This past month there was a get together with all the students of the district in a town called Nancy, to celebrate St. Nicolas, the celebration of French/German origin that semi replaces Christmas. (It's really cool because since my name is Niklas, and the French translate it to Nicolas, it's basically my second birthday, or is celebrated as such in any case!)
It was a really cool gathering, mostly because of the fireworks show they had on the Saturday night. They had two video projectors in the city square, projecting the story of St. Nicolas, and fireworks at specific times during the video presentation, accentuating it. It was really cool to see.
The festival of St. Nicolas gives me a pretty good segue into Christmas, and the two week break from school. I was really lucky to get hosted by a family that spends every Christmas break in the French alps. This year I spent two weeks (including Christmas and New Years) skiing and enjoying the view of what could possibly be the most beautiful mountain range in the world.
The actual celebration of Christmas, which I spent with my host family, cousin, and grandmother, was therefore a little bit different from what would normally be the French traditions at Christmas. However there was still the Foie Gras, which is the liver of Duck that has been specifically fattened. Sounds gross, I know, but it's actually super delicious. To go with that there's usually a fig jam, and lots of appetizers.
Speaking of appetizers, segue to New Years!
New Years eve was really fun. I spent it with my host family and another family, who are friends of my host family. We spent the night eating appetizers, chatting, and watching a T.V. show called "Decembre 31; tout est permi" which is basically a mixture of sharades, dare, and Saturday Night Live.
A few minutes before midnight, we get a skype call from Julie, the daughter of my host family who herself is an exchange student in New York at the moment. So we chatted with her until it was the countdown, and she was the first person to whom we wished a happy new year. It was really sweet actually, because I know she's been having a difficult time with homesickness what with it being the Christmas season and all. So at midnight we all wished each other a Happy New Years, and even though I know it's technically not allowed, I had a glass of French champagne to celebrate.
I already knew that I was never going to forget my year here, but now I'm sure of it. So I just wanted to thank you guys back home, and everyone in France for giving me this amazing opportunity, I cannot begin to tell you how thankful I am.
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