It is so exciting to be here in France with my Host Family. They live in Marnes-La-Coquette, France which is a suburb just outside of Paris. The weather is not too bad. I am so glad I wore a long sleeve shirt though because it is a bit chilly. It is also pretty much always cloudy here. And most days, it is drizzly as well. Here is a picture of my home in France. I've also included pictures of my 2 new best friends, Cristina and Beatriz. Cristina, 16 years old, is the oldest of the 2 and she is in 11th grade at the American School in Paris (ASP). She enjoys playing softball and Volleyball. Beatriz is 15 and is in the 10th grade at ASP. The family also has a 10 year-old Dachshund, Rosie.
The family does a lot of their shopping locally at the Butcher shop and the Bakery that are walking distance from their home:
Going to the grocery store is such a treat. My family loves to shop at AUCHAN which is very much like a Super Target but with much more fresh food and everything you can think of . The French people love fresh fruits, vegetables, sausages, lots of pizzas, flowers, meats, and seafood. And with France having access to a lot of local markets, the food in the grocery store smells so good and natural. Something, which people from other places in the world find strange, is how much Champagne and Wine the French drink and how inexpensive it is. Wine is served pretty much with every meal and Champagne is always available for special occassions. It is not uncommon for teens to drink more wine than soda.
Did you know that only "sparkling" wine from the Champagne region of France is allowed to be called "Champagne"?
