A BIEN TOT MONTPELLIER

Ahhh! God…this is so hard because everyone knows it’s hard to write about what you know. As evidenced by my paltry excuse for a blog I’ve kind of avoided talking about Montpellier. Sure I can sum up my first couple of days, my time in Barcelona or Paris but when it comes to talking about the place I’ve called my home for the past four months it’s like pulling teeth. Everything I want to say doesn’t come close to summing up the most amazing and unreal 4 months I’ve had. I think there really is some truth to the steps you undergo when studying abroad. Kim told me the UW kids got this packet before they left that said you go through stages, the first being everything is new stage followed by the comparison stage and then finally the starting to get used to everything in love don’t want to leave stage. I am definitely in the last category. I met people from everywhere here. It’s hard to believe that my Romanian inseparable twin (or in our case probably triplet because I already have a twin brother) Lucy and I met because I was going to the beach with Kim and she was going with Steffi on the tram. We thought they looked French and they were bathing suits so we decided to follow them and it turns out they thought the same about us….thus a friendship blossomed. In the past four months Lucy and I became really good friends she’s just one of those people who is so incredibly friendly (in fact I’m pretty sure everyone in the Erasmus program knows her or of her) and funny and smart (she’s also a Politial Science/Law major). It was through her that I learned my quintessential Romanian words like boochie and pon a la fonde! My love of Alexandra Stan other Romanian pop singers was fostered through our friendship and I now know I have to visit Timisoara! I became so close with AM through all of our travels but also our like mindedness. I really feel like she’s going be one of those friends I keep for good because well one as she goes to U of A it’s already been decided she’s going to meet my twin brother fall in love and become my sister in law but haha all jokes aside she’s just an awesome person so nice and genuine and up for a good time (unless she’s already changed into her pajamas in which case good luck). Megan I really got to know after England and Ireland and while it was already 2 months into our study abroad experience I think things happen for a reason. She’s an incredibly carefree person and I wish in many ways I could be the same. I think after spending time with her it’s taught me to loosen up a bit and realize it’s sometimes good to not care what everyone thinks of you. You want to cry in the middle of the Place de la Comedie then you do it. You want to prance on the Cliffs of Moher then go ahead just be careful not to slip on the mud. Kim and I were super close in the first couple of months in Montpellier towards the last 2 we didn’t spend nearly as much time together what with her having an AWESOME Irish boyfriend and my own schedule but she’s also someone I see myself skyping with in the future because she’s just such a great person. Always willing to listen give advice and most importantly supportive. Finally it wouldn’t be right not to include Optimus as the number 1 reason why I will miss Montpellier. He is the most incredible guy I have ever accidentally looked at at Obar. Haha all jokes aside though I seriously know my 4 months in Montpellier wouldn’t have been the same without him. To sum up our relationship is impossible it would just be a list of inside jokes like Gingy the Asian Giraffe and Borbora the he/she pillow, the little invalid kiss, the argument over Mike Tyson vs. Mohhamed Ali (we all know Ali takes the crown), the number of nuclear power plants in France vs. U.S. and the yawning game….to list a few. He showed me not to be so judgmental when I was undergoing my comparison stage of America vs. France and improved my French slang immensely what a chaud lapin! ;) He’s just a great guy I’m so thankful to call my own and it sure as hell makes me happy I chose the south of France over Rome or something. Might I add it’s funny that I’m talking about missing Montpellier and this turned into the people I’m going to miss I’ll get to the stuff about Montpellier. I will miss kebabs, Americans with hot French fries, riding the tram without validating my ticket, the H&M that probably sells the same exact things in America but it’s “French”, watching tv and movies at 4 am because it’s the only time the internet isn’t too busy to function, saying “Qu’est que tu as dit?”, getting told I’m charming or my French is good as a way of flirting (such a joke), hot guaffres with lots of nutella, 2 euro bottles of wine, the cured sausage from Spain, Chambre 60, Dirty Jesus, O bar, Down on Me by Jeremiah, Panama, red lipstick, the sweater dress that is only acceptable to wear in Europe, ERASMUS!!!, Judith and Andre’s tough love and too many other things to list… can  I just say everything? I am so thankful for it all and I wish I could have it forever but unfortunately reality I mean Loyola does call. As I said in the title though it’s never aurevoir or goodbye it’s just a see you later or a bientot Montpellier!! Je te kiffe gravemment! <3