école

Hi all!

Have settled in quite nicely. I was right: after a 13 hour sleep I did feel much better and stopped crying at the drop of a hat (or as the case was, a humphrey hair in my luggage). On Saturday Claire took me on a short tour of the village; I think it was that more than anything else that helped me to stop feeling sad. Azay le Rideau is only the most beautiful village IN THE WHOLE WORLD. It reminds me a lot of Luxembourg, only on a much smaller scale: the houses that line the cobblestoned streets are steep and white, and christmas lights are strung overhead to create imitation stars and icicles; a gorgeous old church looks over the village square; and men in berets cycle laps with baguettes under their arms (i kid you not!!). The chateau is ridiculously old and, I think, understated: each room is hung with 15th century tapestries from Brussels as well as containing Renaissance furniture, but there are no security guards or velvet ropes to stop you from reaching out and touching them, which I did. In fact, it seems as though someone has just stumbled across the chateau (as you do), put a few plaques here and there, and opened it to the public. And yet it is so old!! I cannot get over the fact that people were sleeping in those beds for two hundred years before Australia was even discovered!!

boys in coats

On Sunday I went with CLaire, Laurent and Christine to see another chateau at Chenonceau. This one is much bigger and more touristy. Mum, I see what you mean about becoming numb to too many chateaux: I found myself passing through a room decorated with 16th century portraits and thinking only "This room's a bit boring, what's in the next one?" Terrible! After Chenonceau we went to Amboise, a delightful Medieval village that's like Azay le Rideau but bigger. Amboise also has a chateau, but this time we looked at it from the car and instead visited an incredible delish chocolate shop (Mum!! We're not the only ones!!) where I enjoyed my first French chocolate eclair with hot chocolate. I went to bed that night feeling slightly sick.

The next day was my first day of French school. In all honesty, it wasn't enjoyable, but that's probably just because the people were so strange; the lessons themselves were fine because nothing was expected of me. It's not that the kids aren't nice - they are, I think, but they interact with each other in a way that is totally alien to me. First off, there are boys. And what boys!! THough they aren't all sculpted models, every one has an impeccable fashion sense. I hold that any boy can look hot if he wears a trench coat and jeans and has longish, windswept hair. Em, you would do well here! I am also totally in favour of the custom that everyone kisses everyone twice by way of hello and goodbye; In one day, I was probably kissed about 40 times (on the cheek). So far my favourite is Thomas, but I could totally go Georges because he plays the guitar.

Claire's circle of friends seems to include the entire year level, but of those I have discerned a select few special friends: Josephine, who is always karate-ing; Marine, who is on a mission to find me a boyfriend; Claire, who is leaving for Germany on Thursday; Hortense, who loves speaking ENglish to me; and Astrine, who is like a mad combination of Smoo, Raquel and Lexie Wright. I am scared of Astrine, but she seems to find me cute, so I think I'm safe.

When they are all together, the students act like they are in a zoo. Everyone is always running around, screaming, kicking things, fighting, kissing each other ... It doesn't matter that I can't speak the language, I would feel ovewhelmed even if they were speaking English. Things are done that any respectable Australian would find outrageous: for example, today Louis stole CLaire's highlighter and drew a heart on her chest while Simon held her arms! And this is normal! I just stand there and allow myself to be bumped around, keeping a sharp eye out for Astrine.

In class, I feel much more comfortable because it is a world that I know. The classes are small with some 12 students in each, but the classrooms are small too. The teachers generally ignore me, which I am fine with, except in the case of the English teacher. You would think that with a language in common, she would at least acknowledge my presence - ask me how my flight was, how long I am staying, etc. But no! She didn't even ask my name! She isn't even ENglish, and her accent is terrible, I don't know how on earth the kids learn anything. FOr example, she says "one, choo, shree" instead of "one two, three". I find it appalling, and told everyone so, to general appreciation; nobody likes her at all.

Well, that's got to be about it for now. We're about to have diner, although I'm not one bit hungry - I never am! I hope everything is going well in Australia. Please don't say things like "I miss you", because it makes me cry. Wish me luck instead - I still have three days of school to get through this week!

Keep the comments coming!

Love you all,

xx Jess xx