The Intensive Language Program (ILP) ended on Thursday with a ridiculous final grammaire test. French has exceptions to every rule---so imagine a test pretty much based on these exceptions. Horrible. What made it better was that our professor made us homemade canéles, a traditional Bordelais dessert. They taste a bit like doughnuts with a carmel-ish outside. Quite scrumptious when homemade, not so much when store bought.
Anyways, we went out to celebrate the end of the ILP in what we've dubbed "swankytown" at a pub called Frog and Roastbuf. Swankytown is the old part of the city that is a maze of cobblestone streets and old churches one block away from the river. The drinks were expensive, but the mix of California students and French one's was awesome--not to mention they were playing Queen the whole time.
Friday we went to Saint Emilion--the cute wine town the Martin-Hedayati's and Mertens' started our biking extraveganza 10 years ago. Little colder this time, but still just as quant. We got a taste of wine--aka only got to try one bottle at the wine manufacturer we went to. It was quite good, but I wish we got to try more. This place manufactures over 100 different Saint Emilion wineries grapes; but that is only about 1/8 of the wineries in Saint Emilion--there are over 800! It was very fun and we got to watch a gorgeous sunset over the vinyards as we left.
Over 5,000 barrels of wine in the cellar
Friday night we went to a French student's party which was great. So nice to finally meet some French students. This was also the night I learned I have no idea how to flirt in French--oh well, I'll learn.
Saturday and Sunday were spent exploring the city with friends (french and CA), farmers markets in front of old churches, tours of the city and campus and shopping. Very relaxing days after a rather eventful few previous days. I went shopping on Rue Saint Catherine which is the longest commercial street in Europe. Honestly there were easily 2,000 people there. And I thought the Nordstrom's Half Yearly was good? Try 5 euro cardigans at H&M.
Overall, week 2 was a success but also a rollar coaster. Lots of hard work, great laughs, some tears and some frustrations. But alas, I am in France so I should really just open the door and take in ever sunrise and sunset.
The habits of the French part deux:
-Quote of the night on Friday: "Oh! You brought champagne! My family lives in a....qu'est-ce que sait le mot?....castle en Champagne and we have a wineyard!" French student telling me about his home.
-They smoke like made inside their apartments...and everywhere for that matter...
-3 aisles of yogurt in the grocery store (Kate-this is your dream!)
-Open container policy--people drink on the tram, in front of the grand theatre, by the river..class ways of getting drunk I guess
-I drink coffee out of a bowl at breakfast with my host family
-Late bus= crazy driver.
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