It's Beautiful at the Top - Hiking Le Puy de Dome

Getting ready for our early morning hike with our wonderful brigades.  I was so excited, however, when we started--I began to wonder what I was so excited about.

I thought I was in good shape, until I started the hike.  Preet and I on one of our many breaks.  We wouldn't have made it without each other.  I helped her up, she helped me down.

One of the views on the way up.

Two of our wonderful super brigades. 

It's so scenic.  So worth it. 

Really cool experience on the way up.  Preet and I were on another break when two ladies walked by.  

Lady: Bonjour

Us: Bonjour

Lady: (she says something in French that we don't understand)

Preet: No parlez-vous francais (I do not speak French)

Lady: Parlez-vous espagnol ? (Do you speak Spanish?)

Preet and I: Si, Si, un piquito (Yes, yes, a little)

Anyway, we ended up having a small dialougue in Spanish and I felt less stupid.  Everyone we come across is bilingual or trilingual--so cool.  

He's even cooler.

It got so much easier at the top (reminds you of life huh?).  There were actual walkways and not just slippery gravel.  

We had no idea there were ruins at the top, we just wanted to get there. 

I can't believe I actually hiked that. 

One of the many hills, I got more than a workout. 

What it looks like on top.

This is an idea of the way down.

The Journey that Seemed Never Ending

On the way to the airport, my dad says to me "It's no longer a dream, it's reality."

All of our luggage + Alex and Jackie

It was at the airport in Paris that I realized how rude people can be...probably because I'm an American lol

After 3 different plane rides...we finally reached our destination - this is where I'll be living for the next 6 weeks - MIU, Clermont-Ferrand, France

The rooms are definitely not too shabby...really comfy

The cute little modern lobby

---I've only been in France for a little over a day, and it's amazing how you realize how "American" you are.  I've been conscious of being an only black in a room full of whites, or the only female in a room full of men, but one of few Americans in a country full of French--totally different feeling.  They glare at us because we stand out...and of course we can barely speak French--so that's a double negative.  

The most awkward experience thus far...is our experience at the super market...but of course we got lost first.  Here are some pics of the sights we saw on the way.

The houses and apartments are so cute and quaint

My life saver...Daniella 

This is the view from the bridge we couldn't seem to get under...because of course that's where the market ended up being 

After we tackled some monstrous hills in the chilly weather...we finally made it to the market...where I just wished more than anything that I spoke French

Soooo....they do not use plastic bags.  They use the reusable bags that we have in the U.S. Not a problem, I'm all for going green.  We ended up borrowing some from another colleague.  To make a long story short--they thought we were trying to steal them--made the cashier angry--she started going off in French---we didn't know what was going on.  Of course I started laughing.  (More so because I was confused and not trying to be rude--I need to work on that) Fortunately somebody in the line knew a little English and translated for us --WHEW lol

Found a spot to eat and watch the rugby game--it is a HUGE deal in France

The square at night is beautiful, people just walk around.  There are restaurants and bars surrounding it.

What I learned about French restaurants:

- Don't tip (a relief considering the dollar sucks right now)

-Splitting the check is considered rude (sucks for them because we travel in large groups)

But that was just one day...there is plenty more to come

This is the volcano I plan on hiking tomorrow...stay tuned for that story

P.S. For all of you that told me to bring back a cute French guy...I'm still looking lol ;-)