I keep on fallin' in and out of love with....

....France!

First off, I'm writing this in the apt which is pretty much the best thing ever (though the quality of skype is pretty terrible)

So not much really happened this weekend, a bit of clubbing and partying, but nothing major.

On Saturday Devon, Nicole, Marit, and I went to Nice :) It was a pretty good time, but we were all exhausted from the night before. It was crazy being back in Nice, not only because I've been there before, but because how different it is in the off seeason. It was grey and empty. No gelato stands or sunshine or flowers. It was still very beautiful, though, and it definitely holds the title for my favorite place in France so far. I just feel...a susprising reverence when I go there, I suppose because of the history? Its a peaceful place with lots of character, and I CANNOT WAIT til the spring weather arrives! This past trip, we ate at the usual over-priced cafe and walked around old town, which I absolutely adore. The best thing we did all day, however, was splurging for a ferris wheel ride. The sun was setting, and between the view of the mountains, the layers of the city, and the water, it was absolutely breathtaking. I'll post some pictures, though there's no way it'll even compare. OMG it was amazing!

Yesterday Devon and I found the big Carrefour in the city. Carrefour is the commercial grocery store (but of course not nearly as extensive as Publix because they eat almost everything fresh and from local markets/bakerys), and theres an averaged-sized one closer but we kept hearing we just had to go to this one. Holy smokes it was MASSIVE. Not only was the size absolutely overwhelming, but all of Antibes was there. You know how you go to a hick town where all they have is a super walmart, so it's the most populated and frustrating place to be? Yeah. That's how it is. Only this time it was worse because we had to navigate all 60 or so aisles (not exaggerating) of labels we couldn't read. That was rough because people were really pissed off. Plus, Devon and I got stuck with a cart that had a mind of its own lol It was a beast of a trip (but it was
successful!)

Also, I made pork chops with a cinnamon/apple dressing tonight for dinner- it was amazing. Not to toot my own horn or anything, but I've totally been kicking ass in the kitchen lately. Heck yes!

So you may be wondering what the title of this post has to do with any of what I've written...well the answer would be nothing lol It does relate to what's coming up, however :) I came to France with heavy, hypocritical anti-France sentiments. I resented it because it was one of my only options, I had bad experiences in Paris over the summer, and mostly because I took the language class at UF and wasn't taught well and struggled and hated it. However, it has only taken two weeks for me to fall absolutely in love with the France I've lived in. I have this mentality for a good day or two, and then something happens where the opposite mood takes over. Let me explain :)

Reasons I absolutely love this country:
-its beautiful. I'm in awe constantly. From school (gorgeous, scenic forested-mountains), Nice, Cannes, Paris (yes, even Paris), all cast in the stunning sunlight France seems to have half the time, it's hard not to appreciate what I'm surrounded by
-the food is OMG SO GOOD. I've already talked about this, so I digress. But seriously, its going to be hard to go back (plus the cheese and crackers here have become like crack to me)
-the people. They're amazing and happy and nice and cute. Especially the cliche ones :)
-This is silly, but I've found the perfect album to listen to while absorbing all this in- the Garden State Soundtrack. I know, it's ridiculous, but I love it.
-its culture of saying hello to strangers and placing value on what really matters is comforting.
-it's location. Easy access to other countries....just a flight or train ride away!
-I'm sure there will be more to come :)

and then after I sit there, riding the bus to school idealizing this new nation I live in, it hits me:
- I have to go to the grocery store annoyingly frequently
-which would be fine, but its SO EXPENSIVE!! And not just because of the terrible conversion rate, a few of our international friends have complained about how much more it is in comparison to where they come from
-entire cities shut down of Sunday...not cool at all
-nothing is really open late at night
-so much paperwork and bs fees
-buses don't run after 8pm...also really not cool (and they hardly run at all on Sundays)
-the trees without leaves make me sad. They look like giant hands reaching from the ground, but have nothing to hold or grab at. I'll try to find a pic. Okay, I just looked and couldn't find one. I'll go take a picture of one though, so you don't think I'm crazy lol
-It would not surprise me if I die from lung cancer caused by second hand smoke
- I really want a bagel, one of dad's hamburgers, a real american breakfast, cheese fries, chicken wings, burrito bros...
-the cups here are so small

All in all, the things I've complained about really aren't that of a big deal...well...not the last four anyways, and I really do like it here a lot. I'm so excited for the rest of the semester and am already worried that it's going by WAY to fast. It also makes me consider wanting to live here at some point in my life (Europe in general, not France specifically). So yeah, life is good. Devon and I are going to Paris this weekend, and I think it's going to rock pretty hard. I've forced his expectations of the city down so hopefully he won't be as disappointed as every single person I know who's ever been. It's pretty, but the people there can be so rude, and the media builds up our expectations so high, it could never live up to it, ya know?

I'm glad to hear you're all doing so well! It makes me happy to read what you write and I really appreciate you all taking time out of your day to share with me!
Til next time mes cheres! avec l'amour!
Katie

P.S. This is my shout out to Uncle Matt (like I told you at Stonewood)! Wassup?! :) They have potato chips here that are rotisserie chicken flavored and it tastes just like the skin. It reminded me of you lol Love you!


So these pictures are of the flower market in Nice ( I would just like to note, that they really should make an air freshener that smells like a flower markert and fresh baguettes. That combo was amazing when we walked through!), me in downtown Nice, views from the ferris wheel, and the club we went to Friday night.