Bonjour from Chamonix

Bonne soir les americains! I'm in Chamonix, France, right at the foot of Mont Blanc. It has been amazing, the best way possible to start the break. Our room is amazing, it's basically an apartment, complete with kitchen and dishwasher. And it is so nice to have more than a couple days in one place. You don't even know, man it's relaxing. Of course, we've been enjoying some French wine and cheese, as well as bread. You'll never eat better anywhere else, that's for sure. The scenery is something that really can't be described here. I went skiing today at les Grands Montets, which was unbelievable. I paid less than I would to ski at Welch Village to ski in the Alps. It was opening day of the Chamonix ski areas, so the whole place wasn't open, but that was okay. I conquered that which was open. I even (avert your eyes mom) went on an "off piste" black run, meaning the run was closed, and it was ungroomed. Black here is like the equivalent of a double black back home. The first run down was most successful. I was the only one in this huge bowl, with probably 2 feet of powder, and the most epic mountainscapes you can imagine. It's so mountain-y here, it's almost unreal. You feel as if you are in a postcard, or a landscape painting. Later, I decided to go off piste again, but this time I guess I wanted to prove that I was a badass to whoever was watching. So I decided to go down the not touched area dotted with large rocks and other obstacles. Let's just say I fell down a couple times, but they were very light falls, and I emerged unscathed. But I made it down. Skiing in the Alps is a lot more difficult I feel, because you really have to be in control. It's like driving in the city, instead of on the freeway. Small runs, varying snow conditions, you have to know your stuff to get it done. Just from this one day out, I feel a lot better in my ability to ski in powder though. I don't know if I'll get out again, but man, if the opportunity arises, I'll go. One other great thing about France is the Euro. I mean, I'm still losing money, but not nearly as much as I would in England. It's a good feeling. I've been able to use my French, which has been good. I'm the interpreter for the group. I'm making every possible effort to speak in French rather than English, with varying degrees of success. Tonight will probably be another chill night in the room. We just ate at our first Euro McDonald's, which puts American ones to shame. Pictures eventually. So yeah, Chamonix is a smashing success. Anyone who's considering it, come here. Now. C'est la vie.