On the Bicycle and on the Trail, a first in my entire life!

Today, was the most peculiar day, since coming to Strasbourg, France.  Christina, our group leader informed us that we were going on a scavenger hunt, riding bicycles on a trail in the woods.  I do not know about other students, but it was my first time in my entire life to ride a bicycle, I mean literally ride on it and trail other people.  I was a little scared at first, but everybody got on their bikes and started riding, out of sheer curiosity, I braved myself and said inwardly, "I know I can do this."  I got on the bike, zig zagged for a little while, then I got the bike into motion, and Viola, there I was riding behind other students, I did not fall even once, I did not hit a tree or another bike rider or a walker. One can never know what they can do unless they try it. Ok?  Inside the forest, the trail was very wet, narrow and slippery, but I braved it on, mosquitoes had a field day on us, they were just buzzing, like we were in their territory, so to proof it, they stung us real bad. Once we reached the lake, I could not go any further, I was thirsty and sweating like a pro,  so the scavenger instructor excused from continuing one, but told me I had to return to the Chateau all by myself.  Well, I had a bike and I had to return to where we started, out of fear, I kicked that bike in gear, and off I went enjoying the breeze in the process.  I did no stop until I got to the Chateau, parked my bike and jumped up in joy and said "Feliciticion Caroline, you did it."  Is this the ultimate French experience or what?  Time will tell.

My First Day in France

We touched down at CDG airport, Paris at 5:15 a.m. local time.  At the Immigration window, I greeted the officer with the little french I know so far, bonjour...he responded I think, and went on blablablabla.  I excused myself and said in French, I speak little french.  He said something else and went on, and on and on, I shrugged my shoulders, then he said "are you coming to Paris?", I said no, then he asked to see my school papers, I gave him my file, he said no, no, no,  I looked at him blank and completely dumpfounded wondering what in the world, I have my visa, my boarding pass and by this time, my head is beginning to spin, then he said in perfect English...one paper please.  Phew, I handed him my school itinerary, then he stamped my passport.  Is that how they scare people?