Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Swimming!!!

Today I went swimming for the first time in a pool in a foreign country... and for the first time in over 2 years. It was awesome!! At first it was a little intimidating... I didn't really know how the whole place worked. For starters... there were about 5 floors of showers and baths and pools. First you had to go to the locker room to change... you go in one side, lock the door and go out the other side. Apparently after swimming you are meant to go an ask the ''guy'' (... it doesn't sound right to call him a concierge in a swimming pool locker room)... to open your cabin. Interesting system.

Then there was finding the actual swimming pool. I could hear the kids a mile away... but the echo was really bad so I still didn't know where the pool was. Ok... so found the pool... found a free lane... jumped into really really really nice heated water and did some laps.

There was 2 classes of kids in the pool training... made me think back to my days in the pool. Such a familiar atmosphere. Then some of the kids started jumping in my lane... apparently only to say ''Vous etes un tres bon nageur, madame'' (you are a very good swimmer)... they were very cute.

I'm going back tomorrow.

XOXO Jess.

p.s. forgot to mention that it was the first time that I have ever been swimming on the third floor of a building also!!

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

One ending and one beginning

One Ending.

Paris. My year + 2 days ended yesterday with my departure from one of the most beautiful cities in the world. In a few days I will be asking myself if it was all a dream, if it really happened at all. What am I going to do without the metro? What am I going do to without the bonjourers?What will I do without my bustling street, avoiding beggars, and walking past historic places at every moment? Without crepes, trolley chestnuts and bootleg fruitstores? Without Alcatel cafeteria food for lunch? There are sooooo many things that I will miss about Paris, not to mention the trainees and friends that I have made there. What a year.

One Beginning.

I have moved to Brussels. I will be here until December 24th, when I will finally fly home to Brisvegas. A 'new' city... but not a long time to really discover it. So far I have re-discovered my talent (not) for chess, and love of cheap food and coffee. So much cheaper than Paris. Email me if you will be in town!!

XOXO Jess.