Aryana's Report

October 2, 2006

October 1^st 2006

Bonjour!!!!

              Premièrement, Je suis très désolé pour le histoires longues que j’ai envoyé plus tôt (Firstly, I am very sorry for the long stories/reports that I have sent earlier). Mais (However), I had a lot to say since being here in France for a little more than a month. Yet, I write to you all today to tell you about the most wonderful experience that I have ever had in my life. Hier (yesterday), I went climbing up one of the biggest mountains in the Alsace Region – Le Ballon D’Alsace(The Balloon of Alsace) in Geromangey, (a town near Belfort) for about 5/6 ( 3 hours to go up; 1 hour to eat and 2 hours to come down). We went climbing up the mountain at about 10:00 am, and so the way the sunlight fell upon the trees, and the way the dew dripped from the leaves was stunning. Climbing up Le Ballon d’Alsace was a bit dangerous, because it was raining and so it was slippery – I fell a few times, however, it was exciting. ( Oh, just to inform you, the mountain is called the Balloon of Alsace because it has a rounded shape) Nonetheless, this mountain contains waterfalls, beautiful scenery, and is literally up in the clouds. Thus, naturally, I was more than amazed since being from a flat island like the Bahamas. Words, certainly cannot express the excitement (and exhaustion by the way) that I felt whilst climbing that mountain. The nature we have before us in this world is just the greatest thing that the eye can behold. C’était très beau!! (it was so beautiful) – in fact, beyond beauty.

                     I also met the Japanese Exchange Student in D. 1680 yesterday (she climbed the mountain as well.). We had fun as we laughed with exhaustion and were more than stunned by the beauty. Quite frankly, as I climbed that mountain I said to myself, “Now this is what I hoped for in France – ADVENTURE!!” However, the beginning of this week has been more than superb, more than exciting, and included so much joy. For not only did I finally do something that I’ve been wanting to do all my life,  I’ve been speaking French for the majority of the day (which is like 13 hours – as I am up for about 15).  Consequently, I am about one step closer to fluency, and I’ve only been here for a little over a month. Like my host sister says “How cool is that?” Nevertheless, I am having some of the best times of my life here (at this moment I can think of nothing better). I have learned a new language to speak, and hopefully by January I will be able to write flawlessly (as you know, first comes comprehension, then speaking, then writing). Mais, vouloir, c'est pouvoir. (However, when there is a will there is a way). WISH ME LUCK!!!

 Gros, Bisous,

Des France

Aryana Joy