horses, beverages from tahiti, and such

salut!
i am halfway through my third week and surviving quite well. i have probably allready gained a few pounds because the food is so good and the language is beggining to improve. The other day when i was sitting in philosophy class i actually understood what the teacher was talking about for almost a total of 5 minutes!! be impressed. i have 9 hours of philosophy a week but still, right now 5 minutes is a big accomplishment.

Last week i went horseback riding with my sister sarah. Its quite enteresting being instructed in french. When we got out to the arena it was already really dark out because the sun sets at around 4:30-5:00. Even though i could hardly see the ground, we continued to ride for about 30 minutes! That was the first time i have been horseback riding at night in the pitch black. Of coarse the moon was not out because it is always cloudy here or raining so we didnt even have that light to guide us. After a while of this crazyness the instructor finally deemed the situation unsafe (about time) and we carefully made our way to the indoor arena.

Last night i attended a birthday party for a friend of my host parents. When i got there all was fairly calm and i made my rounds of bisous( kisses on the cheeks that is mandatory when you arrive.) The husband of the lady whos birthday is was is the chief of police in the chattellerault area. When he asked me if i wanted a drink i agreed not knowing what i was agreeing to. He served me a very strong alchoholic beverage "from tahiti" he said exuberently. Throughout the night all the adults tried to give me more of this drink but i politely refuesed seeing as one had already made me a little giddy. Before we left at around 11:00 (on a school night) the scene was very different then when we arrived. The glamorously dressed, skinny french women and men were quite loud and excited about one thing or another. Alchohol is always a neccessity along with cheese.

As time continues to pass i am adjusting to the habits and culture of the french. i am now quite an expert at social things such as bisous and greetings. I have learned to be ultra polite when eating and how to make a dinner last two hours. life is good.

-Nadejda