Working Out in France and so much more

I haven't updated in so long, I am itching to write and tell you about everything that's been happening.

Sunday, Joan and I took a roadtrip to France with his parents and brother. It was my first time there and I'm not ashamed to say that I hoped my first time in France would be in Paris. However, it was in a small village called VilleFrench. It was there that I climbed my first mountain. 25 minutes to reach the top and 1000 steps later we were at Fort Liberia Castle. Three bottles of water later I ended up finding a tunnel in the castle and did my business while Joan and his family went on ahead. Trust me when I say I wouldn't have made it to the bathroom. To go into the "city" of Villefrench we had to take 832 stairs down in a tunnel under the mountain. The lights weren't working in the tunnel so we went down medieval style with our mobiles guiding the way.

Completley starved we found a restaraunt, the only one open in the village. Our waiter was the absolute cliche´of a French waiter. Young, left ear pierced with a 2 euro hoop and an attitude recognizable in any language. While taking our order, a little girl, about three was shouting etc and our waiter went up to her and scolded her and basically said "shut up" the parents didn't do a thing about it. Guess that's the French way. Our food was good and actually, French coca-cola is delicious. I don't know how it is different but there is a sweeter taste to it. Since we were in the south, they are very Catalan proud as that part of France used to be Spain back in the 1700s or so. I spoke a mixture of French and Catalan during the trip, cracking up Joan and allowing Sergi to crack jokes at my expense.

Now I'm back in Lloret and loving it so much more now that the weather is warming up. Yesterday I went to visit Joan's mom at her meatshop and when it was time for the daily siesta, we had a light lunch and went walking around instead. She took me up to the castle by the sea and there is a awesome bar there, sand on the ground, wicker chairs everywhere. It is by a calla or what we know as a cove. The water splashing against the rocks, tropical jazz music if that makes sense, was playing overhead. The cool breeze drifting over us as the warm sun shone on the sea. A perfect place. We had a coffee and i really learned a lot about Joans mom, her life in BCN before moving to Lloret, stories of when Joan and Arianna were young, it was really nice. After we walked along the beach and some brits asked us if "we would be up for a game of volleyball tomorrow" Maribel then said, "When I'm alone I am invisible but when I walk around with you, everyone talks to us" Guess thats part of why young men go on vacation, to find a girl to "spend time with" but the locals are sometimes worse and hit on you regardless.

The men that sell tourist crap along the street always try and talk to me. "Hola" "Bonjour" "Hello" guessing what language I speak because I always ignore them. :P Slightly creepy but life goes on.

I had spanish class this morning with Clara. Only two classes left, not sure if I will take many more. I feel like I have learned a lot, I just need to practice. I find Catalan much easier for me, I know a bit of both so I need to choose one to master first. :P

Also found out that my friends, Eryn and Nikki are coming to visit me in August. They bought their tickets last night so it is official. They will be here from the 12th to the 23rd so I will have to plan a great party since they will be here for my birthday! It's a bit depressing I still haven't made any friends yet. Joans friends are my friends of course but they are all guys and I do miss the girl time. Alison will be here soon and things will be much better. Maybe when the tourists start to come I'll meet some people. Now it's all older people, maybe I'm not looking in the right places...? Yo no se.

I decided not to go to Girona tonight and meet Joan for tapas with people from work. Maybe tonight we'll order pizza, watch a movie and take a walk around town. Sounds good to me.

Hope all is well in your corners of the world. I have a lot of free time today so if I am inspired there may be another blog. :P

Ciao
C.M.