I can still remember the last Christmas: trainees staying in Hyderabad had Christmas dinner together in Rd.No 12, many of them cried when we held our glasses making wishes, hugs, kisses...

But it was during this Christmas that I really understood how much Christmas means to westerners. It is difficult to describe, but some words are key: warm, harmony, love, being greatful, friendship, life... I felt so glad that I celebrated this Christmas with Gwen and her family. Better let photos talk :)

Photo 1: Railway Station Paris Montparnasse First TGV experience. The station structure reminds me of the Victoria Station in Mumbai. Many people are waiting to go home,as we do during Chinese spring festival.

Photo 2: Chinese Face Quite happy to see her face on the latest issue of 'Le Point' with a long special China report. She's great but treated too unfairly at home. Hope those who ONLY sit and critisize could kindly think seriously wether they have ANY reason to do so.

Photo 3,4,5: At Gwen's Gwen's family is really cool. Father and mother both being language teachers, the whole family are tri-lingual (French, English and German). The cozy wooden structure goes perfectly with souvenirs from across the world and shelves of books, giving a warm and cultural atmosphere.

Look at this room (Gwen's brother's, where I stayed)! Attic with a sky window, shelf of books and paper-style lamp, it's just my dream room. "Ah, ta chambre de rêve haha!" rit Annick.

Gwen told me that the Germans have a tradition of table decorating. At Gwen's table decoration is changed all the time. I really appreciate this changing of table decoration because it is very beautiful and that's the way to make life more beautiful. We always refer to the phrase 'love life', and from this detail you can really feel it.

Photo 6: Gifts under the Christmas tree Of course can't imagine a Christmas without gifts. A familly haveing brunch and opening all the gifts together is really the best thing to do for the lovely morning of 25th Dec. You can easily tell from the gifts that people really know others, think about others, care about others' life, and send them what they need most or love most. And I couldn't believe Gwen's family prepared so many gifts for us. They even put envelops with blank papers and let us think and write what we need while studying in France. David told me it's a chain. They were invited when they were young and they hope we can continue the chain in the future. This is just sooo nice!

Photo 7: I Love These People You may probably find that Gwen's family's really nice people. I feel really warm and happy to meet them and spend several days with them. It is so nice that I meet hospitable people with such great knowledge and sense of humor, love for all and life, especially when I'm in a foreign country. And their friends the Francis family are also nice people. Really enjoy the tea time and dinner together. Many pleasant & inspiring talks which I enjoyed so much. Merci beaucoup! Et je vous souhaite une très bonne année!

Photo 8,9,10,11: Love of Nature Tarbes is a small lovely city in the south of France. If you want one word to get an impression of Tarbes, it can only be -- 'Nature'. Situated in the Haute Pyrénnée, the city is surrounded by mountains. It is not far from the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The long long park along the river bank, beautiful snow topped moutains, and the iced lake. Although we couldn't do crosscountry skiing because the snow is not enough, walking in the mountains alone was pleasant enough. People often talk about the different lifestyles of people across the world. It is really a matter of mindset and the context it creates and you experience. To discover, to appreciate, to experience, and to cherish is my definition of a positive and healthy lifestyle.

Photo 12,13: 'Namaste' Namaste is the Hidi word for greetings. We were dressing in traditional Indian clothes (Saree for women, Curta for men). 'Namaste' is important. It's the first word you say and the first gesture you make (Namaste means I bow to you) when you meet people and then you make friends. One year ago, I had now clue that I would have such a great Christmas in a French family. But here you see: world is samll and life is exciting. The opener you are, the  more you discover. Meeting people from different countries and religions speaking different languages and having different cultures is really cool. That's the meaning and please of travelling. And later you reflect, you become more grateful for life and get more passion for a life-long journey. 'Namaste'!

Francis and I are super Ashwarya Rai fans :)

Well, guess now you know why I titled this article "THE" Christmas. It is really THE nice and unforgettable experience I would cherish. Thanks to all!

Oh, sorry I forgot a photo of 'Raclet' - a traditional French dish. Cheese is melted and you crap (where the name Raclet came from) the cheese and eat with vegetables and meats. Very very delicious!

Photo 14: 'Raclet' Yummy!!

Happy New Year!

夜的铁塔也很美。蒙玛特就让人失望，登上高地不见夜景，不过回来了想想，巴黎这样的城市外景灯光能这样少，一定也是节能方面考量很多努力很大的。

上个月主题非Reunion莫属！Meelee & Sam先来，再加Bilal。大家经过在印度的磨练，又在另外一个美丽的地方重聚，实在是件很开心的事。当然最开心的是紧接着的3M Happy Hour！Michelle再访巴黎，这次还有非洲回来的Mat，游城、网球、火锅…… 开心！

下一个Reunion也已经看得见啦，热情大方的Gwen老师就要从印度回来过圣诞了。她找到了自己热爱的事业，很为她高兴！

第一学期眼看就小功告成，不过圣诞节后有很多考试，所以没有大的旅游计划，会去法国南部小城Tarbe跟Gwen一家过圣诞。提前祝大家圣诞和新年快乐！

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!