Voleur!!!

Today our group experienced our first "episode" with thieves on the train. Due to the grieve (the strike, which I will discuss later) we arrived early to catch the train that was leaving at 12:56. We had all grabbed something to eat and were sitting around. There were two teenage boys behind us, that quite frankly looked like no good, possibly due to the fact that they were making kissing noises at us and then they would sit with their legs in the entry way so they had to both move so you could get out to throw something away while we waited. All is well, we leave...everyone is laughing and having a dandy-ole-time and suddenly at the 3rd or 4th stop one of the boys snatched my friend's bag (it was under her chair). One of the boys was holding the door open with his foot and then they both escaped and the doors shut. My friend, Myra, who hasn't said one curse word the whole trip, stood up and said Shit really loud and Dr. Patton, knowing Myra's conservative and shy nature, instantly knew it must be an emergency, opened the doors and started running after them (he is 60). Then, the one guy on our trip, Houston, opened the set of doors closest to him and started running as well (he is 19 and an athlete). Fortunately, Houston caught up to them relatively quickly, and according to Dr. Patton, he was yelling and screaming and sounded like a "damn near crazy person," and just before he could grab the little SOB he dropped her bag kept running. Fortunately, this story ended happily ever after. I think Mrya will hold her bag with a death grip from now on and all of us are a little more suspicious than before. You like to trust people but then you realize not everyone is nice and of upstanding character.

I certainly do NOT understand strikes in France. In this case, SNCF, the train company, was going on strike (I think over job firing) but the crazy thing about it is that they have to announce the strikes like months in advance and even though there is a "strike" there are still several trains that run AND they post when they arrive and leave as normal. Therefore, although it is rather "annoying" it doesn't exactly have a very strong effect- you simply rearrange your plans or schedule. Whereas in the states, there are less major strikes and when they strike they do it right, they get you at the worst time, say at christmas or thanksgiving, and you're SOL.

I haven't read who has the majority in the senate yet but I am trés trés contente that the house now has a democratic majority. Do we really have to suffer through this yankydoodledandy bs for 2 more years with Bush? I'm ready for change ASAP.

Oh, other news. I found out the other day that one of my french teachers, Dr. David Morgan, is the world's leading Latin expert. I knew that he "spoke and wrote" latin, but I had no idea that he travelled to the Vatican and areas in France several times a year to "create latin words for things" and translate manuscripts (He is a very humble man, as I spent all last year around him for the language house and never knew this). He also speaks Spanish and Italian fluently and I think a couple others relatively well. Genius!!! Oh, I almost forgot. He also has a law degree from Princeton (he decided it wasn't his thing) and now he is a specialist in 18th century french civilization. I will take his class this spring- wish me luck!

Vous me manquez (I miss you).

Prime Time Télé

So last night I discovered something called "THE NUZ." This is a play on words in french because to be naked is to be "nu(e)" and the news is called the "nouvel." Put two and two together and you have people who strip, while giving the news. You can also find random pornography on the basic channels too (my family has the basic package and it seems to have a lot). I hope you don't think I am some pervert- but I have to say that I was at least happy to know that it wasn't all girls on this news channel. The french love being naked but they aren't biased as to who. It's just strange to think its "allowed." Somebody would surely get fired at NBC if they pulled something like this.

There is going to be a train strike tomorrow. We are supposed to go to Paris but we might end up waiting for nothing at the "gare." Oh well, it's all part of the "experience."

I'm glad to be back in Versailles- in my own bed with normal sized meals. A la prochaine mes amis!!

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:)