Part 8

Dear Juliet,
Surprise! Didn’t think you’d hear from anyone from home in a while did you? Least not till after you landed in France and settled into your new place. Knowing you, your first priority will be to get internet huh? Don’t even try to deny it. I know you. Well we figured you were going to be rather lonely on a long flight off to France by yourself (and, oh I don’t know, two hundred other people on the same plane you are, all going to the same airport as you are, so I’m guessing are going to and have already been stuck on the same airplane for the same time and you’re still not going to talk to any of them are you? haha) so we’d sneak a letter into your stuff. And, since it’s actually in your carry on rather than your luggage, which, by the way, are both ridiculously heavy (what are you bringing there?? And are you sure you’ll be ok getting to your place with all that stuff?), you’d probably get to this before you land.
So what are your flight companions like? Did you get a chance to work out your French yet with another passenger? Better get some last minute practice in before you land! You don’t want to be completely incompetent once you land. Oh, are you unfortunate enough to sit next to a fat person? Haha perhaps not politically correct, but I believe everyone can commiserate with that. I truly think Americans need to learn to downsize, or just exercise like everyone else. Surely they realize being obese isn’t good for them! Then again I suppose they all rationalize it all too.
Anyhow, we all hope you have a wonderful and safe flight! We all already miss you so do come back soon! Here’s some pictures to keep you company and some words from others. Take care while you’re in France! Eat well and bring back some baguettes and cheese!
-- Mark
Ps. Don’t forget the wine.

Hey Jules!
Hope the French treat you well! I am so jealous that you’re going! I wanna go! We should have smuggled me in your luggage! Take care and I’ll see you soon!
Your cousin,
Anna

Juliet,
Don’t forget to learn how to cook there. Then you can become a patisseier and test stuff on me! I don’t care what you make so long as it’s delicious! Have a safe flight!
-- Mike

Hi Juliet!
Good luck good luck goooood luck!! We wish you the best from here! Hope you got enough Chinese food, boba, and frozen yogurt before you left. Though I think it’s safe to say that you’ll have plenty of opportunities for gelato, that’s kinda like frozen yogurt right?
Take care!
Kathy and Chris

It was so good to see you before you left for France, Juliet! I’ve always wanted to go to France, though now I think my French has gotten quite rusty after all these years of waiting to go. Take lots of pictures for us so we can live vicariously through you! It’ll be the ultimate food tour for you! Cheers!
-- Lena

Hey!
Wasssup my France bound friend! I still can’t believe you’re going to France! You’re leaving us for the Frenchies! What do they got that we don’t have here in America anyhow huh? We have plenty of wine in Napa! Cheese stinks! And escargots are snails! And just think, frog legs? Really? Do you really want to eat frog legs?
Guess it’s too late to ask if you’re all packed. Hope you have everything you need! Take care and we’ll see you when you get back!
-- John

Xiao AnAn…
Pourquoi me laissez-vous? Vous ennuyez-vous de moi déjà? Qui volonté que je danse avec maintenant? Il s'avère, je sais parler français après tout.
Is my translating bot correct? AnAn, be strong ok! Find new friends, a local café, buy baguettes! But most importantly, have FUN!! *hug* be SAFE!! It’s time for you to have your adventure. We will always be here for you so don’t you worry. I seriously have a big hole in my heart now. Who will dance with me now? Mei quan xie, this sort of thing builds character, and you’re a tough one, so be good while you’re there ok! “You have to go forward not backwards, upwards not forwards, and always twirling, twirling towards freedom!”
Sorry I missed your good-bye dinner! It’s really because I didn’t want to say good-bye and not because my high school friend was here.
Miss you,
Tai