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| Hillary at age 18- Metro ID |
I thought I'd dig through some old photos and journals to find out how I felt on my first trip to France to share some experiences. After my family hosted a French boy, Frederique, I went to stay with him and his family for a month after I graduated from high school in a small town called, Mante La Jolie, the last stop on the RER.
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| My first experience eating at a creperie! I had a crush on the guy in the blue jacket. |
I went with my best friend Alix who stayed with a really cool family with three teenagers. The family I stayed with was very traditional and proper unlike my family at home so it took some adjusting!
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| The Calu family & Alix on a camping trip |
First impression from the airport to the town: Everything seemed so small to me. In America we have big billboards, big cars and lots of ads everywhere.
When I arrived I wondered what the strange thing in the bathroom was used for. (Un bidet) I also found it strange that they didn't have a shower, just a tub with a shower hose attached.
Frederique's mother was a housewife so I ended up spending most of my time with her when I wasn't hanging out with Alix and the Calu family. She took Alix and I to visit some local castles. This made a great
impression on me since I had grown up reading lots of fairy tales. I actually got to see a real castle, not just an
American idea of one from Disneyland!
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| Alix & Frederique in Paris |
I kept a journal during my trip to record my observations. It's fun to look back and read my teenage impressions of a new country and culture There are lots of crazy stories from that adventure and I'm sure you'll have some too after your home stay.
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| Hillary at the Pompidou art museum in Paris. |
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| We loved these old cars. |
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| Paris Rooftop |
One of the highlights of our trip was hanging out with a band on a rooftop in Paris and watching them practice. Notice the zebra print shirt! I had one that was purple and black. So 80's!
