A Day to be a Tourist

I realize that I haven't posted on here for quite some time and I apologize for that. The truth of the matter is that there hasn't been a whole lot going on here. I have gotten settled into a routine and for all that people say that the schedule at the university changes all the time, it really hasn't so much for me. I have French language classes on Tuesday (mardi) and Thursday (jeudi) at 8h00 - 9h30 Tahiti time and 12h00 - 13h30 Iowan time. I also have a Geography course on Tuesdays at 11h00 - 12h30 and an Anthropology course on Fridays at 12h00 - 13h30. So really my weeks are not so bad. I feel like I have a lot of free time...oh wait! That is because I do. ;)

This past Sunday I was able to act like a tourist and not feel weird about it. My French teacher, Marie-Helen, took my whole group from Iowa on a tour around Tahiti and to Tahiti-iti (the smaller island that is attached to Tahiti) It was a lot of fun. We got to see grottoes and go to a gigantic botanical garden. Everyone else went to see some waterfalls, but I stayed in the car and rested because I was not feeling well. Then we all went to a part of the island call the blowhole. IT is a hole in the ground that shoots air and water vapor at people when waves come in. IT was really awesome. When I stood by it, a strong gust came and lifted my shirt part of the way up and scared me. I have a picture of it that you all can look at.

Nana!

This is a Mare a spiritual site for the Tahitians.

A little tiki at the Mare.

Another view of the Mare.

Pretty Flower!!

Another pretty flower.

Ok This flower sorta reminds me of an animal.

The grotto.

A peacock tree, at least that is what I am calling it.

More pretty flowers.

Is this not the view that everyone thinks of when they think of paradise?

A very large Banan Tree

The waves at the Blowhole

Me being attacked by air.

The blowhole.

One of the other blowholes sprays water!!

Welcome to Tahiti!

 Well I finally made it to Tahiti. The 8 hour flight was as long as I expected it to be, especially since I could not fall asleep during it. We landed in Papeete at about 11:30PM (Tahiti Time) and by the time we got through immigration and security, it was after Midnight. The landing was interesting because it was raining and we disembarked the plane just like a president would, straight to the tarmac. I became very wet because my jacket was in my checked luggage. Once we were through security, Ron presented us all with flower leis. It was very cool. We took two different vans to the Foyer de Jeunes Filles (House of Young Women).  We received our keys and were able to take an elevator up to our rooms.

The next morning we were given a tour and received the rules. Most of our week was spent getting settled in and looking around the island. On Thursday, we went to the University and filled out forms so that we could get our IDs. We were given a tour and we all ended up using Ron's money so that we could eat lunch. Ron Warnet is the professor from Simpson who is accompanying us. On Friday, we had our first French Language class at the Language school down the road. After that class, we went to the University  and picked our classes. After that, we went to a beach called PK 18. It was a lot of fun, but we all got sunburned.

On Saturday, we went to Carrefour, which is like Walmart, and got all of our necessary foodstuffs. It was really huge and very chaotic. Since they use Francs here, it is hard to tell exactly how much we are spending but Kelsey and I spent about $150 total. On Sunday, Ron and I went to church. It was a great experience, but I didn't understand what was going on since it was in Tahitian. The church was very pretty and everyone wears white. I think I will have to see about getting some white clothes so that I fit in. On Monday, after French class we went back to the University and four native students came up to us ans asked if we were the Americans. They then proceeded to say that they were English students and their teacher told them to come talk to us. It was a lot of fun. Yesterday, I didn't feel the best, so after French class I went back to the Foyer and took a long nap and drank some water. It was very nice.

Today has been much the same as the others. We have French class in the morning from 8am to 11:30am and then we all just stay here and use the internet. Once I am done with this blog, I am going to the Foyer to take a nap because my head hurts. I was able to talk with some friends from back home on Skype and Facebook, and I had a great time.

Nana (goodbye in Tahitian, pronounced Nah-nah)

This is the Airport in LA for International Flights.

Another picture of the Airport

Tahiti! The view from my window.

Another view of Tahiti.

This is the road in front of the Foyer. Those white lines are the pedestrian walkways and since there are no stop signs, the cars just stop for the people crossing the road. IT is a little unnerving.

My flower lei.

Tahiti's volcano.

The lagoon across the street.

The port and the park.

Morea, another island next to Tahiti. We are going there on Sunday.

The view from the University.

We had a little visitor one night. My flash scared it away so that it wouldn't come into the room.

Waves coming in at the river.

This is a cruise ship parked in the harbor. It was at night so I apologize for the quality.

Journey's Beginning

My trip to Tahiti has finally begun. I left this morning at 6:00AM and my plane took off for Denver at 9:30AM. After we arrived in Denver, we had to catch our connecting flight to Los Angeles. I am now currently sitting in my hotel room in the Hacienda Hotel in El Segundo, CA. I am really excited to meet up with my cousin, Julie, and have dinner with her. Tomorrow I will go look at the mall with Kelsey and then we have to be at LAX by 2PM to get ready for our next leg of the journey; an 8 hour flight to Tahiti!! I am so excited that I cannot stand it.

Denver after take off.

Los Angeles!! Oh what pretty palm trees!

Does everything here have the funny looking roofs?