Denmark 2012/2013: Reunion Lyonnais

There's nothing better than seeing your family again after two years apart. Less than a week after my return from a fantastic trip to Sweden, I hopped on another plane to my second home in France. It was a long day of traveling, but the felicity of reuniting with my French family was completely worth the nine-hour layover in Frankfurt.

For those of you who don't know, two years ago I participated on a three month reciprocal exchange to Lyon, France. I had a French girl named Laura come and live with me for three months in Canada and then I went and stayed with her and her family for three months. Laura became one of my best friends and needless to say her family truly became my family.

It was a busy, but great week, with trips to Lyon, a medieval castle, Geneva and also reconnecting with old friends from school.

Naturally we spent quite a bit of our time in Lyon. It's fifteen minutes away and full of things to do and places to see. Visiting a city I'd come to know quite well for a second time was also an interesting experience.

Laura and I in a traboule.

Vieux Lyon with the Salesses.

Up on the ferris wheel in Place Bellecour, with a great view of the city.

The next part of my trip was spent exploring some of the surrounding areas. We decided to visit a medieval castle, but not before eating a flavourful lunch of frogs legs... ribbit!

Frogs legs. You must be patient and industrious to eat this delectable French specialty.

Laura showing us the castle from afar.

Laura and I in the courtyard of one of France's many castles.

My week long French vacation was not solely in France. Linda (host mom), Laura and I took an overnight trip to the Geneva to visit Elsa (another host sister) who's living and working there. I had previously been to Geneva, but only for a fifteen minute pit stop, so I wast excited for the chance to really get to see this beautiful city nestled on the edge of "Lac Léman".

Our first day in Geneva started off with a tour of the UN headquarters. For me this was the highlight of my entire trip. Upon clearing security and entering the building, you can immediately sense the international atmosphere-all of the employees at the front desk spoke multiple languages. Furthermore on the guided tour--which we took in French, our tour guide's fourth language-- you get to see a handful of diplomats from all over the world just doing their jobs. It was an engrossing hour to say the least.