Stage à Voile

So the week long boating trip with my school has ended (sadly) but I've definitely learned a lot, like some slang French words for stomach, and how to sail a catamaran.

Monday morning, after school photos, the bus left, loaded up with all the Premiere class students (that's Juniors, in America). After a drive of about two hours, we reached Biscarosse, a lake town with a sailing school! I paired up with a friend, Francois, and we both decided to learn to sail catamaran, which was definitely a unique experience.

At first the week seemed really daunting. I mean, I was away from my host home, surrounded by dozens of kids who all spoke another language. Things got better, however, and I think the experience helped me to understand what people are saying, and follow conversations.

And did I mention I learned to sail? Oh yeah, I can set up the boat, steer, turn, adjust the sails for the direction of the wind, and even hang out over the water suspended by a wire attached to the mast, to maintain the equilibrium as the boat goes speeding across the water. I'm pretty pleased with myself.

And, on the bus ride back, I sat with Rafaele, who helped me learn some new vocabulary by teaching me the words of the bus, and then of course quizzing me on them later. Now I know all sorts of useful French words for net, ashtray, handle, and window. Hooray!