Bonjour tout le monde!! :)

This experience is about getting out of my comfort zone; trying new things. I have been in France for more than two weeks now, and I am completely in love. Manners are extremely important in the French culture- When you meet someone, you always say, "Bonjour, ca va?" When the French ask how you are, they actually MEAN it. If you do not speak French (like me!) your best bet is to learn: s'il vous plait (please) merci (thank you) desole (I'm sorry) and pardon (excuse me). As long as you are polite, the people of this beautiful country are more than happy to help.

Last Wednesday, I watched La Vie En Rose, the biography of the famed French singer Edith Piaf. Edith faced many trials throughout her life: she was raised in a brothel, then traveled with her father (a contortionist). She began singing at a very young age to supplement her father's act. She met her best friend, Momone, when they were both teenagers. They were inseparable until Edith's untimely death at the age of 57. The other key figure in Edith's short life was Marcel, a famous French boxer who died while en route to see her when his plane crashed. I downloaded some of Edith Piaf's music, and though it was recorded well before my time, even I can appreciate the amazing talent this incredible woman possessed.

Last weekend, je suis allee a Blois with my new friend Pauline. She speaks very little English, so at times it was difficult to communicate, but neither one of us ever went more than a minute or so without laughing :) Most French people drive EXTREMELY fast. However, Pauline was a little more cautious because she just got her lisence a few weeks ago (in France it costs one THOUSAND euros, sometimes more, to get it!!). We went shopping, and stopped by Mcdonalds after to get dinner. In France, you can choose to have a beer as part of your combo meal... for the same price as a soda ;) As we were walking out, I asked her about the sticker I had seen on several cars, including hers. It is a white circle with a big red A. She explained that all new drivers had to have one; it's kind of like a heads up for other drivers.

I have learned SO MUCH already... I can't wait to see what the next 2 1/2 months has in store! :)