subject:  Howdy All!

The results are as follows though no decision has been made . . . the jury is still out on this one!

It seems I haven’t had a free moment this week . . . it’s been fabulous.

Today we have been learning slang . . . after working on grammar, of course!

We even had to compose a story using slang! Lauren, you’d probably gotten a chuckle out of it all.

The teacher couldn’t stop laughing after I read my bit. Seems she loves my accent . . . I might just get a job here being a comedian after all!!!

And now, what you all have written (my replies and/or comments and/or thoughts are in italics):

Susan,

Go to St. Remy de Provence! It is simply marvelous. We have friends there that have rental places. http://www.mascornud.com/village.html?page=village

Not sure if they’ll book you for less than a week, but contact them, say you are friends of mine and see if they can make an exception. Also tell them about your Hawaiian home exchange idea!

Or go to St. Tropez, just because.

Cheers, Michele (St. Tropez sounds the most interesting, I’d like to have more time at the other . . .)

Dear Suzanne,

    Is this the French spelling of your name? Where do you go to use the Internet and send your e-mails?  This is interesting that you have 3 free nights. Why don’t you go to some small French town and see how life is in a little place. I would hope that you could find an inn or bed and breakfast there.

   Love,

   Mom

Annecy is absolutely beautiful. I don’t think it’s that far from Lyon by train. It is an old town with beautiful buildings with water canals flowing all along the streets.

Becky

Hi Susan,

I would suggest that you DON’T go to Avignon. I lived there for 6 months- the people aren’t that friendly and there are weird vibes . . . that’s my take . . . I like Dijon- maybe Montpellier? or Aix-en-Provence (is that too far away?) . . .

It was great getting your update : )  Made me want to go back. We missed you at my mom and Roy’s wedding! (me too! maybe we can have a rendez-vous in France someday!)

Much Aloha from NY,

Lauren

Avignon, I heard it’s great (interesting coming in right after the one above!). Or Uzes, which is a small town in Provence, that sounds lovely.

And there’s always the Loire Valley castles . . .

Hope you’re having a great trip! It sounds like you are! I’ve loved reading the emails :) John and I just purchased two airplane tickets to France for May, so you’ll have to give us tips on all the places to go!

Take care,

Cat

(I’ve meant to write to you and John and tell you that I have some leads for places to stay. The hotel Tony found in Paris was very nice, good price and clean but not too fancy, I liked the location too. I also found a great studio apt near Sacre Coeur that was very inexpensive . . . and then the apts I found through another couple and then subsequently booked are very nice too. They’re in the Latin Quarter. Let me know if you want any leads . . . the Sacre Coeur apt info Tony has at home in the “in” box for his email address.)

Head for the coast!..we loved ST Tropez.

Michael (very interesting that this one showed up twice!)

I would suggest heading to Paris direction early and spending the three days at Disneyland Paris.  :)

Debbie (you think?)

Avignon . . . this is intuitively what called out . . .

MH (did you read what Lauren wrote???)

Aloha Suzanne!

I’ve never been to France, so don’t have any personal suggestions for you, just wanted to wish you safe travels and the happiest of trails — no matter which one(s) you choose. Can’t wait to see what you choose to do as I’m living vicariously through you on this great adventure.

All the best,

Val (merci for your kind thoughts and words!)

Avignon has the famous “Pont”, but I believe Dijon may have one of those marvelous chateau, where they perform son et lumière and I know you would love that … perhaps you could find out for sure at school.

I meant to say that I thought maybe the notre dame you saw in Paris WAS a genuine one … there are, after all dozens, if not hundreds of Notre Dames in France, although we only hear about the one!

It scares me that you go early=morning jogging on your own  – have a wonderful sojourn in Paris and come home safely (I KEEP my eyes wide open and my guardian angels are with me always Romey!! Thanks for your concern.)

Romey XXX

I vote for Guernsey!!!!!

Sorry I haven’t replied to your fascinating correspondence. I can’t believe your adventure is coming to a close so soon. While your life has been filled with daily adventure, we’re still plugging along over here. Amazing difference and what an accomplishment!

Can’t wait to hear more, Lisa (more will come when I get a chance . . . I’m digging being able to talk a wee bit better . . . but so much more to learn!  LOVED the book! I had the most delicious morning Saturday as I DEVOURED the book!  I read till 12:30 pm when I finished it . . . did I write this already?  It’s been sent via the post to my Mom.)

 The setting for my reading fest . . . see Lily on my pants on the “dryer”?

i vote for San Francisco!

liz (me too, too bad I have a one day layover in LA on the way back home and NOT in SF!!)

Hey,

I suggest you call my friend Kim in Stuttgart. Enjoy! Looking forward to seeing you on your return.

Aloha,    MA.

(hey MaryAnn, good idea but I want to keep in the French mode. It seems that I dream almost entirely in French now . . . I’m loving it!)

Thanks for all of your input!

Love you all,

Suzanne