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Departure

Okay, one last post!

I thought I should share with everyone the fantastic last weekend I've had here in Franceland.

Awesome thing #1: I ate escargot with Sophie and Jean-Philippe! I was talking to Jean-Philippe the other night and he was horrified to hear that I've never tried it. Naturally, the next morning he went all over Marseille looking for enough escargot for Krista, myself, and the family. It wasn't half bad... as long as I didn't think about what I was consuming.

Awesome thing #2: I got to shoot a gun with Xavier and Krista at the military base in Toulon! It was kind of terrifying, mostly because I didn't trust myself to handle it properly. I took maybe ten shots and probably only hit the target once, lol, but it was a fun experience nonetheless.

Awesome thing #3: Sophie and Jean-Philippe got me a camera as a going away/thank you gift!

I'm going to get on the train in one hour to head to Paris, where I will hang out until my flight leaves at 10 in the morning tomorrow! Then I head to Dublin, then NYC, then SFO and zen HOME! I want to go ice-skating and buy fire cheetos within 48 hours of getting home. Anyone who wants to join is welcome ;)

lots of love and I'll see everyone in a few days!

xoxo

Au Revoir (Camera, Blog, et France)

Tomorrow I officially have one week left in France. It's been a very fulfilling experience and I feel like I got exactly what I needed to get out of it. I know it's usually best not to have expectations (or at least not very specific ones) when you travel, but I definitely came here with an idea of what I wanted and I'm happy to report that I got just that.

Yesterday I revisited Aix-en-Provence, the town where I did my study abroad in Spring '08. I met the director of our student program for lunch and we wandered around a bit. It was sort of a strange (but nice) feeling to go back to this place where I had spent so much time and to be able to rediscover it all over again. It was also fun to see it bustling with people during the holiday season. I'm pretty sure all of France was there doing their Christmas shopping yesterday! I wish I could post some photos of the town center and all of the beautiful Christmas lights..suffice it to say, it's a very charming place.

Since arriving, I've loved: having the opportunity to channel Julia Child daily in the kitchen, meeting some wonderful new people (especially Eli and Krista), getting to know a funny French kid - who no doubt deserves credit for dramatically improving my French, dancing like a wild woman at African dance classes, as well as simply hanging out at the beach (even when it's freezing).

I can't believe I almost went to South Korea.

Voila - Aix-en-Provence!

(thank you, google image search)