Bienvenue en France

Je suis en France! I can't believe I'm here- I arrived on Wed after a long flight and several layovers. I'm staying with friends in Vienne (right outside of Lyon) for a few days before I head south for Pau, where I will be living/studying for the next several months. Vienne is a sweet historic town with narrow, winding streets and several Roman ruins throughout the downtown area. Everywhere you turn there are beige buildings with red/brown roofs and beautiful architecture.
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I also realize now why the grid system for roads was implemented- it was for directionally challenged people like myself who can get lost just looking at street signs (ironic, I know). But getting lost in this adorable little town was fun. I found a bunch of outdoor cafés and bakeries along with more road side shops than you can count. Everything here has history and local historians and archeologists claim that this area has been inhabited continuously by people since the middle of the neolithic era. I visited some of the Roman ruins, along with a local museum, and was fascinated by the fact that so much of this town's history has survived after all these years. I also found that one of France's oldest vineyards is here, with some history books claiming that it's almost 2,000 years old! I love all this history and archeological information- it's just so cool! :)

While I am adjusting to the time change (7 hours ahead of CST) I have been reading a lot about French culture and language, hoping to improve my French speaking skills which need a lot of work. Thankfully I am able to understand/read/write enough to survive, plus my Spanish has come in handy more than once. This is definitely going to be a fascinating semester. ;) :)