Rain, Rain, GO AWAY

Thursday June 16th, 2016

Another day on the Riviera, another sporadic torrential downpour followed by sunshine. Today we napped and ate, and napped some more, then ate some more. Really embracing French culture... So, it was a down day, everyone needs those every once in a while. Especially after a night that I will remember for the rest of my life. Everyone on this trip is absolutely amazing and so unique that no matter who you decide to talk to, something interesting and an instant friendship comes out of it. Last night we watched the France-Albania soccer game at a bar around the corner from our residence. Alongside nearly all of the students on my program (57 people) were around another 50~ French cheering on their country to a 2-0 win! The pure excitement and happiness was overwhelmingly felt as we sat their enjoy a drink with the locals.

Grace, Andrew, Na'Im, myself and Julie at the local bar Zapato

After the game ended a group of us went to the beach to just enjoy the rest of the night hours (super early morning, oops.) But really it was such a "When in France" night. Why not embrace this incredible location by jumping into the Mediterranean Ocean at 2 in the morning?? As a group we jumped together, and then Hawk had the wonderful idea of individually jumping while shouting out something we want to give up or change in our life. Honestly, it was so freeing and adrenaline spiking (and cold as ...) but oh so worth it. It was like a cleanse, a fresh start, an experience that we'll never forget. It was a glimpse of what is to come these next few weeks as the Festival begins and we learn more about ourselves, our futures and those around us. Special shoutout to the crazies that jumped with me: Hawk, Andrew and Kaitlyn (from UGA), Mike (from Mercer), and Jose and Robson (from Ringling).

You know when you meet people and think "we're going to be friends forever," well, I just think we may have found that. And in only four incredible laughter filled days. One night we get stuck in a French elevator, the next we jump in the ocean at 2 AM, and now we are heading to Monaco to experience the glitz and the glam of Monte Carlo. Who knows what shenanigans life will throw at us tonight!

xo,
Shan