Let's see, where did we leave off? I am now in the middle of my second week of the february-march vacation, worrying about all the work left to do before we return to the French essays and demanding Economics teachers (not to mention the project we've been working on since september that should be finished by now and must be finished by monday). I have been in a really good place for the last month. All those mental breakdowns are in the past and I just feel like everything is going well. Yes, I do get frustrated when I can't find a word or am stumbling over my grammar (I understand so well but by speaking still hasn't completely caught up), and it's true that not getting into dance productions was a downer. But I am laughing more this month, I am trying my best to stop worrying or being self conscious, I am studying but not crumpling under classwork, and I do get to go to Paris every now and then, so how on earth can I complain?
The weekend before vacation was the second AFS reunion. It was the first time since october that I had seen my Normandy group, as we failed to find a date to all meet up in between. We won't let that happen again, though, because that weekend reminded us all how great it is to be together and laugh about how pushy the French are with food. There were some new recruits this time, a Canadian, a new American, and three French kids that will be leaving this summer, but we had also lost a few to the end of the semester. I wish I had seen them before they went home.
We started the day with some quick "break the ice" games (telephone is even better when half the group doesn't speak the language of the whispered message) and pictures for local newspapers. I'm in the news! Then we ate lunch and were left with 4 free hours in our beautiful little town of Flers (for which a grand tour lasts about one eighth of that time). We popped into a music store for a bit and listened to one of the french boys play guitar and then stayed in a cafe catching up about families, friends, life, everything. We met back up with the volunteers and then joined some of the host families to go bowling and eat dinner at a nice restaurant. The bowling gods were not with me because I came in second to last, but it was fun all the same. I had wanted to go to a concert that was the night of the reunion but I ended up not regretting the day in the least.
Then there was the last week of school full of tests and homework and more tests. Eight hours of testing, all together. Four of those eight hours made up one long French test which nearly exploded my brain but which I think will have good enough results. I understood the texts, at least. Otherwise there was a two hour history test and then one hour of math and another for spanish. The spanish teacher did not look very pleased when I handed in my copy. Anyway, the week was long, and by the time the bell rang at 5:00 PM on Friday evening I was well ready for vacation.
And vacation is sweet! So so sweet. I spent saturday finishing my audition video (even if it wasn't good enough I did like the dance in the end) and sunday was a big family lunch as usual. On Monday some friends came over and I made them pancakes in the morning. Pancakes are such a crowd-pleaser here! On tuesday I made a failed attempt to be social, going into town to meet up with everyone just as they were all about to go back home. And it was cold, too. But then the rest of the week was filled with social activity because I went to visit some AFSers in St. Lo for three days. Like I said, we are not going to let 5 months go with no contact again. Altogether we were three Americans, a Norwegian, a Brazilian, and two French. We wandered the town, went to various cafes, browsed a bookstore, and practiced piano and guitar at another music shop. We watched movies and made crepes in the evenings and talked and talked and talked. We switched back and forth between French and English. The last AFS weekend in October was exclusively English but this time there was definitely some mixing and mingling of the two languages. It was fun. I hope to see them again soon.
Another weekend passed, and then, Paris! There is nothing better to take one's mind off of a rejected audition than a big, beautiful city waiting to be explored. This time we went up with my host nephews and niece to see a museum exhibit of evolution. The little kids were so excited, they were jumping in anticipation at the train platform and nearly cried when one of the party joked that we had missed the train. The museum was nice. More for the young ones than for Alice and I, but it was fun to see them enjoying it. After we had exhausted the exhibit Alice and I went off on our own way. First to the Hotel de Ville, which is maybe my favorite part of the city that I have experienced so far. The architecture is beautiful, and while it is undeniably a shopping center, it doesn't feel uniquely commercial. It feels like there is real culture there. There are big brand names but also little boutiques and restaurants down little alleys, with incredible monuments right around the corner.
Tuesday morning was back to the streets of Paris, this time the Champs Elysees and then the Avenue de Montaigne. We went down the Avenue de Montaigne looking for a bank, but turning the corner down that street is like stepping into a new world. On the Champs Elysees, or in Paris in general, everyone seems stylish and elegant and important already. But when you step onto the Avenue de Montaigne the whole world outside looks just dreary alongside. Everyone on that sidewalk walks with their eyes forward and their strides confident. The women are either young and belong on the pages of vogue (and probably have been their at some point) or middle aged in fur coats and belong in some giant office with a view of the city giving people orders to bring them expensive coffee and chocolate. Think Devil Wears Prada. The men are all in designer suits and look like they just gave an important presentation at an important meeting of important business executives. All of a sudden, the mini coopers speeding down the Champs Elysees are replaced by sleek mercedes with chauffeurs. Gone are the H&Ms and Zaras of the lesser beings, here the stores have names like Chanel and Dior. You see someone come out of Dolce & Gabana with a huge bag; you start to feel better about the 40 euros you just spent.
The Avenue de Montaigne is wonderful for people watching, but it starts to get dizzying with all the light reflecting off of the 200 euro sunglasses. That lifestyle is undoubtedly glamorous but I don't think I could handle it, personally. We didn't stay there long. We instead got lunch and spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing by the eiffel tower. Stretching out on the grass in the first spring sunlight and then getting a coffee at the least expensive cafe we could find. We got home at 10:30 last night.
I plan to work the rest of the vacation, and maybe go out some as well. So far it has been excellent, I hope the next 5 days can continue that. Much love to everyone across the ocean, I miss you all immensely.
