Awkward and Awesome Thursday: Vive la France!

Awkward:

• The usually breathtaking Palaise du Longchamp being under construction the one day we're in France. I had basically dislocated my hip walking up the hill to this castle in heels, so I was pretty disappointed. Guess we'll just have to go back sometime!
• Also, my hip. I am way too young for this.
• Being happy about getting holes in my clothes because it means I can throw them out instead of trying to pack them back up next month!
• The combination of head cold and throat cancer that is the French language. I . . . I mean, yes, honey, of course all languages are beautiful . . .
• Remember how I just said in last week's A&A that I hadn't had an IC flare-up in forever? I guess they were saving up, because Saturday night marks the worst flare I have ever had in my life.
• Getting up at 5:30am to catch a 6:20 train that would get us back to Avila in time for 4.5 hours of classes.
• Not a single street light on the street where our hostel was located. Sketchiest ever!
• The look of disgust we got from every French person who realized we a) did not speak French and b) were Americans.
• The blasted cold weather here while Rochester basks in 80-degree rays!
• Forgetting to post this awesome list of creative, must-try date ideas to Facebook and Twitter yesterday.

Awesome:

• Taking a romantic day trip to France with my hubby. A day trip. To France. For just a day. Just because we can!
• The couldn't-have-wished-for-better weather in Marseilles while it was raining here in Spain :-)
• Seaside cities/towns. I can't get enough of that salty sea air.
• A tourist train around the coast of France and up to the Notre Dame de la Garde. Such beautiful Mediterranean views.
• Growing up without TV. Now I feel so spoiled whenever I stay anywhere that has cable!
• Interview with Eugenio Merino today! (via email, ho-hum) Would ave been nice to meet him in person. He's causing quite a stir here.
• Shorts. When I can wear them.
• Getting offered a job as a writing tutor back at Roberts. I've wanted to do this for so long!
• The lovely Maria letting us crash at her place in Madrid while we waited to catch our mad early train. Hope to see you again really soon, girl!
• Gourmet dinner on the French Riviera Tuesday night. Yeah, that happened. 
• Going home to our loved ones in less than a month :-)