It's been almost a week here, and I must say I have only one disappointment: French media, or lack thereof. The other day, I asked my host brother to show me some French music, and to be sure, there are French artists, but the thing that really surprised me was the amount of American or English music that the French listen to. It's everywhere... when you go shopping in un magasin or eat in un restaurant, there's very, very often music with English lyrics playing in the background. This goes for TV too - lots of popular series are American ones that are dubbed. I went to a bookstore the other day to buy a French novel to (attempt to) read, and came across many, many translations of books by American authors. (Tom Clancy and the like) So all that's been a little surprising.

On a completely different subject, I realize that I've forgotten to mention a very important member of the family. Ascote is a very friendly dog, though unfortunately she likes to make a lot of noise if I come home late at night.


The food here is really good. My host mother is an excellent cook. It seems as though the ability to effortlessly prepare fine cuisine is something the runs in the veins of the French. Eating customs are, of course, slightly different here. I always forget not to put my hands under the table! I'm also beginning to enjoy the cheese course we always have at dinner.

Today was our first excursion - we went to Loches (pronounced lowsh), a château that is pretty close by, after eating at a crêperie. It was really nice to finally have some nice weather. It was pretty cool to see the room in which Joan of Arc made her proposition to Charles VII. Lots of pictures here.

I'm pretty sure I'm going hunting with the family tomorrow.