Old Friends, Found Again.

So sleeping definitely made me feel better, but I think fatigue was only part of my problem. Per the suggestion of a good friend, Erika, who has studied abroad before and works in the study abroad office back home, I've decided to list the experiences I really have enjoyed since I arrived. It's an effort to get back to focusing on the enjoyable and fun, instead of the frustrating or very different, aspects of the culture.

So I figured I'd start the list with a post I've been kicking around for a while now. Six years ago, I decided to help out my French teacher when some host families decided to pull out of the exchange program last minute, and he was left scrambling for homes for French students. Usually, they don't offer freshmen students the option of hosting, since they're so new to the French language, but they made an exception because they were having trouble. Naturally, my family, never wanting to turn down someone in need, agreed.

A month later, we were at the Detroit airport, welcoming Antoine to our family. He lived with us for a month, going to summer camp, visiting the art museum, and even checking out the Cleveland Zoo.

Myself and Antoine, six years ago at the Cleveland Zoo.
Shot by Catherine Ullinger.

Over the next six years, we both went our separate ways, our busy schedules punctuated by lengthy messages, summarizing our lives in high school, and, eventually, university. Several times I attempted to make plans to come over and visit, but they always fell through from lack of funds, time, or follow through. So, four months ago, when this trip starting gaining steam, and I knew it was really happening, I sent him a message.

Antoine at Versailles a few weeks ago. While not evident in the slight blur,
I think he's fared the last six years a bit better than I.

When I arrived, he invited me out to a Sunday lunch with his family, then to an afternoon bike ride at Versailles, just a half hour or so from his family's home. I met him at the train station and we set off.

His parents picked us up at the train station, and there was a flurry of conversation as we drove through the suburbs and into a more rural area. His father took great joy in sharing little facts about bicycling and the forests around Paris. Antoine's mother and youngest sister don't speak English, and his younger brother is still learning, so I had to flex my less-than-mediocre French skills.

Lunch was fantastic, and was composed of the traditional four courses (entrée/salad, main course, cheese, and dessert), with the main course being apricot beef (if I understood correctly) and rice. The cheese was my first experience with "non-industrial" cheese here in France. It was definitely different, and a few of them were a little strong for my taste, but I did find one that I enjoyed quite a bit. Too bad I've forgotten the name.

After lunch, we had some more great conversation, which consisted of me repeating the names of several cities and states for his mother to listen to my accent, practicing some English with his younger brother Valentin, who is learning and preparing for his own study abroad, and recounting stories of Antoine's stay in the U.S., aided by a photo album my mother sent with me as a present for him. Then we set off for the castle.

We did a small bike tour around the Grand Canal, then went on a walk through some of the main gardens. A lot was closed down for the winter, but it was still an awesome chance to take a tour with people who knew what they were talking about. They even gave me tips for where to go when I go back in the spring.

Of course, I took and camera, and, at this point, I think I'll let the photos of the castle grounds speak for themselves (with captions, of course).

View of the castle from the near end of the Grand Canal.

Antoine's family, minus Marine, who decided to stay home.

A statue on the ponds just as you come up the stairs from the main gardens.

Walking through the gardens after our bike ride.

Another statue on the pond

Antoine, his younger brother Valentin, and his father in the lead.

One of the few uncovered statues. They're all wrapped
in tarps as protection from the winter.

Valentin testing the ice forming on one of the ponds in a side garden.

Wow. That was a lot of photos. The only photo I didn't get was one of me an Antoine together that my mom asked for, something I keep forgetting. Hopefully next time I see him, I'll remember.

So that's the start of my list. The number one enjoyable experience so far has been seeing Antoine again, and sharing a great day with his family being immersed in French language and culture. I'm glad things worked out the way they did 6 years ago, and my only regret is not staying in better contact in between. It's good to know I have a friend here who's willing to help me adjust and meet other people.

Next post is going to be another adventure, another set of great experiences. I'm already in a better mood, and I can't wait for the rest of this list.