Day 23- Home at last

MONDAY 2ND FEBRUARY 2009

-MELBOURNE, 24+

After a long 8hr flight with terrible food and next to no sleep we touched down in Melbourne, all glad to be back on Aussie soil. Got through customs very wuickle and came through the doors to see Emily, Mum, Dad and Sam waiting there for me. Emily ran up and gave me and massive hug and then I had another cry as I hugged everyone else, it was so great to see them all!

The trip was amazing, I loved every minute of it, even if some of the excursions weren't the greatest, it was so good to be in a totally different country with a different culture and different language, and just an amazing experience overall. I'm so thankful to Mum and Dad for sending me on the trip, it was the best time of my life!! While I can't pinpoint exactly what was the best part, I do know that I would do it all over again if given the chance. Travelling overseas has made me feel so much more mature and independant, and makes me want to go travelling all over the world as soon as I can.

At 16 years of age, I went to France, England and Belgium with my friends and had the time of my life- you can't get much better than that!

Day 22- Depart

SUNDAY 1ST FEBURARY 2009

-ARRAS/KUALA LUMPAR, -3/24+

Had to get up at 5.30am to leave at 6.30am, but I didn't want to go!! Got to the train station (Gare d'Arras) after saying "Au Revoir" to Maxime and Celine the night before, as only Cami and her parents came to the station. Was very sad as I said goodbye and thanked them, had a bit of a cry, but promised them that I will come back!! Caught the train to Paris and got on the plane, after hanging out at Macca's, for the 1st and very long flight (13hrs) from Charles de Gaulle to Kuala Lumpar. We managed to entertain ourselves with Uno, the movies and attempting to sleep. Got to Kuala Lumpar on 10mins sleep so slept for 2hrs on a bench at the gate, then boarded the 2nd and final flight back home to Melbourne YAY!

Day 21- Last day

SATURDAY 31ST JANUARY 2009
-ARRAS, 3+

Last day in Arras, I don't want to leave!! Slept in until about 10.30am, then had breakie and spent some time on the Pc until we got picked up by Marie and Lisa at 2pm to go shopping :) Also picked up Claire and Alex Baker, and then drove to this shopping centte about 30mins out of Arras. They don't have many shopping centres in France, so it's always a bit of a big deal for them when they go. Went into Zara (AWESOME SHOP) and spent the very last of my euros- got 2 cardigans and a tee, all for only $30 euros!! Was happy with that, and then we went to the supermarket which was insanely huge. We don't have anything like it in Australia, the only thing I can relate it to in size is a Bunnings- but filled with groceries and had about 50 checkouts! All us Aussie's just couldn't believe how massive it was!! Then we went back to Marie's for a little bit and then back to Cami's. Luca and Marie's families came over for dinner, which was just lots of finger food, a lot of which was not so good- for instance Pate on bread which they tried to tell us wasn't Pate, but then explained that it was the insides of a duck. NO THANK YOU! We all chilled around, then all the Frenchies held Alex down and tied his feet together so they could tickle him, it was very funny. After they left I slept in Cami's bed and we discussed how Emily and I are going to stay at her house in 2011 when we travel o/s! Don't want to leave, I love France!

Day 20- The Loft

FRIDAY 30TH JANUARY 2009

-ARRAS, -3 - +5

This morning was absolutely FREEZING! Drove to school and there was ice on all the footpathes and windows and windscreen, could hardly see out, driving was a little scary.. Got to school, our last day in Arras! But we weren't there for lond, went to a memorial/cave thing at about 9.30am which was cool. Got to wear headphnes and we took a lift underground to where soldiers lived/worked during WWI and WWII- in caves and tunnels under the town. Was really interesting, can't imagine what it must've been like to stay down there for weeks on end, it wouldv'e been horrible. After that we walked to the TAFE-type campus of the school and had lunch at their restaurant where the students make the meals and serve etc. Was very delicious- salad with tuna, then veal schnitzel, then coffee/cream/chocolate mousse!! Was all very nice :)

We then walked to the town hall in Arras and went underneath to 'Les Boves' which are the tunnels and caves and cellars underneath the town hall and town squares. Was very dark and damp and wet down there, and incredibly humid- 80%! Was a little gross. These, like the other tunnels, were used by town civilians also during the wars. Cami then met me at the town hall with a friend and we walked around Arras for a little bit. I bought some presents (yay!) and a Longchamp bag! I got it in chocolate brown and I'm very happy with it. After that we went back to the school and chilled in the common room until 7pm cos then we had a farewell dinner at the school with all the Australians and the Frenchies and their families. Dinner was delicious, Camille's mum made the awesome pasta again and everyone loved it! I was lucky and got seconds hahahaha. After dinner we went to....

THE LOFT!! (FRENCH NIGHTCLUB) Omg it was so good, we got there and got straight on the dancefloor and danced sooo much it was so much fun!! Cannot believe that I went clubbing in France, that's amazing!! (In France you can go clubbing at 16) Slept in Cami's room and we talked- 2nd last night in France :(