CHRISTMAS DAY. FRANCE. 2012
Normally in Oz, Taylah and I would have a sleepover, tell silly jokes from when we were 6, sneak out and see what Santa bought us in the early hours of the morning and then wait for a reasonably hour to wake mum and dad up! Was definitely going to be a lot different this year!
Although I still woke up at an unreasonable time, no one else did... so I waited for about 3 hours in my room, eager to bounce down stairs!
At about 10, we all started ripping into our presents.. set in the spot where we had left our name card under the tree:) everyone has there name cut out of paper, and a certain spot under the tree and that's where all your presents go:) have uploaded pics! Cool idea I thought!
I was spoilt rotten! :D and all my host family loooove their Aussi presents! Going to have to try teach Damien how to play AFL though and I barely know myself... Hahah
We then hurried to shovel down some breaky and get dressed because it was soon time to head off to Hervé's parents. Here, everyone opened more presents and then we all had a drink and enjoyed some pineapple:)
Then, moved onto Maryse's parents, where we spent the remainder of the day. 33 relatives altogether, was huge! So many people talking French, and talking it very fast! Took every ounce of my concentration to catch onto the topic of the conversations going on around me! but was good, in my head I was constantly saying 'oh I know that word!' and 'Ooh I understood that whole sentence!' Which means I'm learning, yay!
So first up, presents of course, followed by a toast made by 'Papi' (Maryse's father) with some yummy champagne.
Lunch was really nice, ate pretty much the same food as we do in Oz :)
Went home for 15 minutes at about 7.45 and the returned for some soup and left over turkey for dinner.
Finally in bed after a very nice, very long day! :)
Although nothing will ever beat Christmas with my fam!!(hope that comment gets me brownie points...) , it was so good to be able to experience something different, to see how they do it on the other side of the world, with some lovely people:)
So all up, I had a great French Christmas! :D
and to top that, heading to Paris tomorrow for four days!
...have my tissues ready for when I see the Eiffel Tower. OH MY GOD, the excitement!!!!!!
xxxx