly supportive and loving family back at home.
Now its just 2 weeks and 3 days until I am home. A moment that I am excited for but also extremely scared of. There are so many things I am going to miss here. One being the abiltiy to speak French. I will have to make it a prioritiy to practice when I get home becuase its something that I have worked hard to learn. I am going to miss the very good french friend that I have made here too, Mathias. He has been so kind and helpful to me here. And has totally made my french 2X as better!
I can only say that this experience has been nothing like I thought it would be. Nothing about it was easy. I struggled emotionally, physically and academically. But this challenge has made me who I am coming home as. That despite all of the harships, is something that I wouldn't change.
XOXO
Aunt J