Lukey, I'm glad you're happy with Austria. How's the whether doing for you, Mariana? Is the language really difficult? And I'm sorry you have to leave the people you just made friends with, it's hard, I know. And it seems that Krissy has learned some Portuguese. I'm glad. And Patricia, you seem glad about Belgium, good. 

As for me, I'm enjoying every minute of France. And as for the rest of you, I want to hear from you guys!  Well, let me start off by saying thank you to the Rotary for doing this. I don't know any other way of expressing my gratitude except by saying "thank you."

I arrived in Paris in the early morn and from there my host family and I visited all of the gradeur city. It is absolutly magnificent. We were fortunate to have great weather during our stay. I got to see the Acr de Triumph, Champs Elysee, Eiffel Tower, practically all! That's how I spend my first weekend in France, well my first weekend in Europe, for that matter. Well, when I arrived home I wasn't expecting much, but I was wrong! 
Everything is so, so- great! My home is lovely (especially my room, very big). The city is awesome. It's a small city, I shan't even call it one.  It's more like a town. We're located in the center... where all the shopping is! But, anyway, it's all just so beautiful. And the weather is perfect, I couldn't ask for anything more. Well, except for the insurance of having snow in the winter (I know it's freezing where you are, Mariana, but I would really love to see the snow again).

Well, my family is very warm, and caring. We share the same interests, ie: music and leisure activites. It's great. Oh yes, and there's another American right here in Niort, too. She came over just last Wednesday. She 
knows no French (not that I know any, I'll explain a bit later) because she had planned on going to Spain, but things changed. She's very nice and we will be attending the same school. I know, I know, no english. I have to 
admit I have been speaking much too much english for my liking. But it's so hard when temptation comes a knocking. Oh, but I know she and I will become good "chums."

Oh... what else... ah yes, my French. Terrible! I don't think I could be any worse then not knowing any at all! See, this is what I think happened; I believe my brain took a nice long vacation and is still on it as I type.  My pronouciation is aweful, my vocabulary is that of a four year-old (no, that would be bragging, that of a two year-old), and I know I appear to be the biggest idiot in the world! But that's what I'm here for, right? To 
learn! And learn I shall. I do apologize for the long letter and the rest, I can assure you, won't be nearly as long, but no worries, just as good!

Good-bye,
Puqui France

P.S. They've asked me about the president and they know about the whole Monica and Bill thing, it was dreadfully embarrassing...