Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Wow. So, it's been two months since I've updated this. I completely meant to update about my trip while I was over there, but when you usually have to pay to use the computer and only have about 30 minutes on it, I didn't think I could blog everything that we had done (so far) and check my myspace in that specific amount of time.
Right now I'm just going to blog about the flight over and then our three days in Paris, France and Strasbourg, France. :D

June 25, 2009.
Plane ride. Scared. Long freaking wait. >.<
After going through the Amarillo security about 3 times because I didn't realize my batteries were setting off the alarm, I finally got through to where I could sit down with everyone before we got on the plane to fly from Amarillo to Dallas. That wait seemed like it took forever. But boy, I had no idea what forever seemed like until we got on the nonstop flight from Dallas to Paris...
After arriving in Dallas, we met up with the delegation from Lawton and then boarded the flight. I sat next to Liz and we were seated in front of Ben and Garth. You know how on most flights you will experience "turbulence"? Well, with Ben and Garth, you experienced that frequently. They would shake our seats and scream "TURBULENCE!" and absolutely would not stop messing with out head rests. haha. If you've ever ridden in a plane, you know that they play those cheesy info things about how to buckle your seatbelt, where the exits are, so on and sor forth. Needless to say, I was fascinated by listening to them tell everyone how to do it in French. :D It's such a gorgeous language. Then our pilot (Pierre!) came over the speaker and introduced himself. I was fascinated listening to him talk, also. He told us the flight was going to be nine freaking hours. Sadly, I can't seem to master the art of sleeping on a plane. We took an overnight flight and as soon as we landed we were going straight to lunch and then to the Palace of Versailles.

June 26, 2009.
Paris! At last! We didn't get to see much, of course, because we had just gotten off the plane, but from what I saw, I already thought Paris was stunning. Once we got into the airport, we realized the electricity wasn't working.
Oh joy.
After about an hour and a half to a two hour wait, the electricity came back on and we could get our luggage. Once that was all sorted out and people used the restroom, we all headed out of the terminal to find our Delegation Manager and our bus. I was following right behind the first two people and I lost them. Smooth, right? But luckily our Manager ran right up to us (not hard to miss a sea of maroon) and told us who she was and we followed her. :D She had to be the most bubbly person I had ever met. I had no doubt that this was gonna be a great trip after meeting her.
Her name was Kathi Smiderer and she was from Austria. Vienna, to be exact. So she was way excited for us to go there. :D Turns out she had been doing People to People tours for about 4 years and we were her second group in her 5th year. Pretty neat. Sadly, we were her last group. =( She was a psych major so she kept saying she needed a job. haha.
Well, we had gotten our stuff on the bus and now we were off to eat our very first French meal. My very first foreign meal, also. Honestly I can't remember what we ate, but I don't remember eating much. Except for the bread. Oh my word. The bread...
Palace of Versailles! We had four and half hours to look around that place. You think, oh, we don't need that much time. But just wait until you see it. That place is massive! I had learned alot about it in my French I class, so I was stupid excited to see it. When you walk in, you see the newest part of the chateux (that's castle in French) and as you go farther into the Palace, you see all the paintings and everything. The ceilings were just immaculet, the floors creaked when you walked over them, there was a musty smell when you walked into each room, and everything was just so...elegant. Everything confirmed just how old it really was, even though everything in the Palace is redesigned to match the century it was built in, since it was destroyed during the French Revolution. Did you know there is only one piece of furniture in the Palace of Versailles that is originally from it's said time? And it's just a chair. A simple chair. haha. But the gardens are soooo pretty. Not what I expected, but still nice. I had gotten the story of the Palace of Versailles and Chenonceau mixed up. But now everything is all cleared up. (:

June 27, 2009.
If you think that the day before this was busy, you have no idea. That's practically how it was the whole trip.
The breakfasts in France usually consisted of cereal and a croissant. The croissants were sooo good though. Yum. (: After breakfast we got onto the bus and got started on our beautiful tour of the legendary city of Paris! C'est magnifique! We drove around a little bit then went to take pictures of a statue while we waited for our tour guide, Sophie. She was so funny because she had a really thick French accent and she would pronounce words really weird. She spoke really good English, but usually at the end of a word she would drag out the last consonant and then add an 'eh' at the end. haha. It was fun listening to her talk, though. I never got sick of it. Then we had lunch and then headed off to The Louvre. We didn't get to see the outside of it with all of the pyramids, though. We went in the opposite way. Once we got in and went down the stairs, you see this massive spiral staircase inside. It was so awesome! In French class, we see alot of pictures of some of the painting hanging in The Louvre, but no matter how many times I've seen them or how many times I see the painting on the ceilings, it still takes my breath away.
Everyone in our delegation knew the Mona Lisa hangs in The Louvre so we were all very excited to see it. You'd think it was a huge painting but actually it's really very small. haha. You walk into the room and you see paintings all over the walls and right in the middle of the room you see another wall and just one painting hanging by itself with a glass box around it and a huge crowd of people. When I say huge, I'm not exaggerating. You have to push your way to the front to get a good picture.
Our delegation was too big to take on the tour at once, so we got split up into two groups. I was in the first group, so we got to do some shopping after our tour. There's so many shops inside of The Louvre! I finally bought my friend Jessica the beret I promised her, and the rechargable batteries I bought weren't working, so I bought a giant pack of regular ones. :D I told myself that I would buy myself a pin of the flag of the country we were visiting and put it on my lanyard to show people what places I've visited. So, I bought a French Flag pin.
After that, we headed off to the Montmartre Area to see the Basilique de Sacre-Coeur. (Church of the Sacred Heart). The way up to Montmartre is pretty intimidating, I'm not gonna lie. It's so crowded. You have to be sure to stay with someone also, because some of the guys on the street were downright creepy. Blowing kisses to us and everything. Not to mention pick-pockets. But it's worth it when you finally see the Sacre-Coeur. It too, is beautiful. (: Montmartre is known for it's caricatures, so I was dead set on getting one done. I saw one artists artwork and I thought it was really good, so he offered to draw me in black and white and color my eyes for only 50 Euros. Which is a good price, considering what he usually charges and how good he is at his craft. The picture seemed like it took forever, but it was completely worth the time and the money. On the way back down from the Sacre-Coeur it wasn't quite as crowded, but the guys standing on the street were still intimidating. Andi-Lynn and I were walking on Ben's arms and I was walking near the wall. Well, one guy that was near me asked, "Hey, you wanna suck my d***?" Yeah. Gross. I didn't even realize what he said until we were past him, and it was too late to say something to him. As we walked past the corner, there was a guy standing over there and he saw Andi and I on Ben's arm and he shouted "I want one!", so Ben turned around and replied, "No! They're mine! I paid for them!" haha. :D
Once back to the hotel we all went swimming for about an hour. I was so exhausted, I just crashed afterwards.

June 28, 2009.
You're probably thinking "What about the Eiffel Tower!?" Don't worry. It's coming up.
We were almost late going to the perfume museum/shop because Cody woke up late, but we made it pretty close to schedule. The perfumes they made in this place were actual perfumes, not the stuff you see in department stores. They all smelled so good! They offerered us a good price to buy some perfume, but I had to resist. haha. Once again, we ate lunch. It seemed like we ate lunch all the time, but we really didn't. I didn't really like the French food, so I ate lots and lots and lots of bread. The bread is sooooo amazing!
After lunch, we headed to the Eiffel Tower. Ahh! We got our tickets and rode the two elevators to the top, and I got tons of amazing pictures. haha. After hangin' out at the top of the Eiffel I started feeling a little dizzy, so I started heading back down. Ben and Nicole came with me, so it wasn't so bad. When we left to go to the top of the Tower, there weren't any people below the Tower except tourists and whatnot. Once we got back down, there was a huge crowd of people all wearing black and mourning Michael Jackson's death. Michael Jackson dying was like, wow. Crazy over there. The French were practically freaking out. haha.
After taking a majority vote, we went to shop on the famous Champs-Elysees. :D In case you don't know, that street has some of the most well known brands. Louis Voutton (I've officially been in one of the main Louis Voutton stores in the world), Ray Ban Sunglasses store, Toyota, Gucci, Prada...anything and everything you could think of. Nicole had saved up her money from work and bought herself a Louis Voutton bag and I had splurged on a pair of Ray Ban sunglasses. (: Oh, and we lost Cody on one of the busiest streets in the world.
But don't worry, we found him.
Then it was off to dinner and back to the hotel.

June 29, 2009.
Au revoir Paris! Off to Strasbourg today. 6 hours on a bus isn't so bad when you stop every two hours to do whatever you need to do. haha. And it proves to be very entertaining when you have James in the back, just a few seats away from you. His conversations are always hilarious. :D I didn't think Strasbourg would be prettier than Paris, but boy was I wrong. I liked Strasbourg even better. Everybody was so friendly and the town just seemed so charming and cute. We didn't do much but walk around and see the first of many cathedrals on our trip. I bought a scarf and some rings from a cute little shop that reminded me of our 'Claire's'. Then we headed off to our hotel and it was into the swimming pool, once again. We always swam if there was a pool. :D The next day we were going to Austria to meet our homestay families.

Patrick the Penguin.

Stiiiiiiiiiill waiting for clothes to dry. haha.
Wondering why it's taking so long? I don't put my clothes in the dryer; I hang them up in teh laundry room and let them dry. That way they don't shrink...as much?

o.O

So, I'll be on my first plane ride in less than 12 short hours. Or well, waiting to get on my first plane ride. =P
I shall be taking Patrick the Penguin with me. Patrick was my very first stuffed penguin that my friend Marisa got me for my 16th birthday last October. Now, I have a whole bunch of stuffed penguins. XD But since Patrick was my first, he will get to experience Europe with me.


P.S - I'm having way too much fun with this blog, can't ya tell?



` Olivia

This is only the beginning of something bigger than us.

It's official.
I'm a fool.
Not just any fool, a soft-hearted fool.
I just said bye to my friends for 19 days and, as expected, I cried. Geeeeeeeeeeez. I'm not liking this right now. Plus, I'm purposely avoiding songs that tend to have a slow beat because they're making me uber sad. haha.

Say it with me, "I'm a sap."

But, as I said before, I shall post my itinerary. Maybe doing that will take my dark, lonely night and fill it bright with...well, not sunshine but...uhm,...MOONLIGHT! XD And perhaps lots of bright sparkling stars...

• 
  THURSDAY, JUNE 25
  Depart for Paris
  Meet your delegation and board your international overnight flight to Europe.
• 
  FRIDAY, JUNE 26
  Paris, France
  Welcome to Europe! After arrival at the airport your Delegation Manager and coach driver will greet you!
  Explore the magnificent Chateau de Versailles, a UNESCO World Heritage site, on
  your own. Built during the reign of Louis XIV, the Sun King, it was the seat of the royal court from 1682 to 1789, when the French Revolution put an end to the monarchy.
• 
  SATURDAY, JUNE 27
  Paris, France
  Voila Paris! A French guide will now join you for an orientation of the city Ernest Hemingway called "a moveable feast."
  Enjoy a guided exploration of one of the most important art collections in the world, the famous Musee du Louvre. You will visit the principal parts of the museum - including a look at Leonardo's masterpiece, Mona Lisa.
  Visit the historic Montmartre area, a haven for artists and writers before WWI. Marvel at the white Basilique du Sacre Coeur, which is the second highest point in Paris. Take some time to discover this area's treasures in small groups.
• 
  SUNDAY, JUNE 28
  Paris, France
  Attend an educational meeting in the famous Musée du Parfum Fragonard, where you will discover the fabulous world of perfume!
  Admire a dazzling view of Paris! There's only one place to go: take the elevator up to the top of the Eiffel Tower (899 feet) which was built for the 1889 World's Fair to commemorate the French Revolution.
  Take some time together to learn about your upcoming home stay. Ask questions and set expectations for the days with your home stay families.
• 
  MONDAY, JUNE 29
  Strasbourg, France
  Welcome to school! You will spend the afternoon inside the school with French students!
  The college Joliot-Curie of Dieulouard wishes you a healthy appetite! You will enjoy a typical meal from this region with French students!
  Discover the old town of Strasbourg, the charm of its typical timbered houses and its famous cathedral.
• 
  TUESDAY, JUNE 30
  Home Stay, Switzerland
  Discover Lucerne, a city in the heart of Switzerland situated on a lake and surrounded by high mountains!
• 
  WEDNESDAY, JULY 1
  Home Stay, Switzerland
  Today will be spent with your home stay family experiencing European home life.
• 
  THURSDAY, JULY 2
  Home Stay, Switzerland
  Today will be the last day you spend with your home stay family. Be sure to write a thank you note and leave it with your home stay family or mail it to them the next day!
• 
  FRIDAY, JULY 3
  Salzburg, Austria
  Lunch will be at the tourism school "Villa Blanka" in Innsbruck, where you will join an Educational Meeting about the Austrian Tourism School system and have the opportunity to try your hand at baking your own dessert - the famous Austrian Apfelstrudel!
  Now you will have the opportunity to investigate Salzburg during a guided orientation tour and undercover its many treasures.
  Tonight enjoy a classical concert at the famous Schloss Mirabell.
• 
  SATURDAY, JULY 4
  Vienna, Austria
  Experience a darker aspect of European History when you visit the infamous Mauthausen Concentration Camp. Learn about the true nature of these camps as you delve into Mauthausen's terrible past.
  Enjoy the Prater Amusement park where James Bond had an adventurous ride on the giant Riesenrad (the second largest Ferries wheel in the world) in 1987's "The Living Daylights". If you like, enjoy yourself on a ride with the famous Ferries wheel!
• 
  SUNDAY, JULY 5
  Vienna, Austria
  Explore Vienna by going on a guided bike tour and discover all the beautiful sights!
  You will meet and take part in a discussion with a survivor of a concentration camp (Theresienstadt). This is a unique opportunity and a true honor for student ambassadors.
• 
  MONDAY, JULY 6
  Friesach, Austria
  Enjoy the medieval games - you'll be surprised!
  This evening you will have an unforgettable dinner and enjoy rousing games in the small castle-town Friesach.
• 
  TUESDAY, JULY 7
  Jesolo, Italy
  Be welcomed by the residents and town officials of Sirnitz, who call their village the "Official People to People Town of Carinthia".
  Enjoy a unique cultural experience and discover the impressive life of the Austrian mountain farmers. Learn about their everyday life, their work and how they spend their leisure time, e.g. how to milk a cow. Afterwards enjoy a local meal.
• 
  WEDNESDAY, JULY 8
  Jesolo, Italy
  Enjoy one of life's greatest pleasures and take a ride in a gondola. While passing "Canale Grande" and narrow channels you will see the famous Guggenheim Museum, the "Fenice Theater," and Mozart's Venice Residence.
  During a guided orientation you will explore the bustling alleys, quaint bridges and narrow canals of Venice. See the Basilica San Marco and the Bridge of Sigh.
  Take part in an informative presentation about the making of glass in Murano. You will learn about each step - from the composition to the polishing of the glass. A demonstration of each of the working steps fascinate you.
• 
  THURSDAY, JULY 9
  Montecatini, Italy
  Pay a visit to the Accademia Gallery, which houses Michelangelo's colossal statue, David.
  Now your guide will take you for a walk through the city of Florence, you'll pass by the Duomo and the bronze doors to the Baptistery, known as the Gate to Paradise.
  One of Italy's most famous products is leather! You will have the opportunity to learn about the production and processing of leather at the Leonardo Leather Works.
• 
  FRIDAY, JULY 10
  Rome, Italy
  Get inspired by some of the best examples of Romanesque architecture in Italy when traveling to Pisa.You will see one of the most famous buildings in Europe; the Leaning Tower.
• 
  SATURDAY, JULY 11
  Rome, Italy
  Continue with a city exploration by way of a Riddle Rally including Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain. Bring some coins - tossing a coin in the fountain will ensure your return to Rome!
  Today you will visit the capital of Catholicism and the world's smallest state, the Vatican! Admire St. Peter's cathedral, including Michelangelo's glorious Pieta and the Sistine Chapel.
  Join an educational meeting with a priest who will speak generally about Catholicism in Italy and the organization of the Vatican or with a nun who will explain what life as a nun in Rome is like.
• 
  SUNDAY, JULY 12
  Rome, Italy
  Another special part of Rome is waiting for you! "Down under" you'll visit the Christian Catacombs! Enjoy a guided walk and learn more about Rome's History. The Catacombs of San Callisto are known world-wide.
  Some of Rome's most popular highlights are waiting for you: your guide will take you through the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. The city of Rome, with its antique monuments and religious sites, is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• 
  MONDAY, JULY 13
  Depart from Rome for the United States.
  Say goodbye to Europe! Have a nice flight back home!

I'd say that's pretty eventful. Our delegation leaders, as well as people I know that have gone through the program, say that you'll be so busy and having so much fun you won't be homesick for long. Just jump into it!

Well, I've never been one for jumping into the pool...

` Olivia

Someone pinch me; am I really leaving tomorrow?

Oh wow. So, tomorrow...Europe. /:
One word: yikes.

And the answer is yes; I really am leaving tomorrow! I still can't believe it. Bahh! It's pretty much just now hitting me that I'm leaving for Europe. I'm guessing tomorrow will be the day that it actually, well, literally hits me. No joke. It's stupid weird. haha.

It's like a strange mixture of excitement, nervousness, and sadness. Seriously. Who wouldn't be excited to be going to Europe? Especially at 16? And, you see things that tourist only wish they could see. Nervousness, that's just for the homestay. Ughhh. And the sadness...oh, the sadness. I don't think I'm going to be able to last 19 days without seeing my family. But I suppose I'll have to, eh? Luckily, my parents bought me a phone so I can keep in touch. Expensive, but completely worth it. (:

Now, all I have left to do is pack my suitcase. My carry-on is pretty much done, except I need to put my batteries and my gift for my homestay family in there somewhere. The suitcase should prove to be an exciting, yet stressful adventure. But I'm still waiting for some clothes to dry since I did some last minute laundry, so I don't have to pack for a few more hours. Procrastinating is not a good thing. /: Yet, I seem to do it all the time.

Sleeping tonight should be downright friggin' nifty! haha. The past couple nights have been super hard for me to sleep...which isn't new. I'm a night owl. (: Hopefully I can fall asleep early tonight so I'll be rested for that lllooonnnggg plane flight. My first time flying, and I'm absolutely, completely, and utterly terrifed. My first flight is across the Atlantic Ocean! XD

Geez, I already miss everyone. So much is going through my head that I have no idea what to write about. haha. Sorry if this seems so unorganized. That's definitely not me.
To pass time, I think I'm going to make yet another pop-tab bracelet-even though I already have about 8 of 'em. It'll keep me busy and keep my mind off of things.

Whao. I'm already missing everyone. :(

I'll post my itinerary later this evening. Or later tonight. No doubt I'll be awake. :P



` Olivia