In Bath

I feel like I need to begin by clarifying that "Bath" is a city, not just the thing we use/take to become cleaner.

Bath is a good half hour drive from where I'm living in Bristol. It's absolutely beautiful and was somewhat crowded.

This weekend is what they call a "bank holiday" and that's essentially Labor Day in this case. This means that there is a long weekend and touristy towns turn into really touristy towns.

Louisa, my family friend who I'm living with (my mom's bestfriend) took me into town and showed me all the cool things.

This is her yard.

She lives in a quaint town that reminds me quite a bit of what I imagine American suburbs to have looked like in the 60's.

Being that I was not alive in the 60's I can't be sure, but maybe that can give you a vague idea and we're on the same page here.

 

We got to Bath and there we did all sorts of touring.

We saw the cathedral.

We saw the Fashion Museum.

We even dressed up in the fashions.

At the end of the day we went for tea.

This was complete with cakes and jam and sandwiched.

I didn't take a photo, but here's essentially the exact thing we ordered:

It was nice to have a chocolate cupcake in the middle of the day. While it's not an event I plan to make habitual, it was definitely something I was into.

Thank you, Louisa. You're terrific.

In London

Yesterday, I woke up and ate cereal. My host dad then drove me to the closest train station. After being grilled by immigration, I took an escalator to my platform. I boarded the train a few minuites later and, after about 90 minuites, I arrived in London. 

Just like that, I went to an entirely different country. And, with the time change, it took under half an hour.

Here, they speak English. Not only that, but they speak it quite beautifuly.

At the station my friend Claire came and met me with her friend Danielle. They are arguably the most welcoming people I've ever encountered.

With the direction of the two, we took a power tour of London- including but not limited to:

Lunch at a cute cafe

Ritsy neighborhoods

The London Eye

Big Ben

Buckingham Palace

Harrod's (which we got lost in)

Tea time at Liberties

Coffe at south bank

The Love Festival

The V&A Museum

Pickadilly Circus

Everything was so fun and so happy. 

I'm staying until Thursday at the house of Claire's family, my close family friends. It's about 90 minuites from London, in Bristol.

As much as I love living with strangers, it's quite nice to live with someone who knows you.

Also, people here really do drive on the left.

In Actuality, Are You Homesick?

Things I miss a lot:

Lifetime movies

Panera/fro yo

Curtains and comfy blankets

Puns

Smiling strangers

Hugs

High fives

Eavesdropping

Most said questions:

What is that?

What time do we do that?

We're going where?

And you?

How do I pronounce my first name again? (I still can't.)

Why?

Most asked questions:

How are you? Ok

Did you sleep well? Yes

Do you speak French? Yes

Did you understand? Yes

Where did you come from? Virginia, it's to the south

Do you like France? Yes

Do you prefer France or America? Um, it depends

More food? Yes please

Do you want something to drink? No thank you

Do you have a boyfriend? No

How long are you in France? 8 weeks

Can I come live with you? Yes

"Are you homesick?"

No.

In my opinion, homesickness is wishing I were home. I'm not someone who thinks like that.

There are a lot of elements from home that I would like to have currently, yes, but I am not homesick.

"But don't you miss your family?"

I hate saying "I'll miss you" because the reality is just that I'll be happy when I see you again, rather than torn apart when we're separated.

This doesn't mean I don't have feelings, it just means I am realistic. I can love you without missing you.

Am I glad I came?

Yeah, I think so.

In Lille

This morning, we almost literally drove entirely cross country. We started our trip a few hours north of the Mediterranean, from near Cahors, and ended our trip in Lille, right by Belgium.

We drove through Paris and also, low and behold, the city of Orleans; so there is a reason the French Quarter in Louisiana is called New Orleans.

I would like to point out that, despite the fact that it was an 8 hour dive, it was one of the most pleasant road trips I've ever been on.

Why's that? Well, I would argue that it's because the French really have themselves together. But my view of the French is fairly limited because the only French people I've actually interacted with for extended periods of time are host families that have themselves organized to the point where they can host a teenaged stranger comfortably (very organized).

Here, the house is what I would call a massive loft. I think it's absolutely amazing. 

The family has four daughters and they all came over for dinner tonight.

The quote of the day was when the dad was complaining that when the wife and four daughters are all together, he can't get a word in. He was explaining this to me and stopped himself mid sentence and added in that now he'll be having to deal with five daughters because of me.

Wow; is your heart warmed yet?