I decided to wait for the end of the weekend to do more of a mass post. This week was just school as usual. I really enjoy school now. I love my friends so much! Wednesday was my first rock climbing lesson. Paul, Cara, Clare, and I got schooled by some 13 year olds that are like spiderman. It's so much fun, though. It's the four of us and five others. I'm really excited for next Wednesday.
This weekend was actually pretty busy. Friday, Eva (a friend from school that lives in the next town over) came to Cavalaire. Paul, Cara, Cara's host brother and his friends, Eva, and I went to La Salle des Fetes for the 80th anniversary of Cavalaire soiree. A d.j. was there, who was actually pretty good, but we did not stay long. I was embarrassed to even go in. This "soiree" was the exact replica of a middle school dance. The refreshments were lined up on the tables at one side of the room. 14 year old girls were standing on one side while the adults and some guys were standing on the other. All in all, not good. I kind of expected it to be a bit lame though so I wasn't too disappointed. We all decided to walk around the port and hang out around the beach for most of the night. That seems to be a favorite activity of ours... walking around. I guess that's typical though. I was so exhausted Friday night, but I added to the exhaustion by getting up early Saturday morning. Why did I get up early Saturday morning, you might ask...
Saturday we went to St. Tropez with some Rotarians to meet with all the exchange students in our French Rotary District. A sailboat race was taking place on the beautiful Mediterranean, which means that St. Tropez was packed with people. After finally finding a parking spot, we met up with the other exchange students. Our group consists of a Japanese girl, an Indian girl, four other American girls (not including Cara and me) and another American boy (not including Paul). A nice sized group. Everyone is very nice and easy to get along with. We lucked out. St. Tropez was fun. Everyone brought a lunch, and we found a nice spot on the beach to have a little picnic. After some good conversations and laughter, we all walked around St. Tropez for a while window shopping and eating good ice cream before going our separate ways. I really like how involved Rotary keeps us. It's nice to have all the activities and connections with people. Saturday also made me realize even more how thankful I am to have Paul and Cara. Everyone is alone in their town except for two of the girls. I love being in the same town and school with these two, though. The three of us are already so close. I don't know how we got so lucky because we get along incredibly. This experience has bonded the three of us together :D
Saturday night I went with my host parents and my host mom's parents (they have a vacation house here) down to La Maison de la Mer to watch les artifices (fireworks) for the 80th anniversary. Something about fireworks just makes me giddy. I love the big banging sounds and the bright colors exploding in the sky. Just magical! I tried to get some good pictures but none of them turned out to be worth anything. After the fireworks, I (again) walked around the port and town with my host parents and grandparents. Yesterday my host mom explained to me that there is a German town that celebrates the customs of Cavalaire and vice versa at a certain time. Apparently, that's this weekend. Many Germans are here to share some of their culture with our town. German musicians were playing in the streets last night... very cool. And last night, there was an Elvis impersonator, ironically, at a restaurant on the port. I'm pretty sure he was British because he didn't seem to speak too much French. Very funny!
Today the weather was absolutely perfect. A nice wind has been blowing (which is good at night because I hear the ocean even more clearly). My host grandparents took us out to lunch at a Provencal restaurant with a great view of the ocean. We ate for three hours; well we talked too. I know all my blogs are about food, but I have to document this gastronomical experience. First, everyone got a little coffee cup with a fish bisque. After, I had this puff pastry with goat cheese (I forgot the French name, but I'll ask because I'll need to be eating this when I return to the U.S.) and salad. My main course was a delicious fish in a sauce with some sort of potato-ish vegetable. The fish was brought out in its own little pot. Everyone got a slice of cheese after that, that looked like a piece of cake. Finally, I had my dessert. It was called la peche melba and was a giant cup filled with vanilla-bean ice cream, a large chunk of peach, raspberry sauce, and whipped cream. Fantastic! One coffee and three hours later, we were finished. I love France! We took a nice walk along the beach afterwards. Again I must say, perfect weather today. The wind made me want to go sailing. After seeing all the sailboats in St. Tropez and out on the sea today, I really must have a hand at it... hopefully soon.
I think the Autumn weather is starting to make its way to the south of France. It gets really cool at night now. I always like the changing seasons. I don't have a favorite. I always enjoy when one ends and another begins. I think the weather has had me in a good mood. I absolutely adore sleeping with my window open with the cool breeze. I do have to say, I was looking through some photos today, and I miss my family a good bit. I'm definitely settled in here and feel very much at home, but I will be excited when they come visit (even though it's a long way away). I love y'all and all my friends too! Alright, bonne nuit. I have to get some sleep for school tomorrow.
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