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I only got to see Vancouver, but it was really cool and friendly. I definitely want to go back to Canada.

I went on an Alaskan Cruise and it was absolutely amazing! Each new place we went to was more beautiful than the one before it. I also got to see whales, meet Alaskan huskies, go on a scenic train ride, meet really cool new people (I actually met a lot of people my age and befriended some band members from the ship). It was terrific!

I went to Paris in 2000. I actually was there the very day that France won the world cup vs. Italy. It was night-time, a little after the Eiffel Tower lit up, and the city was pretty quiet. Then, I heard a few people at a nearby food stand all start to cheer. People rushed out of their workplaces and homes in jubilation. The streets were packed with thousands upon thousands of fans – I didn’t know it was the world cup and didn’t know what was going on. My dad and I asked a local police officer who said: “We won! France won the World Cup!”

Dad and I went back to the hotel to get a camera and my mom woke up, worried to death, because she thought that it was a riot out there. When dad and I returned to the streets, we saw people with their whole bodies and faces painted with the French flag. Everyone was chanting and I just joined along. Definitely one of the most exciting nights I’ve ever had – now I’ll never forget Paris!!

I have to go back! It was absolutel beautiful and the people were lovely. I am definitely considering studying abroad in Siena – I am minoring in Italian Studies and going to take enough classes to be almost fluent in Italian so that I can study here. :D

Despite what many people think, Mission San Jose is NOT in San Jose, but in Fremont, California. Fremont is about 20 miles Northeast of San Jose. The nearest mission to the city of San Jose is actually Mission Santa Clara which is located on the campus of Santa Clara University. Anyone can visit, however, despite the fact that it’s on a college campus.

I went to Mission San Jose High School and grew up in Fremont for almost my entire life. Whenever I tell people what high school I went to, they often assume I’m from San Jose. I now go to Santa Clara University and live in Santa Clara, so now I’m closer to San Jose, at least.

Mission San Jose was named this before the city of San Jose was created. It is Mission St. Joseph, in English, and is located right by St. Joseph’s Church in Fremont. For some reason, Fremont was not named San Jose, and San Jose was instead (too bad – I like the name San Jose better than Fremont :D).

Haha…well, the East Bay…hmm…it definitely is worth visiting (especially if just happen to be in the Bay Area anyway), but not that exciting, I guess. I’ve lived here most of my life (in Fremont) and love it no matter what everyone else from the Bay Area says about it.

I love the Bay Area – been here all my life and I think I might just stay here for the rest of it. :-P

Nice was so beautiful! I went in 2000 and the weather was great, the sea was such a vivid blue, and the food was delicious! I definitely want to and need to go back…even if I can’t speak French. Not many people that I encountered there spoke English. Oh well, it was still fun, and I was able to figure things out.

Tip: if you plan on going to the beach, bring a beach chair/recliner or at least a floaty to lie on, because there are big pebbles (about 3 inches by 2 inches or so) on the beaches and they hurt to lay on for too long.

I lived here for 18 years, and besides the bad driving and sometimes boring monotony of it, I still love Fremont. There is actually a bit that tourists might find interesting – the Mission, driving in the hills, the bay, Niles’ Antique District, maybe Pacific Commons…who knows? Sunol is really nearby, and that has horses and camping, so that’s cool too. Oh, and there’s Lake Elizabeth, which is pretty despite the goose poo.

Go to Fremont! Great ethnic food too! Yay!

I’ve only lived here for a little over a year now, but I love it!! Very convenient that there’s a mall within 5 minutes driving from where I live and Yumi Yogurt – delicious!! I go to the University – and love that too. :D Way better than Fremont (though Fremont’s naturally prettier with hills right by you), where I lived for 18 years…Fremont’s more boring.

Santa Clara still isn’t as cool as S.F. though, I’m afraid.