Sister in the City

I meant to get a post up before the weekend, but then realized that there wasn't really anything for me to blog about.  So, as per the usual, all my blog-worthy exploits took place over the weekend.  Surprise!

First, I went to a JA activity on Friday (Jeunes adultes = Young single adults...also, in English we say 'single', which is whatever.  But in France, if they want to distinguish between young adults and young SINGLE adults, they say jeunes adultes seuls...'seul' means alone.  Young alone adults...young lonely adults.  This is depressing hahaha) We ate raclette, which is basically potatoes and various deli meats all covered in melted Swiss cheese (but good, actual Swiss cheeses, not "Swiss" cheese).  It's amazing.

Yay for one other person noticing my selfie

We also watched the CES devotional because we couldn't watch it live due to the time difference and language...but then, get this, we end up watching it in English anyway because almost all of the JA speak English and there's a girl here from the states who doesn't really speak French...so that was...a bonus? I'm still not sure how I feel on the matter...

This weekend also happened to be les journees du patrimoine. This is essentially European Heritage Day, but spread out over the weekend.  "What does this entail, Michael?" Well I will tell you.  Basically all the things are open.  ALL THE THINGS!!

        

This gif may have gotten a little out of hand.  Also, I finally discovered this "caption" thing.  Sweet.

All the sites that aren't usually open to the public (military bases, science places, something else that rhymes with -aces) are open for tours and general heritage-ness.  I visited the American cemetery of Suresnes (mostly soldiers from World War I) and an old fort that the Germans had occupied during WWII (Fort du Mont Valerien).

I can't really express what I felt here, so I won't try.

   
The fort was also really amazing; I learned about underground bunker/powder-storing areas, carrier pigeons, executions, and all sorts of military tech.  It was really eye-opening as far as what Europeans (especially the French, in this case) went through during those two wars.  

In the foreground is Antoine, my host dad.  Here we are in an underground "poudriere".  Literally a powder keg, but more likely a location for storing black powder.

  
Finally, my weekend closed with the arrival of my sister, Tacy, who's been traipsing around the Mediterranean basin (sort of) and decided to pay me a visit.

Yay for sibling time!

Can't wait for this week to really get started! Happy Monday, evil though it may be.