“Live for the moments you can’t put into words.” Living abroad has done just that, leaving me speechless and struggling to find words to describe these life-enriching experiences. From remaining undefeated with my volleyball team, to exploring as well as absorbing the culture and finally driving a manual on my own, these are all unique experiences that I will cherish forever. So I will leave you with some pictures and highlights from over the last two months of being abroad.
Because the main reason I’m here, volleyball: Our team has remained undefeated, making us 9-0 so far this season! 💪🏼 Although the sport system is totally different here in France compared to the USA, it still has been an exceptional learning experience. I hope that I represent the American way well in our practices and games. Allez les filles!
Volleyball continues to provide way more than just the pleasure of playing the game. It allows me to meet friends from around the world, develop special lifelong friendships, provides family while being away from home, teaches me mental resilience, I could go on and on. I have missed this so much over the past three years after graduating from college and it feels SO good to be back. #Thankful
When I’m not playing volleyball or eating fresh baguettes, I try my best to study French as often as possible. I have continued my French lessons with my teacher and she actually bumped up the classes to 2 hours each session. So spending 4 hours a week with her has been grand (because we could literally talk for days!). The fact that she has lived in the United States and loves TJ Maxx just as much as I do, gives us more things in common. I thoroughly enjoy my time with her and I am thankful for our developing friendship as well. 
Besides being a great French teacher, I discovered that she is also a great cook! She offered to host a Thanksgiving meal this year since I was here. We planned the menu in advance, then spent over 5 hours cooking together on the Saturday following Thanksgiving. I made sure we had the Thanksgiving essentials such as deviled eggs, green bean casserole and pumpkin pie. (We made do with a chicken since turkey is not sold until Christmastime) Although it was challenging to find all exact ingredients in the markets, we managed to make it work and the meal turned out just as if I were at home in the USA! 
She and her family enjoyed the American touch just as much as I enjoyed the French touch to our Thanksgiving meal. They especially enjoyed the pumpkin pie (since it is not well known in France.) Such a neat experience to feel warm, welcomed and at home although being (4,500+ miles) away from home. This was definitely an unforgettable day, I have so much to be thankful for!
Beside French lessons, volleyball and my typical house chores and cooking, I have enjoyed exploring in my free time:
Different Foods such as a traditional French meal served in the winter time called Raclette. It consists of boiled potatoes, smothered in this special, majestic type of cheese that you freshly melt (with this device used only for Raclette), served with pickles, cherry tomatoes, salad, and meat. Wow my mouth is watering just writing this. Besides baguettes, I’m not sure how I will survive in the USA without Raclette!
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Going grocery shopping is also an experience in itself, everything is so different. For example, they have what seems like isles and isles of just cheese in which some people would imagine heaven to look like this. But unfortunately most markets have fresh fish so as soon as you walk into the market you are hit with the aroma of fish, which isn’t always so pleasant.
I enjoy discovering delightful boulangeries/ patisseries. This is definitely something that we need back home- a place to buy fresh bread made on the daily. 
Clos Lucé: I had been begging my teammates to see if anyone would want to explore a nearby castle with me on an off day. Most of my teammates work or study full time so they have little free time. I was thrilled when a couple of them said we could go! So one Saturday we drove to Amboise, a city located along The Loire river (like Tours) where Clos Lucé is located. Clos Lucé is a château (castle) and is famous for being the home of Leonardo da Vinci for the last 3 years of his life. 
We explored the Château and the gardens and I learned more about Leonardo da Vinci. And of course we had to snap a selfie with the fake Mona Lisa located in his dining room.
After exploring the castle we stopped at a little cafe in Amboise where I discovered the world’s best homemade hot chocolate. I will most definitely be making the drive back just for that! Before returning back home, I just snapped a picture from afar of another well known Loire Valley Château, Amboise.
Pro Men’s Volleyball: The city of Tours has a professional men’s volleyball team, called TBV. I have been to a couple of the games so far and they are super entertaining and pretty easy on the eyes as well. 
My ]My ]My team was able to get VIP tickets which allowed us to have free cocktails before and after the match as well as meet the players. 
Here I am pictured with a fellow American that plays for TBV. Never have I ever felt so short (or stood next to someone that was 6’8”)!
Champs Élysées in Paris: One day, my coach had a meeting in Paris so I went along with her to roam around. Paris is about a 2.5 hour drive from Tours. I explored the world famous and beautiful Champs Élysées and Arc de Triomphe. Walking along some of these shops made me feel super poor, but I’d rather be culture rich anyways! 
Luckily there were no Gilets Jaune (protestors that wear yellow jackets) on this day but they (unfortunately) did some damage to many of the buildings earlier in the week: 
I had a great time exploring on my own for the short amount of time I had there. I hope to be back in Paris soon for more exploring!
Tours Christmas Markets: I watched the city of Tours transition from the beautiful colors of fall to a magically decorated Christmas town. 
The city is officially lit and decorated in everything Christmas!
The city really knows how to put one into the Christmas spirit! Speaking of Christmastime, this weekend, I am going to the world famous Strasbourg Christmas market with a new friend that I met. I am looking forward to seeing all the markets and drinking all of the Vin Chaud!
I hope you enjoy following along with me on my adventures! Until next time, bisous!
The Aud Blog 