My Homestay and My Last/Best Field Trip

On Tuesday we found out where we will be living for the next few months. Some were lucky, some not so much. I would consider myself lucky. I'm living in the 16th Arrondissement. My teacher says it's the "tres chic" (very chic) part of Paris. Wikipedia says "the 16th arrondissement is commonly thought to be the richest part of Paris, and features some of the most expensive real estate in France". Excited. My host family is a woman with 3 children who no longer live at home. The youngest of which is a 23 year old male who will be going abroad by the time I get there. So it will just be me and the lady. More importantly, I have internet access. Yes. That's right. She has the "weefee" or as we Americans like to call it "wifi". We will have to take taxis to our homes and pay for them ourselves. Ugh. Taxis.
On Wednesday I went on what most might consider the best field trip. Ever. The day was rainy and grim and I was not looking forward to trouncing about the 18eme Arrondissement in Paris. Little did I know what was ahead of me. Our first stop was a Fromagerie (a "cheeserie" if you will). We were educated in french on the different types of cheese: cow, goat, sheep, old, young, etc. We were also given some delicious and some stinky samples. Our teacher purchased a few cheeses and we were on our way again. We then came to a wine shop. We were each poured a sample of wine and instructed how to taste it by the owners. It was at the common drinking hour of 10:30 AM. Our teacher purchased a couple bottles and we were on our way again. Next we came to the Boulangerie (bakery) which sold the "best baguette in Paris 2007" which is served to the President everyday. I bought the most chocolately delicious pastrie I've ever eaten. God sent I believe. My teacher purchased some baguettes and we were on our way to our final desitnation: next door. The chocolaterie. We learned about the macaroons and the petits bon bons. We were allowed to buy some if we wanted and I bought some delish bon bons.
We then returned to the "centre" or our school and we had a feast. We cracked open the wine and the cheese and the bread and had a little party in our classroom. I had a couple cups of wine with my teacher which loosened me up for my 30 minute evaluation with her. It was great. All in all a great educational experience. Paris.
Move in day is tomorrow. I will keep you all posted. Love and miss everyone!