Here is a little story of how the birthdays (mine, Jennifer's, and Jesus') went this year. On my 24h birthday I woke up with a feeling that something was horribly wrong. Not 'there is a murderer in my house' wrong more like 'why the hell can't I breathe' wrong. As we got up I realized that this is the oldest I had ever been and felt. I was coughing like mad and was determined to not let a little sickness ruin my birthday! Jennifer and I went to the store to find some cold meds and supplies. Once back she made No-Bake cookies and we hungout. In ther afternoon I skyped with my family and told them they could open their Christmas gifts from me a little early. It was fun to see their reactions. About this time I decided that if my head was already going to be in the clouds I might as well start drinking and get the party started. Good thing Jennifer was thinking ahead and bought whiskey in the Paris airport. We met up with Arran at six when she was done with work in town and went out for another birthday drink before the dinner with her family. She ordered three drinks and the total was less than five quid. Mind blowing. You can't even get a pint for five euro in France. After drinks we went to The Village which is a delicious Indian restaurant. I share my birthday with Arran's father so we were able to partake in the family night out. After dinner the plan was to head out and party like most people do on their birthdays. But, I was feeling horribly ill by this point and opted for bed. I was passed out by 10:15. Thanks 24 for starting it off with a bang...Let's hope it was just a false start.
The next day was Jennifer's birthday! Unfortunately I was still too sick to be any sort of fun fodder. We ended up running some errands, shopped a bit in the city, and then had a kick back at the apartment. Jo, Craig and Arran came over and we just hung out. Jennifer didn't even get to wear her birthday dress we searched so diligently for. As the night was coming to a close we packed up all of our things for Christmas and headed to Arrans for the night. As a secretly added gift, Jennifer received my illness for her birthday. Sorry.
We woke up Christmas morning to a delicious breakfast of toasted croissants with smoked salmon and eggs. Arran's brothers did a fabulous job with breakfast! We then opened gifts which was still fun even without our families. Arran had gotten us both a gift so we were not just sitting there the entire time. After everything was opened we all got ready and then watched some Scottish stand up on DVD that someone had gotten that morning. The rest of the day was passed like most family holidays. We talked and laughed and hungout. Christmas dinner was great. We had all sorts of traditional Scottish foods. I even had vegetarian Haggis as the main course. We all ate so much. I felt like I was in a food coma for hours. We were able to talk to our families with the help of modern technologies (thanks Skype and cell phones!). It was a little strange not being with the family on Christmas but I am thankful I was with another family at least.
The 26th was a total loss. Jennifer and I both felt like death warmed over. We didn't leave the apartment at all and just slept the entire day. The 27th wasn't much better. We did go out to the West End for lunch at a really cute cafe hidden away down an icy alley. But, that was about as much as we could manage. We again slept/rested the rest of the day away. The 28th Arran brought us supplies (food, more meds.) and helped entertain us for the day. On the 29th we decided we have got to suck it up and see something while we're here in Scotland.
We woke up early and went to breakfast with Jo and Arran then caught the train to Edinburgh for the day. I'm very glad we did. We walked around the Christmas market, went to a fabulous bar called the Brass Monkey where we watched The Breakfast Club on giant bed-like couches, ate burritos at a cafe called The Forest (its super cool- everyone who works there is just a volunteer and everyone just hangouts and drinks coffee and plays music etc...together. Fabulous!), we walked up to the Castle which was very ominous at night in the fog. All in all a very good day out and about in Scotland which was topped off by watching Hook before bed.
We're starting to feel better, so hopefully New Year's Eve will be a great adventure without hacking coughs and wheezing lungs (at one point my breathing sounded like the rattle of a Dementor's kiss in Harry Potter. Sexy.)
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
It's begining to feel a lot like Christmas
This trip to Paris has been wonderful. I feel my relationship changing with the city I once longed to visit as a teenager. Everything I once saw with a sense of star-stuck wonderment I now experience as if I am greeted by an old friend. That is not to say that everything always goes off without a hitch but just that I feel much more comfortable in the City of Lights than I ever thought possible.
Jennifer and I arrived in Paris Saturday afternoon and spent the day shopping and eating more delicious food than I care to recount here (do to the massively high caloric quantity) and talking with old friends (new on my part). While wandering we found outselves in front of the Opera where there were about two hundred people singing Christmas carols in the snow. It was a truely beautiful movie-like scene. We had a little incident with where we were going to sleep that night due to our original sleeping assignments being dashed on account of the snow blocking all trains coming into the city. So, once again Anna Marie saved the day! We spent the night hanging out and talking with Anna Marie and Regan (just back from Africa) before they went clubbing and we went to bed.
Sunday we woke up to a blizzard. Jennifer and I went to the Louvre and marveled at...everything. I don't care who you are or how many times you've been to the Louvre you can't help but be impressed. If I lived in Paris I would spend at least one day every two weeks at a museum. I get a calming peaceful sensation whenever I am at the museum. There are so many stories and vibrant lives protrayed in the paintings and sculptures that it just never gets old to me. Its not just the story in the paintings but also the lives of the painters who created the work that makes it so interesting. If you know a little about the artist you can then seen bits and pieces of their life coming through in their paintings.
After the Louvre I went to mass and listened to Anna Marie sing in the choir. What a fabulous experience. Going to mass in such an ancient church in amazing in itself but to have that accompanied with angelic acapella music was an experience I'll never forget. Also, I really liked the priest and the way he presented the Homily. Once mass had ended Anna Marie and I took a bus back to her place and met up with Regan, ate some pizza and waited for the others to arrive.
Anna Marie and Regan threw Jennifer and I a very adorable birthday soiree which even included a handmade chocolate cake with chocolate ganache icing. Legit! It was a fabulous evening of a mixture of languages. We had party guests who spoke Korean and French, Englihs, Polish and French, Spanish and English, English and a little Swahili, and English and French. Suprisingly, there were no communication problems and everyone had a fabulous time. This was one of those days when I can't believe my life is so blessed with fantastic people and opportunities.
Monday we woke up to another blizzard. It stopped by the afternoon though so we just bopped around Ille St. Louis for a bit and ate some crepes in an adorable little restaurant. Regan and I took a break in a neighborhood bar while Anna Marie went to an appointment and after that we bought some hair dye. All terribly exciting. We went back to the apartment, ate some soup and had a hair dying party. I am the new proud owner of a fabulous purple chunk of hair.
Tuesday we had lunch with all of Jennifer's fantastic "euros" (the europeans who studied at Eastern last summer) at a fondue restaurant in the Latin quater. The food was delicous but that might be because I love cheese and bread. After luch Jennifer and I rushed to the Port Milliot to catch the bus to the airport for our flight to Scotland. The bust trip should only take about an hour and it turned into a two hour ordeal due to traffic and heavy fog. We finally checked out bags and thought we were good to go. We raced through security and through customs (recieved our exit stamps) and then entered a room full of people...waiting. So, we sat for a while, ate the sandwiches we'd brought then were all told that we had to leave the holding cell we were occupying. As we were all fileing out we were stoped by custom officers who crossed out the recently added stamp in our passports. We were then told that we had to wait for another two hours before our plane would leave. What did Jennifer and I decided was the best option to kill the time? Buy duty-free alcohol, of course! Turns out its not duty-free if you're not leaving the European Union. Did we let this ruin our party? Hell no. Another great ting about French airports is that they sell personal bottles of wine for the same price at Coke. Needless to say, we chose the Cab-Sav over the Coke and started our flight delay on a great note. It seemed like in no time we were being told to queue up to board the plane and getting another identical stamp in the good 'ol passport . We arrived in Scotland just in time to catch the last train into Glasgow from the airport for the night. Craig and Arran picked us up and drove us to their friend Piia's apartment where we get to stay for the next 9 days.
Today we shopped for boots, ate delicious pizza, and drank a ton of free peppermint hot cocoa (something I've dearly missed in France)! A great first day in Scotland! Tomorrow is the be 2.4. I'll update with a ravishing account of how the festivities play out.
Jennifer and I arrived in Paris Saturday afternoon and spent the day shopping and eating more delicious food than I care to recount here (do to the massively high caloric quantity) and talking with old friends (new on my part). While wandering we found outselves in front of the Opera where there were about two hundred people singing Christmas carols in the snow. It was a truely beautiful movie-like scene. We had a little incident with where we were going to sleep that night due to our original sleeping assignments being dashed on account of the snow blocking all trains coming into the city. So, once again Anna Marie saved the day! We spent the night hanging out and talking with Anna Marie and Regan (just back from Africa) before they went clubbing and we went to bed.
Sunday we woke up to a blizzard. Jennifer and I went to the Louvre and marveled at...everything. I don't care who you are or how many times you've been to the Louvre you can't help but be impressed. If I lived in Paris I would spend at least one day every two weeks at a museum. I get a calming peaceful sensation whenever I am at the museum. There are so many stories and vibrant lives protrayed in the paintings and sculptures that it just never gets old to me. Its not just the story in the paintings but also the lives of the painters who created the work that makes it so interesting. If you know a little about the artist you can then seen bits and pieces of their life coming through in their paintings.
After the Louvre I went to mass and listened to Anna Marie sing in the choir. What a fabulous experience. Going to mass in such an ancient church in amazing in itself but to have that accompanied with angelic acapella music was an experience I'll never forget. Also, I really liked the priest and the way he presented the Homily. Once mass had ended Anna Marie and I took a bus back to her place and met up with Regan, ate some pizza and waited for the others to arrive.
Anna Marie and Regan threw Jennifer and I a very adorable birthday soiree which even included a handmade chocolate cake with chocolate ganache icing. Legit! It was a fabulous evening of a mixture of languages. We had party guests who spoke Korean and French, Englihs, Polish and French, Spanish and English, English and a little Swahili, and English and French. Suprisingly, there were no communication problems and everyone had a fabulous time. This was one of those days when I can't believe my life is so blessed with fantastic people and opportunities.
Monday we woke up to another blizzard. It stopped by the afternoon though so we just bopped around Ille St. Louis for a bit and ate some crepes in an adorable little restaurant. Regan and I took a break in a neighborhood bar while Anna Marie went to an appointment and after that we bought some hair dye. All terribly exciting. We went back to the apartment, ate some soup and had a hair dying party. I am the new proud owner of a fabulous purple chunk of hair.
Tuesday we had lunch with all of Jennifer's fantastic "euros" (the europeans who studied at Eastern last summer) at a fondue restaurant in the Latin quater. The food was delicous but that might be because I love cheese and bread. After luch Jennifer and I rushed to the Port Milliot to catch the bus to the airport for our flight to Scotland. The bust trip should only take about an hour and it turned into a two hour ordeal due to traffic and heavy fog. We finally checked out bags and thought we were good to go. We raced through security and through customs (recieved our exit stamps) and then entered a room full of people...waiting. So, we sat for a while, ate the sandwiches we'd brought then were all told that we had to leave the holding cell we were occupying. As we were all fileing out we were stoped by custom officers who crossed out the recently added stamp in our passports. We were then told that we had to wait for another two hours before our plane would leave. What did Jennifer and I decided was the best option to kill the time? Buy duty-free alcohol, of course! Turns out its not duty-free if you're not leaving the European Union. Did we let this ruin our party? Hell no. Another great ting about French airports is that they sell personal bottles of wine for the same price at Coke. Needless to say, we chose the Cab-Sav over the Coke and started our flight delay on a great note. It seemed like in no time we were being told to queue up to board the plane and getting another identical stamp in the good 'ol passport . We arrived in Scotland just in time to catch the last train into Glasgow from the airport for the night. Craig and Arran picked us up and drove us to their friend Piia's apartment where we get to stay for the next 9 days.
Today we shopped for boots, ate delicious pizza, and drank a ton of free peppermint hot cocoa (something I've dearly missed in France)! A great first day in Scotland! Tomorrow is the be 2.4. I'll update with a ravishing account of how the festivities play out.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
The Snow Monster
First: Sorry I've been absent for so long. I've just been feeling so quotidienne in my village that I wasn't really thinking anything was blog worthy. I was then informed that this is not true and I'd "better get writing!" So, here we go.
Its always nice to open with a weather update (everyone feels like they can relate), so, let's start there. In my little corner of western France it doesn't usually snow... and "never this early in the year!" one of my fellow collegues informed me. This being said, it did snow. A whole two inches! Here is how the story goes. One overcast Thursday there was a prediction of snow. Someone from the office announced over the intercom that class would end an hour early because they were afraid it might snow before school was out. Just after that a representitive came to each class and reitterated the fact that school would close at the end of the next period (just incase we didn't hear it on the intercom). Just before the 4:30 bell the flakes started to fall. The students lost all concentration and looked longingly out of the windows. As the bell rang the students left the school excited to experience the white winter wonderland what awaited them. The tiny flakes continued to fall for about another hour and then the whole spectacle was over. The next day, there were about 1/10th of the students present for class. All of the school transport was cancled due to the "snow and ice" on the roads. I of course gauffed at this considering there is usually a least a foot of snow in Washington by this time. Never-the-less 15 teachers were absent (unable to get out of their driveways) and the school was a ghost town. Since then there have been three more days on which half of the school transport was cancled due to icy roads. Free days all around! I just imagine these students in Maine or Washington when there is a meter of snow... it always makes me laugh. Melissa and I have decided that the residents of this part of France treat the snow as if it were a beast or something of which to be very afraid. Now, anytime someone mentions the possibility of snow or how nervous they might be that it might snow we usually comment on it later with a comment about "la monstre de neige!"
It was great to experience the first real snow with Melissa. She made her first snowball and snowman (very mini version) and commented on how snow is much different than she thought it would be. She always thought it would be heavy like ice and always marveled at the young children making giant snowmen taller than themselves in movies.
Up until this point I was doing very well on the not-being-homesick front. What changed? Oh, just the fact that people ask me at least three times per day if I get to go home for Christmas...and when I say "No, its too expensive." they look at me like I am a lost puppy or something which makes me feel like I should feel very upset. In all actuality, I'm excited to spend Christmas in Scotland with Arran and the friends I have there. It will be a new experience and great to see people I have missed. I am in no way saying that I would not like to be home for Noel but just that I feel Scotland is a fabulous altrenate. In one of my classes we were playing the game Would You Rather... (where everyone must decide between the two options and then say why they picked said option) and the exchange student from Columbia said she would rather be able to fly than be invisible so then she could fly home for Christmas. I told her she got a gold star for the day for best response. One thing that has been making the homesickness ebb away is that letters, birthday and Christmas cards have been arriving like crazy this week. I love getting mail and the addition of a suprise birthday package from my family was the clentcher! Its always great to get a small peice of home (mine included candy canes, books, and quilted christmas decorations as the highlights).
THE END...dun dun dun... just kidding, but I am out of internet time. To be continued...
Its always nice to open with a weather update (everyone feels like they can relate), so, let's start there. In my little corner of western France it doesn't usually snow... and "never this early in the year!" one of my fellow collegues informed me. This being said, it did snow. A whole two inches! Here is how the story goes. One overcast Thursday there was a prediction of snow. Someone from the office announced over the intercom that class would end an hour early because they were afraid it might snow before school was out. Just after that a representitive came to each class and reitterated the fact that school would close at the end of the next period (just incase we didn't hear it on the intercom). Just before the 4:30 bell the flakes started to fall. The students lost all concentration and looked longingly out of the windows. As the bell rang the students left the school excited to experience the white winter wonderland what awaited them. The tiny flakes continued to fall for about another hour and then the whole spectacle was over. The next day, there were about 1/10th of the students present for class. All of the school transport was cancled due to the "snow and ice" on the roads. I of course gauffed at this considering there is usually a least a foot of snow in Washington by this time. Never-the-less 15 teachers were absent (unable to get out of their driveways) and the school was a ghost town. Since then there have been three more days on which half of the school transport was cancled due to icy roads. Free days all around! I just imagine these students in Maine or Washington when there is a meter of snow... it always makes me laugh. Melissa and I have decided that the residents of this part of France treat the snow as if it were a beast or something of which to be very afraid. Now, anytime someone mentions the possibility of snow or how nervous they might be that it might snow we usually comment on it later with a comment about "la monstre de neige!"
It was great to experience the first real snow with Melissa. She made her first snowball and snowman (very mini version) and commented on how snow is much different than she thought it would be. She always thought it would be heavy like ice and always marveled at the young children making giant snowmen taller than themselves in movies.
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| Melissa learning to make snowflakes. |
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| Melissa's first snowman. |
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| Winter Storm!!! Les Herbiers Under Atack of the Snow Monster! |
THE END...dun dun dun... just kidding, but I am out of internet time. To be continued...
Monday, November 29, 2010
I'm Thankful for...
Thanksgiving (November 25th 2010)
sharing traditions and holidays with strangers who become friends.
everything pumpkin flavored (pies, cookies, muffins....it was just like home).
the fact that someone was rowdy drunk at a 'family' holiday event because that happens in a lot of American families.
Friday November 26th 2010
waking up to eat breakfast burritos with Keri Ann.
Christmas markets
Vin Chaud (never let them add more alcohol to your vin chaud. It is a very bad idea and you will be tipsy after one glass, not to mention have dragon breath).
Harry Potter 7- It was great...even if it was in French.
Saturday November 27th 2010
communal dinners.
Christmas markets at night.
music festivals at bars (BarsBars festival in Nantes).
seeing someone experience snow for the first time!
extreme dance parties with new friends.
Sunday November 28th 2010
pick up soccer (football) matches with new friends (even when it's snowing).
McDonalds for their public WiFi if you buy something.
tickets to Scotland for Christmas!
It was strange not to be home and with family for the holiday but what coud have been a horrible weekend of homesickness turned into a beautiful weekend with fun people. That being said, I still miss my family and friends like crazy. Here's to you!
sharing traditions and holidays with strangers who become friends.
everything pumpkin flavored (pies, cookies, muffins....it was just like home).
the fact that someone was rowdy drunk at a 'family' holiday event because that happens in a lot of American families.
Friday November 26th 2010
waking up to eat breakfast burritos with Keri Ann.
Christmas markets
Vin Chaud (never let them add more alcohol to your vin chaud. It is a very bad idea and you will be tipsy after one glass, not to mention have dragon breath).
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| Keri Ann and I with the strongest vin chaud...ever? |
Saturday November 27th 2010
communal dinners.
Christmas markets at night.
music festivals at bars (BarsBars festival in Nantes).
seeing someone experience snow for the first time!
extreme dance parties with new friends.
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| Melissa from Costa Rica experiences snow! |
pick up soccer (football) matches with new friends (even when it's snowing).
McDonalds for their public WiFi if you buy something.
tickets to Scotland for Christmas!
It was strange not to be home and with family for the holiday but what coud have been a horrible weekend of homesickness turned into a beautiful weekend with fun people. That being said, I still miss my family and friends like crazy. Here's to you!
Monday, November 22, 2010
Let it snow!
Its begining to feel a lot like Christmas in my little corner of France. Its not snowing yet but each night it gets pretty misty/foggy and there is some tough condensation on all of the cars (not ice because its not quite that cold, yet). Also, I'm having fun experiencing all of this with Melissa who told me the other day this is the coldest weater she has ever encountered.
I don't have to wait for Thanksgiving to be over to start embracing all things Christmas while in France so I'm just about in full blown Christmas Mode. What does that mean? Let me show you.
I've also been in a baking fury and I'll add some photos later. One slight set back: I can't find candy canes anywhere. I guess I can just buy mint extract and use that for cookie glaze. Who knew cooking in France could be such an adventure?
Side note. I have searched in both of the huge supermarkets in Les Herbiers and I am unable to find cranberries. The only frozen fruits I've found are strawberries and raspberries. Disapointing because I wanted to make my grandmother's cranberry sauce to share at the Nantes Thanksgiving. Pumpkin Spice bread will have to do.
I don't have to wait for Thanksgiving to be over to start embracing all things Christmas while in France so I'm just about in full blown Christmas Mode. What does that mean? Let me show you.
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| Making a million snowflakes to hang all over the apartment! |
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| Wrapping presents. Yes, I'm done shopping! |
Side note. I have searched in both of the huge supermarkets in Les Herbiers and I am unable to find cranberries. The only frozen fruits I've found are strawberries and raspberries. Disapointing because I wanted to make my grandmother's cranberry sauce to share at the Nantes Thanksgiving. Pumpkin Spice bread will have to do.
Friday, November 19, 2010
When The Man tries to hold you back...make delicious food out of pumpkins
Ok. Here's the deal. Melissa and I are a banking anomaly. We opened our accounts at the same bank on the same day almost two months ago. Our PINs (in France you have to say 'code secret' or else they get annoyed) have not arrived. The first time, we though, 'thats weird', and they ordered another one. The second time the bank employees thought it was very strange that they hadn't shown up and quickly ordered new PINs for us. When those didn't arrive, we changed the addesss to that of one of the teachers at our school. Two weeks later, still no luck. Needless to say, when we marched to the bank today we were ready to share our thoughts with some gusto. Was anything accomplished? We'll see. They changed our address' to the bank's address and will call us as soon as it comes in. This is breaking the biggest Code Secret rule of security but they have no other options. So, we get to wait another week to see if it shows up.
There are only two reasons this really even matters.
#1 French banks do not have cash on hand. if you want to get cash out you must use the ATM provided. Also, all checks are deposited into your account through a different ATM-type machine. You put the checks into an envelope and drop in through the slot and later it will show up in your account. So, it is impossible to even write a check and cash it at the bank. This fun fact: this makes is very difficult to go to Nantes for the weekend and have fun with my friends (ie. ice skating and house warming parties)! Dang. I guess I'll be sitting this one out.
#2 You can not start using your debit card until it has been activated. To activate your card you must withdrawl money from an ATM which we all know to be an insurmountable task is your don't happen to have a PIN. So, I can't use my card to buy anything online. Good and bad thing all wrapped up together? Yes, indeed. It has made it infeasible for me to by a fabulous birthday dress (good thing, I can buy one in France) but it has also made buying flights to and from Scotland for Christmas out of the question and while I wait those prices just creep higher and higher.
Anyway, I'm a little stressed about it. How does one cure a horribly boring weekend in the country with no money? By baking lots and lots of delicious treats to share with everyone. Thanksgiving is just around the corner you know. I think I'll make pumpkin cookies to share with the students during our lesson on Thanksgiving; then I'll really be the cool teacher.
On the plus side, I got a really cute 'Happy Thanksgiving' card from Janelle's parents today. A great way to start the day. Thanks Lourie and Bob!
There are only two reasons this really even matters.
#1 French banks do not have cash on hand. if you want to get cash out you must use the ATM provided. Also, all checks are deposited into your account through a different ATM-type machine. You put the checks into an envelope and drop in through the slot and later it will show up in your account. So, it is impossible to even write a check and cash it at the bank. This fun fact: this makes is very difficult to go to Nantes for the weekend and have fun with my friends (ie. ice skating and house warming parties)! Dang. I guess I'll be sitting this one out.
#2 You can not start using your debit card until it has been activated. To activate your card you must withdrawl money from an ATM which we all know to be an insurmountable task is your don't happen to have a PIN. So, I can't use my card to buy anything online. Good and bad thing all wrapped up together? Yes, indeed. It has made it infeasible for me to by a fabulous birthday dress (good thing, I can buy one in France) but it has also made buying flights to and from Scotland for Christmas out of the question and while I wait those prices just creep higher and higher.
Anyway, I'm a little stressed about it. How does one cure a horribly boring weekend in the country with no money? By baking lots and lots of delicious treats to share with everyone. Thanksgiving is just around the corner you know. I think I'll make pumpkin cookies to share with the students during our lesson on Thanksgiving; then I'll really be the cool teacher.
On the plus side, I got a really cute 'Happy Thanksgiving' card from Janelle's parents today. A great way to start the day. Thanks Lourie and Bob!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Who knew English could be so exciting?
I am going to keep this short and sweet with the least amount of detail as possible. But, I must document all noteworthy events in case my life as a sitcom ever pans out.
I once received a card from a student which said, "We're you raised on a chicken Farm? Because you sure know how to raise a cock!" While I know this is is wildly inappropriate (the student was given detention) it is horribly relevant to one of taday's English lessons.
In a room full only of other 16 year old boys one student had a 'physical reaction' which caused an uproar of rapid fire French slang to be thrown about dramatically interspursed with wild fits of laughter. Luckily for the young man at the center of attention he happens to be one of the popular kids. Incidentally, this turned out to be great for his image.
Maybe a degree in elementary education would have been a better choice? 'nuf said. You get the picture. Relate as you will to all parties involved.
I once received a card from a student which said, "We're you raised on a chicken Farm? Because you sure know how to raise a cock!" While I know this is is wildly inappropriate (the student was given detention) it is horribly relevant to one of taday's English lessons.
In a room full only of other 16 year old boys one student had a 'physical reaction' which caused an uproar of rapid fire French slang to be thrown about dramatically interspursed with wild fits of laughter. Luckily for the young man at the center of attention he happens to be one of the popular kids. Incidentally, this turned out to be great for his image.
Maybe a degree in elementary education would have been a better choice? 'nuf said. You get the picture. Relate as you will to all parties involved.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Education vs. the Real World
I know I am supposed to be updating about Poland. But, this is my blog and I'll do what I please, thank you very much. Last night will go down as one of the most professionally awkward nights of my life which makes it more than blog-worthy.
Here is a little background on my living situation which should make this all much easier to understand. I live with the other language assistant (Spanish) and three French students. They are out of high school but still attend a pre-university program at the high school. We have a legit five bedroom, two bathroom apartement.
Ok, on with the story. Last night was one of my roommate's birthday party. I wasn't really aware of this before it was happening. I just thought there were some people coming over or something. No big deal. I was very wrong. At about ten the birthday girl came and invited me out to the party (I had been planning lessons, skyping away my Saturday night). I walk with her to the living room and I am told that its everyone from her program at school. At this moment my brain starts to panic a little.
At University I was told over and over and over to never be in a situation that looks even remotely like this. Yes, she is my roommate but her friends are my students. I am not going to drink with my students. I can't. How can I ever imagine to have respect in the classroom if the entire class has played drinking games with me? No. Not an option. Needless to say, I headed back to my room where I stayed for the rest of the night.
Should have been the end of it right? Nope. Through out the night until about 4:30 am while I was sleeping someone would occasionally wander into my room (thinking it was one of the bathrooms), flick on the light and then apologize as they hurriedly left and closed the door.
It really wouldn't have been that bad if the music hadn't still been blaring and if seeing these students at school was not part of the equation. In Washington educatiors are not even allowed to drive home a stranded student in the middle of the night because there are too many possible 'what-if's'. So, to me, this was a cardinal teaching sin. At University we even had a whole class on appropriate student contact. The professors encouraged us all to delete our Facebooks and any other social networking site we are involved with because they could leave us in horrible situations. We had lectures on 'Electronic Touching' meaning that there should be absolutely no interent contact with students while you are a teacher unless it is through your school email.
All of that is perfectly fine theoretically. But what do I do now when I get out of the shower and there are students in the hall on my way to my room? All of those countless education classes did not prepare me for this. I'm not sure if the rules are different because I'm a language assistant and not an offical full time faculty member or if this is just old hat for the French.
Conclusion? I blame the Pilgrims and their puritan ways for my inability to navagate my way through this very European situation.
Here is a little background on my living situation which should make this all much easier to understand. I live with the other language assistant (Spanish) and three French students. They are out of high school but still attend a pre-university program at the high school. We have a legit five bedroom, two bathroom apartement.
Ok, on with the story. Last night was one of my roommate's birthday party. I wasn't really aware of this before it was happening. I just thought there were some people coming over or something. No big deal. I was very wrong. At about ten the birthday girl came and invited me out to the party (I had been planning lessons, skyping away my Saturday night). I walk with her to the living room and I am told that its everyone from her program at school. At this moment my brain starts to panic a little.
At University I was told over and over and over to never be in a situation that looks even remotely like this. Yes, she is my roommate but her friends are my students. I am not going to drink with my students. I can't. How can I ever imagine to have respect in the classroom if the entire class has played drinking games with me? No. Not an option. Needless to say, I headed back to my room where I stayed for the rest of the night.
Should have been the end of it right? Nope. Through out the night until about 4:30 am while I was sleeping someone would occasionally wander into my room (thinking it was one of the bathrooms), flick on the light and then apologize as they hurriedly left and closed the door.
It really wouldn't have been that bad if the music hadn't still been blaring and if seeing these students at school was not part of the equation. In Washington educatiors are not even allowed to drive home a stranded student in the middle of the night because there are too many possible 'what-if's'. So, to me, this was a cardinal teaching sin. At University we even had a whole class on appropriate student contact. The professors encouraged us all to delete our Facebooks and any other social networking site we are involved with because they could leave us in horrible situations. We had lectures on 'Electronic Touching' meaning that there should be absolutely no interent contact with students while you are a teacher unless it is through your school email.
All of that is perfectly fine theoretically. But what do I do now when I get out of the shower and there are students in the hall on my way to my room? All of those countless education classes did not prepare me for this. I'm not sure if the rules are different because I'm a language assistant and not an offical full time faculty member or if this is just old hat for the French.
Conclusion? I blame the Pilgrims and their puritan ways for my inability to navagate my way through this very European situation.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Poland: Disneyland for adults.
The Main Square in Krakow (the biggest in Europe)
Before I just jump into this immense yet very entertaining update I would like to say that I am going to attack this from a new angle. Instead of listing everything in order of their occurence I've decided to make seperate entries about the trip based on content.
Secondly, I had the best time in Krakow. If you are into history, architecture, delicious food or the occasional liter glass of beer then I suggest you mosey on over to Krakow on your next vacation.
October 22nd means the begining of Fall Break in France. So, a few weeks before, a few friends of mine and I decided that Poland would be the destination for our lovely little holiday. I know, I know, it doens't really scream tourist hot spot as much as the beaches in Greece or islands off of the coast of Portugal but we're more of 'off the beaten path' sort of girls anyway. I for one am glad that we chose parkas over bikinis!
Ok, let's get started, shall we? (We shall) The focus of this post is going to be the Polish hospitality that I was fabulously amazed by. We were expecting to be treated like most foreigners in a new country. To be given directions, helped along in our horrible butchering of the native language while ordering food or some other item and left to our on devices. In Poland (at least for Jennifer, Kristi and I) this was not the case.
Our plane landed in Krakow around 11pm on a Monday night. Jennifer G. and the friend she was staying with were not going to be able to meet with us until Wednseday so Anna (Jenn's friend) sent two of her friends to pick us up. So, as we walk out of baggage claim we are happy to see two men walking towards us. Once we established that we were infact the American girls they were looking for we all introduced ourselves. Michael and Chris then showed us to the car and helped us with our backpacks even though we assured them we could handle it. They then drove us to our hostel in the center of Krakow.
When we arrived at the hostle we were greated by a staff member who showed us our room and then proceded to tell us everything we could have ever wanted to know about visiting Krakow (including maps, bars, clubs, places to get the best authentic food, tours etc...). The boys (Chris and Michael) then asked if we would like to go out for a beer or something. We of course said yes, thinking this was a once in a lifetime chance. We walked the five minutes to the Main Square (see above) where there are propably 100 bars in the area. Showtime is the name of the bar we decided on. 'Live music every night' seemed enticing. We headed in and Chris bought us all beers (we deiced on trying a cherry polish beer). We then sat and talked. They tried to teach us some polish phrases and we scribbled them down as best we could using a type of phonetic short hand. Needless to say, we're no where close to being able to communicate in polish. After the beer (which is served in a .5 liter glass) we moved to another bar jus downstairs. The night continued until around 3am when we realized we were still out and one of our hosts, Chris had to work in the morning. Needless to say, it'd be hard to find a stranger who would be willing to pick up three random travelers and take them out for the night when they had to work in the morning. Thanks Chris and Michael for giving us a fantastic first tast of Polish night life/hospitality!
We also met some very nice (read awesome) tour guides. Being tour guides their english was very great which made communicating easy and fun. We partook in the Free Walking Tours offered by http://freewalkingtour.com/. I'm seriously glad we decided to participate because it gave us the chance to meet some really cool people. Our first guide was named Martin (well, the Polish equivalent) and he showed us all around the Jewish neighborhood and ghetto during the Nazi occupation.
Martin teacing us about the oldest Synagogue in Poland.
After the official tour ended we (the group) were invited out for the unofficial part of the tour which included hitting local establishments in search of delicious food and drink. The first thing on the list was mulled wine which was welcomed with open arms (and mouths) considering how cold it had been during the tour. We all setteled in (about 20 of us) in a little pub and enjoyed the company of other travelers while sipping on our beverages.
 |
| The Remaining crew at 4am in the Jewish quarter. |
 | |||||
| Our ever hospitable guide, Martin. |
Again, Anna and her friends Chris and Michael were very nice and took us to dinner after we had visited Auschwitz. Also, Anna invited us to her birthday party the following Friday. It was so nice to be included in events which were not tourist activities. We danced the night away at Anna's party which was a perfect end to a perfect trip to Krakow. There is much more to come so don't stray too far.
Well, na zdrowie (cheers) to the people of Poland and good night!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Sharing is Caring!
This is a perfectly rendered account of how I spent last weekend (it even includes photos!). Thanks Jennifer Shannahan for taking the time to document!
http://jennifershannahan.blogspot.com/ (See the post titled 'Touring')
As authentic as it gets
Before I start, I am safe, happy and healthy. No one has any need to worry.
As most of the world knows, France is on strike. The government is trying to raise the retirement age from 60 to a mandatory 62 years old. In response, the French people have been protesting for over a week now. It seems like almost all of the unions support the strike and therefore are involved. It's actually a really unique thing to witness... especially for an American who has no concept of nation-wide protest.
That being said, I'm kind of over it. I mean, I think it sucks that the bill will probably pass without the people voting on it (because you know, that's how democracy works). But, there is potential for France to come to a stand still like it did in 1968 with the student protests which ended up turning into, well the same situation we have now. I think the biggest problem is that the workers in the refineries have been on strike as well. So, there is no gas. In Les Herbiers there is one gas station (and its the only one for something like 50K) and it is entirely out of gas. A teacher told me yesterday that there might not be school on Friday because that way they can save the gas used from all of the buses students take to school. In Nantes, the tram system is working (sometimes) but will stop at random places on the line and say, this is the last stop. Which, I imagine makes getting to work quite a pain.
Along with all of this, the students are protesting too. I mean a good protesting attitude is inate for them, so they start early. At my school the protest was a couple houndred students sitting in the quad and parking lot not going to class and holding signs and chanting occasionally. In Nantes, its a different story. When Melissa and I left Monday morning from our friends' apartement we turned left, the way we usually walk towards the tram. When we were about half way down the block we noticed about 15 students lingering in the street. No biggie, there is a catholic school just around the corner. About 30 seconds later, a swarm of emotionally charged, angry at the world, teens came flying around the corner. Luckly for us, they stopped and started abusing a store front by kicking the windows. Needless to say we went the other direction and passed the Police on the way. Before we left at 12:20 we could hear small bombs going off (nothing crazy, like in trash cans... just to make a mess and noise).
All I could think the whole time was, this could never happen in America. I keep expecting parents to come drag their irrational adolecent children away by their ear or facial piercing but they never come. This behavior seems to be supported by the older generation. As if, its ok for the youngsters to do it so they don't have to. I wonder what happens to the rioting teens. A slap on the wrist? I'm sure the police are pissed that they have to work later into their lives too.
Ok, enough rambeling on about someting that has nothing to do with me. Except, maybe if I can't fly to Poland on monday because there is no gas. Then I'll be really upset.
One thing I am loving is that everyday I get to see something that is older or more historic than almost anything we have in the US. Keri Ann told me that in the school she works at in Nantes there is German written on the walls. She asked about it and the teacher told her it was from when the Nazi's used the school during WWII. Excuse me!? That is insane. In the US we would have whitewashed over that within a week. Also, there are beautiful buildings that have lost matching tower etc. due to bombs that dropped during the wars. I think its pretty cool to be able to see the effects of history shown on a city.
Here's to hoping that the bill doesn't pass tomorrow and that there are not riots in Paris this weekend!
As most of the world knows, France is on strike. The government is trying to raise the retirement age from 60 to a mandatory 62 years old. In response, the French people have been protesting for over a week now. It seems like almost all of the unions support the strike and therefore are involved. It's actually a really unique thing to witness... especially for an American who has no concept of nation-wide protest.
That being said, I'm kind of over it. I mean, I think it sucks that the bill will probably pass without the people voting on it (because you know, that's how democracy works). But, there is potential for France to come to a stand still like it did in 1968 with the student protests which ended up turning into, well the same situation we have now. I think the biggest problem is that the workers in the refineries have been on strike as well. So, there is no gas. In Les Herbiers there is one gas station (and its the only one for something like 50K) and it is entirely out of gas. A teacher told me yesterday that there might not be school on Friday because that way they can save the gas used from all of the buses students take to school. In Nantes, the tram system is working (sometimes) but will stop at random places on the line and say, this is the last stop. Which, I imagine makes getting to work quite a pain.
Along with all of this, the students are protesting too. I mean a good protesting attitude is inate for them, so they start early. At my school the protest was a couple houndred students sitting in the quad and parking lot not going to class and holding signs and chanting occasionally. In Nantes, its a different story. When Melissa and I left Monday morning from our friends' apartement we turned left, the way we usually walk towards the tram. When we were about half way down the block we noticed about 15 students lingering in the street. No biggie, there is a catholic school just around the corner. About 30 seconds later, a swarm of emotionally charged, angry at the world, teens came flying around the corner. Luckly for us, they stopped and started abusing a store front by kicking the windows. Needless to say we went the other direction and passed the Police on the way. Before we left at 12:20 we could hear small bombs going off (nothing crazy, like in trash cans... just to make a mess and noise).
All I could think the whole time was, this could never happen in America. I keep expecting parents to come drag their irrational adolecent children away by their ear or facial piercing but they never come. This behavior seems to be supported by the older generation. As if, its ok for the youngsters to do it so they don't have to. I wonder what happens to the rioting teens. A slap on the wrist? I'm sure the police are pissed that they have to work later into their lives too.
Ok, enough rambeling on about someting that has nothing to do with me. Except, maybe if I can't fly to Poland on monday because there is no gas. Then I'll be really upset.
One thing I am loving is that everyday I get to see something that is older or more historic than almost anything we have in the US. Keri Ann told me that in the school she works at in Nantes there is German written on the walls. She asked about it and the teacher told her it was from when the Nazi's used the school during WWII. Excuse me!? That is insane. In the US we would have whitewashed over that within a week. Also, there are beautiful buildings that have lost matching tower etc. due to bombs that dropped during the wars. I think its pretty cool to be able to see the effects of history shown on a city.
Here's to hoping that the bill doesn't pass tomorrow and that there are not riots in Paris this weekend!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Strike!
There is a strike today (what's new for France)! So, I only had one of my four classes. In my class, I asked the students if they played any sports (rugby and soccer are huge here). The only responses I got were:
Yes, madame. I can play table tennis. Yes, I can do the twirling (batons). And, yes, miss. I can play the handball.
Not very aggressive now, are they? Aside from one student asking for my phone number the class went very smoothly.
The sun is out, the sky is blue. A beautiful day in western France.
Yes, madame. I can play table tennis. Yes, I can do the twirling (batons). And, yes, miss. I can play the handball.
Not very aggressive now, are they? Aside from one student asking for my phone number the class went very smoothly.
The sun is out, the sky is blue. A beautiful day in western France.
Monday, October 11, 2010
And there will be sun, sun, sun...
The weather here has really improved! It has been mostly sunny for the last four days! Every morning I open my window and am greated by a light breeze of cool fall air. It's been nice. The more I discover this town the more it reminds me of Kirkland (where my grandparents used to live). It smells the same. Also, there is a small forest/park right next to my apartment that is very much the same as the parks I used to play in when I was little. So, I've been very content the last few days.
With that being said, there are a few things I would like to comment on... there always are, I know.
Planning the trip to Poland:
So, I thought, Hey! let's use our French and buy our tickets from a French travel site! Great idea! NOT. It turns out that you can't use a debit card to purchase flights from the French site. They wanted us to send all of this official bank paperwork to them within 24 hours (on a Sunday). Psych. Not happening. So, we just let our ticket offers lapse and then I continued to buy the exact flight from Travelocity. Thanks for making it easy!
The bus:
In this little town, there is only one mode of transportion that links you to the outside world... bus 270. Through out the week it leaves Les Herbiers at 5:55, 6:50, 12:05 and 17:40. But, on the weekend, the last bus out is at 12:05 on saturday and does not return until 14:10 on Monday afternoon. Not very practicle for us workin' folk now is it?
Writing lessons:
I'm finding it difficult to write amazing first lessons because I have no idea what level these students are at. I mean, at the high school I only have students in either 1ere or terminale (juniors and seniors) who have been taking english for six or seven years. That being said, in class they are horrible shy. I guess, I will just have to wait it out and see how it goes!
Meals (lunch or dinner parties):
My French is improving everyday...but, I am so lost when it comes to multiple people speaking at the same time about a subject I don't know any vocabulary about. Yesterday, Emma (one of the French girls I live with) made a delicious lunch for the flatmates and some of their friends. There were ten of us sitting around the tables hanging out and talking. Then, everyone would get excited about a subject that I didn't understand and I couldn't contribute at all. Lame. Also, my brain was freaking out because I was trying desperately to concentrate in French and finding it rather difficult because there was loud American music playing in the background. It was hopeless.
My future as a Sitcom writer:
My life here is very amusing when I look at it from an outside perspective. I am going to start writing down more and more details of the silly things that happen. I mean, in our apartement there are three french post BAC students, me (the American) and Melissa from Costa Rica. Then across the hall is an Italian man named Mattia. We live in the country in France in a posh little town where everyone who lives here is loaded. Watch out "How I Met Your Mother", I may have stuck gold!
With that being said, there are a few things I would like to comment on... there always are, I know.
Planning the trip to Poland:
So, I thought, Hey! let's use our French and buy our tickets from a French travel site! Great idea! NOT. It turns out that you can't use a debit card to purchase flights from the French site. They wanted us to send all of this official bank paperwork to them within 24 hours (on a Sunday). Psych. Not happening. So, we just let our ticket offers lapse and then I continued to buy the exact flight from Travelocity. Thanks for making it easy!
The bus:
In this little town, there is only one mode of transportion that links you to the outside world... bus 270. Through out the week it leaves Les Herbiers at 5:55, 6:50, 12:05 and 17:40. But, on the weekend, the last bus out is at 12:05 on saturday and does not return until 14:10 on Monday afternoon. Not very practicle for us workin' folk now is it?
Writing lessons:
I'm finding it difficult to write amazing first lessons because I have no idea what level these students are at. I mean, at the high school I only have students in either 1ere or terminale (juniors and seniors) who have been taking english for six or seven years. That being said, in class they are horrible shy. I guess, I will just have to wait it out and see how it goes!
Meals (lunch or dinner parties):
My French is improving everyday...but, I am so lost when it comes to multiple people speaking at the same time about a subject I don't know any vocabulary about. Yesterday, Emma (one of the French girls I live with) made a delicious lunch for the flatmates and some of their friends. There were ten of us sitting around the tables hanging out and talking. Then, everyone would get excited about a subject that I didn't understand and I couldn't contribute at all. Lame. Also, my brain was freaking out because I was trying desperately to concentrate in French and finding it rather difficult because there was loud American music playing in the background. It was hopeless.
My future as a Sitcom writer:
My life here is very amusing when I look at it from an outside perspective. I am going to start writing down more and more details of the silly things that happen. I mean, in our apartement there are three french post BAC students, me (the American) and Melissa from Costa Rica. Then across the hall is an Italian man named Mattia. We live in the country in France in a posh little town where everyone who lives here is loaded. Watch out "How I Met Your Mother", I may have stuck gold!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Sunday, October 3, 2010
When in France...eat like the Italians eat
Meal times have become my favorite part of living here! We have a small round table and tonight we had eight people around it eating together. It was fabulous. Mattia made pizza (the Nappoli way!) which was delicious. We just sit and joke and talk and tonight we bonded over The Clash and other American music. I love that these people are so knowledgeable about American pop culture. It really gives us something to talk about. I was thinking when I left that I'd be sarving to death here or just eating whatever was least expensive because I'd be cooking for myself but it happens to be the exact opposite. I'm eating like a king (or queen)! At school we can buy lunch and dinner during the week. The food is very good considering it comes from a school kitchen. But, they do serve things that I am really not used to. Interested in some examples? Here we go: as an entree an option was a halved peach with a scoop of tuna in the divits where the pit would go, also, I had (at least tried) vegetables which were patee'd then placed into a pan in spereate layers then sliced and served. It looked like a spongy slice of neopolitain ice cream but in orange, white and green. Those were the strangest things I have encountered thus far. But, I'm sure there will be more. Since I've been here though Mattia has made us three meals. So I've been eating Italian more than French and I prefer it that way. He made us Safron Rizito with mushrooms that someone in his family grows in Italy, and Crab Spaghetti and now pizza. He says its a good thing he is going back to Italy for Christmas that way he can bring back more provisions...because the French "can not do pasta!"
I have my first class tomorrow! Let's pray it goes well!
à plus tard!
I have my first class tomorrow! Let's pray it goes well!
à plus tard!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Que sera... sera
Yesterday was a day to test any patience I had. In Paris everyone was very helpful and knowledgable and gave us a ton of information when we need it. I wish I could have said the same for the people at the Nantes train/bus station. Jennifer and I took the train from Paris to Nantes early so I would be able to catch the 12:25 bus to Les Herbiers where Mme. Sachot was waiting for me. The only problem was that there are about six different bus stops at the station and not a soul could tell me which one was the stop for Les Herbiers. Needless to say, I missed the bus. Thankfully Jennifer's school contact in Nantes came to pick her up. She was very fabulous. We re-checked all of the stops incase I had missed the name or number. She also called the school to let them know I would be late. Anyway, the next bus didn't come until 6:20. So, at 6:10 I went to where one lady swore the bus would stop and waited. The bus did arrive...but when I flagged it down (like you must do in France if you want it to stop) it didn't stop. So, at this point I was so upset. I thought I'd never make it to this tiny town. There was one final which was to come at 7:35. So, once again I waited. I asked every bus that came into the stop if they were the bus/knew the bus for Les Herbiers. Finally, as I was asking a driver, the 270 showed but and she flagged him down for me. I was the only person on the bus. We drove and drove through the beautiful wine country full of cows and grapes and apple trees. It is seriously beautiful.
Once we arrived and the driver said, "We're here" and Isaid, "really? " (it was a dark parking lot) I got off to find a very concerned Italian man waiting for me. His name is Mattea and he is the best thing that could gave happend to me that night. He speaks french also but he prefers english...which was exactly what I needed. We took my stuff up to the apartment and I met my roommates: three french students who are in Terminal and one girl my age from Costa Rica. Then we went to his apartement across the hall and ate a very late dinner. After, I came back and went to bed.
Today, (I have to make this short because the Internet turns off at 10 o'clock because it is for the students) was fabulous... aside from the fact that I feel like I only understand 30 percent of what everyone is saying. I woke up late and then met with Melissa (the costa rician) for lunch and then we met a bunch a teachers, the principal, and the two ladies who will help me with anything I could need. I had a meeting with the High School english department and planned out my schedule. they are all so nice. I think (i may be wrong because my french is horrible) i get to work in an art class once a week!! we'll find out. We also had an interview/welcome in the principal's office. The interview ened up just being about Mattea but we had to be in the photo... it will be in the paper on sunday.
After all of the school appointments, we walked to the town center and went to go fight the bureaucaracy that is france. Melissa and I mailed our visa paperwork at the post office and then we walked through the town. Mattea bought us each a pain au chocolat (my favorite) at the boulangerie.
It was a fabulous day. I feel very welcomed and excited to be here. Its super strange and new (which makes it a little scary) but that is half of the fun. I'll update tomorrow about the things that are strange and unique.
p.s. it is so rural...it smells like cows.
Once we arrived and the driver said, "We're here" and Isaid, "really? " (it was a dark parking lot) I got off to find a very concerned Italian man waiting for me. His name is Mattea and he is the best thing that could gave happend to me that night. He speaks french also but he prefers english...which was exactly what I needed. We took my stuff up to the apartment and I met my roommates: three french students who are in Terminal and one girl my age from Costa Rica. Then we went to his apartement across the hall and ate a very late dinner. After, I came back and went to bed.
Today, (I have to make this short because the Internet turns off at 10 o'clock because it is for the students) was fabulous... aside from the fact that I feel like I only understand 30 percent of what everyone is saying. I woke up late and then met with Melissa (the costa rician) for lunch and then we met a bunch a teachers, the principal, and the two ladies who will help me with anything I could need. I had a meeting with the High School english department and planned out my schedule. they are all so nice. I think (i may be wrong because my french is horrible) i get to work in an art class once a week!! we'll find out. We also had an interview/welcome in the principal's office. The interview ened up just being about Mattea but we had to be in the photo... it will be in the paper on sunday.
After all of the school appointments, we walked to the town center and went to go fight the bureaucaracy that is france. Melissa and I mailed our visa paperwork at the post office and then we walked through the town. Mattea bought us each a pain au chocolat (my favorite) at the boulangerie.
It was a fabulous day. I feel very welcomed and excited to be here. Its super strange and new (which makes it a little scary) but that is half of the fun. I'll update tomorrow about the things that are strange and unique.
p.s. it is so rural...it smells like cows.
I wrote this on the train
Here we go. 29.09.2010
I’m on the train to Nantes and I will start with the fact that I am so thankful for this opportunity. France is beautiful and French is a fabulous language.
Here is a quick rundown of the high/Low lights from the last two-ish days:
+Seeing Anna Marie
+ Hearing French all of the time
+ Anne giving us a walking tour of Anciene Paris (we got to go into the Sabornne!)
+ Remembering how great things taste here!! (yogurt is to die for)
+ Trying out my very rusty French and actually getting logical answers
+ Notre Dame (will always be a highlight)
- The bus not completing the route which would have taken us straight to Anna Marie’s apartment
- Hauling our luggage through the metro (up a million stairs) [and yes, family, lugging those suitcases through paris totally sucked!]
- Scalding myself on the boiling hot water in the shower
-Leaving Jennifer Gfeller this morning
This adventure has already had its share of ups and downs and its only the 3rd day here. After we arrive in Nantes I’ll have to leave Jennifer Shannahan and I will take the bus to Les Herbiers where I’ll be on my own…hopefully with internet so I can stay in contact. Let’s hope it’s fantastique!
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