J'arrive!

I'm in Dijon! After multiple phone calls, emails and facebook messages, my group finally arrived in Paris and took our train to Dijon. However, as my friend Maggie G. and I ended up being the only ones to arrive Friday, we were able to spend a day in Paris. That day we went on a Seine River cruise and saw sights and we also made our way through the old city and down the Champs Elysees with our guide, Stephane. The next day was spent almost entirely at the airport waiting for the others to arrive on their various rescheduled flights. And finally we took the train to Dijon!

The first night we were here we only had time to eat a little and meet our host parents for the first time. And after we'd slept most of the next day away, Catherine and Robert took us on a basic tour of town including our bus stop and the centre ville, where most of the good shopping is. That night we also met their daughter, Aurelie, who is living here this semester to finish classes at the university. Since then we've been to the school to take placement tests, been to the wine capital of Burgundy (Beaune), shopped, found a cookie place!, and slept a lot. Tomorrow we go back to the university to receive our schedules and placement and then start classes Monday! We're all getting very excited for those to start!

These are typical buildings in Dijon. If you turn right at the street in front of them, it leads to centre ville. 

We stopped at a vineyard outside Beaune and this is some of their best wine. 

This is in Beaune. I thought it appropriate to take a photo. 

Our group plus our tour guide! It's (L-R) Maggie G., Maddie, Stephane, Me!, Caitlyn, and Maggie K.

Burgundy is actually known for having really bright rooftops. A majority of buildings here are like this and the colors are also the regional colors of Burgundy. 

Ready to Go

It is finally time! Tomorrow I leave at 5:20 to land in Charles de Gaulle airport at 8:30 a.m. I've been fortunate to escape the weather delays and cancellations along with Maddie who got the same flight, although I have a friend (Caitlyn) going who has been delayed to leave until the next day. Upon our arrival, we have been told that we wait at the airport for the girl who arrives after us (Maggie G.) with the girl who arrives before us (Maggie K.). After that, apparently we just have a day in Paris!

On Saturday we leave for Dijon and to meet our host families. The family I'm staying with is the Preuliers and their home is fairly central in Dijon. They have several children, all out of the house, and hosted several St. Mary's students last year. We've been told the parents, Catherine and Robert, are very nice and we will have the opportunity to learn how to cook several French meals and dishes, something my mom is very excited about! Robert is also apparently a big fan of Star Wars, and when I found this out Caitlyn immediately got a look of horror and I smiled gleefully.

I'm incredibly excited about this adventure and can't wait for tomorrow so I can get back to France!

My suitcase, purse and backpack are all that are making the trip. They're each completely full.