For my DIY excursion, I went to Annecy, France. There we stopped at a beautiful spot by the water. We walked on the beach and had dinner. It was incredibly picturesque looking out at the water and seeing the mountains on the other side. It was so nice to see a different side of France, and it made me feel like I was by the lake in the United States. The people there were riding bikes, rollerblading, and boating. There was a carrousel near the water and beautiful boats docked on the shore. Annecy is such a fun city with many restaurants and stores to explore. It is a lively city that is a perfect weekend getaway. There are also plenty of things to do outside. I saw a couple rollerblading at a skate park which made me wish I had brought some rollerblades! The weather was wonderful, and the sun was shining.
We also heard some English speakers and found that the French people there were very kind and knew quite a lot of English. This was comforting because in Creteil there are not many people who speak English.
This excursion made me find a new appreciation for France. It was beautiful to see a part of France that is so different from Paris. I loved walking by the beach and grabbing a burger at a fun little restaurant; I felt like I was a little closer to home in Annecy. It was not the traditional French culture I am used to in Creteil, and I enjoyed every minute of it.
I am very grateful for the DIY excursions we are able to take because they let us get creative and explore France. In my last month, I hope to explore more of France and experience a new French dish! I look forward to the rest of my trip here!