Home Again, Home Again...

After 3 days of skiing, we are all, officially, kaput!

Skiing in Europe is very different from skiing in North America. The runs are a lot longer, and everyone- and I mean from the oldest Grandma to the tinniest toddler- is a skiing expert. The way these people can maneuver and glide over powdered hills or gracefully fly down steep inclines is truly inspiring. There is a part of me that wishes I could train like that everyday to be half that skilled.

We had a marvelous trip! I will never forget the good laughs, incredible scenery, seeing the Alpes for the first time (!!), falling more times than I can count, and flying off my first ski jump. I think that is my favourite part of skiing: jumping. You get the rush of speed before you hit the jump, and then zoom! You're in the air, flying for a few moments until you absorb the ground through first your toes and then the rest of your body. It's a great natural high! 

Enough talking! This is us skiing:

In order: Guillaume (Solenne's boyfriend), Solenne, and me!

Isn't the landscape breathtaking?

Us waiting for a lift. I am on my bum, as usual.

Solenne, Guillaume, Me, & Sebastien

Me and Sabine.

When we were not on the slopes, we were back in the apartment, eating, laughing, sleeping, swimming, reading, discussing philosophy, buying cheese, wine and bread - anything and everything French!

When swimming in public pools in France, you have to wear a swim cap...aye.

Thank you to Sabine, John, Guillaume, Solenne, Sebastien, Anne-Marie, and Gerard for an incredible trip!

Joyeuse Anniversaire!

Hey everyone!
So seventeen feels no different from 16, just that now I am one year closer to being an adult which is A) pretty significant, and B) pretty terrifying.

Today was so wonderful! Today we went to the home of one of my older brother's girlfriends home in Nancray, a town just outside of Besancon. Just like everywhere I have been so far, I was welcomed with open and gracious arms. I have not many a single snobby person- although I was only in Paris for half a day and even still a train station at that. 

I truly got to experience a French party... gathering... thing. The French take hours to eat one meal at a table when they have company. In Canada we usually have our social food while we mingle and talk, which is the same as the French. Then we have our meal which is typically one course, next desert, and then we retire to the living room. Not so with the French. First, we have the "apperatif", then the first course, which is either quiche or soup. Then comes the main course with is mainly chicken or fish with potatoes or pasta and cabbage or something veggie-ish. Then the liqueur comes out and the taste testing begins. Next we have the cheese, bread, salad, and wine. After that desert- which today was cake...mmmm. Wheat Free cake (I'm so spoiled!)! After that -yes, there is more!- coffee, espresso, and tea are served and little chocolates, sugar cubes, and shots of different liquor are enjoyed. This takes about 7 hours at the table- and there is never a lack of conversation. The table is a constant flurry of discussion which is enjoyable to partake in but just as equally enjoyable to observe.

I will never forget this birthday and have photos of our gathering below- taken with my new Coolpix camera that was given to me by Solenne, John, and Sabine (when I said I was spoiled, I really meant it!!)! 

Thank you to everyone who made this day so special and wonderful for me- including my parents- I will never forget it!

Me opening my new camera.

Sabine, half of Grand-pere's head, and I. I am wearing the scarf that was given to me by my Grand-parents.

Us all eating at the table.

Solenne and the big pen. Dangerous combination.

A view of Nancray from the front window.

Me being...special...

Us driving to Besancon to see the new home of Anne and Seb.

Sebastien and Anne in their little apartment.

The cute kitchen! (This one is for you, Mummy!)

Bienvenue!

Bievenue a ma maison! J'ai pense que je devrais vous donner un petit tour d'ou nous habitons.
Welcome to my home! I thought I would give you all a mini tour of the place I call home. It is not complete, but during the upcoming days you will get to see everything that I am falling in love with here in France.

This is the view from outside our kitchen window. The kitchen is located in the front of the house, so, these are the neighbours across the street. Disez 'Bonjour'!

These are the stairs in the main hallway...

...and a view of the Dining Room from the kitchen. The art you see in all these pictures is done by John, my French father. He is truly talented.

This is the most perfect little kitchen! Everything is white except for these extraordinary splashes of east Indian inspired colour. It makes eating and cooking even more wonderful!

This is a view of the living room from its far corner. You have to go down 3 steps to ground level to get to it and on the wall opposite to where you see the beautiful paintings is a large sliding glass door that takes up the whole wall.

See? 

-And this is Pinpin. Not p-IN as in "Inn", but Pin as in p-EH-ng. Like lapin, the french word for rabit from which he gets his name. We have other pets who you will be introduced to in the near future.

Yesterday I went to my Grand-père and Grand-mère for le dejeuner or lunch. It was truly lovely! I really am going to love having Grandparents just around the corner. Then later on, John and I talked for hours- what a super conversation we had! And then I finally got to meet Guillaume- Solenne's boyfriend! He is so kind and I can see why Solenne missed him so much while she was in Canada. He is so sweet to her. Before dinner John and I played music while Solenne and Guillaume danced and after dinner Sabine, John, and I listened to music, had great conversation and looked at different contemporary artists and their abstract thoughts put onto canvas. I am thoroughly inspired. So, Aurevoir, Canada- time to go create.

Bonjour Canada!

So I am finally here! It's almost noon here and lightly snowing out my bedroom window. Almost everything in Europe is old and beautiful! Even the small details on their street lamps is a testimony to the pride, respect, and appreciation that Europeans hold for things that bring beauty and joy to their lives.
My arrival was none to quick and after 30 hours of traveling, I was welcomed off the train right into Sabine's arms (my French maman) and then immediately by John (my French Father) and then finally Solenne- despite the fact that I was in dire need of a shower. I have never felt so welcomed by 2 people I have never met in person before. 

This is Solenne with the red bag waiting at the train station with some other French exchange partners

This is my Train entering the Besancon station.

This is me hauling my heavy luggage off the train.

Although in my excitement- and relief- I sort of fell off the train...

Meeting Sabine

Meeting John

Mauling Solenne

Then once at home, just before dinner, we exchanged gifts. John is really enjoying his new scarf...

...maybe too much...haha.

Me with my new mitts and scarf. 

Everyone (except the camera woman, Sabine) in their new gear. Solenne's sweater was perfect! I love Christmas in February.

Now here are two photos of my room!

Isn't it lovely!? I will post more photos as they come, but for now, Aurevoir, Canada- it's lunch time.

Count Down

4 days till take off!