Okay, so I'm not actually IN Switzerland as I'm writing this, but I wanted another map pin. Yes, I am lame. It's okay. Now, on to more important business. Geneva. What a gorgeous city! Allie, Danielle, Erika, and Lauren all had earlier trains but Katrice and I had class until 3:30 Friday so we met the rest of the girls at the train station on Friday night. I've decided that the SNCF people are not very bright. They over booked our train, so we got to stand for about an hour and a half between Nimes and Geneva. It was widly hilarious and we ended up being the obnoxious giggly American girls. But it's cool, we had fun.
Friday night we checked in at the hostel, and we were all pretty beat by that time, so we just went to bed. Saturday morning we woke up for breakfast then headed out to see the city! FYI: Switzerland is cold in February. Our first stop was the botanical gardens. While we were waiting for the bus we stopped in to a little boutique to warm up. This is the last weekend of the soldes in France, and we're pretty sure Geneva is confused and thinks it's in France, so it was their last weekend of soldes too. But, boy is it an expensive city! We did a lot of window shopping and no buying since we're all trying to save money for travel.
The Gardens were pretty and fun, and we saw some giant bunny squirrel things, and they made me think of you Jep, and I tried to get a picture, but it didn't work out too well.
Then we walked to the United Nations building, took some pics with the sign and the flags, and the GIANT three legged chair across the street. By that time we were hungry again, so where do we eat? That's right McDo. Outrageously overpriced McDo. It was delicious, and I got an Asterix musical toy in my Happy Meal. That right there pretty much made the trip! After lunch, it was time to see the jet d'eau. We walked all the way out to the lake, out on the pier. No l'eau. Just a sign that gives some facts, like the jet is over 400 meters tall, and pumps a lot of liters every second. Disappointed, we started to wander around the city. We stopped at the Musee d'art et d'histoire de Geneve. Want to know whats in that museum? Replicas of paintings from other museums. Good thing it was free. The building itself was really pretty though, so I guess that's something. We headed to the cathedral and found a cute little square where Allie and Erika bought gelato. Then while were playing in the playground outside the cathedral, I notice the tip of the jet d'eau over buildings!! So, we walked back down to the lake and saw the l'eau. It's pretty sweet, with the mountains in the backgroud and the boats and architecture. It makes for some good pics. After that we decided that as true fans of Dan Brown and the Internet, we should go see CERN. We get on a bus, which drops us off on the on-ramp to an interstate! and wait for our connecting route. Pretty amusing. Turns out that CERN has some pretty strict security codes, and you can't just walk in. Who knew? So we got to see the Alps for the first time, took some pics of the campus and ended up going back into town on the same bus we came out on, made our first stop at a Carrefour and head back to the hostel to find dinner. Erika and I ate at a Japanese place and I got some really great Curry. I think I may attempt to learn to make curry. I've been proven to be a terrible cook here though, so we'll see how that actually turns out.
Sunday, Katrice and I wandered around the city, near the lake to stay in the sun. We took some of the most random ridiculous pictures ever, and it was a lot of fun! Then to warm up, we stopped at Starbucks and got lattees and treats and filled out our postcards for a while. The train ride home was pretty uneventful. No standing. We did however, end up being the only people in BOTH of the train stations we had layovers in. What fun!
This week has been good. I had to renew my tram pass and go grocery shopping yesterday. There is an Aldi here!! Andrea and I found it a couple of weeks ago. I love it because I'd really rather spend my money on something other than groceries thank you very much. Then today Mariah and I booked our trip to Paris in two weeks! I can't wait for my first time in the City of Lights! Ah! Then I get to go back when dad comes to visit on the 22nd!
I really am a very lucky little girl...
Tomorrow I'm going to get my culture pass so that we can go to discounted French films, and Andrea and I are going with Fanja and her friend Caps to a concert!! I am really excited to hear some French music. Seriously, all they play here is American/British music and I'm sick of it!!
Well seeing as I've got class at 8:30 tomorrow morning, I think that will be all for now.
A Bientot mes amis!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Things I like about France (part duex)
1. Irish pubs with cute bartenders. Some girls and I went to O, Carolan's last night. The bartenders speak English (and hence, speak French slowly enough for me to understand) and are more than a little attractive.
2. Saturdays. No joke, everyone goes out on Saturdays. I'm not one for big crowds but here it's cool to see everyone outside shopping, eating paninis, and drinking beer with their lunch ( I haven't tried this one yet, maybe soon).
3. Sundays. At first I thought I was going to hate Sundays. Absolutely everything is closed on Sunday, and doesn't open up again until sometime after noon on Monday. The French really like their leisure time. It gives me a good excuse to put off my homework until Sunday though.
4. Cafes. They all double as bars at night. Who knew? Not me, until last night.
5. Random celebrations on the Place. Yesterday there was a Chinese New Year celebration, then a few hundred meters away, a Jamaican celebration. wahoo for festivities.
6. Baguettes and Compte. I need to stop eating this. Seriously, Andrea and I go through a block of Compte a day, it's ridiculous.
7. Markets on the esplanade. 6 euro sunglasses, fresh pasteries, cheap fresh fruit, veggies, and flowers...all outside, in February. Take that Midwest, I hear you have over a foot and a half of snow.
8. Les Bises, the three kisses on the cheek, they actually do that here (quite a bit actually)! I feel so European.
9. Orangina, 'nuff said.
10. Le disothéque... on ice. We went ice skating in America town (aka the Odysseum, I swear it feels like Orlando, not France) and the skating rink had strobe lights, disco balls, and some pretty sweet techno music.
11. Travel! I'm going to Switzerland next weekend and my train ticket was less than $120 round trip. hahahaa. And it might be cheaper, we think the people at the Gare (train station) screwed us, so we're going back tomorrow.
Which leads me too:
things that make me question the French:
1. Stupid people at the Gare, not helpful, at least with me. My friends have all had better experiences than I have.
2. way too much PDA. On the tram, the esplanade, in stores, at cafes. Seriously these French people can't keep their hands off each other! Although, I have to admit most of them are pretty attractive so I can't really blame them.
3. America is everywhere! I think I've heard about 5 French songs on the radio since I've gotten here, and they play bad American music too, a lot of Enrique and Avril, and really bad 80s music everywhere. There are four McDo's in Montpellier, at least two Sylvan learning centers, 3 Subway Sub shops, and a Cafe Route 66. Plus they sell about 6 different kinds of frozen fries and hamburgers at every grocery store. Why in the world would you eat frozen fries and burgers when French food is about three trillion times better?
2. Saturdays. No joke, everyone goes out on Saturdays. I'm not one for big crowds but here it's cool to see everyone outside shopping, eating paninis, and drinking beer with their lunch ( I haven't tried this one yet, maybe soon).
3. Sundays. At first I thought I was going to hate Sundays. Absolutely everything is closed on Sunday, and doesn't open up again until sometime after noon on Monday. The French really like their leisure time. It gives me a good excuse to put off my homework until Sunday though.
4. Cafes. They all double as bars at night. Who knew? Not me, until last night.
5. Random celebrations on the Place. Yesterday there was a Chinese New Year celebration, then a few hundred meters away, a Jamaican celebration. wahoo for festivities.
6. Baguettes and Compte. I need to stop eating this. Seriously, Andrea and I go through a block of Compte a day, it's ridiculous.
7. Markets on the esplanade. 6 euro sunglasses, fresh pasteries, cheap fresh fruit, veggies, and flowers...all outside, in February. Take that Midwest, I hear you have over a foot and a half of snow.
8. Les Bises, the three kisses on the cheek, they actually do that here (quite a bit actually)! I feel so European.
9. Orangina, 'nuff said.
10. Le disothéque... on ice. We went ice skating in America town (aka the Odysseum, I swear it feels like Orlando, not France) and the skating rink had strobe lights, disco balls, and some pretty sweet techno music.
11. Travel! I'm going to Switzerland next weekend and my train ticket was less than $120 round trip. hahahaa. And it might be cheaper, we think the people at the Gare (train station) screwed us, so we're going back tomorrow.
Which leads me too:
things that make me question the French:
1. Stupid people at the Gare, not helpful, at least with me. My friends have all had better experiences than I have.
2. way too much PDA. On the tram, the esplanade, in stores, at cafes. Seriously these French people can't keep their hands off each other! Although, I have to admit most of them are pretty attractive so I can't really blame them.
3. America is everywhere! I think I've heard about 5 French songs on the radio since I've gotten here, and they play bad American music too, a lot of Enrique and Avril, and really bad 80s music everywhere. There are four McDo's in Montpellier, at least two Sylvan learning centers, 3 Subway Sub shops, and a Cafe Route 66. Plus they sell about 6 different kinds of frozen fries and hamburgers at every grocery store. Why in the world would you eat frozen fries and burgers when French food is about three trillion times better?
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
language fatigue ain't no joke.
Things I love about France:
the food (the crepes, the cheese, the wine! The landscape, the architecture, the laidback lifestyle, the art museums, the weather (it's been in the 50s almost everyday!), reading on the esplanade because it's so nice out, my room.
Things I dislike about France:
the tram, the internet, being tired ALL the time!
Seriously, these people are so chill and laid back about everything, except the tram. The tram is like the light rail for those of you from Minnesota, and it comes every three minutes. The way people push and shove to get on you'd think there was only one per hour or something. but no, every three minutes. This morning, I had class at 9. By the time I got to school, I didn't even need to hold on to anything to keep from falling when the train stopped and started. I barely moved. It's at moments like these I get frustrated with the French people. Also, when they don't even attempt to move on the sidewalks. Also, when the internet sucks, which is a lot.
I realize I sound like a spoiled American here, but I'm okay with that. I would like to be able to talk to my friends and family, thank you very much.
Okay enough of me being cranky with the French. I just thought if this is going to be an accurate journal I might as well post about things that frustrate me as well as the things that make me deliriously happy.
My classes are going well, I just found out that I get one grade for study abroad and it's worth 16 credits. I better get an A. 16 credits of an A would be simply fabulous. So that's the goal. I just have to make myself do my homework everynight and not skip more than one Friday... which maybe might be difficult. Maybe not.
the food (the crepes, the cheese, the wine! The landscape, the architecture, the laidback lifestyle, the art museums, the weather (it's been in the 50s almost everyday!), reading on the esplanade because it's so nice out, my room.
Things I dislike about France:
the tram, the internet, being tired ALL the time!
Seriously, these people are so chill and laid back about everything, except the tram. The tram is like the light rail for those of you from Minnesota, and it comes every three minutes. The way people push and shove to get on you'd think there was only one per hour or something. but no, every three minutes. This morning, I had class at 9. By the time I got to school, I didn't even need to hold on to anything to keep from falling when the train stopped and started. I barely moved. It's at moments like these I get frustrated with the French people. Also, when they don't even attempt to move on the sidewalks. Also, when the internet sucks, which is a lot.
I realize I sound like a spoiled American here, but I'm okay with that. I would like to be able to talk to my friends and family, thank you very much.
Okay enough of me being cranky with the French. I just thought if this is going to be an accurate journal I might as well post about things that frustrate me as well as the things that make me deliriously happy.
My classes are going well, I just found out that I get one grade for study abroad and it's worth 16 credits. I better get an A. 16 credits of an A would be simply fabulous. So that's the goal. I just have to make myself do my homework everynight and not skip more than one Friday... which maybe might be difficult. Maybe not.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Provence, and then some...
So, it's been two weeks and Montpellier is starting to feel like home. It still doesn't feel like I'm actually going to be living in France. I still feel like this is just vacation, and I'll have to go home soon.
I have met some pretty amazing people here. They are some of the sweetest smartest most ambitious people I have ever met. We've been doing a lot of shopping and wanding through the city.
Last weekend the program sponsored a trip to Provence. I think I may move there. It is the single more gorgeous region of the world... We started our day with a visit to Pont du Gard. There is an aqueduct that the Romans built more than a century ago, and it's amazing. We climbed to the top and were able to see for miles. The French countryside looks like something out of a fairy tale. Little houses and villages nestled into mountains and hillsides.
Our next stop was the Fountaine of Vacluse. So far, it has been my favorite spot in France. There is a small village which is built around this beautiful river which comes from underground sources. It looks like it literally appears from nowhere. There is giant cliff, a small lagoon, a bunch of boulders, then this surging river.The village looks like it hasn't changed since the 19th century, it's a very provencial town. The stucco houses have bright blue shutters and clay roof shingles. We pickniqued on the river, then boarded the bus to our next stop, Les Baux de Provence. The village deated back to 6,000 years BC and many of the houses and churches that remain were built in the 16th century. The village it self was pretty, there were a lot of modern shops selling postcards and handmade soap. But the view was amazing. We were above everything, and you could see for miles (most of which was vineyards). Our last stop was Le Moulin de Fontvielle. Which was a windmill. on a hill. Nothing spectacular, but apparently it's a huge tourist attraction, someone was even getting married as we were leaving the sight. I'm not sure I would choose that location for my ceremony, but hey whatever makes you happy. The week since our trip to Provence has flown by. We started classes on Tuesday, and I'm pretty excited. I have 13 hours of French Language a week, and hour and a half of litterature, and an hour an a half of art history. I don't have classes on Mondays, which is going to help a lot with the travelling. :) My daily routine consists of getting pain au chocolat at this little patisserie close to campus. Then heading to school class, then usually out in the city for a while, before coming back to my place and eating dinner with Andrea and Fanja. Leah is still pretty shy and stand-off-ish. I wish she would be more sociable when we were all home, but oh well. Fanja is super helpful, and I love Andrea. Over all, I really lucked out with my living situation.
Today some friends and I went shopping downtown, and found this English bookstore called Book in Bar. It's the most charming bookstore I could ever imagine. It's tucked into a charming little side street, and the building is still very medeival lookding, most of the walls are stone and wood. They have two floors packed with wooden bookshelves and cafe tables. The barista is British and speaks french with a british accent. Plus, they have lattees, english style. I believe I will be spending a lot of time in this place.
Tomorrow is the Superbowl, I'm going to be proud to be an American tomorrow night, something that I try not to flaunt normally. Then we are going to try and plan our weekend travels. Ideally, I'll be going somewhere almost every weekend. I'm not sure if that is logistically or financially possible, but we shall see.
Well, I believe you are all updated now. So abientot mes amis.
Bisous,
Ash
I have met some pretty amazing people here. They are some of the sweetest smartest most ambitious people I have ever met. We've been doing a lot of shopping and wanding through the city.
Last weekend the program sponsored a trip to Provence. I think I may move there. It is the single more gorgeous region of the world... We started our day with a visit to Pont du Gard. There is an aqueduct that the Romans built more than a century ago, and it's amazing. We climbed to the top and were able to see for miles. The French countryside looks like something out of a fairy tale. Little houses and villages nestled into mountains and hillsides.
Our next stop was the Fountaine of Vacluse. So far, it has been my favorite spot in France. There is a small village which is built around this beautiful river which comes from underground sources. It looks like it literally appears from nowhere. There is giant cliff, a small lagoon, a bunch of boulders, then this surging river.The village looks like it hasn't changed since the 19th century, it's a very provencial town. The stucco houses have bright blue shutters and clay roof shingles. We pickniqued on the river, then boarded the bus to our next stop, Les Baux de Provence. The village deated back to 6,000 years BC and many of the houses and churches that remain were built in the 16th century. The village it self was pretty, there were a lot of modern shops selling postcards and handmade soap. But the view was amazing. We were above everything, and you could see for miles (most of which was vineyards). Our last stop was Le Moulin de Fontvielle. Which was a windmill. on a hill. Nothing spectacular, but apparently it's a huge tourist attraction, someone was even getting married as we were leaving the sight. I'm not sure I would choose that location for my ceremony, but hey whatever makes you happy. The week since our trip to Provence has flown by. We started classes on Tuesday, and I'm pretty excited. I have 13 hours of French Language a week, and hour and a half of litterature, and an hour an a half of art history. I don't have classes on Mondays, which is going to help a lot with the travelling. :) My daily routine consists of getting pain au chocolat at this little patisserie close to campus. Then heading to school class, then usually out in the city for a while, before coming back to my place and eating dinner with Andrea and Fanja. Leah is still pretty shy and stand-off-ish. I wish she would be more sociable when we were all home, but oh well. Fanja is super helpful, and I love Andrea. Over all, I really lucked out with my living situation.
Today some friends and I went shopping downtown, and found this English bookstore called Book in Bar. It's the most charming bookstore I could ever imagine. It's tucked into a charming little side street, and the building is still very medeival lookding, most of the walls are stone and wood. They have two floors packed with wooden bookshelves and cafe tables. The barista is British and speaks french with a british accent. Plus, they have lattees, english style. I believe I will be spending a lot of time in this place.
Tomorrow is the Superbowl, I'm going to be proud to be an American tomorrow night, something that I try not to flaunt normally. Then we are going to try and plan our weekend travels. Ideally, I'll be going somewhere almost every weekend. I'm not sure if that is logistically or financially possible, but we shall see.
Well, I believe you are all updated now. So abientot mes amis.
Bisous,
Ash
Friday, January 18, 2008
First Impressions.
I am in love with this city. It has been a long two days, but I have loved every minute of it. The journey from Minneapolis was long and tiring, and extremely exciting. I am so glad I took the group flight, it gave us all a chance to bond a little before getting here, plus it was good to have a support network to count on when things got a little too complicated for me to handle on my own.
We arrived in Montpellier at 2:30 in the afternoon, roughly 17 hours after departing from the Minneapolis airport. Sadly, my baggage didn't. One of the onsite directors, Corinne, met us at the airport and helped me and two other students describe our luggage to the AirFrance staff, then we took a taxi to the Ibis hotel, in the center of Le Place de la Comedie, which Montpellier's central square. After showering, I was so tired that I just slept... for 6 hours. Then my roommate and I went out to le place and grabbed dinner. This morning Corinne met us at the hotel after breakfast and after a very very short walking tour we headed to the office. There, we got a short on-site orientation ate some pizza and were taken to our housing. Mine being in the other half of the building.
I love my apartment, no wait I ADORE my apartment. Since we share a building, we are able to connect to the office's wireless. Well, most of the time at least. Somehow, I got lucky enough to be given the biggest room, and the biggest bed! The furniture is all antique and gorgeous. Plus, my favorite part, I have a fireplace and a balcony! I swear, I think I may have the best housing situation out of anyone in the program.
My American roommate, Andrea, was home eating lunch with a friend. They were nice enough to invite me out with them to the bookstore and to walk around the city. Andrea took me to buy my tram pass, which was fairly simple, and to the Monoprix, to buy groceries. Not so simple. They list the price in Euros AND in Francs. I bought a very small amount of food, and the first thing I saw was the Francs price, 98,00. Well, needless to say I got a little worried. There was no way I was spending 98 euro on five grocery items. It wasn't. It was only 15 euro, and it's a good thing Andrea was there to help.
We came home and both of the French roommates were here. Franja (pronounced Fanza) is 22 and used to teach french to brazilian students so she is very patient when I don't understand what she is trying to say, or when I can't formulate an answer. My other French roommate is Leah. I think she is 19, she's preparing for her BAC which is an important test all french students must take to get into university, so she studies a lot. Fanja took Andrea and I out to a cafe with some of her friends last night and it was fun. Andrea and I spent a lot of the time just observing and once in awhile saying "quoi?" (which means, what?)
Today we went as a group to open our bank accounts and purchase rental insurance. Then a few of us went to this little sandwicherie (haha, I love that they call it that) and had really delicious sandwiches. In about an hour we will be taken to our school for the first time, to register as students and see the campus.
I think I may have blown my converter, so I'll have to buy a new one. When I do, I will post pictures of my place and the city.
until then, abientot mes amis!
We arrived in Montpellier at 2:30 in the afternoon, roughly 17 hours after departing from the Minneapolis airport. Sadly, my baggage didn't. One of the onsite directors, Corinne, met us at the airport and helped me and two other students describe our luggage to the AirFrance staff, then we took a taxi to the Ibis hotel, in the center of Le Place de la Comedie, which Montpellier's central square. After showering, I was so tired that I just slept... for 6 hours. Then my roommate and I went out to le place and grabbed dinner. This morning Corinne met us at the hotel after breakfast and after a very very short walking tour we headed to the office. There, we got a short on-site orientation ate some pizza and were taken to our housing. Mine being in the other half of the building.
I love my apartment, no wait I ADORE my apartment. Since we share a building, we are able to connect to the office's wireless. Well, most of the time at least. Somehow, I got lucky enough to be given the biggest room, and the biggest bed! The furniture is all antique and gorgeous. Plus, my favorite part, I have a fireplace and a balcony! I swear, I think I may have the best housing situation out of anyone in the program.
My American roommate, Andrea, was home eating lunch with a friend. They were nice enough to invite me out with them to the bookstore and to walk around the city. Andrea took me to buy my tram pass, which was fairly simple, and to the Monoprix, to buy groceries. Not so simple. They list the price in Euros AND in Francs. I bought a very small amount of food, and the first thing I saw was the Francs price, 98,00. Well, needless to say I got a little worried. There was no way I was spending 98 euro on five grocery items. It wasn't. It was only 15 euro, and it's a good thing Andrea was there to help.
We came home and both of the French roommates were here. Franja (pronounced Fanza) is 22 and used to teach french to brazilian students so she is very patient when I don't understand what she is trying to say, or when I can't formulate an answer. My other French roommate is Leah. I think she is 19, she's preparing for her BAC which is an important test all french students must take to get into university, so she studies a lot. Fanja took Andrea and I out to a cafe with some of her friends last night and it was fun. Andrea and I spent a lot of the time just observing and once in awhile saying "quoi?" (which means, what?)
Today we went as a group to open our bank accounts and purchase rental insurance. Then a few of us went to this little sandwicherie (haha, I love that they call it that) and had really delicious sandwiches. In about an hour we will be taken to our school for the first time, to register as students and see the campus.
I think I may have blown my converter, so I'll have to buy a new one. When I do, I will post pictures of my place and the city.
until then, abientot mes amis!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
In six days I will be leaving the U.S. for the first time in my life. Well, excluding that one day trip to Tijuana when I was in the third grade. I leave at 10:50am on January 16th and at 12:50pm on January 17th (their time) I will land in my home for the next four months, Montpellier, France.
Needless to say, I'm terrified.
I have some pretty amazing people in my life here at home, and I'm going to miss them terribly. Plus, there's the whole having to fit my entire life into two suitcases thing. Not easy, I must say. The past semester has been extremely stressful, trying to prepare myself to leave, take care of school work, and have enough fun with my friends here to last next semester too.
I have a feeling it's going to be worth the trouble.
I know that I'm not going to be the same person when I return, and I'm preparing myself for that as well. I'm so excited to travel, and grow, and reach past my comfort zone (something I've never been very good at). I'm starting this journal for a few reasons. The first being to record my time abroad, I want to remember as much as possible and how it made me feel at the time. Secondly, to look back and see how my experiences have changed me. and lastly, so that the people I care about can read about what I'm doing, so they'll have a little bit of an understanding of how this journey is shaping who I am and who I become.
So, I suppose, here goes nothing...
Needless to say, I'm terrified.
I have some pretty amazing people in my life here at home, and I'm going to miss them terribly. Plus, there's the whole having to fit my entire life into two suitcases thing. Not easy, I must say. The past semester has been extremely stressful, trying to prepare myself to leave, take care of school work, and have enough fun with my friends here to last next semester too.
I have a feeling it's going to be worth the trouble.
I know that I'm not going to be the same person when I return, and I'm preparing myself for that as well. I'm so excited to travel, and grow, and reach past my comfort zone (something I've never been very good at). I'm starting this journal for a few reasons. The first being to record my time abroad, I want to remember as much as possible and how it made me feel at the time. Secondly, to look back and see how my experiences have changed me. and lastly, so that the people I care about can read about what I'm doing, so they'll have a little bit of an understanding of how this journey is shaping who I am and who I become.
So, I suppose, here goes nothing...
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