Hello all!


Today was a relatively relaxed day: no tours. We had class at 9 until 10:30 this morning, then I went back up to my room and took a nap until 12 (I'm so tired these days!). The big sales in France started today (like Black Friday, but until February), so of course we had to go look at the shops! I didn't last very long though: things were crazy and I'm not much of a shopper. I did get a nice green sweater for 9 euro, though! It was fun looking around, at least. I also had to come back to the hotel to do some research into courses for Aix because we had a meeting about it at 4. 
After the meeting, which ended around 6:30, I came back to the room and relaxed for a little bit. I was starving and wanted to get dinner, but couldn't find anyone to eat with. I was feeling particularly homesick today too, which was hard. But instead of moping around my room like I was tempted to, I decided to go out and treat myself to a nice dinner. I walked around for a bit, looking for a cafe and enjoying the night air, when I decided on going into a very cute restaurant on one of the quieter side roads. They had a vey reasonable fixed menu, so I started with escargot (which I've come to like very much), roast chicken with salad, and then crème brulée. I had hot wine too, of course! I was proud of myself for going out on my own, and felt much better after eating such a good meal! The women next to me were American too; it was a bit of a comfort to eavesdrop on their english. It's funny how people of the same nationality find such camaraderie in each other when in a foreign country! When I was finished, they asked me in English how my meal was, and I think were pleasantly surprised to find out I was also American. We chatted for a bit, and then I left, happy and full.


I'm back at the hotel now, studying and attempting to upload some photos for you all to see. The internet is extremely slow here though, so I think they'll have to wait until I have a better connection (hopefully in Aix!)


love to you!