the longest day ever.

after an eight hour plane ride and a three hour train ride, i'm finally in aix! losing six hours of day-time really messes you up. i was super nervous to be thrown into a new culture and living with a family that doesn't speak english, but after my pep-talk and pump-up music, i walked off the train like a pro - speaking french and greeting people with the traditional french bisous. my american room mate is really awesome and it's nice having someone else to play off of during conversation. i live with an older couple and their daughter. they have hosted other students for years so they have this whole thing down pat. the dad is so endearing and i think he appreciates my naivety of the french culture. the french are really open people, for instance when we got back from our first student function, the dad was chillin in his boxers and undershirt watching tv. he stayed like that all through dinner and the rest of the night, no shame there. so our host mom dropped us off at the school and told us that it is only a 10 minute walk back. being the adventurous people we are, we told her that we could figure it out and walk back....false. a 10 minute walk turned into a hour wandering the streets until we finally reverted to the ultimate tourist stereotype - consulting our map. i can definitely get used to the never-ending meals. first was the pasta, then the salad, then the cheese and then yogurt. no wise thus far. this needs to change if i want to become a french wine connoisseur. my host mom is a great cook and i told her that i love cooking and want her to teach me the french techniques. i'm one step closer to opening my french bakery!