I spent a Canterbrigian year that these two trips bookend digging myself out of constant snow and firing entree upon entree. I was ready for another trip abroad.
Summer heat of Madrid should now go by Summer heat of Greater Europe.
I have replaced Madrid with Montpieller, France, I've replace The Sun Also Rises with A Movable Feast.
So far France is great. The wine is cheaper than the water and the heat is dry and not opressive.
The French are loveley people so long as you give a big Julia Child "Bonjour!" upon entering their establishment.
The smells of fresh baugeuetts and coffee mask the smell of Europeans in the summer and the sky is cloudless.
We get a Huge four course meal for lunch, complete with a choice of wine or water (You have to pay extra for soda)
For the next five weeks taking classes about wine tasting and production and New Orleans and Paris Jazz.

So far, my trip is great.
It started, happily, with the best. Plane ride. Ever.( see photo below.)
Apparently July 4th is not a popular day for good Americans to be splitting the country.

I'm staying in a brand new dorm complex where I have my own room, kitchen and bathroom.
Last night we explored old Montpieller, and this morning we started class.