Finally in France

Poland finished well and I somehow made it through two flights and a 5 hour layover in Warsaw to Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris. My friends David and Paul met my flight at 11 pm and we stayed up all night in the airport (a bit creepy, a bit fun) waiting to meet the rest of our group at 9 am. Then after a 3 hour bus ride (again no sleeping) we finally arrived in Tours.

I really like it here, it's very pretty and old with little winding streets and cobblestones but also big roads with lots of stores and fountains. Running by the Loire river which I live quite close to has also been extremely nice although there are some shady people down their after 5 pm.

The "family" I am staying with is just one woman and other students but it's very nice. I sleep in the attic which is a bit hot but a nice sized room and beautiful view of the sunset and cathedral. She's a great cook and always trys to get me to eat sooo much. I might die on the 3 flights of spiral stairs but that's ok. I've been enjoying watching french news and movies on TV, lots of cheese and fresh bread, and some interesting new foods (like this wierd meat that was basically pig brains I think).

Speaking french has been pretty easy although my head is a crazy mix of french and english all the time. I think that my fluency will definetely improve over the summer although English is often spoken with the other students when we need to say something quickly.

Yesterday I gave in and bought a European cell phone for 29 Euros and another 25 for minutes. It was a bit expensive but hopefully will be extremely useful for two months.

On Wednesday we went to chateau Chenonceau. It was very beautiful although just the first of many castles I will be seeing because the Loire valley is full of them. Tomorrow we're taking a 3 hour bus ride to Mont St. Michel which is apparently very beautiful. I'm excited although eating breakfast at 6 am so we can leave at 7 doesn't sound like so much fun.