Ohana-Shmolana, SEMB Drumline means Family

The thing about UW-La Crosse’s SEMB drumline is that you don’t really sign up for a solitary year. And, you don’t actually even sign up for four or six years. When you register for the class, you’re signing up to join a family to last as long as you want or need it.

The members of this silly sincere family can become more than classmates and friends. They grow into roommates, coworkers, confidants/therapists, and (if you find yourself in Taiwan, Puerto Rico/Guatamala, France, Japan, or a great number of other locations) they might even drop everything to become one heck of a tour guide.

In a previous post, I mentioned the amazing feeling that comes from staying with family. This week, we found ourselves enjoying the hospitality of another (drumlinerly) family member. I’ll post details stealthily later (because this blog is become my travel journal and I really don’t want to forget anything, but would rather not spam newsfeeds), but for now, just let me gush.

I got to visit our friend Fuse (note that the nickname basically implies that she was in the drumline with us) in Nancy, France. We’ve been looking forward to this portion of the trip for a very long time, and with Fuse’s (plus her boyfriends AMAZING and generous parents’) help it totally delivered. Think huge beautiful homemade French dishes, evening light spectaculars, picnics beside quiet gurgling streams, and exquisitely ornate cathedrals. We managed to catch up while exploring medieval ramparts, making fools of ourselves on park equipment, and strolling down adorable Alsatian roads. On our last evening, we even out fondid ourselves J I cannot imagine a more fulfilling time.

So, if you're reading this Fuse, thanks for causing enough laughter to force tears through the corners of my eyes. And, for taking us places that made me take way too many pictures. And, for being allowing us catch our breath from planning while soaking up more spectacular European memories with you.