It's been another exciting week here in La Rochelle. Unfortunately the weather has kept me indoors most of the week. A light rain persists everyday, even as I write this. This wouldn't be so bad if the wind would quit trying to blow me over each time I open my umbrella. A quick note about the umbrella; it was a gift from a classmate of mine who was kind enough to grant me her spare (she picked it up in a youth hostel.)
As you can see by the photo, I enjoyed a delicious seafood feast this past Tuesday. It was lovingly prepared by some French students I met that very same day. Seafood here is incredibly inexpensive and fresh, since we live on the sea. It was my first real experience with oysters and mussels, but an enjoyable one. I can't say that I'm the biggest fan of seafood in general, but I found it thoroughly edible.
After a late lunch, we travelled to the local library (which is huge) where pictures taken by a student of La Rochelle hung in an exhibit. It wonderfully depicted the campaign trail of the 2008 election, but I could have done without seeing Sarah Palin's face again. The speech played in French on a television monitor in the center of the room, but I struggled to hear everything, so we watched it in English on a laptop instead. The French people I have met are very enthusiastic about our new president. I think they are mostly glad not to have George Bush in office any longer. At the speech's conclusion, applause emanated from the crowd and champagne and hors d'oeurves were served. I helped myself to a particularly tasty opera (a kind of French pastry.)
I fear might have overdone it, as I fell ill the following day. I missed a day of class, but I'm far enough along with my French that it has not been too difficult for me to keep pace with the rest of the students. I mailed out a few postcards to those of you who have sent me your address, and I invite anyone else who wants one to send me their address as well. Postage is a bit pricy though, so don't expect more than one.
In other exciting news, my lovely girlfriend will be visiting me in mid-march. Although I still have class during the mornings, we have a weekend in Paris planned upon her arrival. The trip coincides with her birthday. While I am struggling to come up with a good present, hopefully my presence will be gift enough. Fortunately through the miracle of the internet, I've been able to keep in touch with her and most of my friends back home. I set up an online phone number a couple of days ago, and maybe if you ask nicely I'll even give it to you.
Living in France is generally pretty fantastic, but when I reflect back upon the week it all seems somewhat uneventful. I've been to a few French markets this week to pick up fresh fruits and vegetables, which are delicious. Other than that I've just been reading, studying, and recovering from my brief illness. Hopefully the sun will shine a little longer today (it's been poking through the clouds a bit each day) and I can go out for a stroll in the park. Otherwise I'll just curl up inside with a good book and wait for the storm to pass.
