Today is August 27th, which means that two days ago I embarked on the biggest journey of my life (or so far). I have caught up on my sleep and had the french equivalent of coco puffs. Its really been the first time in awhile that I have been able to actually sit down and really realize where I am. My stuff is all unpacked so my room looks kind of like my room at home, except its a different room on the other side of the planet. The good thing about Sablé and Tigard is that they are on the same latitude so I am not dying of heat or the cold. I guess I should start from the beginning of the flight so that you can understand the pain of flying across the world.
Lundi le 25 d’Aout
I woke up super early to say goodbye to my Dad (p.s super early for a I’ve always been a daddy’s girl so it was sad to know that was the last time I would see him for a year. I was already up so I curled my hair and got on my nice clothes and blazer for the airport. I gave my doggie a big kiss on her fuzzy head and then went out to the car. We met up at the airport with my favorite rotarians, Emily Akamian (the rebound from France), Andrew Cousineau (rebound from Austria and my neighbor) with his mother, and my mom and brother. Not to leave out Alexa and Nathan, who are also outbounds, and their families. Steve gave his famous last words, “Oh you know how I said exchange was going to be hard, it’s going to be harder”. Sam and my Mom went through security with me and we sat at the gate for a little bit until it was time to say goodbye. At the water fountain I met a nice lady who recognized my blazer and briefly told me about her studying abroad in Paris! People are right when they say the blazers get special treatment. Since I was late to board already, we made our goodbyes short and sweet. It hasn’t really hit me that I won’t see them for a year but it still feels kind of weird being in a place I call home without them.
The plane ride was a horrible experience that I dont ever want to remember. The only part that doesn’t make me want to die of claustrophobia was the take off and landing. You know the second where the plane leaves the ground, touches for a brief second and then takes off? I will always remember my last touch to home as that. Landing was exhilarating as I had finally made it! Everything in-between was annoying, from crying babies to closing half of the bathrooms on the plane. Okay I guess it wasn’t that bad, I sat next to a nice Brazilian girl from Montana who was fun to talk to. But I was more than happy to get off.
Mardi le 26 d'Aout
When we got to the airport we met up with a mob of exchange students who I then lead through customs. I got in the wrong line but I then explained to an employee our situation and she let the whole group of exchange students cut into the right line. I never thought I would say this, but thank you piles of french homework! And mom for getting me Rosetta Stone. Customs was easy enough. They thought I was in college and then I explained to them I was going to high school and I was on the other side. After we arrived to the pick up area, it was crazy. Imagine playing Where’s Waldo at the Charles De Gaulle Paris Airport, while Waldo is actually one of the 200 rotarians looking for you. After a little bit of asking around, we met the people of district 1510 and waited for the Brazilians to arrive. Then we went to the Hotel where we met with other students to eat lunch and mingle. I got to finally meet some people I had talked to and become friends with online, Rudrani, Sanni and Andrea, along with new exotic people who were all super sweet! I got a ton of cool pins and cards and made a ton of new friends. I found it strange how everyone had pretty much agreed to speak English, but believe me I had to problems with that. We then got on the bus and waited a little more and then took off for another 3 hour bus ride to our city bus stations. I jammed out with Sanni to “American Music” and then talked to my chairman when all the students fell asleep. I was very happy that I didn’t fall asleep or get cranky. I slept for 4 hours on the plane and chugged coffee.
When we finally arrived in Sablé, I saw all the people that I had talked to and seen pictures of in person. It was like meeting the people you had met in your favorite book. They presented me with flowers and a puff painted shirt and a cute drawing from my little brother in the second family. I was so glad to meet them that I almost left my suitcases on the bus which was about to take off to Angers! I then went in the car with GiGi and Nelly to drive around the downtown and then go home. This city is so adorable I already love it! When I came to France before, I loved the cities but I had always preferred the charm of the smaller towns. We then came home and had dinner. I tried to ask the first night questions, but they said that they were things I could learn or we would discuss at the “rendez-vous” with the chairman today. We had some yummy crockpot sausage and zucchini with bread and rice. It tasted so good after eating airplane food and granola bars for the past day and a half. The house is so pretty and looks over the river! The house itself reminds me of the Cullin house from Twilight with tons of light and balconies.
That pretty much describes my first day in France! It still seems like a vacation because I havent been here for long, but I’m starting to transition involuntarily into french mode. Last night I was thinking and I kept trailing off into french, and when I thought about going back into English it just felt like such a hassle to switch back. Even typing this, I keep trail off in French and have to backspace a few sentences. I will keep you guys posted!
XO,
Hannah
Enjoying time with my family before we went through security.
Me and the gorgeous rebound who has helped me prepare for my journey this year!
About to leave PDX (can you tell by the beautiful carpet?)
My first time in Minnesota and probably one of the coolest airports ever.
Almost there!
Me and Andrea meeting for the first time! She is the other exchange student who is going to my city.
They have pink toilet paper here.
Selfie with all the inbounds!
The Sarthe river! My city’s name is Sablé-sur-Sarthe, translated as Sandy on the Sarthe River
The view from the balcony
With my three host families!
