Turning the Big 2-1 in France

Telling people you are about to turn 21 here definitely doesn't carry the same weight as it does in the US.  For people here, 18 is the big birthday and 21 is just another year older.  I was determined to not let this fact get in the way of celebrating my big day.  I ended up having one of the most memorable birthdays ever, even if it was a far cry from the way most 21st birthdays are celebrated back at home.

Blowing out the candles!

I was so excited and impatient for Wednesday to come, mostly because Michèle had promised she would bake a big chocolate cake for me!  Although I was ecstatic to have a "dessert" that wasn't fruit or cheese, I remained slightly skeptical because there is rarely a speck of chocolate to be found in the house.  Very few processed foods make their way into the kitchen, which is good and bad at the same time.  Good because it forces me to eat healthy, and bad because it's kind of like quitting cold turkey, for someone who is used to eating ice cream or chocolate at least once a day.  Anyway, I was promised a chocolate cake AND steak for dinner!  Red meat is another rare occurrence here, but Alain's son, who is a butcher, and his girlfriend were coming to join us, bringing steak and chicken for Michèle.  After a great day at the radio station (with a little birthday shout out that was aired on the French radio I might add) and my phonetics class in the afternoon with a professor I absolutely adore, it was finally time for my big birthday dinner with my host family and company!  True to her word, Michèle had baked a beautiful chocolate cake, complete with 21 birthday candles.  Awww.  In addition to the cake, Alain's girlfriend Christine, baker extraordinaire, had made a crumble.  I wouldn't have minded skipping the meal, and just eating dessert!  Eat the meal we did, though, and what a meal it was!  We started eating around 8:30 pm and didn't finish until about 10:30...I've never been so full in my life.  Pacing yourself is important for any French dinner, and especially special events like birthdays, as the courses seem to just keep coming.  In honor of my 21st, we had red and rosé wine that we sipped along with the meal.  The day couldn't have been more perfect, celebrated in true French fashion.

Later in the week, on Friday, I went out to an Italian restaurant with some friends.  The food was AMAZING and definitely took care of my recent craving for some pizza.  After dinner we danced the night away!  I will never forget my 21st birthday that I spent in Montpellier, France with my amazing host family and friends.

Maria and Justine at our restaurant!

Girls Night Out :)

YUMM