Ivan’s Journals

November 27, 2025

When “them” becomes “us”

You wouldn't believe how easy it is here to greet people. In fact, saying hello and goodbye is somewhat of a cultural ritual—one I've grown to appreciate and practice myself. Another family tradition I truly enjoy is movie nights with my siblings, where we share moments of suspense, terror, or delight while enjoying dinner together.

Seeing the vast and expansive ocean from above, while smelling wild thyme and rosemary, is truly remarkable. Combine that with the surrounding mountains, covered in brown-green shrubs and pines, and overlooking a winding road leading to a picturesque city, and you have created paradise. This was my experience stopping along the Route des Crêtes, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and the cities of Cassis and La Ciotat. On the journey to Marseille, my host family and I traversed France from one end to the other in a single night to visit my host grandparents. There, I also tried my luck on a high ropes course, complete with zip lines and challenging obstacles, swinging from one rope to another high above the ground. Another breathtaking experience was hiking up one of the hills surrounding Marseille to take in a panoramic view of the city, Marignane, the Mediterranean, and the Berre lagoon all at once.

Afterward, we traveled near Bordeaux to visit my host's great-grandmother. There, I observed how the scenery changed from an arid, temperate land with high hills covered in pearly white rocks and pines to a mostly flat agricultural terrain filled with vineyards. From her house, I could see the Gironde Estuary, which separates two regions of France.

Back home, I haven't shied away from trying new things. This weekend, I progressed from plain old roller skating to full-on ice skating at a stadium in Brest. I must admit that at first, I was clumsy and fell my fair share of times, but by the end, I had mastered the art of the sport, by managing to stay on the ice for more than a few minutes before falling again. All things considered, I find ice skating more amusing than roller skating, thanks to the newfound agility it requires and the challenge it presents.

Finally, the other exchange students from the district and I joyfully met in Lorient, located in the southern part of the region, to see each other and enjoy the weekend together with some fun activities. Although the reunion lasted the entire weekend, it felt like only a few hours or even minutes before it came to an abrupt end. However, it left us with tons of great memories—from playing laser tag and learning the Irish dance to touring the town’s submarine base built during World War II. By the end, we were all exhausted from having conversations late into the night, and we all fell asleep on the way back home.