Le Marché

Gabin, baby host brother

Les fruits differentes 

Alf, my host dog 

My host mom, Sandra et mon host brother, Gabin

Le rue de Villefranche, 

Dried fruits

Fresh local goods

filled market

The markets!

Walking in town, exploring

Le pont en region "Averyon"

Today was fantastic! My host mom and brother and I  went to Villefranche de r. and not only got to know the town, explore we went to the weekly Thursday market. Check out this link to read all about the market its amazing history and how it has been this town together : https://vanessafrance.wordpress.com/2012/02/27/villefranche-de-rouergue-market/

We walked all around the market and the local stores, my host mom is very super social and knows lots of people! So I also got to meet some people today- lots of fun. There is so much about the market and how beautiful everything is!! In the future I will explain little by little because it's overwhelming learning about everything although awesome. We did some shopping the market and local boutiques and later on for some grocery shopping, today we dined cantaloupe et prosciutto with a side of  aligot, chorizo and of course some baguette on the side! Trés super.

With the 9 hour difference I am jet lagged and didn`t get any sleep so I am very tired. Tomorrow morning I have to meet my Rotary counselor at 7:30 AM as we are going to the Orientation for myself and other exchange students for district 1740!!

Bientot e bon nuit!

Seattle to Paris to Toulouse to Villefranche de R.

After a looooong journey, I arrived safely yesterday around 8pm ( my time ). I arrived in Toulouse and my host mother, Sandra and my baby host brother, Gabin picked me up from the airport. Although we were at the airport for awhile because one of my suitcases are missing.

After with the help of my host mother and quite a bit of time, an Air France associate was able to help us- but it has yet to appear. But I am happy the only valuables in  that suitcase was clothing.

We drove from Toulouse to actually not Villefranche de Rouergue but a few minutes farther to where my host famiy lives known as Sept fonds, near Villenueve which is 5-10 minutes from Villefranche de Rouergue, my host city!

We arrived to Sept Fonds around 12 Am and my host dad, David and my host brother, Antoine were waiting to have dinner with us!

I love my host family, I am blessed and grateful that I ended up here. Special thank you to everyone, especially Rotary.

My host mother, Sandra doesn't work because she just had a baby 7 months ago, Gabin. I am SO thankful that  my host mother speaks Portuguese- this has helped immensely. We both know that my french needs to grow so that is why we only decided that she will speak to me in Portuguese this week and for the rest of the time French or if I am in trouble and need some help! Sandra is awesome and so kind not to mention helpful, we get along fantastic. My host dad is also helpful, kind and awesome! I appreciate how he explains everything to me and speaks french extra slow for me to understand. And there is also my older host brother and host sister. My older host brother is actually just visiting. By the end of this week he leaves to go to Bourges- close to Paris, he will be working and going to school there. There is also Naomie; she is the reason why I am here! Naomie is in Luverne, Minnesota for her exchange year. Although we don`t live together we talk often on social media- and it`s lovely!  I am extremly lucky and thankful not just for the exchange program but this wonderful host family.

Although it is 2:16 AM here and my host mother and I are going to the famous Villefranche de R. Market  early... so I better be going to bed because today I only got up at  6PM!!!!

MARKET

Thanks for reading.

A demain!

GOODBYE CANADA

Currently 10:38 AM Pacific time, I am waiting from Seattle to board my plane to Paris.

After all the stress of packing and making sure everything was prepared I left home this morning at 3:30 AM to arrive in time to depart for my 6AM flight from Kelowna to Seattle. Although I'm only a quarter way through my 'journey' to arrive in Toulouse, tomorrow evening (2pm pacific time), it feels like I've accomplished A LOT. 

``The gladest moment in human life, me thinks, is a departure into unknown lands.`` - Sir Richard Burton  

Yesterday was full of goodbyes and countless moments of "taking it all in", cherishing my  family and friends for the last time for awhile... Although i'm upset to entirely leave everything, I am also very excited. It was all about sacrifice!

Bonjour

Welcome all to my blog! 

I am about to embark to France, on a wonderful experience called the Rotary Youth Exchange. Throughout the next year, I will be writing about my exchange in France. I am super thankful and excited about everything that has yet come! 

I will be living in South Central France in a small town called " Villefranche de Rouergue ". It;s one hour and a half from Toulouse. 

Villefranche-de-Rouergue

In Villefranche-de-Rouergue, I am expected to go to high school  and complete daily tasks just like a normal student. I will be attending Lycee Saint Joseph and I will be staying with 4 different host families throughout my year. All of the locations are completely different some in town some outside! The population of Villefranche is close to 12,000 and the temperature is very alike  to where I live in Canada. I assume very continental- we'll have to wait and see!

 “Adventure is worthwhile.” – Aesop