Greetings from Vichy- Day 2 of School

May 25th

Let's see so today is Tuesday. I did not email you yesterday, whoops. Anyway school started yipee! Yesterday our TA Vincent (Vinsonttt) took us on a little tour of Vichy. They are known for their hot springs. So, as a tourist I tried some and well it was quite disgusting. Anyway, we did not do much just learned our schedule and what we will be doing these next few weeks. After class we ran a few more errands such as get a towel which was highly needed. In the afternoon we went to Napolean III's park (that is what the luscious green parked is named) and laid under the gigantic trees and read. It was so nice and something that I feel will become quite a ritual for us. I should have brought another book because between the park and the train rides I think I will be reading a lot! Just building that intellectual brain you know mom. In the evening we went to a very cute cafe and had dinner. Our first assignment was to research cheese and wine since it plays such a prominent role in France. Since I am in an odd group I was responsible for learning about cheese. So, Taylor and I ordered some cheese and we were in for a treat. They brought out about 10 blocks of cheese for us to choose from after dinner. Well of course we had no idea what cheese to choose so they told us what was the best, but it was interesting that they eat cheese after their meal. (Look I am already learning.)

Today, which would be Tuesday we once again went to class. Class begins at nine and depending on how we are feeling I suppose and Tony our hours will differ day to day. Today we had class from 9 to around noon, went to lucnh, and then from 1-2. I really like marketing. I think the thing I like though is that it is hands on. We are not just learning definitions and reading from a book but we are being marketers. For example he does not do a lot of teaching, or course he guides us, but his objective is for us to be thinkers of our own. Do not worry mom I am talking a lot! It is really interesting and makes the time go by fast. Today we were being marketers for Paris. Who are you marketing, what are you marketing, how will you market? Things such as those. Between lunch we went to the suparmarche as they say in france and I bought some groceries. You know just so I wont be eating those pastries all the time. I bought some apples, granola bars, and cereal. Then after class in the afternoon Kelly and I went once again to the park to read. We really are loving laying out there! But, the wind began to gush and leaves began to fall so we suspected that it might rain soon and left. It was still fairly early or felt like it because it does not get dark here until very late, and grabbed some dinner at a little cafe. After we decided, hey let's go run! So Kelly and I went for a little "twrun" (talk, run, walk). Yep mom you read it I went running.

Anyway it looks like that MWF we will be doing some sort of mini-field trip every week. Tomorrow we will be meeting the company we will be working with and having a picnic with them. Friday we will be going to Claremont and going to Volcania, which is like an educational amusement park, where we will learn about the regions biggest Volcano. (The amusement park is nothing like Disney World. I think it only has maybe two kiddy rides.)

I do want to let you know that I have booked my canyoning trip to Interlakan Switzerland this weekend! There are a whole bunch of us going, but there will be only 8 of us staying in a hostel. And that too is booked. We will be leaving from Claremont at 3 and will get there around 9. It is so long because the train makes stops and waits at those stops for 26 minutes or one is even 40 minutes. Our train leaves at 1 on Sunday to come back to Vichy. If you google or youtube Interlakan canyoning you can see a video of what I will do be doing! We are not sure what else we will be doing there but you can rent bikes and ride through the mountains which might be fun! People say that it is one of their favorite places when they come study abroad so I can absolutely not wait! (You know I love that adventure.)

Yes mom I did receive your facebook friend request, but sorry once again I will ignore that.

That is it for now.

Au Revoir!