my first encounter with gypsies

We ended up going to church at Saint Pierre, which was beautiful. We then chose to save the museum for another day, and headed for the beach. THE RUMORS ARE TRUE: many women do not find it necessary to wear the tops of their bathing suit...and let me assure you, it is the ones who need it most who find this article of clothing unnecessary. Gross.

The beach was wonderful though, and the water was actually blue as opposed to the green-brown I am used to : P We spent all afternoon at the beach, which was quite relaxing when compared to the trip home...

Returning home from the beach includes about a 15 minute bus ride followed by a 5 minute tram ride. On the tram, we were visiting with a man from the nearby port town, Marseilles. Suddenly, we heard a lot of shouting. A few rows behind us, a 20-ish year old French woman was being attacked by a gang of gypsy children (paul, they look like cholos!). There were punches flying, people spitting, and I even got some water (or at least I hope it was water) squirted on me. This brawl went on in this small bus for about 5 minutes, until the bus driver pulled off to the side of the road, where he had apparently called police to meet us. The police intervened and escorted the French woman away safely as the gypsy children cheered and shouted POULET, meaning chicken :)

Slightly in shock, we finally reached the stop to switch to the tram. I was not happy when I saw that the gang was switching to the tram as well. As soon as we boarded, they began messing with a homeless man. They took his hat and began throwing it around. They even (you will like this mom) began teasing his dog. I guess this truly was the mans best friend because he responded by kicking the little s**t head (pardon my french) square in the face! The police arrived again, and the little gypsies went a-runnin. I returned to my host home feeling, I guess what some would call, CULTURE SHOCK. I had a great dinner with my host family, watched the European Parliament elections, read my book up on the terrace, and then went to sleep.

This morning, classes began. I have class with one of the UGA professors from 9-11:30 to begin. It is a class called "Midi," which is a nickname for the south of France. We will learn all about geography, culture, etc, as well as take a few "mandatory" excursions...I think that is the BEST "mandatory" event anyone has ever tried to impose on me.

We then have a break for 3.5 hours, in which I will probably grab lunch and go do things around town with the group, which, FYI the group is awesome. All of us are very unlike, yet mesh particularly well together.

After the break, I have another class from 2-4:30. This will be on M,W,F: a class at Accent Francais, the local language school where individuals from all different countries come to study the French language. On T,Th: our class is with Teaching Assistants from UGA (students studying for their masters degree) in which we will experience different attractions in
Montpellier (museums, cheese and wine tasting, etc). Should be great, but we have not had that class yet so I cannot write much about it.

Since today was Monday, we had our class at Accent Francais. We began by taking a placement written and oral exam to determine if we are to be pleaced in the intermediate or superior class. I was very excited when I was then placed in the superior class! It should be challenging, yet equally rewarding.

When classes finished, I headed to the center of town with some friends to work on our homework at a cafe. Then here, to the stinkin internet cafe that I have to come to in order to use a computer. It is, as Kevin would say, "wicked lame," and might I add "anti-clutch."

Well, I need to get going, I think my minutes are running out. BISOUS!

ps mom, here is a term for you "des crottes" -- it means poop that dogs leave behind in the road. arent you happy that out of the whole beautiful French language that that is the word that makes me think of you?! ... ;)