From Burgers to Paris

Alright, I've just gotta sit down and do this. This post is just gonna be a brief recap of the last two weeks-quite a bit has happened.

First off the weekend before last some other exchange students and I were invited to a BBQ at the military base just outside Mons. It was so great! I never thought I could get that excited about cheap American food. Since there is an American store on the base it was the real deal...Wonderbread buns, regular mustard, and patties with Kraft Singles melted on top. I ate so much I was sick, but it was oh so good! I even ate things I don't often eat at home like pop tarts. But besides the food it was really nice to be surrounded by other Americans, hearing everyone speaking English how we speak it and the jokes, oh the good old jokes :) I hadn't been with another American since January when I was in Spain with Viola, I didn't realize how much I missed it. However, at the same time it made me realize how much I'm gonna miss Belgium when I come home. It was a great break but it was nice to come "home" afterwards.

Then that Sunday I went out to dinner with my host family, it was a sort of goodbye dinner since I am moving tomorrow and I was in Paris this last weekend it was the last opportunity we had. Anyways, it was really great. At the house the TV is always on, even during dinner, so meals are just kind of a rushed and silent affair as everyone eats fast with their eyes glued to the screen and as soon as they're done they head back to their rooms, or into the other room to watch the big TV. So being in a restaurant for about three hours without a TV was a really cool opportunity. I actually got to sit and talk with my hosts and I had a wonderful time, I think they did too.

The week passed rather uneventfully and early Saturday morning I caught a train to Tournai where I met up with the Rotthiers and we headed to Paris! It was such a fantastic trip! We stayed at Justine's uncle's house on the outskirts of Paris and took four days to explore the city. We were able to visit pretty much all of the big monuments and then just being able to walk around the city was great. It's such a beautiful place and the atmosphere is totally unique. I was amazed at how no one seemed to really be in a hurry, the sidewalks were filled with people meandering along taking in the sights (and nice weather!) and others sitting under the heated awnings of little cafes sipping coffee...it really is incredible! I loved it and I really didn't want to leave, though I'm not sure if that's because of Paris or because of the people I was with. Either way it was a wonderful trip :)


Me and Teeny in the car just as we arrived in the City of Love :P


Climbing up to the top of the Arc du Triumph


The whole crew.

And now, my suitcases are almost packed (I was worried I would break one of the zippers trying to cram all my crap in there) and I'm moving tomorrow to my third and last host family. I'm excited. These last four months are going to be the best yet I think.

That's All! (Finally)