Typically, I have dinner with my host family twice a week. But, tonight was my first dinner with them in more than two weeks because of their week-long vacation and then the recent passing of my host dad's mom.
First off, I had totally forgotten how much I missed my host mom's cooking. She's an artist.
We started off with a delicious soup. Then, for the main course, she brought out a CREPE MAKING MACHINE! My dream come true. It was called "Multi Crêpe Party", an English name, so it has to exist in the States. I will find you!!! We put the batter into the pan, flipped them when ready, then topped them with cheese, ham, and tomatoes. Délicieux!
My host dad then had the idea to whip out the whiskey to make "crêpes flambées". All you have to do is pour sugar on the crêpes, then some whiskey, light it with a match, et voilà! They were really pretty, and really delicious. I want to make them when I get home!! (Mom, Dad, take note: Multi Crêpe Party).
Of course, after the crêpes, we had cheese and baguette per usual. Then, after that, much to my surprise, my host mom brought out a beautiful birthday cake! I was not expecting that. After I blew out the candles, I received gift after gift, and I was so in shock. I did not expect anything from them! My favorite gift was a book of panoramic photos of Paris. It has descriptions in both French and English, and naturally the photos are gorgeous. Inside they book, they wrote "From your French family".
After the presents, my host brother popped open the bottle of wine they got me, and we said Santé (French), Cheers (English), and Skål (Swedish). We then proceeded to learn more Swedish from my host sister, which was a disaster. At one point my host mom said "Okay, we all need to drink more so it will get easier!"
I may complain about living in a home stay vs a dorm sometimes, but it has been a really special experience. I got so lucky with host family. They have done such a great job at making me feel at home, and they make me laugh a lot. I am going to miss them!
First off, I had totally forgotten how much I missed my host mom's cooking. She's an artist.
We started off with a delicious soup. Then, for the main course, she brought out a CREPE MAKING MACHINE! My dream come true. It was called "Multi Crêpe Party", an English name, so it has to exist in the States. I will find you!!! We put the batter into the pan, flipped them when ready, then topped them with cheese, ham, and tomatoes. Délicieux!
My host dad then had the idea to whip out the whiskey to make "crêpes flambées". All you have to do is pour sugar on the crêpes, then some whiskey, light it with a match, et voilà! They were really pretty, and really delicious. I want to make them when I get home!! (Mom, Dad, take note: Multi Crêpe Party).
Of course, after the crêpes, we had cheese and baguette per usual. Then, after that, much to my surprise, my host mom brought out a beautiful birthday cake! I was not expecting that. After I blew out the candles, I received gift after gift, and I was so in shock. I did not expect anything from them! My favorite gift was a book of panoramic photos of Paris. It has descriptions in both French and English, and naturally the photos are gorgeous. Inside they book, they wrote "From your French family".
After the presents, my host brother popped open the bottle of wine they got me, and we said Santé (French), Cheers (English), and Skål (Swedish). We then proceeded to learn more Swedish from my host sister, which was a disaster. At one point my host mom said "Okay, we all need to drink more so it will get easier!"
I may complain about living in a home stay vs a dorm sometimes, but it has been a really special experience. I got so lucky with host family. They have done such a great job at making me feel at home, and they make me laugh a lot. I am going to miss them!
I also went to the top of the Arc de Triomphe today after class. I'm trying to knock some things off my Paris bucket list before I run out of time. We made it up there right at sunset, and the view was AMAZING! It's such an underrated attraction in Paris. I've actually heard the view from the Arc is better than the Eiffel Tower. I'll let you know.
Back to studying. Bleck.
Bisous,
Claire
Bisous,
Claire