Gorge de Loup
I can hear the sounds of a neighborhood music fesitval happening just across the street from me. I wanted to go, but I realized that, being the only one in the house, I would have to lock the doors and set the alarm. Earlier today I set off the alarm accidentally for the 3rd time. The sound is skull-piercing. The people from the security company yell at me from the speaker on the wall and I don't know what they are saying, but I repeat the security code into the intercom over and over again, running up and down the stairs trying to find my host mom's cell number, sweating my balls off in the 90-degree heat. So, I think I will just stay inside and enjoy the distant music.
At the moment I am enjoying some tea that I made with the mint leaves I just picked from the garden. The little green leaves swimming in my cup make me happy.
So, I went to Geneva this weekend. they didn't stamp my passport, which makes me a little sad, and we only spent a few hours there, also sad. We visited the UN and had time to wander, which I used to buy three gigantic chocolate bars, one dark with orange pieces in it, another milk with hazelnuts in it (nutella has kind of gotten me crazy for the chocolate-hazelnut combo and now I cannot get enough), and another milk truffle (wanted dark truffle, but c'est la vie [they actually say that here, by the way. it is lovely]). I put the chocolate on my friend's cooler and I haven't touched it since this weekend, but she is bringing it for me tomorrow, and I have a feeling I am going to have to eliminate the three bars at once so they don't die in the heat.
I also went to Annecy, which is absolutely gorgeous. It has a crystal clear turquoise lake and it is in the middle of the Alpes. Swimming in that water was the best thing.
((The the right of this box, there is an add for "hand washing training kit: infection control and prevention for hospitals." I wonder what on earth I wrote/did to make them think that applies to me))
I am trying hard to find a place to stay in Paris during the time I am going to be there. The Parisian couchsurfers are not being very nice about responding to my requests. It is getting close to crunch time and I am getting a little worried. Speaking of Paris, I am going there this weekend with: the person who is the biggest complainer on the trip who stomps around like a little kid having a temper tantrum and can be a real bitch, a guy that really gets into complaning when the previous person gets into it, and a guy who loves arguing and bickering constantly with the other two. Good tiiiimmmess. We aren't getting back until 6am monday, right before our 9am classes, because that is when it is cheapest to take the train, and we didn't get a hotel sunday night. Yay for sleeping on benches (that was actually my idea, let's hope it doesn't end in our being knifed).
I am really starting to miss people and things. I miss the co-op, the nice community I live in and deal with. I miss my pals. Seeing Michelle's pictures made me miss everyone a lot a lot. I never realized how narrow-minded and selfish and egocentric people are, because I only choose to be around people who are more level-headed. I have made one friend who is very nice. She is from Iowa City and we plan to hang out when we get back. I think you will love her. I can't wait to come home! (ps-when I come home, I am going to have to MAKE SOME MONEY to pay those bills that are sitting there waiting for my return)
I went for a bike ride yesterday. It was awesome. I saw some woods with trails leading into them. I plan to investigate.
I am going to cry when I leave my host family. I love them. I actually get jealous when I think that they have had other students before me, and will continue to have them after me. I like to think I am speacial, though. I am pretty sure Sabine, Emmanuel, Thibault and Uzebeck and I have been through a lot more than the other students have.
My host dad found an article in the french newspaper about the flooding in Iowa and cut it out for me.
Next blog topic: the metamorphasis of shit on the side of the road
At the moment I am enjoying some tea that I made with the mint leaves I just picked from the garden. The little green leaves swimming in my cup make me happy.
So, I went to Geneva this weekend. they didn't stamp my passport, which makes me a little sad, and we only spent a few hours there, also sad. We visited the UN and had time to wander, which I used to buy three gigantic chocolate bars, one dark with orange pieces in it, another milk with hazelnuts in it (nutella has kind of gotten me crazy for the chocolate-hazelnut combo and now I cannot get enough), and another milk truffle (wanted dark truffle, but c'est la vie [they actually say that here, by the way. it is lovely]). I put the chocolate on my friend's cooler and I haven't touched it since this weekend, but she is bringing it for me tomorrow, and I have a feeling I am going to have to eliminate the three bars at once so they don't die in the heat.
I also went to Annecy, which is absolutely gorgeous. It has a crystal clear turquoise lake and it is in the middle of the Alpes. Swimming in that water was the best thing.
((The the right of this box, there is an add for "hand washing training kit: infection control and prevention for hospitals." I wonder what on earth I wrote/did to make them think that applies to me))
I am trying hard to find a place to stay in Paris during the time I am going to be there. The Parisian couchsurfers are not being very nice about responding to my requests. It is getting close to crunch time and I am getting a little worried. Speaking of Paris, I am going there this weekend with: the person who is the biggest complainer on the trip who stomps around like a little kid having a temper tantrum and can be a real bitch, a guy that really gets into complaning when the previous person gets into it, and a guy who loves arguing and bickering constantly with the other two. Good tiiiimmmess. We aren't getting back until 6am monday, right before our 9am classes, because that is when it is cheapest to take the train, and we didn't get a hotel sunday night. Yay for sleeping on benches (that was actually my idea, let's hope it doesn't end in our being knifed).
I am really starting to miss people and things. I miss the co-op, the nice community I live in and deal with. I miss my pals. Seeing Michelle's pictures made me miss everyone a lot a lot. I never realized how narrow-minded and selfish and egocentric people are, because I only choose to be around people who are more level-headed. I have made one friend who is very nice. She is from Iowa City and we plan to hang out when we get back. I think you will love her. I can't wait to come home! (ps-when I come home, I am going to have to MAKE SOME MONEY to pay those bills that are sitting there waiting for my return)
I went for a bike ride yesterday. It was awesome. I saw some woods with trails leading into them. I plan to investigate.
I am going to cry when I leave my host family. I love them. I actually get jealous when I think that they have had other students before me, and will continue to have them after me. I like to think I am speacial, though. I am pretty sure Sabine, Emmanuel, Thibault and Uzebeck and I have been through a lot more than the other students have.
My host dad found an article in the french newspaper about the flooding in Iowa and cut it out for me.
Next blog topic: the metamorphasis of shit on the side of the road