Culture Shock is a weird thing. Up’s and downs, jet lag, stress, frustration, confusion, bewilderment … these are all emotions that are floating around when they fly to a place out of their element. I’ve read about it, meditated about it, decided I wanted to do this program and prepared myself for it. But there is nothing like this at all nor that I think can prepare you for what’s really in store. Those words mean little to what we are experiencing. It’s extremely overwhelming. Everything is different and new, every situation is new and often awkward. It’s like trying to walk when you think you already know how to walk. You have to do everything from scratch. On the bright side, since everything is new, I’m learning a ton. Everything is a hurdle, just trying to buy a drink … pointing and grunting is almost easier then murdering the French language. I’m starting to realize that just trying gives me a bit more respect then the dumb American way. The language is just starting to click with me, I have some basics down. I’m just trying to build off of that to get into minor conversation.

I’ve noticed a lot about the French and made some initial conclusions:
Small Portions and not just food
Everything is smaller. From Coke to cars to toilet paper … smaller … everything. The only thing bigger is how much they use their horn while driving.
Their body language makes them seem more emotional / dramatic.
Everything is important, everything is stressed, you’ll what I mean when you get here.
The French are crazy …
Extremely crazy, while looking for parking near the school … we were in this tiny little Nissan with a 3 or maybe a 4 cylinder car FLYING around super tight roads. And if that isn’t enough they party like there is no tomorrow.
Their wine I amazing!!!