Presque

Tomorrow's the day. Today i went to Hanover - home of Dartmouth College. After purchasing a few books for the plane i went and sat in a bench on the Green and read "A Year in the Merde" - a book about an Englishman's life in Paris for a year. The only problem with the book is the large type "MERDE" written on the cover- which, though inconspicous in the English speaking world- I fear will not be so in France where perhaps wandering around with a book that says "SHIT" may be 'faux pas'. I also have Bill Bryson's "A Walk in the Woods" so hopefully i will have moved on to that before i get to France.

As I sat on the green there was some sort of freshmen gathering occuring due to their arrival for backpacking adventures. The greeters were very enthusiastic and wearing exuberant colors- but the freshman looked bewildered and confused- all was as it should be. They were then forced to learn some sort of dance- i kept peering over to see if i could distinguish a tall boy in the form of Jack but i wasn't even sure if he was participating in this sort of pre-orientation foolishness.

My last thoughts from Vermont- excited, nervous ( but less than i thought i would be), giddy (more than necessary). The autumn has come and the leaves are turning - alors it is time for me to bid adieu.. or Au revoir. My host mother has emailed me to tell me that Indiana Jones (Indy for short) will be waiting to greet me when i arrive. So thankfully my first hours demand only my interaction with a dog who will not know my proficiency or lack of in French. I must go and find a safe packing place for a can of maple syrup and a jar of peanut butter.