Fromage, and other things

"Never go out with a girl that doesn't eat cheese" - my host mother, quoting some famous French person.
She's definitely correct. Another favorite Pascale quote, "When you have too much bread, you have to eat more cheese. When you have too much cheese, you have to eat more bread - That is la vie française." I am so d'accord.

Cheese in France is just a very interesting phenomenon. Did you know there are over 350 different types? "One for every day of the year" - another Pascale-ism. And a type of wine that goes with each one. There is also a correct way - "The French Way", says my dear sister Alice - to cut each cheese and, as I discovered this evening, a correct order to eat all of the different cheese if you are eating more than two in a night. Yes sometimes the French eat more than two cheeses in one night.

It's very odd - the year here in Paris is wrapping up. My mom arrives next Tuesday - and then I will only have a week left here. Trop bizarre. I am constantly in a state of conflict between wanting to stay forever (I honestly could stay another year and not be phased at all) and being thoroughly overjoyed to return home.

I'm having a hard time putting into words how wonderful this year was. We had to write a paper today in my Atelier d'Ecriture on what we will take away from this year. Of course I spoke of how great my host family has been, and how much confidence in traveling I have gained.... but really the main focus was what true friends I have made this year.

Need I say more?

.... more ramblings on reverse culture shock and paris-sickness coming soon!

- Clara