Apples, Horses, and Pornic

I feel like I'm letting this blog thing slip, I've realized it's been a whole 11 days since I updated it- c'est pas cool (fyi: the French actually use "cool" in their everyday lexicon. They use it in the same context Anglos do)And while on the subject, I might as well address the progression of the language. It's going FANTASTIC. Really, my learning curve has been super steep this first month. At first, your eyes and brain feel really overloaded with the change in the language. Then, I got all mixed up in my head because I was trying to think in either English or Spanish when speaking French- it was a nice little scramble. But now, I feel really comfortable, and the tongue is rolling off the French like there's no tomorrow.
The social aspect is also picking up. I'm rolling with a posse from Belgium, Brazil, the States, Canada, and Mexico. I had my first soiree on Friday night, and although it was a bit lacking in spirit, it was still nice to go out with people my own age. The French on the other hand, know how to party. I was *this* close to just going and joining someone else's party.. hahah. But, alors, I'm sure it'll pick up the next time. Also, I won't miss the last tram, like I did on Friday, having to pay 15 Euros to get home (that's about 25 dollars, for those of you who don't operate in that currency) But, overall, it wasn't a bad night either. We went for drinks, where the bartender surprised us with free shots (really, who's surprised that I'm getting free things? It's my trademark! I would be disappointed if I went out and DIDN'T get a free something). Then, we headed to a creperie to have a delicious crepe and recharge for the dancing. Except, that we didnt' dance. The two girls that I was with were.. er.. what's the word... Reserved. Yes, let's call it that. And then, the Brasilian boy that was supposed to come and lighten up the Latin scene with me, couldn't come b/c he was feeling sick. After the non-dancing, we went to a bar called Le Lieu Unique. It was a hangar, very industrial looking, and with wicked decor. But, the music was techno, and that's not my style (even though some people think it is, when I drive my Honda Civic... *ahem* JAG). I missed the tram by one minute, and had to wait 45 minutes for a cab to show up.
Let's see.. I've also been picking apples, and that was a lot of fun. It was very rustic, the sun was shining, and we stuffed ourselves with orchard pommes.
The big trip these last days though, was to Pornic. It's a small town an hour away from Nantes, on the beautiful coast of Brittany. Michelle and I met up with her brother in law, his wife, daughter, and little dog. We hiked for 10km, stopped to have lunch (delicious specialty- Mussels in white wine and fries. Cheap as all hell, I had that, and 2 glasses of wine for 10 dollars). And hiked the 10km back again. It was a sweet hike... and we discovered a nudist beach by accident. It would've been fine except that we were with Marion, who is ELEVEN... it was a bit awkward. But apart from that, it was a perfect day. I've posted the pics on Facebook already, so if you get a chance, take a look.
I thought I'd finish the blog with some interesting and random things I've noticed or that have happened:
1) Walking through the supermarket, next to the meat section, I found HORSE MEAT.I thought I was reading it wrong, but when I asked Michelle, she confirmed it. She doesn't eat it, but she says that lots of people do. I was so shocked! I know that a cow and a horse aren't that far apart, and I love eating cow, but really... that's just sad!
2) At McDonald's (not that I had any, because it's disgusting, but while accompanying Benjamin I saw), you can get BEER with your meal. Instead of Coke. For the same price. Which inevitably led me to question: If you get your meal in the drive-through, and you choose beer, wouldn't that technically be drinking and driving, sponsored by McDonald's? Classy. They're not just happy with being the catalyst to the obesity epidemic in the Western World, but they also offer you a quick and cheap way to be reckless on the road! I love corporations.
3)People do actually eat baguettes ALL THE TIME. I thought it was a stereotype, but you see people with their loaves everywhere, everyday, ever munching.
4) Quick language lesson:
- Preservatif is not put in food to keep it from rotting. It's a condom.
-Draguer means to hit on, not to drag, unless you encounter an overly aggressive flirt(and they are aplenty).
- Rage is not just regular anger, it's rabies. Rabais, it follows, is not the disease you catch from a dog, but a discount. A sale is not an event with a lot of rabais, it means dirty.
-Ranger is neither a woodsman, nor a morpher cartoon from your childhood, it means to tidy up.
- A smoking has nothing to do with tabacco, it's a tuxedo.
- The patron is the boss, not the customer
- And lastly, if you think the French Language seems full of deception; think again. Deception in French actually means disappointment.

Before I leave, I'd like to thank all of you who have been keeping me up to date, and sending messages, letters, packages, cards, and e-mails my way. Although this will be my home for a few more months, I'm carrying all of you close to me, and those little signs of affection make it all the more easier.
A la prochaine!