Short update

So the wireless broke basically right after I wrote that entry, so there won't be any pictures for a bit. I'm meeting my host family tomorrow, so depending on whether or not they have internet I might be able to upload some then.

I'll make another entry on meeting them, and then from there I'll shift this into being a weekly thing. But for now, today:

We had our brief orientation for two hours in the morning, after a breakfast of croissants spread with a Nutella knockoff (I felt very French eating it). It was much more helpful than the one in New York, namely because we had an actual French person answering questions about France for us. It was pretty relaxed and fun, and we talked about everything from where one uses 'tu' or 'vous' to racism and homophobia. Much better than making skits about the history of AFS.

After that, we had lunch, and I ended up being at a table where exculsively Portugese was being spoken at one end and exclusively German at the other. It was an interesting experience. Ocassionaly Marina (my Brazilian roommate) would make a comment to me in French, but most of the time I was left out of the conversation. It was interesting, I wasn't angry or anything. Just gave me some things to consider.

After that, we went on a drive around Paris and got out briefly to go walk around the gardens by the Eiffel Tower. I have pictures from that too coming soon, not to worry. It was really cold, but beautiful. I love Paris. And for Tammy-- I saw the Musee d'Orsay, but unfortunately we didn't go in. But I thought of you as we drove past it.

And that's about it. We've got a two-hour break before dinner, and then they're officially giving us our travel itineraries tomorrow. I'm really excited to meet my host family, after all this time speculating and wondering about what they're going to be like.

So, tomorrow or maybe later, depending on the internet. 'Til then!