Last day in Rochefort

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One of my many wonderful mentors at West Point, Captain Galui, reminded me I haven’t been so hot on updating this blog, so this one is dedicated to him. Our instruction ended Thursday, and I’m a little sad to be done, but looking forward to the next chapter of my life as well. The school threw us a cocktail (photos to come later) and presented us some medals and certificates, and of course, some champagne. It wouldn’t have been French without a little alcohol.

I’m headed back to West Point tomorrow, hard to believe I’ll be a cow (cadet slang for juniors). The teachers here were quite impressed with all the cadets who came through the school, which at the end of the day is as important as learning French. Cadets easily forget we serve as international ambassadors at times. I am continually amazed at some of the trips cadets get to go on, literally all the continents, save the big ice sheet I suppose, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Environmental department didn’t send somebody to Antarctica to collect ice core samples. It’s easy to want to be a normal college student, but for better or for worse, we are not. Marc and I have made good friends with two of the Saudi students here. They have invited us to many dinners, coffee and huka sessions, and today a trip to the beach. They truly live up to their Muslim hospitality. It has been an interesting/funny experience getting to know them through our mix of french and English, or franglish. We’ve realized how similar we are. Guys are guys all around the world, especially those in the military.

I’ve been writing a piece on a conversation I had with one of the Chinese officers here. We discussed what “all men are created equal” meant to him and then to me. It was a fascinating insight into the idea of equality, and how our fantastic governmental document is interpreted. That will be coming soon.

I’ll be updating the blog more continually now that I’ll be breaking up the monotony pretty regularly. West Point, Home, Lyon, and maybe another marathon in France all in the next three weeks. Should be good. Enjoy the last couple days of summer all. Cya soon.

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