Crazy Adventures in the Life of a Redhead

Before leaving the U.S. there was one place I wanted to make sure I visited, and that place was Strasbourg. One of the girls who had participated in this program before me had informed me that the largest Christmas market in France was located in Strasbourg and was supposed to be fabulous, which definitely perked my interest. I decided that no matter what I did, I was going to go to Strasbourg. Originally I had planned to find someone on the internet through couchsurfing.com where I could sleep for the night, so as to not pay anything for my lodging, but it just so happened that one of my French friends who I met at North Central College moved to Strasbourg for his studies, so I really lucked out with a great place to stay. He and his girlfriend were so great to let me stay with them. I mean, they were amazing, paying for tram tickets and food, etc. Really unnecessary, but wow, really wonderful. I am just so fortunate to have friends like him who want to welcome me into their lives wi...

It is quite busy here in France right now, with exams and getting ready to go home, which means goodbyes and farewell parties. I, however, found enough time to make it to Paris the past two weekends. I mean, I know that I should have studied more, but experiencing the cultural and social heritage of France is just as important for my French studies as maybe spend ing a few more hours on the French Constitution. I mean, which one will likely make more impact on my future. I can give you a hint…not the Constitution! The first weekend, I met my German friends, who I had met in Washington DC. It was so great to see them again and a little surreal, I must say. I mean, how wonderful that people who I met in DC, I saw in Germany and then again in Paris. The world is small and people can get around so quickly; sometimes it blows my mind. One of my friends, who later came back to Angers with me, had never been to Paris beforehand, so we had a lot of fun showing her around the city. I must say,...