Fruit Salad: Yummy,Yummy,Yummy

Bonjour Mesdames et Messieurs!

I realized that I have yet to talk about several topics AND that despite my efforts to catch up, I'm still pretty behind on the posts I wanted to make. Thus, I'm going to do my best to include every important detail to date in this message (which means more reading for you, but hopefully that won't be a deterrent)!

Since arriving in Montpellier, I've been staying in a charming suburban area ten minutes from my university with pretty much the most incredible host family on the planet (no joke, they're the bomb-digity)! They've welcomed me with open arms since my first night, provided me with an amazing room (complete with balcony), and fixed me a ton of extraordinary meals! A family of three, Madame works as a Physiotherapist and Monsieur at Dell. Their son is 13 and loves playing rugby and video games. They also have two adorable cats, Fiona (who's soon to be expecting, so presh) and Nuage (which means "cloud" en français)! I absolutely couldn't have asked for more considerate and hospitable hosts. Due to their kindness, I've felt very much at home despite being so far away from my own.

Backtracking to that part about the extraordinary meals, words truly cannot convey how excellent French food is. Simply seeing chefs on TV preparing dishes is nothing compared to tasting it first-hand. I think that those of you who know what a picky/unusual eater I am will especially appreciate the fact that I've tried each and every thing placed in front of me since arriving! I can now officially say that I like eggs, smoked salmon, baked potatoes, walnuts, leeks, lentils, carrots, mushrooms, mussels, cabbage, some cheese, pineapple, prunes, and even fruit salad! Oh, and I'm OBSESSED with bread. I suppose my taste buds were just waiting for the scrumptious tastes of French food to fully awaken them (sorry for all the years of refusing your cooking, Mom!) Aside from eating scrumdidiilyumptious foods at home, I've been getting some tasty and nutritious meals from the school cafeterias (which, sorry Sadler, definitely exceed the quality of those at W&M). there's also a variety of great restaurants in the area. Today, I met up with friends for lunch at this adorable spot at Place De La Comédie (located in the center of the city) called La Tomate. Apparently, it's been around for fifty years and is still run by its original chef (not to mention the prices are pretty choice)! In case you enjoy my review so much that you wish to spontaneously fly across the Atlantic and try for yourself, here's the link: http://www.la-tomate.fr/ 

Apart from the dining halls, I don't have too much to say about school so far. I really like the layout of the campus (it's much smaller than W&M but similar in arrangement), and the classes I'm in are quite interesting. I haven't had the opportunity to meet many French students yet, but I've made a couple of friends from America and one from Turkey! The sense of internationalism is great and I can't wait to meet more people locally and from around the world!

Another aspect of France that I'm loving is the history. Unlike the US, France holds an array of ancient buildings and traditions that have persisted for hundreds of centuries. Last weekend, my host fam took me to Arles, a nearby Romanesque town with a restored amphitheater similar to that of the Colosseum! We visited L'Abbaye de Montmajor, a monastery from the Tenth Century that's still mostly in tact. It was truly incredible to explore. I've never been much of a history buff, but I might just become one living in an area filled with such rich architecture.

Well, I think I've adequately summed up most of what's occurred so far. France has been unbelievable, and I'm confident that it will only get better with time :) My sole grievance is that there are NO TWIZZLERS (I know right, how criminal), but aside from that I really can't complain!

Au revoir,

Mari