Still Alive

Bonjour (ou en fait bon soir) tout le monde, I apologize for my two-month hiatus from updating the blogosphere of my life. In seeing that I left off in November, I have much to tell. First off, all I can say about December/ Christmastime in Toulouse is OH MY GOODNESS incredible. I don't think I have ever seen so many lights, including a Christmas tree in the middle of Place Wilson that must be 50 feet high (ok granted, the tree is always there, but they put lights and a star on top for Christmas. AMAZING). Also, at Place du Capitole, was the magnificent Christmas market. To describe it, I think I will use the words of another dear friend in Toulouse before the market was completely set up : "I think they're having a shed expo here..." That's what it was- a bunch of sheds. Or that's what it was in November. In December, it became this magical Christmas Wonderland, with lights, hot chocolate, hot wine, chocolates, gifts, candy, food, delicious potato-cheese stuff, and much more. It was INCREDIBLE. Toulouse having put me in the Christmas spirit, I went home for 3 weeks over Christmas break and the New Year. Unfortunately, I was not able to fully enjoy vacation because I had finals to take upon my return to la France. I know, weird right? I actually talked to my host parents about it and they said that they used to do it like we do, but they changed it to this system about 3 years ago. They think it's weird too.
So we started second semester classes about 2 weeks ago. Well actually we started the semester 2 weeks ago. I still have 2 classes that I haven't gone 2 yet because for whatever reason they have been canceled, I'm not sure whether the prof just does not want to start yet, or whatever. Oh the French and their organisation skills. Whatever.
Last weekend, with all of the Dickinson students, we voyaged to Bordeaux and Saint-Emilion, also known as heaven's vineyard (ok, so it's only known as that by me...) but I think it is an appropriate name. In Bordeaux, we visited la Musee d'Aquitaine and learned a little bit about the history of Bordeaux. Then, we visited la Cathedrale de Saint-Andre, and climbed the tower next to it, which has 231 (I think) steps. The next day, we went to Saint-Emilion, where we saw a 1000 year-old church that was COMPLETELY CARVED OUT OF ROCK. OH MY GOOOOOOOOOODDDNNNEEEESSSSSSSSSSSS. Then we had a wine-tasting. There is just nothing like cracking a bottle open at the vineyard. You literally are walking on the soil that created the bottled deliciousness you are now tasting. It's sort of like eating vegetables from the garden, except sooooooo much better (I mean seriously, which would you rather have, squash or wine??????)
In the meantime, I know I said this last semester but I am really going to try to keep up this blog this semester, especially since I will be travelling a lot more this semester. For example, my next trip (and one I absolutely can not wait for) is a backpacking trip across Italy. I will be starting in Venice, going to Bologna to stay with some friends for a few days, heading down to Florence, then down to Rome, and then back up to Milan, and then home, all in about a week and a half. So, that's all I've got right now... Happy belated New Year everyone!!!