Another week gone

I have a lot to write about and a short amount of time, as always.
This past week was fantastic!

Last Wednesday I finally got to go Para-sailing! I was completely elated; I have always wanted to fly.
We drove to the very top of the mountains in a small town not far from Ste Croix, called Grunsbar. After being strapped into my harness and attatched to Xavier and his para-sail, we were ready to go. Together, Xavier and I ran down part of the mountain, until the para-sail caught the wind and took off. It was simply incredible to watch the world drop out from underneath my feet, like I had jumped off.
After about 10 minutes, we landed in a feild at the bottom of the mountains. I don't think I stopped smiling for the rest of the evening

One Thursday, we went to Strasbourg for the day. The cathedral there is breath-taking. It is so intricate and deatiled, with gigantic stained glass windows and an immense clocktower. The city itself was fairly cosmopolitan, and I spent a good portion of my day riding trains from one place to another.

We left for Ornans on Friday, which is a city south of here where we spent the weekend camping. Ornans is based around sports-kayaking, mountain biking, canyoning, via ferrata, and more. That evening we went to a near by Via ferrata course. Via Ferrata is basically climbing a cliff with a pre-planned course of handles and cords. You have a harness and 2 clips, which you attatch to this cord as you climb up the mountain. It is amazing!
Being right up against the rocks, with the entire world hovering behind you. I am just glad that I am not afraid of hights, because this course was about 150 ft in the air.

On Saturday, we spent the morning kayaking down the river in Ornans. In the Afternoon, Xavier, Sylvie, and I went mountain biking, which was one of the most strenuous bike rides of my life.
We biked for about 20 minutes uphill, without stopping. Then, we biked down a mountain path covered in rocks the size of fists. I am not ashamed to admit that I walked down a lot of that mountain. Next, we all walked our bikes up this other mountain that was too steep to ride, and arrived in a feild filled with wild cherry trees. Cherries make everything better! Our descent from this mountain was easier, and near the end we we mostly speeding down smooth roads.
I was struck by how silly it was that I was terrified of biking over rocks on a narrow path, yet hanging by a cord 150 ft in the air didn't scare me at all. Overall, I was glad that I went with them, even if I felt like a popped tire afterwards.

On Sunday, we went to another Via Ferrata course that was about 30 kms away. This one was a lot harder, and a lot higher up, but I enjoyed it. The panorama views were worth a million dollars, not to mention that I really liked the course itself.

Now, we are back at the house. I am covered in scratches, bruises, and cuts, but I am feeling pretty awesome. I felt so courageous this weekend! However, I do think that I need to work on my body-awareness skills..my legs would appreciate it.

Today is the 6th of July, meaning that it has been a month since I left Tucson. Time passes so quickly! I am having trouble keeping up with it.
In 11 days Maelle and I will be headed to Tucson for the second half of our adventure.
I am ready to come home and see everyone, but I am not sure if I am ready to say goodbye to everyone and everything here.
I am not sure if I will ever be ready for that.