Oh, where to start? So last weekend I went to Mont St. Michel with my Rotary club. Since we had to leave from Paris at six in the morning, I spent the night with another Rotary student named Victoria who lives with a wonderful Swedish family (their daughter, Susanne was in New Jersey last year) and drove with them in the morning. As the bus pulled in Saturday morning, there were a few students already on it (the Lille district came with us) and looking into the windows, I thought for sure I saw Marissa, one of the three girls from my New York district to go to France, on the bus. I shrugged it off while loading my stuff because I have often seen people on the street here who look quite a bit like people from home and so I figured it was just another time like that. It was not. Walking onto the bus I saw the girl again and it WAS Marissa! After a jumpy, excited hug we sat down next to each other and talked with each other and with the many other rotary students on the bus for the five hour bus ride.
We arrived and unpacked all our stuff for the weekend. We stayed in a bungalow with about six students to each. They were really cute, like little, mini, French houses, but unfortunately, they had no bathrooms. There was one large building with toilets, sinks and showers for everyone to use and it was UNISEX (as many bathrooms are here) and I have yet to get over it. There’s just something so odd about coming out of a stall and washing your hands right next to a guy. It’s not something I’ve ever experienced in the US and it’s just very…different.
While on the bus, Marissa and I wondered out loud to each other about Anne, the other girl from our district, and thought about how she was doing. After unpacking, we walked to lunch (lunch was a “pique-nique” provided by the hotel which included: a salami sandwich, a ham sandwich, a piece of bread, some cheese, an orange, a stick of chocolate…AND AN EGG? ) and low and behold – THERE WAS ANNE! It was so fantastic and all three of us shared yet an even JUMP-IER, EXCITED-IER hug. It was so amazing to see both of them, as I thought the next time I’d see them (after the plane) would be the welcome home picnic in August! They are both doing so well and I’m still over the moon that we got to hang out all weekend.
Saturday afternoon we drove to Mont St Michel and proceeded to WALK around it in the windy, cold rain…barefoot in the mud and freezing ocean water for FOUR HOURS. But it was really, really beautiful. There’s a big debate about which is the most visited tourist attraction in France – the Eiffel Tower or Mont St Michel. I’m not sure which is the true winner, but I can say that Mont St Michel is one of the most beautiful, historical structures I’ve ever seen. The pointed abbey sits on top of a little island that makes the most majestic scene, especially come sunset. It’s absolutely incredible.
That night, there was a big Rotary dinner with traditional folk dancers for entertainment. After they were finished, all the countries got up and sang their national anthem. There was Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, Ecuador, Venezuela, Argentina, Slovakia, Russia, Germany, Canada, USA and a few more countries represented with all the students. After that, there was a dance till around 2 in the morning (what is it with Rotary and dances :]?). It was really, really cool to meet everyone from all the different countries and all over the US. All in all, I think there were 6 or 7 districts there, all from the north of France.
Sunday morning, we went back to the abbey and had two hours to tour it. History geek that I am, I wish we had had a week to explore it! It’s such a beautiful structure and I’m in awe of how it was built and the history behind each and every room in it. After we finished, it was time for a quick lunch and then the bus ride home. Although everyone was incredibly tired, we all stayed awake and talked the whole way home. There was a lot of giggling and laughing, which I’m sure was due to our slap-happy exhaustion, but it was a wonderful weekend that I can’t believe was only two days – it feel like it was so much longer, but so much shorter!
So, now I’m “home”, still tired, but happily reflecting on everything. Today is my 42nd day here, and I just can’t believe I’ve been away so long! It’s been a little difficult to switch back to French after two days in mostly all English, but I’m doing really well and am really happy.
Hope all is well with everyone! Bisous!
We arrived and unpacked all our stuff for the weekend. We stayed in a bungalow with about six students to each. They were really cute, like little, mini, French houses, but unfortunately, they had no bathrooms. There was one large building with toilets, sinks and showers for everyone to use and it was UNISEX (as many bathrooms are here) and I have yet to get over it. There’s just something so odd about coming out of a stall and washing your hands right next to a guy. It’s not something I’ve ever experienced in the US and it’s just very…different.
While on the bus, Marissa and I wondered out loud to each other about Anne, the other girl from our district, and thought about how she was doing. After unpacking, we walked to lunch (lunch was a “pique-nique” provided by the hotel which included: a salami sandwich, a ham sandwich, a piece of bread, some cheese, an orange, a stick of chocolate…AND AN EGG? ) and low and behold – THERE WAS ANNE! It was so fantastic and all three of us shared yet an even JUMP-IER, EXCITED-IER hug. It was so amazing to see both of them, as I thought the next time I’d see them (after the plane) would be the welcome home picnic in August! They are both doing so well and I’m still over the moon that we got to hang out all weekend.
Saturday afternoon we drove to Mont St Michel and proceeded to WALK around it in the windy, cold rain…barefoot in the mud and freezing ocean water for FOUR HOURS. But it was really, really beautiful. There’s a big debate about which is the most visited tourist attraction in France – the Eiffel Tower or Mont St Michel. I’m not sure which is the true winner, but I can say that Mont St Michel is one of the most beautiful, historical structures I’ve ever seen. The pointed abbey sits on top of a little island that makes the most majestic scene, especially come sunset. It’s absolutely incredible.
That night, there was a big Rotary dinner with traditional folk dancers for entertainment. After they were finished, all the countries got up and sang their national anthem. There was Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, Ecuador, Venezuela, Argentina, Slovakia, Russia, Germany, Canada, USA and a few more countries represented with all the students. After that, there was a dance till around 2 in the morning (what is it with Rotary and dances :]?). It was really, really cool to meet everyone from all the different countries and all over the US. All in all, I think there were 6 or 7 districts there, all from the north of France.
Sunday morning, we went back to the abbey and had two hours to tour it. History geek that I am, I wish we had had a week to explore it! It’s such a beautiful structure and I’m in awe of how it was built and the history behind each and every room in it. After we finished, it was time for a quick lunch and then the bus ride home. Although everyone was incredibly tired, we all stayed awake and talked the whole way home. There was a lot of giggling and laughing, which I’m sure was due to our slap-happy exhaustion, but it was a wonderful weekend that I can’t believe was only two days – it feel like it was so much longer, but so much shorter!
So, now I’m “home”, still tired, but happily reflecting on everything. Today is my 42nd day here, and I just can’t believe I’ve been away so long! It’s been a little difficult to switch back to French after two days in mostly all English, but I’m doing really well and am really happy.
Hope all is well with everyone! Bisous!
2 comments:
Dear Kristen, What a wonderful weekend you had! Seeing friends from home must have been great.
I couldn't believe it when I saw the picture of Mont St. Michel's. I thought-"I've been there"-but of course, I have never been to France yet I knew I had seen that whole scene. We visited St Michael's Mont when we were in Cornwall, England almost ten year's ago, so, I dug out my photo album(that was before computer programs, can you believe) and yes, there were pictures of St. Michael's. The pictures were almost identical. I studied the two pictures for a long time trying to figure the whole thing out and fortunately, I had saved a brochure from St Michaels Mont and sure enough--they are similiar because they are sister houses!! The one in England was built in the 12th century and was originally a Benedictine Priory. Following the 12th century to became the scene of many battles as the English battled the French in Normandy. Since 1660 it has been the home the the St. Aubyn family. We took a small boat, but many people walked when it was low tide. More later--I have lots of pictures. Talk to you later. Miss you-but, happy you had such a nice weekend. Nommie
Hi Kristen! Just wanted to quickly let you know that I am really enjoying reading about your experience in France. Along with your many other talents, you are a very entertaining writer as well. So glad you are adjusting to your new environment and are able to appreciate your good fortune for being there! Looking forward to your next entry.
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