Hello all! Things are still lovely here in France. Last weekend we went to a portion of the French Alps and I skiied for the first time! Not a bad place to start, I'd say. The mountains really were indescribably breathtaking. I love our mountains in Washington, but next to these, the Cascades may not even consider themselves mountains.
Overall, the trip was worth it, even though it was one of the least organized things I have ever been a part of. Come to find out, the culture in the French Riveria, especially amongst young people, is one of beacoup de partying. I guess I should have assumed that considering Monaco is here and what not, but actually experiencing living here is a whole different story. The bus ride there was a party in itself, and the parties continued all weekend. Some people didn't even sleep, and yet still managed to ski. It was impressive, in a way.
While I did not participate fully in this party culture, it is definitely something worth seeing. I may not go on future "Suberman" (the student government at SKEMA) trips because of the disorganization, but I do not regret the experience in the least.
Which is partially thanks to this delicious crepe that I had in a restaurant on the mountain after we took a ski lift up, sans the skis:
In addition, I did learn to ski (not well, but it counts) thanks to the help of some of the wonderful people I am studying with here. Every day I am amazed by the people in CEA, and the people I continue to meet who attend SKEMA. I just found this quote by Scott Fitzgerald that so accurately sums up the way I am feeling about what I am learning through experiences and people here, that I welled up a bit. Also, the fact that Fitzgerald and his wife actually spent quite a bit of time on the Riviera makes it that much better. Here it is:
"For what it’s worth, it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.”
I italicized my favorite parts. His words are so true. So true. For me, finding startling things and living a life I am proud of included leaving the country. Others have different ways of finding and being themselves, which is wonderful. I just hope everyone gives themselves the time and the opportunity to do so.
While I did not participate fully in this party culture, it is definitely something worth seeing. I may not go on future "Suberman" (the student government at SKEMA) trips because of the disorganization, but I do not regret the experience in the least.
Which is partially thanks to this delicious crepe that I had in a restaurant on the mountain after we took a ski lift up, sans the skis:
In addition, I did learn to ski (not well, but it counts) thanks to the help of some of the wonderful people I am studying with here. Every day I am amazed by the people in CEA, and the people I continue to meet who attend SKEMA. I just found this quote by Scott Fitzgerald that so accurately sums up the way I am feeling about what I am learning through experiences and people here, that I welled up a bit. Also, the fact that Fitzgerald and his wife actually spent quite a bit of time on the Riviera makes it that much better. Here it is:
"For what it’s worth, it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.”
| — | F. Scott Fitzgerald |
I italicized my favorite parts. His words are so true. So true. For me, finding startling things and living a life I am proud of included leaving the country. Others have different ways of finding and being themselves, which is wonderful. I just hope everyone gives themselves the time and the opportunity to do so.
No comments:
Post a Comment