First few days in France....

Coucou everyone!!!

I am in France now, settling in. I am staying at Damien's mom's house at the moment in Orleans. Everything has been lovely so far! We spent my first day in Paris with beautiful weather. Mom, I went to Notre Dame and it was incredible (did you receive the pic I sent you of Damien and I in front of Notre Dame on the bridge?)!

Actually, the cathedral in Orleans is almost as beautiful as Notre Dame! Damien's mother, sister and himself showed me around Orleans on my second day. There is a beautiful statue of Joan of Arc (Jeanne D'arc) in the middle of the city because Orleans is the city she is known for saving. The city is incredible, with all the old buildings and a bridge that could take your breath away (Pont George V). The moon has been perfectly placed for the past two days in all my pictures! Everytime I look up at a cathedral or beautiful rooftop the moon is perfectly complimenting the site (which is when Damien and I usually kiss).

To top it all off, the food has been incredible!!! The first day, lunch started with champagne from a local vineyard that didn't even have a label. We enjoyed a petite glass with some saucisson (dried sausage) and then moved to the main course. In the center of the table rests the "raclette," an amazing French grill that looks like an open George Forman but has more secrets than one could imagine. On top rests whatever you would like to keep warm, but below on separate little trays lie your own personal piece of "formage" (cheese). Then, with an assortment of meats you pour the newly, melted cheese on potatoes and "bon appetite!" The best part is as you use one piece of formage you begin melting the next so the meal stays warm for every bite.

Today along the same lines....I met Damien's brother Mikael and his girlfriend Valerie who are both lovely! Valerie has been putting quite a nice effort forth to speak English with me which has been nice. Valerie brought a wonderful beer, La Choulette that we enjoyed with assorted charcuterie (dried and aged meats). Damien made Poisson en Papillotte (fish baked in the oven), salmon with mushrooms, chives, tomotoes, and a creme fresh, served with white, fluffy rice. After, his family brought four huge wedges of cheeses they had just bought when staying at their grandmother's home in the Alps. This was all enjoyed with some (French) Gewurztraminer. At the very end, some apple pastries were enjoyed with some cafe.

Phew! Done. However, all of this lovely cuisine has been accompanied by an abundant amount of walking (marche) and an incredibly stimulating amount of learning french! So my adventure has begun and I am loving it all so far. I promise to write more than just about the food but I cannot misrepresent French culture and if one thing is for sure, incredible food and drink is a large part of this culture.

Until the next time.....

Salut !