SHH!

NO, there are unfortunately no secrets.

S= South of France H= Horse back riding H= Halloween.

That is what I've been "up to," persay. I'm actually in Lyon now, which I like a lot, probably because we are staying in a 3 star hotel and there is internet and I feel like we're in a palace (ha I wish) compared to some of the other hotels. The others weren't bad but they just don't compare.

I always thought the south of France could be compared to, say, Florida. While the northern part of France freezes the southerners bask in the sun and drink kir royals overlooking the Mediterranean. While we did enjoy a very pleasant boat ride on the Mediterranean last week (at Sète) the weather took a turn for the worse. There is a windstream called the Mistrel and it is not your friend. I have never been so cold in my life. I might as well have gone out in a tank top because that SOB Mistrel rips right through every layer your wearing anyway. I forgot to bring my itinerary down to this computer so I could tell you every where we have been these last 12 days but I didn't, so I will have to fill in the blanks later.

We went to Arles and stayed in possibly the cutest, most charming little hotel ever and we saw the Roman ampitheaters (as well as the one in Orange). It's difficult to fathom that you're looking at something that was there before Christ. We also were the first group to ever throw a halloween party (we had an entire "wing" to ourselves in the cute hotel so we didn't disturb anyone). We all just invented costumes out of things we already had or that were super cheap to buy. I was a mouse. I just wore all black and put whiskers on my face and little ears too. However, at the bar party afterwards (you got a free drink of choice with a costume) people thought I was a cat. Oh well. My new favorite drink is demi pêche (beer with peach syrup).

Also, I have officially changed my mind about Christmas. I don't want any presents. I just want a horse and a couple acres of land to ride him around on. I suppose this is what horse back riding through the South of France does to a person (I can't remember the specific town but I will look it up). It was amazing. My horses name was Spirit, not "esprit" like it should have been but he was old and nice and he only tried to nibble on my feet 2-3 times (He was quite the eater and I always felt bad steering him away from plants and things because I figure this is his only indulgence, but rules are rules!). We saw the sun set on the trail too which was beautiful but that is when it became very very cold and none of us where really prepared.

I am ready to go back to Versailles, back to my permanent bed. I'm not a bad sharer but I am tired of sharing a room with 2 other girls (sometimes its only 1). I am also ready to ditch the suitcase. It is super big now, I've been buying Christmas presents.

For those of you who are interested in French Couture- there are no words. I drool in front of window shops. Most of the time I still go in them, knowing a can't afford anything. The coats and hats and scarves and boots (god don't get me going on about the boots) are quite possibly the best in the world (okay okay Italy is probably #1 but France is a close 2nd).

I'm going to take a nap now (I know I know, I shouldn't take naps with so much out there to discover) but I am dead. We never stop on the LT and I am starting to get bags under my eyes.

P.S. (this is for my mother really) I am going on a major diet when I get home. I have decided that I am alotted one christmas cookie (possibly Italien Wedding) and salad and vegetables. I'm fine with some meat but please, please NO cheese. Love you:)