So I realize that my previous post was rather one long complaint and thought I should make a supplementary one with all the things I really like about being here. Firstly, I went out for drinks with some French kids the other day!! Cool me would try to pretend that I wasn’t extremely excited, but I was—and was extremely nervous, too. This girl, Elodie, was one of the people who met us at the train station and she invited Christian (another American kid from Maine) to go out with her and her friends and he told me I could go, which of course I instantly agreed to. I ended up way over-dressing in my nervousness, but had a lovely evening in Franglais and everyone I met was really sweet and inclusive. Last night France was in the handball world championship (go figure) so they were airing the game in bars and everyone was shocked when I asked what sport it was…oops. But I got to try a very French drink (the name of which I still don’t know) but it’s a mix of a light beer and a flavored syrup. I was initially skeptical, but it tastes exactly like a Shirley Temple (which I looove)—the French are not shy with their syrup.
They play American music well, everywhere. And only the 95xxx kind of American pop. The French girls, despite their limited English, knew all of the words and unabashedly sang them loudly in the bar. Interestingly, too, it’s common to go to the bar and order an alcohol-free cocktail which a number of the girls were drinking and, I think, shows a level of self-restraint that Americans tend to lack. But it worked in my favor as Elodie graciously drove us back to campus so I didn’t have to take the bus. Anyway, I hope I get to hang out with them again because they were really great.
I hate to make a list of things I like, but it seems to be the simplest way to go about it.
1.
1. I love my tiny little room. It’s the perfect size and I can completely trash it without having to answer to anyone.
2. 2. The architecture. Its unbelievably pretty. The fact that right in downtown, amongst shops and restaurants you can stumble upon a gothic cathedral and then, ten minutes later, a massive chateau is incredible. I keep sounding like an idiot when I turn a corner and loudly say “OOOH!” but I can’t help it. We just don’t have a lot of that at home.
3. 3. The students are incredibly friendly and gracious. Even in passing everyone always says “Bonjour” or, beginning promptly at 5 pm, “Bonsoir!” and, in our shared kitchens, when they leave they’ll say goodbye or “bon appétit!” It’s so chummy.
4. 4. The cheek kisses. It’s incredibly welcoming. There was probably a group of almost 20 of us last night and whenever a new person arrived they would go around the entire group and kiss everyone’s cheeks. It completely alleviated my constant worry about whether or not to shake peoples hands.
5. 5. All of the buildings in Angers are made of this whiteish beigeish stone which is gorgeous and makes the city look so filled with light when it’s sunny.
6. 6. The grass is green. And there are flowers. In January. Yessssss
7. 7. You can park anywhere. Not that I’m driving but I think it’s hilarious. Sidewalks = perfectly acceptable places to park your vehicle. If there’s a tree, park next to it. If theres a curb, drive over it. Cars appear in the most arbitrary little nooks of the city.
8. 8. There are a couple really old little cobblestoned streets which are adorable and completely eliminate all city noise. You feel like you’ve gone back in time.
9. 9. The bread is awesome. The crepes are awesome. The cheese is awesome.
1 10. Unlike Burlington, the city buses are not filled with creepy people. They are clean and new and pleasant and young kids take them home from school.
That is all that comes to mind right now, but there are many more things I could say. For now, however, I will go and enjoy my lazy Sunday.
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