Turning 21 in France- and a weekend in Bordeaux

So a lot has happened in the past week or so- sorry if this is really long =/

So I had my 21^st birthday here in Angers. The girls from UCF were really sweet and decorated my door =) We all ate dinner together and they had a little surprise birthday party for me complete with balloons, streamers, cake, and champagne. Nearly everyone from my class came along with a bunch of people from the dorms. We had cake and drinks and I even taught some line dances. (I was really sad to not be spending my 21^st at my fave cowboy bar in Orlando- so I just had to do a few line dances).

Anyways I figured since I am Irish, it would only be appropriate to go to the Irish pub that night. So we all went to James Joyce for some pints. We hung out there for a while and went to K’lypso (another bar/club in town) a little later. It was loads of fun. I have been able to buy alcohol since I have been here- so it really is not that big of a deal in France- But I was showing all the French people at the bar that my ID says that I can not drink until 1-28-2010 =). It was a really good night.

I think my birthday party was the first time my class all got together and bonded. Before we had kind of dived ourselves and stuck with our friends from our respective countries- but ever since we all went out together on my Birthday we have been mixing and hanging out. It is rare now for us to sit with our classmates from our schools back home. I love it. We ask questions about each other’s countries constantly and just learn a little bit more everyday about different cultures and people.

So this past weekend 10 of us (all 7 UCF girls- Cahal from Texas- Anna from Sweden- and Federico from Italy) went to Bordeaux. We took the train- and can I just say- I LOVE taking the train. It is so nice and relaxing- you have great views- I can’t tell you how many castles I saw on my way. Through little towns- and farm land- but seriously- the soundtrack to beauty and the beast is constantly playing in my head =)

So in Bordeaux 4 of us tried out Couch surfing. Basically how it works is you make a profile on the site and you can look for people who are willing to host people in their home/apartment. It sounds kind of sketch- but I know so many people who have done it and loved it- and by the way- it’s free =) So we (me, Amy, Kim, and Cahal) stayed with 5 roommates (3 guys and 2 girls) at there house on the outskirts of Bordeaux. I’m not gonna lie- I was kind of nervous, but as soon as we arrived I felt welcome and safe. Damien was the main roommate who hosted us. He is a rubgy-playing-magic-trick-playing-handsom- French man =) how’s a girl not going to have a little crush. But seriously- he was really nice. The first night we hung out and had some wine- and just basically got to know each other.

I’m basically in love with this idea- It make so much sense that a person who has a couch or extra bed would offer it up to travelers. I love that we really got to know some French people from Bordeaux and really got to live like a temporary local- not just see the sights. It kind of blows my mind how much I trusted these people- but everything went so well. I plan on couch surfing as much as possible.

Anyways- while we were in Bordeaux we went up the tall bell tower outside the big cathedral- 231 stairs later- we were at the top and had incredible views of the city. We went in the cathedral after- breathtaking as always. We had a real French dinner that night and a glass of Bordeaux.

We also did a wine tasting tour. They drove us though the vineyards past all the beautiful chateaus. We tasted at 2 different vineyards. One in Margaux and the other in Medoc- bought a bottle of the Medoc. I kind of felt like a grown up- don’t know how I feel about that yet.

On our last night in Bordeaux Damien showed us the bars/pubs that him and his rugby teammates hang out at. We went to a Pirate run bar- which felt like you were in a pirate ship- it was really cool- complete with hammocks. Then we went to an Irish pub for some pints of Guinness and good conversation. After visiting one more pub we took a PACKED tram back to Damien’s.

The next morning we left- to show our gratitude for letting us stay at their house we bought them some Jim Bean and a case of Heineken- lol. We spent our last day walking along the river- having coffee at a café in the park and visiting some ruins. Then we got on the train and headed home to Angers.

Friday morning we leave for Milan =) Valentines Day in Italy- here we come- Just the 7 UCF girls- I can’t wait!