Crinoides and Cheese Pastry

Hello again everyone! Today was a long day, and I'm excited to go to bed soon after I write this. I woke up and played Wii with my host brother, Antoine. We get along really well, and while I can't understand a thing he says, he never seems to get impatient and always wants me to play with him. We ate lunch not long after outside on the patio. There was chicken, salad, roasted vegetables, and of course, the French staple, bread. The one thing I noticed that is very different from my family in America and my family in France is that my family in France is much more insistent on eating outside regardless the circumstance. We had a nest of bees attack us, and rather than taking our food inside, we had to trap every single bee under individual glasses. It was a long process, but the task was eventually completed and we were able to eat our lunch in peace.

After lunch, we drove Charlotte, my host sister, to a nearby town where she could catch the train to Lyon. She goes there often to visit a friend in the hospital who was in a bad car accident 3 months ago. Anne, my host mom, Antoine, and I drove to Valence, a much bigger city than Privas, where we walked around a mall and the park. I would have brought my camera, but I misunderstood her and never realized we would be going anywhere far in the car. It's too bad, though, because Valence is a beautiful city, and the drive there was gorgeous. Anyway, Anne bought me a novel in English at a bookstore, so I've got something to keep me busy besides Just Dance and Wii Sport.

On the way home from Valence, we stopped at an archeological site where anyone can look for fossils and parts of prehistoric animals. I think the place was called Pont Aux Etoiles, and we found tons of crinoides (star shaped creatures that lived over 26 million years ago). It was a pretty cool place, but we left after a few minutes because of a freak thunderstorm/torrential downpour. Anne gave me a tour of Privas for the first time when we returned, and I saw my school and the rest of the city. It looks so different from anything in America, and it's nice to have a change.

So far, my host family is treating me very well. They are completely opposite of the rude and self-centered French stereotype. They have been some of the most welcoming, friendly, energetic people I've ever met. They always include me in their activities and if I don't understand something, (pretty much every sentence), theatrics are used so I know what's going on. They don't smoke and I haven't seen them drink wine yet, but the one stereotype that holds true is the good cook stereotype (I'm so glad it is this stereotype that holds true). My favorite meal so far in France was definitely the dinner we had tonight. I asked what it was called, and I didn't understand the answer, but whatever it was, I will volunteer to eat it again! It was some kind of puff pastry filled with this amazing cheese. I know it sounds normal when I describe it, but trust me, it is so much more than that! All in all, it was a good day, but I'm definitely tired out. Next time I go anywhere, I'll try to remember my camera so I can take lots of good pictures!

Oh - and one more thing: I finally got my suitcase!!! It was a happy moment, and I teared up a little when I saw my bag of toiletries. Luckily, everything was intact, and now I don't have to change into dirty clothes after I take a shower. How I love clean clothes and my loofa!