Oh jeeez..

So, I've been on some adventures since I wrote last.

On Saturday, as planned, I journeyed to Nimes with a few friends and program assistants for Feria Nimes. It's a large festival and all night party surrounding the big event: the Corrida (bullfight) in the ancient arena.

So, bullfights. Not really my thing.

I can see the conversation between the matador and his mother going like this.
"Hi honey, what did you do today?"
"Oh gee mom! I ritually executed 7 bulls in the ancient arena!"

That's pretty much what happened. The dance between the matador and the bull was captivating to be sure. There is great skill involved...but the poking and prodding and blood, and final kill and drag off was just cruel. One bull wouldn't die, after the fatal blow, he fell to the ground, but stood back up and made a slow walk around the arena before falling and dying. It was hard to watch. The judges allowed to matador to kill a 7th, but my group left after 6.

Then, a larger group of 8 went to Alexandra's (assistant) apartment for drinks and conversation...and the drinking game (circle of death, kings, categories. or whatever you want to call it) commenced.
Well, we lost track of time, and, realizing that the train was coming soon (leaving at 11:20), starting to walk (stumble) to the train station. We all had the grand idea to run when the clock struck 11:18. We reached the station just in time for Peter and Mike ( the fastest runners) to watch the train depart from the station. Whooooops.

So, our happy crew made the best of the situation and wandered back down to the feria to grab another bite to eat. Then we wandered back to Alexandra's (small) apartment where we all grabbed a spot on the floor and settled down for the night with a pillow and a blanket. At exactly 5 am...yes, 5am, we hauled our sorry butts back to the train station...which was by this time surrounded by a moat of vomit ....ewww.
This story does have a happy ending however...we did catch the 5:55am back to Montpellier without incident and arrived in time to go back to bed in my big bed at 6:30. Gooood times.

Meanwhile, after saturday, my week has been pretty uneventful thus far. Yesterday however, some friends and I went down to the Shakespeare pub for Quiz Night! My friend Abby and I held down our team "Bad News Bears" and came in 5th out of more than 10! go us. I also unsuccessfully flirted with the bartender, but hey, it was a good night.

Well, I'm off to cook dinner for my host family. Take care all,

More adventures to come,
Becca