Bonjour!

Bonjour tout le monde!

Comment allez-vous?

That's it! That's the extent of my French!

.kekeke.

No but really, hello everyone! Greetings from Montpellier, France! I'm going to try to make this blog more substantial than my attempt from when I was in Korea. Weekly updates at the very least is my goal for now! (Though with my slow netbook, blogging and especially posting pictures is more frustrating than I'd like to admit...)

The process of getting to France was a long and arduous one filled with many hours on the plane, three airports, one trek across the airport with more than 100 lbs of luggage, and a 24 hour delay. For those who didn't hear, my initial flight out of Sea-Tac was delayed for 24 hours. Ten minutes before the time to board the plane, they made the announcement. I was at a loss for words, here I was, nervous and anxious and then that happened! I ended up waiting at baggage claim for a couple of hours while my mom and Jr. battled traffic to come back for me! But 24 hours later, I was finally off!

I wanted to try and include Totoro in as many pictures as I could... Poor thing was serving as my stress ball!

 The flight to Iceland wasn't that bad. Due to the delay, a lot of people were rerouted so my flight was considerably less full than originally anticipated. I was fortunate enough to end up next to a window with an empty seat next to me! I couldn't sleep though, something I would really come to regret later. After about nine hours, I landed in Reykjavik!

The Reykjavik airport was TINY! And they stamped my passport without a word!

 By this point I was in a plane for a total of 12 hours give or take, and seriously reaching my limit! But there was one more flight to go! I landed smoothly into gray and rainy Paris. From here it was no longer a connecting flight, I had to pick up my luggage and check in with Air France. I had thought about using my five hour layover to go see the tower, but I'm really glad I didn't!

While I was waiting for my bags, a security officer started to usher everyone to the other side of the baggage claim terminal, yelling something in French. Perhaps he saw my confused-deer-in-the-headlights look because he said to me, "Umm, please move to the other side, danger, unattended bag, danger..."

....

THIS is NOT what you want to hear at an airport ladies and gentlemen! The whole process took nearly an hour! There were police officers, military personnel (who appear to walk around the airport in groups of three or more...) and security officers. I guess someone just forgot a bag, but better safe than sorry I suppose.

Thinking the worst was over, I finally got my bags and left to the arrival terminal. Only to find... NO AIR FRANCE!!! I walked around that circular layout twice thinking I had missed it in my fatigued state. Thank Jesus I had a baggage cart! Finally locating someone at information I was told that the counter I was looking for was not at this location. I had to go down two levels and take a shuttle/train. No problem right?

 That was the case until I reached the entry way to the train...

NO CARTS ALLOWED PASSED THIS POINT

I wanted to cry. It was hot, I was tired, and I had to move 100+ pounds of luggage. Yes I am quite aware of just how whiny I sound, but travelling doesn't tend to bring the best out of me. So with a quick prayer and a french braid, I kicked one suitcase while dragging my other with my Keroppi bag across my shoulders and full backpack on my back. ...There were a lot of stares.

FINALLY I reached the Air France counters. A long row of kiosks was all I had. Fine with that, I attempted to check in. But alas, I did NOT have a confirmation number and could see no actual employee anywhere. Frantic I tried to obtain an internet signal, ended up having to buy 15 minutes, called Frances over kakao talk asking her to tell my Mom to email it to me, all while REALLY having to go to the bathroom. Thankfully I received the number pretty quickly and was pointed in the right direction. By that time I only had a couple hours until my flight and headed in.

My gate was reassigned, but I took the time and grabbed a sandwich, found some wi-fi, skyped with my mom, and took a  short nap.

 My flight was a little late, but after all that I made it safely to Montpellier! Sunny, hot, WINDY Montpellier! My host mother Emi was waiting for me outside the baggage claim area with a sign. She is a very nice lady but speaks very little English. Beneficial in learning the language faster, though unexpected. We make do though, talking to some of my other program members, Emi seems to speak more than others. So for that I'm thankful.

My rooms is very comfortable and the apartment is very conveniently located!

I was exhausted after all the travel so I pretty much crashed. Emi told me to sleep in as late as I wanted and she would take me to the beach the next day.

...I slept in until almost noon...

The beach was beautiful! The sun was bright, the water was blue and clear, and the sand was warm. But oh that sand. It's very VERY windy here right now. I'm told that's not common around this time of year but they, like Seattle, had a wonky year with weather so far. So the sand was flying everywhere! After sitting and enjoying the sun for a little while, and being sanded down, we decided to head back

The beach was really clean! Though there was only one brave soul swimming in the still-chilly water.

I inadvertently took this picture with the little boy running. The children here don't appear to wear bathing suits. I don't know if that's specific to this beach or if that's just a French thing...

 Not wanting the outing to be a bust, Emi asked me if I would like to go see the flamingos.

Flamingos...

I thought that maybe something was mistranslated, but the sun was out and the wind felt nice so I agreed. She took me to a nature preserve.

I'm told that the main wildlife is birds here, but still I thought to myself, "Yeah but flamingos?"

 People were out walking, biking, rollerblading. It was really well laid out! And the scenery was just so pretty!

It was so picturesque! I really want to go on a bike ride around here. If i can convince myself to get back on a bike that is...

 I saw a lot of little birds, even saw a heron (I tried taking a picture, but the wind coupled with my unsteady hands made it impossible to get a clear shot...) but I was still having my doubts about the flamingos. But then, in the distance, Emi pointed out a group of birds...

Could it be?!

 Low and behold! FLAMINGOS! A bunch of flamingos were just chilling and eating! I don't know why it's so surprising to me, to see flamingos in the wild. But there they were!

These flamingos weren't very pink, I'm thinking it might be a lack of shrimp in their diet? I read that's what give them their pink color. I'll have to look that up later!

And that's all for this entry! I don't think they'll normally be this long. But I'll try for consistency! Tune in next time for an introduction to my school and the city I'll be occupying for the next month!!! Subscribe for updates!

Beaucoup d'amour!