MADAME! THIS is Versailles.....

This blog really is not about Versailles, its just a quote from the movie Marie Antoinette that I found amusing. Life in Grenoble has been pretty quiet the past few days because we are on spring break and everyone is off exploring Europe! I am leaving for London this Friday, and unfortunately, I will only be there for the weekend. But I am very happy that I am going, even if it is for a short time. Its more London than I had before! The last two days I have gone running in the morning, which I think is a great way to start the day! Yesterday I went to the museum of the Resistance and Deportation of Grenoble during WWII, which I found very interesting. I never really realized how divided France was during WWII- the Vichy government wanted to collaborate with Germany, and there were French Gestapo and secret police, much like the Germans. Anti-semitism was present and alive in France. Thousads of French Jews were also sent to the concentration camps. But there was also a group called the Resistance, and these people (as their name clearly alludes) wanted to resist Germany. Thousands more French died rather fighting in battle for France, or were arrested and executed for being Resistors. Ok kids, thats all the history for today! Don't forget to read Ch.5 tonight in your social studies book! Really- I do apologize for my inner history nerd interrupting my blog. Point being, Grenoble had a significant impact on WWII, and was heavily impacted. There is an Italian district here, and it was formed after WWI when Italians wanted to escape the growing Fascism in Italy, and they continued to emigrate after WWII. As a result, Grenoble has an entire street of pizzarias. My host father's father was Italian, and my host mother's mother came to France from Germany after the war. Neither of their parents ever returned to their homelands. After my historic rendez-vous, I met up with Leo, who I am now dating, whatever that may mean, and we strolled around Grenoble. It was super cold yesterday, with horrible winds, but we I still love the company! He and I met at a social for inernational students, and we have been inseparable ever since. I am cooking him and his friends a traditional American meal tonight. I have no idea what, but I will figure something out!! Until next time, xxxxx