Bienvenue!

I was so very excited to be heading into Europe, I knew that I might not be able to stay long but I've waited my whole life to come here.  I had a place to stay, an agenda planned out and everything was prepared for my arrival.  Usually, you expect to see a familiar face waiting for you when you arrive at the airport but due to the fact that my situation was a bit different, I trained myself to not think like that.  It helps to avoid that feeling of loneliness.  However, when I arrived to France, I soon remembered what it was like to feel the comfort of having someone come to the airport to pick you up.  Remember Tristan?

Tristan Beillard

Yes, he was there!  Ever since I met him, we had planned for me to meet him in France and now it was finally happening.  He had arranged for him and his best friend to pick me up, drive me on a quick tour through Paris (we'd be back to explore another day) and head back to their home town in Rennes.

         

Immediately entering the airport I felt a drastic change from being in Asia for the past 4 months and I became extremely excited when the immigration guard took my passport and said, "Bonjour Monica!" Haha, silly I know but I think everyone has a slight fascination with the French language.  The weather...A LOT colder but yet I enjoyed it. The air was refreshing and I was happy to know that I wouldn't feel the need to take 3 showers a day to avoid being in a constant state of sweat.  This was going to be great.  I was in for a real treat, the true experience of what it's like to live in France like a local.