Mackay Sunrise Rotary Club

Feb 2009 email:

Hi. How are you? Sorry about taking so long to reply! 

Yes i have settled in and it is absolutely beautiful here! My host family are very very nice and have a beautiful home. I started school straight away last monday and its still a bit of a blur as i am still trying to pick up the french. I go to Institut Notre Dame, in Namur. It is quite a large school, many people and winding hallways which i often get lost in. I have met some really nice people in my class so it has made things a bit easier. No that many people speak english, which is even more of an insentive for me to pick up french faster. I have begun lessons with one of the nuns at my school - Sister Marie Jacinta. She is very old and frail looking and speaks little english. She forces the french upon me giving me little time to process, understand, remember or translate. So its a difficult task. 

I live in what is considered the country even though its just on the outskirts of Profendville. I live in Bois-De-Villers, in a large house with my host father - Francois Henry, host mum - Cecile Hunblet and host sister Elisabeth. She is 18 and although she goes to a different school than me she often takes me out with her friends. It is a common thing for everyone to meet up after school at a bar and chat. I have realised that everyone smokes so i usually come back home reaking of smoke which is quite unpleasant. But it is very good that i am getting the chance to go out and meet people and see places.

My school seems to do a lot of trips unlike North Mackay High. Already ive been on a clasd trip to Brussels which is about an hour train ride from here and for phys-ed we have been ice skating and next week they have planned ice hockey. Im a bit worried about that, i could just manage skating around, but it will be hard having to do it with a purpose and competitively, will be interesting to see. They also have a trip to London planned in about a month which I would like to go on! I am hoping to see as much as I possibly can, but within the limits of my budget which I have to keep in mind.

Its been snowing here the past week and it covers the surface of everything. Its so beautiful! Although it makes things very cold. I am going shopping tomorrow to fill up my winter wardrobe since nothing from mackay is really suitable for this weather. To get by at the moment I am just wearing lots of layers. 

I never thought Id miss the sun either, but I do. 

I had a meeting with my host club here last night. They seem very nice and welcoming. There is one other exchange student in my club - Monica who is from Bolivia. She speaks english quite well so she was helpful when i first got here. They met for dinner at a magnificent castle! It is so grand and beautiful. I love all the old buildings here, they have amazing details to them. Very different to anything in Mackay/Australia

I am getting used to it and I dont really miss Mackay but I am definitely missing the people. I am still keeping in contact as much as possible, but with the time difference and everything it can be difficult. 

I will try to keep in touch. Sorry in advance if I take a while to reply!

Ellen McDonald