Ellen’s blog: Strasbourg, France

Ellen has a beautiful blog, ripe with lovely photos and rich descriptions.  Why should you read it?  Well, have you ever eaten a snail?

With only a little apprehension, we armed ourselves with our tiny cocktail forks and went for it.  The first bite was mildly terrifying.

First, the taste–garlic, garlic, garlic, and butter.  Then you bite down and it tastes almost exactly like a scallop, but with a chewier, rubberier texture.  Then you swallow and go, “Whoa, I just ate a snail.”

The trick is to just try not think about what exactly you’re eating.  I only managed to do this about three snails in.

The verdict?  They’re ridiculously delicious and I can’t wait to eat them again.  Maybe I’ll even tackle the shell next time.

(Don’t worry, you’ll also get to enjoy pastries, cheese, and nutella with Ellen, too!)

Read Ellen’s blog at http://bonjourellebelle.wordpress.com/

Study Abroad: It’s more than travelling, it’s living.

We are LOVING Kristin’s insights from Chile!  Here’s an excerpt from her latest blog post:

As much as I would love to travel and country hop each weekend, I honestly feel that the time I have spent in Chile thus-far has allowed me to become integrated in the culture, such an accomplishment I would not be able to claim visiting a new city every week. From Chilean history to slang to the daily commute or meal with my host family, every moment is another opportunity to know, to learn. This beautiful country deserves nothing less than a completely open mind, ready to absorb like a sponge.

Read her full post here.