So, Leslie and I arrived in Bordeaux around 5 pm on Saturday, April 16. After taking a bus to the center of town, we trudged through the streets with our packs only to find that the hostel we'd booked had given our room away. It all turned out for the best, though, because they found us other (nicer) accommodations, and we paid the same price. ( Read more... )

I'm back safe and sound in Alabama. This morning I drove down to Montgomery to meet a girl who was buying my French cell phone, and on the way back I noticed a rather large confederate flag waving majestically next to I65. What's up with that? Wasn't our "Go to church or the devil will get you!" sign enough ( Read more... )

I'll be home tomorrow evening, and I'll be going out tomorrow night. If any of you in the Ham are up for having a few drinks (or hanging out while others do), give me a call.

Yes, I am back, packing up my room and tying up loose ends (selling my refrigerator, closing ma compte bancaire). My vacation was amazing. I laid out on some of the most beautiful beaches of the world, and I loved every minute of it. I'm pretty sure I ended up with a minor case of sun poisoning, but apart from that, my tan is lovely. I'll write ( Read more... )

Your Linguistic Profile:

60% General American English
35% Dixie
5% Yankee
0% Midwestern
0% Upper Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

I took this quiz before going abroad, and my "dixie" percentage was much, much higher.

Your Inner European is Spanish!


( Read more... )

Leslie and I arrived in Florence late in the afternoon on Friday, February 27. That evening we went out to dinner at a small trattoria recommended by the manager of our hostel, then went to a few bars. We managed to find the bar where all the exchange students hang out in Florence. It was called the Shot Cafe, and they were having specials on ( Read more... )

Last night was my friend Arlene's last night in Lyon before I leave. She works at an elementary school and has a nine-month contract, so she won't go home to Ireland for good until July. She left today to go home for vacation, though, and won't be back until after I fly back to the US ( Read more... )

I loved Venice. It's one of the most beautiful, romantic places I've ever been. (Of course, I shared the city with the one person with whom I share all my romantic moments in Europe: Leslie.) I loved all the cities I visited for different reasons, but I have to say that Venice ranks just below the Greek islands on my list of favorite places I've ( Read more... )

Leslie and I arrived in Wien way too early in the morning after a night spent on a train and almost no sleep in Prague before that. It was Monday, February 21. Luckily, we were able to check into our hostel despite the early hour, so we went directly back to bed and slept until 11 ( Read more... )

This past weekend was my last weekend in Lyon! I'll be on vacation the next three weekends, and then I'll be home on May 5th. Like I mentioned on Friday, this is my last week of teaching. My contract extends to the end of April (and I have to stay until then to get my last paycheck), but the last two weeks of this month are school vacation. ( Read more... )