CASTLE!!!!

I woke up earlier today to finish up some postcards and walk to the post office (it is only open for 3 hours in the morning). I also wanted to send a box to myself of some presents and stuff so that I have less to carry around Europe. I got everything together and headed for the post office in the center of town. Luckily Camille's family lives very close so it was only like 3 or 4 blocks away. I got everything send (it wasn't cheep, but actually not too expensive). Then I left the post office and went to the ATM but it wasn't working, so I'll just hit up the one by the train station when I get there. Such a cute little town.

I got back and ate some breakfast then looked at train tickets online. I am trying to figure out whether to leave Sunday or Monday because Camille's friends invited me to hang out with all of them on Sunday which sounds really fun, but then that only leaves 4 and a half days to hang with Julien if I don't leave till Monday.

Then we had a very nice French lunch (yes I'm going to talk about food again, it just wouldn't be France if I didn't), we had pasta with a creamy ham sauce, some dried meat with cheese and oil on it, a tomato salad and bread (of course). It was very delicious and it was just Denis, Martine, Ninor and I. I talked with Denis and Martine (Camille's parents) about higher education in the US and higher education in France. It was very interesting, how similar and different they are. (I'm a fan of the free University part, can we have that) They told me about how only the public schools are called Universities, and the private schools have another name. Also that Universities are free for students, but the private schools you must pay for. They also said some of the Universities are better than the private schools. Very interesting.

After that we chilled for a bit before going to a CASTLE!!! My first castle!!! It was very exciting. It wasn't too far away, so we hoped in the car and made our way there. They said it was a kid thing, that's why they thought it was a good idea, because Ninor would enjoy it. They were explaining to me how this castle was a very typical French castle. I had to explain to them that I had never been to a castle before because we don't have castles in the US and this is the first time I've been to Europe. The tour was all in French so I didn't understand most of it because it is vocabulary I am unfamiliar with, so I just looked around and read the plaques. (I could understand the plaques) The little kid inside my felt like a princess, or Robin Hood, or like I was in some fairy tale as we walked through the castle and climbed the tower. In one room they had some of Napoleon Bonaparte's stuff, including his hat. (That's right, I saw Napoleon's hat!) The tour was a bit long for not being able to understand, but all the stuff we saw was really cool. Guns and artifacts that the man who lived in the castle owned. It was pretty sweet.

After the castle we went back to the house. I went upstairs for a bit and did some computer stuff. Then I came down and socialized. We had a drink before dinner, (I had Kir) and we all chatted about stuff. Camille's cousin came to join us for dinner, so he was there too. We all talked till dinner was ready. Then we sat down to eat. The meal was some Moroccan thing that had large pieces of meat with some vegetables that was all cooked in this sauce and served with couscous. It was kinda weird. Then we had some bread and cheese (can't go without it). And some strange but really yummy tiny plum and egg cake thing that Martine made. After dessert they took coffee (I skipped tea this time) and we sat and chatted some more. I talked to the younger of her two older brothers, Corenthin, he was really nice. And hsi English wasn't too bad. He hopes to come to the States soon and I told him if he came near San Francisco I would show him around. He seemed very excited by this idea so hopefully he will come to visit.

After dinner I showered, then came up to bed. Camille's family and friends are so nice it will be hard to leave here.

Because I missed walking so much! lol

I love this little town. It is even more like small town Montana than I realized (well except for the whole speaking French thing). They don't have a downtown, more of a town center. There they have the post office, the butcher shop, the bakery, and just a few other little shops. It is so cute.

I got to sleep in, always nice. Of course that was only after a bee stung my in the neck at 3am. I woke up because my neck really hurt, so I got up and went to the bathroom to check it out. There was a little red dot on my neck and when I brushed my hands through my hair a bee fell out!!!! I mildly freaked out. I didn't know if I was allergic so I stayed awake for a while talking to friends online and getting assistance and comfort on the bee sting situation. (thanks Nick, Andrew, and Mom) I washed the sting area and stayed awake long enough to make sure there was no reaction. Then back to sleep.

When I got up after sleeping in I got dressed and headed downstairs. I ate a very French breakfast (bread with butter and jam) with orange juice and tea (they really believe in having a hot beverage for breakfast). Then I found out we were going on a hike, well more of a nature walk, and then having a picnic up in the mountains.

So there was one thing I was wrong about, Camille's niece, the older one, isn't her niece it is her little sister. I misunderstood, my bad.

Anyway Camille's mom (Martine), Camille's father (Denis), Camille's youngest sister (Ninor) and I all got ready and hoped in the car to head toward the trail. It wasn't a far drive and once we got there they showed me on the sign which destination we were headed for. It was called Le Marche (I think) and it was only a 50 minute walk. So we went on our way. Ninor talked and talked the whole way. Mama look at this and Papa look at that. She is adorable, but she doesn't understand the beauty of silence. lol. Sometimes I listened to her, and other times I would just tune it out and enjoy the walk. It gave me alot of time to thing about stuff. Nothing in particular, just life.

We got to the spot and sat down for a nice little picnic. We had chips, weird but yummy beat salad with lentils, bread of course for little sandwiches and variety of different fruit applesauces for dessert. It was very yummy and relaxing. After lunch we looped around the marsh and headed back. On the way back I mainly thought about life, and reflected on alot. It was a nice brain break.

Once we got back to the house I chilled in my room for a bit waiting for Camille. Once she arrived she informed me we were going to pick up some of her friends and go to the lake nearby. So we got ready and went to pick up her friend Cecilia. When we got to Cecilia's house she had another friend there who joined us. Then we headed for the lake to meet up with Margaux, the friend from last night. (of course I fell asleep on the car ride) When we got there it took us a bit to find Margaux, after we did we stuck our feet in the water (rocky lake beaches aren't as nice to the feet as sandy Cali beaches) then we just chilled on the shore for a bit and talked about music and stuff till we were all hungry.

Then we went to eat at this restaurant on the lake Denis had told Camille about right nearby. I got some Kir (raspberry this time! Oh how I love Kir). Then we ordered this special where you got an entree and a dessert. We got bread and some chips to eat while we were waiting for food which was good because we were so hungry. So I got this fish fillet with coconut milk based sauce that came with white rice and a little bit of ratatouille. Then for dessert I got a peach and apricot crumble that had crumbles but wasn't actually a crumble. Margaux and I made jokes about the not crumble, crumble. The girls were telling me about how the French always talk about food. (I seem to be becoming more French because I feel like I've written alot about food lately) Anyway then we had tea and coffee and headed out. While the other girls were paying I found a flier for a Disco Parade. We talked about going, but I don't know if we actually will. Sounds fun though.

We headed toward this town with a train station to pick up Camille's friend Alice who was coming back to town (from Toulouse actually, kinda a crazy coincidence). We got there early though, so we walked around town for a bit (yay more walking :p). They told me about the town and showed me where some discotheques were. They also showed me this big Casino they have there (kinda like a mini version of a Vegas Casino). It was really pretty inside and out. Then we went to the station. We got Alice and walked back to the car. I talked with Alice about the train ride from Toulouse since we had both just taken it. I also talked with the girls about how the kids in my program made fun of me for talking in a French accent to French people. The girls said that was probably why they understood me so well. (ha ha point for Amber). We dropped everyone off and then went back to the house. Camille went straight to bed and I showed then bed. Overall very nice day.

Amazing home cooked French Meal of Awsomeness

Okay so I'm getting a bit ahead of myself with the title, so let me back it up and start at the beginning of the day.

I woke up early and finished repacking my stuff. I ate a super quick breakfast and then Hugo and I hurried out the door to head to the train station. (we were a bit behind schedule) Eventually we got to the station and went inside. We had a little issue with getting the tickets because Hugo thought I could use a kiosk with my card, but my American debit card never works with French kiosks. Hugo tried anyway, but it didn't work. So we got in line at costumer service. I showed Hugo the code I was trying to tell him about, so he got out of line to try it, but it didn't work. So we got to the desk, got my ticket, found the gate, and scurried to my train. I got on with no trouble, said a quick goodbye to Hugo and found my seat.

The train ride was uneventful. On the first train all I did was sleep. Guess I was tired from yesterday's walking adventure. Then I got off the train and had an hour till my next train left. So I stopped at a little sandwich place and grabbed some lunch. I ate and worked on my blog in the station. (though I couldn't get the internet to work so I just typed it in word to copy and paste when I got to wifi. After lunch I went to the platform to wait for my train. I was running through my song for HAIR when I had a sudden realization. Since I hadn't listened to music on the first train, I hadn't heard English since I had left Hugo hours ago. When I was singing I had a moment of ...oh yeah, this is what English sounds like. Since all I had heard and spoken in was French for over 4 hours. It was a strange feeling.

Got on the second train, worked on the blog some more and watched part of Step Up. Then I listened to some music. After a while we had to switch to the front car because only it was continuing on to Annecy. So I got in the front car and read for most of the train ride. Spent some time looking out at the scenery. Absolutely beautiful, with mountains and fields of yellow wildflowers. It was very nice.

I arrived at about 3:14pm (15h14) and Camille's parents were to be picking me up. The thing I realized on the train was...I didn't know them, at all. I didn't know their names, or what they looked like, and they had never met me. I could only hope that Camille had shown them a picture of me from when she came to Montana. But no worries, they found me. When Camille's father came up and asked if I was Amber I wa so relieved to say oui.

Camille's parents had Camille's niece and nephew with them, so Camille's father took my stuff and her mother, the kids, and I stopped to run an errand and get the kids some chocolate bread on the way to the car. We also stopped in the park in Annecy to let the kids ride the Merry-go-round. Then we walked a bit in the park and headed to the car. Cusy is about a half hour drive from Annecy, so of course, once we got rolling I fell asleep. (I know, me and my silly issue with staying awake in cars)

We got to Cusy and I was shown to my room (the guest bedroom) it is very nice. I've got a nice big bed and some privacy, which is always a fun change. lol. I moved my stuff in and got settled in a bit. Camille's dad helped me connect my laptop to the wifi so I hoped on the computer for a bit, then went downstairs to be social and such.

I met Camille's two older brothers, her other niece, and her friend. It is a very busy and loving home here in Cusy. I chatted with Camille and her friend, it was very chill. Then the big kids all had a glass of Champagne (Yes I am considered a big kid) and this was just the beginning of what was to be an epic meal. (like I have said before, I don't understand how the French stay skinny) After Champagne we set the table and sat down to eat. There was sausage, chicken kabobs, bread (of course), veggie rice, and tomato and onion salad all with a Rose. Then after we had eaten our fill of all of that food a plate of cheese was brought out to be eaten with some Red wine. After that (oh yes, it continues) there was dessert, I chose to have this little creamy custard thing which came in a pudding pack like cup. Then we had coffee (and I had tea). After that the meal was finally done, only like 3 hours later. The French sure know how to dine. The food was so good. It was nice to have a home cooked meal for a change. It was an absolutely wonderful evening. We chatted and laughed and made inside jokes. So nice and relaxed.

After dinner people left, Camille went to bed and I took a shower. Then I went on the computer for a bit (I just couldn't resist wifi that actually works well!) and headed to bed.

Observation:

You know what I miss the most about Paris, my Paris Pratique. It was this brilliant little book with subway maps, bus maps, and maps of every Arrondissement and little symbols showing Metro stops, major monuments, major museums, post offices, churches, and other stuff. Basically it was the most helpful little book ever. I could always find my way using that thing. Now that I'm wandering France in strange cities, I realize how great that book was and how much I miss being able to find anything without any trouble.

Toulouse…. An interesting adventure

So in the morning Hugo and I got up early so Hugo could drop me off at the Metro station before work. We got ready and ate breakfast (surprise, bread! Lol) Then we headed out. Hugo dropped me off at the Metro station and headed to work. I went into the station only to realize I was 20 cents short. I thought I had enough coins but apparently I used more than I thought at the last train station. I tried my card but I knew it wouldn’t work because it only works with Credit Cards that had the chip thing in them, mine does not. So I texted Hugo asking where a nearby ATM was, he didn’t know. I asked the lady in a shop and she said there was one before the station, but there wasn’t. The best part of this was that the Metro station was in between cities on the highway. Great!!! I figured I would just walk along the highway till I found an ATM and then come back. So I started walking…

I walked in the direction toward Hugo’s house for a few blocks, but it didn’t look promising. So I decided if I was going to walk I might as well walk in the right direction (toward Toulouse) so I turned around and went that way. I walked, and walked and walked and walked along the highway. I followed that damn highway for over an hour. Then I took an exit that was marked for a Metro station. I wandered around the edge of town very lost till I found a Metro with an ATM and café nearby. I got cash, and then bought a croissant at the café to get change. Finally I got on the Metro after about an hour and a half of walking about 4 or 5 miles along the highway.

-side note, I found the change I thought I had for the Metro later that day in the wrong pocket. Stupid Amber!!!

Anyway finally I got off the Metro and started walking around. I didn’t have a map, but I had directions that Hugo had given me. I got off the train and tried to find the street in Hugo’s directions. I couldn’t find it anywhere. Finally I asked the woman working at the Carousel, who asked her father, who pointed me in a direction, so I started walking. So I walked and walked and walked and walked for 2 hours trying to find this church, or the tourism office so I could get a map, or the little square where I had started. I couldn’t find any. Eventually I found lunch, and then the tourism office, so I got a map. I found the Cathedral St. Etienne on the map, but by this point my feet were so tired I didn’t want to walk anywhere, I just wanted to find a place to sit, and eat the salad I had bought. I saw that the little square where I started (with a park) was only a block away. So I walked there, sat down and ate my salad on a park bench.

When I had first walked thought this little square I had noticed that they had Cinemas, so I had looked at what was playing out of curiosity. There were several American movies, but they were only showing the French versions. That is except for the movie they were showing in the original version, it happened to be the one I wanted to see the most, Inception! I had looked at the times just in case I decided to see a movie that day. Well after my epic highway walking, and my lost in the center of Toulouse walking I had walked about a total of 4 hours, thus, my feet were tired and I was tired of walking. So it made perfect sense to me to go see a movie. So I went into the theatre to get my ticket and see the show. I was expecting the ticket to be around 8 or 10 euros, luckily, I WAS WRONG!!! Not only did the movie theatre had a student ticket price (4,20 euros) but they had this membership card thing that gave you discounts on movies. Of course I didn’t have one, but I wish they had something like that back in the States. I would totally get one. I couldn’t help thinking to myself that I spent way too much on movies last summer, but I could’ve saved a ton if we had those things.

Anyway I got my popcorn and went into watch the movie. Of course all the previews were in French and there were French subtitles, but it wasn’t at all distracting from the movie because it was SO GOOD!!! The only time the subtitles threw me were when there were American subtitles too. Then I was confused, but that was only for like 2 minutes so no big. The movie was super good and I still can’t stop thinking about the ending!!! AHHH!!! I wish I had someone to talk to about it in English, lol. For those of you that actually read this and haven’t seen it, go!!! Such a good movie, and so thought provoking!!!

Sorry moving on, after the movie I felt much better, and couldn’t help smiling when I saw a flower shop named “Happy”. I got out my map and actually found the Cathedral. It was super pretty so I’m glad I went. Then I shopped for a bit. Bought Nick a Birthday present (ha ha!!! ) a pair of shoes, (I am actually kind of surprised I hadn’t gotten any yet, but these are super cute little short boots that were on Soldes), and a Bright Green Fedora!!! I know no one is surprised, it sounds like something I would buy, but I’m still really excited about it, in fact I am wearing it now!

I chilled for a bit in the park behind the Capitol building till Hugo called. Then I took the Metro to where he dropped my off (no trouble this time). We chatted and I told him about my epic walking. When I told him which Metro I walked to he was very shocked because it was so far. Then I told him about my difficulty finding the Cathedral and we realized I read the Metro stop for one of his other directions, not the ones to the church, so then it made more sense. Still I think from now on when wandering I want a map!

When we got back to Hugo’s house his sister plus 2 of her friends were there. Unfortunately Hugo had to go back to work, so it was me and the girls. We ate some “Mexican Burritos”, they weren’t that Mexican, but I think they’re the closest thing I’ve seen to Mexican food in France. Still I couldn’t help but giggle a little. Then it was nice and weird. They clearly wanted nothing to do with Hugo’s weird American friend (keeping in mind these are high school girls so I wasn’t nearly cool enough for them, lol). So I went online and blogged and chatted. Then when they went outside to play cards and smoke (without Hugo’s sister, just the two friends, Hugo’s sister was upstairs. Honestly I didn’t really get it, they had a very strange dynamic of friendship and hanging out.) I decided to put on a movie. Hugo happened to own “The Big Lebowski” which I had never seen (I know its shameful) so I put it in to watch it. It was okay, I dunno it wasn’t as good as I expected from all the hype about it, but it was fun.

Hugo finally got back at 11 something, so we hung out for a little bit and talked about stuff like school. I gave him a glass piece mom had made, and some gingerbread and we went to bed.

The Pink City

So today Hugo and I slept in a bit, well sorta. I woke up at 10 realized he wasn't awake and went back to bed. I figured I would here him moving around when he got up. I woke up a few more times before I finally heard him. So I got up and we ate breakfast (bread of course) and got ready to go.

We went into the center of Toulouse. I have to ride in the back of his car (taxi style) because his seat belt doesn't stay in the buckle so he has to use the passenger one. Anyway we ot to the city and walked around for a bit. We went to the oldest church in France (and Hugo said maybe also Europe) the original was built by the Romans in the 2nd century. It was pretty cool. Then we went to the capitol building which was like the one in Paris but smaller, also cool. Then we walked around to find some lunch. This ended up being more difficult than expected. Every cafe we tried was done serving food for lunch, it was already 2 pm so I understood, but still. Eventually we found a place serving brunch, so we ate there. Brunch at 2pm, no harm there. We got this brunch thing that came with juice, cheese, meat, bread, salmon fajita (not at all like Mexican fajitas), this egand potatoe thing, spreads for the bread and this cheese thing (aka alot of food). We were super full by the end and didn't even eat it all. The crazy part is that this meal is apparently usually for one person. What!?!? How are any of these French people skinny!?!? So much food!?!?

Anyway after brunch we met some of Hugos friends for coffee (tea) at a nearby cafe. They were very nice. It was fine other than they rarely spoke English, which I understand, but they spoke so fast it was hard for me to even catch anything. After we left the cafe we went to the flat from the night before and met Hugos friends again. (they were more fun drunk) They were more serious this time. We all went Toulouse Plage (beach), it is exactly like Paris Plage. Basically a beach like set up along the river with imported sand, and alot of stuff set up. There were volley ball nets, soccer goals, chess tables, etc. It was cool but kind of cold. We sat for a bit and they chatted. Then they decided to play soccer. They found a free space of sand and got ready to play. I sat down to watch, but one of the teams was short a man so Hugo insisted I play. (side note, I only played soccer for one year, was goalie, wasn't that good, and hadn't played since I don't know when) So I went for it and played goalie. I actually did okay, blocked quite a few and passed pretty good for being barefoot in the sand. It ended up being pretty fun. That is the wonderful thing about sports, they are universal.

Then we all went our separate ways. Hugo and I went back to his house and hung out for a bit. Then we ate some dinner and I blogged. Hugo was gonna go help his freind move, but ended up sticking around. Showered, then watched part of a Tom Cruise movie (something like Born on the 4th of July, not sure I hadn't heard of it) in French then off to bed.

Tune in in for today's show: "Journey to Toulouse" or "Hugo, My Hero"

Okay so the title is supposed to be a "Rocky an Bullwinkle" referance, but I'm not sure it came across in text.

Anyway...

I was woken up very very early by Hali pcking. She was making alot of ruckus, but I didn't mind because she was running late and I understood that it is more imprtant to catch the plane than be quiet. (also I woke her up several times with my middle of the night bursts of coughing, so in some way it is like Karma) She couldn't get her suitcase closed, and was really struggling. I watched for a minute then rolled out of bed to help her out. Once the suitcase was shut I rolled back into bed. Laurel came to get Hali cause they were waiting for her, so she said a quick goodbye to me and out she went. I was sad to see her go. She was an awsome roomie and friend. I think I will miss her, to bad she lives in Florida, so far away!!! :(

I then went back to sleep for a bit, actually I slept through my alarm, but I only woke up about 45 minutes behind schedule. My plan was to be up, finish packing, and shower before everyone left was meeting for breakfast. But it was only 15 to breakfast so I just jumped in the shower, got dressed and went down to eat with everyone. We ate and chatted. Then said our goodbyes to everyone before going up to finish packing. It was a little awkward because it was that I'll probably never see you again kind of goodbye, but at least there is the wonder of Facebook to keep us connected.

After breakfast I returned to the room to continue packing. It was then I began to find things Hali had left behind in her rush. A flashlight, a deck of cards, etc. None of that stuff really mattered, but a bag full of ALL OF HER JEWELRY DID!!! When I found the bag I just thought to myself, shit I have to find a way to get this to Florida! My first thought was to take it with me and send it from Toulouse but I didn't have room and it would've been super expensive. Then I thought I could give it to Chris to send from the states, but I missed him. I was really worried till I realized I had to leave a book for Hannah at the front desk of the Hotel (I had borrowed the book but forgot it Friday for returning it, so JP made me an envelope with Hannah's info on it so she could pick it up). Brilliant!!! I could leave the bag of jewelry with Hannah's book and Hali could contact Hannah and have it sent from CIEE. Once that crisis was averted I finished packing then hung out with Robert for a bit. Hali had borrowed a few things so I returned those. Then I had to check out of the hotel. I gave the man at the desk the very impotant envelope, and my key. Apparently Hali had not checked out, this would've been fine other than I had to pay the 4 and a half euros for the phone that we both used. Whatever.

The only bad thing was that all of that had delayed me slightly so I was running a bit late. Then I got lost in the train station. This led to me briskly walking through the station trying to get to my train. Then a buzzer started going off announcing departure. I ran and got on the train. WHEH!!! Then I gave the lady my ticket and she said some stuff in French. I tried to understand but she was using strange vocabulary. The man next to me spoke some English so he tired to translate something about asking someone, or getting off at the next stop. I was super confused and worried!!!! Was I on the wrong train!?!? Would they kick me off!?!? I knew the train went to Toulouse, but now I wasn't sure if I would get there.

I found a seat and tried to take my mind off it. I figured I would ask someone when we stopped. After about an hour a man came through to check tickets. When it came to my turn I handed him my ticket and he said something in French, very quickly and very angrily. Then he gave me the ticket and walked out. I didn't even have enought time to ask him to repeat it. I asked the man who helped me the first time to help me ask about my ticket but he misunderstood and asked if the train was going to Toulouse and the man said yes, but I already knew that. I waited a while, but by then was really hungy to I went to the food cart to buy lunch worried we would stop at any time. I waited in line, and got my overpriced lunch. Then I made my way back to my seat. I made it about half way through my lunch before I was just too anxious to wait anymore. I figured out how to ask what I needed to in French in my head before finding the woman who had greated me on the train. I found he and asked if my ticket was bad (in French). She asked if I was going to Toulouse (in French), and I said Oui (I think you've got that one). Then she said it would be ok (in French). I went back to my seat so releaved. Finally I could enjoy the train ride after only 2 hours of worrying.

The rest of the ride went smoothy. I ate the rest of my lunch, read, listened to music, colored in the Mickey Mouse coloring book Mom got me for the trip, slept, and enjoyed the scenery. It was very relaxing. I did have to ask the train woman where we were at one stop to make sure I didn't miss mine. I epically screwed up the question, but the woman next to us helped and I figured out where we were on the map.

Once we got to the station I got off and grabbed my info to figure out where the Hostel I was supposed to stay at was. I had trouble finding the metro in the huge station so I asked at the information desk. The nice woman deirected me and eventually I found it, bought my ticket, and got on the right train. (Keep in mind I was doing all of this while caring all of my luggage with me) I got off the train and found the right street, and of course it was uphill. I began to climb, but luckily the hostel was close. I went in and talked to the man at the front desk. I only wanted to stay one night instead of the two JP had called for, for me because I could stay at Hugo's home Sunday night. The man wouldn't let me, he made me pay for two. Jerk!!! But I would rather stay with Hugo anyway. The place was kind of trashy so I understand why it was so cheep. I chilled in my room and tried to get internet, I couldn't. So I went down to the common room and tried. Still no luck. So finally I just used thier computer to check email and stuff. Then I started chatting with Hugo on Facebook. I told him I was in Toulouse by myself in a hostel and he said he would try to catch a train back to Toulouse that night!!!!! HUGO TO THE RESCUE!!!!!

Now I was excited. I went back up to my room and realized I should probably eat dinner. So I locked my luggage in one of the closet things and went downstairs to ask where a restaurant was. The man said there was a supermarket close but it closed soon (in French). So I went there and got the Amber French cheep dinner, aka little tomatos, a mini baguette, cheese, and a coke. Truely a dinner of champions, and under 5 euros. I also got some granola bars for future train rides. Then I ate back in my room. The internet worked for a bit, so I skyped Emily (Yay!!!), chatted with people, and tried to watch Moulin Rouge. Then the internet died, so i watched Step Up which is in my itunes. After I ate I got all fo my stuff back together for Hugo's arrival.

Hugo showed up, and I was so happy to see a farmiliar face. Hugo tried talking to the man who worked at the hostel, but he said the man we needed to talk to wouldn't be back till Monday. So Hugo said he would call then, if not I guess I paid for 5 hours of a place to stay, put my stuff, and use the internet. Hugo and I drove away and Hugo informed me some o his fiends were having a party and invited me to go. I decided that sounded fun, but before we went to the flat we stopped at a ba and Hugo introduced me to this very popular drink in Southern France called Pastis. You drink it watered down (with water) and it is very strong and kind of tastes like licorice. It was very odd.

Then we went to his friends going away party at his friends flat. They were all drunk when we got there and still drinking, but that just made them super fun. THey had a great time trying to speak in English and jokingly yelling at each other if they spoke in Fench. It was hilarious. We talked and laughed and had a great time. I think the best was when they tried to sing popular American songs. They knew maybe a third of the lyrics, so they would blet those out really loudly, then sing nonsense sounds and words for the rest. Super funny!!! They were all really nice, crazy and fun. I am really glad I went.

Once we left we came to Hugo's mother's house and went to bed. Definately a strange day that ended up well.

Last day in Paris!!!!!! Also best night in Paris

Today went really well. We got to sleep in a little bit and then meet for class at the Palais de la Porte Dorée. We did our final yesterday, so class was exploring the Porte Dorée and then walking through the park next to it and having a little picnic. So Hali and I packed some baguette with yummy cheese for the road and caught the Metro. We got to the Porte Dorée and had to wait for the stragglers and for the building to open. We then looked at the carvings on the outside of the building and discussed. La Palais de la Porte Dorée is a building build for an a big colonization festival thing in 1931 and is now the museum of immigration and colonization. It actually wasn't as cool as I had hoped. There were some nice representational murals, and some sweet art deco furniture and decoration, but that was literally about it. The only other thing we saw was a miniature model of what all was built and used for the festival. Most of which is gone now, but they had built a building or buildings for each country French had colonies in. It was pretty cool. Of course the tour guide only spoke in French so I lost alot of the details. It was okay.

Then we took a walk through the park which was really nice. We walked along this lake so it was super pretty. We were going to go into the Buddhist Temple in the park but it was closed. So we just found a nice spot next to the lake. Ate our little munchies and hung out. The professors told us about this giant rock that you could see peeking through the trees that was part of a zoo. It is closed right now though because the rock (which is a monkey rock, aka it is in the monkey exhibit and the monkeys climb on it) is not actually a rock. It is fake, a cardboard rock, as our teachers put it. It was built when the building was (1931) so I'm surprised it lasted this long. It is closed now though so they can repair it. We munched and then sang some songs in French Then took cute little class photos and fun pictures with our teachers.

Then most of us headed back to the center to use our last lunch card, use the computers to print boarding passes and tickets and stuff, and then get help from or say goodbye to JP. I am going to miss JP alot, he was always so friendly and helpful. He helped me book my hostel, and train ticket. Then we took a cute picture together and said our goodbyes.

I stopped at this little sweet shop to buy a few macaroons that are supposed to be legen...wait for it...dary!!! I haven't tried one yet, but I bought a little box of them.

After that I got back to the hotel and started packing. SO much stuff, and not enough space. It was tough. I didn't finish packing before Julian knocked on the door to leave for the park bar (thats not the name of it that is just what we all call it because it is a bar in a park). We got some tapas (appetizers) and some drinks and hung out outside. It was just Julian, Chris, Tracy, Robert, Gerry, Aaron, and I (aka best group that I have gone out with this whole trip)! No drama, no stress, no issues, no not getting along, just a super chill awsome group of people hanging out at a park bar. Julian and Robert got into an intense and very interesting political argument. They are both super cool guys. And Robert is a history major, so he knows his stuff.

We left the park bar and found the Gazeebo in the park. Super pretty and fun. We were being super silly and runny around, honestly its the most fun I have had this trip!!! They tried to get Robert to do a Drunk history but he wasn't drunk enough. Then the whistles went off to close the park so we had to leave.

We met up with some of Julians friends who were in Paris through an NYU program. We chilled with them for a bit and then we all headed to this super chill and cool bar called POP IN. I think it was my favorite bar in Paris. Super chill time, Robert and I talked to a guy from Turkey and some French people. We had a really good time. Then we left to try to catch the metro before it closed. We caught the last line 14 metro train!!! WOOT!!! Then we headed back to the hotel. Robert was pretty drunk by that point so I helped him back to his room, made sure he was okay, and waited for his roomie to get back.

Then I went up to my room and continued packing. Hali finally got back and we talked about our nights and had roomie bonding time. We packed. Then at around 2 or 3 am decided we were hungry and made some pasta. It tasted good since I had only had tapas and no dinner. I gave Hali a pin that mom had made and she really liked it. She is a pin girl. Then after some more chatting and packing we headed to bed to get some sleep before our plane/ train from Paris in the morning. Kinda sad to think about leaving, but what an awsome night!!!

CIEE good bye stuff (not the last day though that is tomorrow)

I got up early. Got ready. Ate food. Studied for test. Took test. Then my brain died. lol. I was not ready for more class after that (very ADD time). I could not focus on French after cramming it into my brain for like 2 hours. (PS I don't know how i did on the test, I felt okay, but I cant' be sure. Hopefully it went great!) Anyway I doodled a lot and drew JP a Petite Ballerina. Then after class lunch (surprising I know, lol, sorry for the monotony of class then lunch) it was yummy today though cause I had cheesy pasta, and of course Orangina!

Anyway after lunch we had a mandatory CIEE meeting about departing from the program. Stuff like when we had to be out of the hotel and stuff like that. We also had to say one thing we learned. I said I learned that France, Europe and this whole experience was not at all what I expected. Anyway right after that I had tutoring, which seemed kinda pointless since it was after the test, but I want' gonna fight free tutoring. It was actually super helpful because she gave me some French phrases to use for the rest of my trip. It was pretty sweet.

Then I just hung out at the center. Went online and such. Then my phone ran out of credits so I went to the store which is right by the center and bought some more. Since I was out of the center and kinda hungry I also decided to buy a banana crepe. (aka crepe filled with banana and sugar, so yummy) I walked along eating my super yummy crepe, then headed back to the center. We had to be back to the center by 5pm to go to a CIEE good bye party.

We all walked to this little cafe and had dessert and Champagne on the center. It was fun even though we still have class tomorrow so its not really good bye. It was a really nice time. We just chatted I ate Creme Brulee (again, whoops) and had some champagne which is always nice, especially when free.

After a while we left and headed back to the hotel. We got back and just chilled out. I washed some dishes and Hali made some pasta. Then we just listened to music and relaxed. We were gonna go out but that plan seems to have died. And at this point I think I'd rather stay here, get some packing done and sleep. Only one more day left in Paris after all (I think anyway, I've still got to figure out my plan for this weekend). Its weird to think it is already almost over. 3 and a half weeks have just flown by. It has been good and bad, but I think I will miss it. At the same time I'm so excited to start my own adventure. After all...WHO KNOWS WHAT WILL HAPPEN?????

Also the one other nice thing about staying in tonight is getting caught up on the blog! Yay!!!

Van Gogh, Monet, Degas and the Moulin Rouge

So I got up got ready, and went to the center to finish up my project and print it out. I did, and it went okay. The super lame thing is that we found out our final is Thursday, not Friday (which means before I meet with the tutor for help). This was really discouraging because there was stuff I didn't understand. I tried to get help from the teacher, and she helped some but I was still super stressed. That on top of still feeling super lonely finally made me crack. I had a little teary chat with JP and that made me feel a lot better.

After lunch I hung out at the center for a bit, wrote a blog and such. Then headed for the Musee (museum) de Orsay. It is generally known as the impressionist museum, unfortunately they are doing some remodeling so a lot of their impressionist stuff is at other museums right now. So that was kinda disappointing, but it was still a great museum. I saw some Van Gogh (didn't realize till I saw it in person how much Linds' painting style is similar to his), some Monet, and then what I went there for DEGAS!!! I really wanted to see some Degas in person, that was part of why I went to this particular museum. I walked around and looked at a ton. I kept looking and looking. There was alot of amazing pieces. I even crashed an art history lecture given in English in front of a painting. I heard the professor talking to his students in English, so I just stopped to look at the painting and listen. It was really interesting, and made me wish I knew more about art history. It was getting toward closing so I started to speed up my looking, I was wandering around and around but I couldn't find it. Until finally...Degas, but it was only one picture in the hallway. I knew that couldn't be it so I kept hunting till I found a Degas area. It was so beautiful. I'm really happy I went. I also bought a print for my apartment. Degas everyday!!!

After the museum I headed toward the Moulin Rouge. I had been trying to see it for weeks and hadn't made it out there so I finally just decided to go. I'm glad I went during the day time because the area was kinda sketch. Anyway I saw it, took pictures, read the history in the entry way and even went about 2 steps into the lobby. A show would have been great, but I'm not paying 150 euros for it. I went to the gift shop (bad idea) but it made me super happy!!! There was so much I wanted there that I couldn't afford, so I bought something I could (aka bracelet). I need to watch that movie again, like now!!!

After that I went to the Amelie cafe cause it was nearby. (it isn't called the Amelie cafe, its just the one from that movie). It was actually kinda disappointing. The cafe was totally different than in the movie (now it is all touristy) the food was overpriced (so I just got a Creme Brulee) and the service sucked. Not my fav spot, but I got pictures, and can say I went there.

After that I was tired so I just headed home to eat some food, study for the test and get some sleep. Hali made some yummy pasta and we hung out for a bit pre-studying. I really hope I get a good grade!!!

Not as productive as hoped, but hey there was a Ferris Wheel

So I forgot to mention that Monday's breakfast was super disappointing because they didn't have my fav St. Moret's spready cheese. So Tuesday when I got to breakfast I was excited to see they had it, but then they had no CROISSANTS!!! It was very disappointing.

Anyway, class sucked today, but I'm getting used to that, as soon as I feel like I get it (Monday) I get lost again (Tuesday). I'm really looking forward to being able to work on French without an early morning class and feeling like an epic fail.

Moving on. Lunch was yummy, then Hali and I tried to run to the Montmartre to run to the vintage thrift store, but we ended up not having time. So we wandered around a bit and then headed back to the center and I wrote a blog. We had to be back by 3pm because one of the teachers was taking her students and anyone who wanted to go (meaning us) to the Hotel de Ville de Paris (aka the state building). The original burned down so this was the second one, but they rebuilt it just like the original so it was beautiful. There were paintings and carvings all over the walls and ceilings. It was really cool. The lady who gave us the tour worked there and was really sweet. She kept talking about how we would return as president of the United States. We learned a lot of history about the building and what would go on there. Pretty cool stuff. She also explained some of the paintings, like one that told the story of an event before the revolution and after the storming of Bastille where the King of France met the mayor of Paris. There was also this area where the paintings represented different art forms like music, sculpture and painting. It was pretty cool, and an epic building. Including two matching grand staircases for grand dramatic entrances.

When we left there we all headed back for the hotel. A women from the CIEE headquarters (in Maine) is in Paris right now to check on the program. She is the fiance manager, but she is super nice. She came to the hotel to check out where we were staying and then we all went out for mine and appetizers on CIEE. Free wine, heck yes!!! We all drank probably a bit too much wine (I mean no one was drunk, but no one was sober either). We chatted and had yummy toast things with cheese fish and tomato. Then she left and we all went our separate ways. Hali and I can back here to chill for a bit and then we went with Laural and Julian toward the Ferris Wheel La Grande Roue. We needed real dinner so we stopped at a cafe for pasta, but Julian wanted to go to a bar so he left us. So we three girls ate some yummy pasta and then headed toward the Louvre (the Ferris wheel is in the grand garden in front of the Louvre). We took pictures of the Louvre at night and all of us being silly and leaning on the glass Pyramid.

After fun picture time we headed toward the Ferris Wheel. We luckily made it just before it closed. We paid the ridiculous price (8 euro) and went up. It was truly a beautiful view of the city and we had a great time. We laughed and took more photos, it was actually a really nice evening. Then we headed back, I had an expose (presentation) to do so I worked on that and then straight to bed. Good day overall.

Cathedral Day

Early class as usual. Went alright. Followed by lunch at a new place. The Croissantière is closed for holiday and so this week we have to eat lunch at a different place. I can't think of the name right now but I will check and get back to you on that. (Just checked Pomme de Pain translation: Apple of Bread) It was pretty tasty though so no trouble.

After lunch I heade toward St. Chapel Cathedral. There was a super long line that I didn't want to stand in by myself so I was going to give up, but then I ran into Hali and Laurel who were there to see St. Chapel too. We found a way to get around the line using our super cool student cards, which also got us in for free (best laminated piece of paper ever!!!). The church was beautiful and the stained glass was stunning. (You were right mom).

Then I went to go climb the Notre Dame but the line was so long that I changed my mind. So I waent to go under the church into the crypt and it was closed. It was kind of frustrating, so I decided to give up on the Notre Dame and go to the Sacre Coeur.

I had trouble getting there, the metros were difficult and the nearest metro wasn't very close. On the bright side I found this little celtic cathedral that was really pretty. I went in there and then headed for the Sacre Coeur again. I took this wierd cart thing up the hill. They were like wierd little train things, I wouldn't have paid for a ticket, and I normally would have walked but it was free due to my NaviGo (metro) pass. I finished climbing the hill and finally got there. It was beautiful inside and out, unforunately you couldn't take pictures inside (sorry mom), but it was a beautiful experience. After the inside I went down to the crypt which was creepy but cool. Then I decided if I couldn't climb Notre Dame I was gonna climb a church, so I paid my 5 euro and started the climb. OMG!!! So many stairs, it was neverending, and once you made it to the top of the ridiculous spiral staircase... there were more stairs. It was exhausting, but I made it and it was beautiful. I was glad I did it, but it was tough. Totally worth the beautiful view of the city.

I made it back down (by then I was so sick of stairs) and headed for the metro. I stopped to pick up an Icee for refreshment post workout lol. Then stopped at a book store to get another phase of a Birthday present. I was exhausted by then but I stilled tryed to make it to this little comic book and tea shop (aka best store ever) I got there before closing, but not early enough for tea so I will have to try to make it back there.

Then home to eat and pass out from exahustion. After watching Drunk History with the roomie and neighbors. SO FUNNY!!! Anyway that was church day!!!

P.S. I almost forgot. I finished my second French Graphic Novel, I know I took too long, but I've been busy. Anywho it is a mystery set durring the German occupation of France in 1941. Super good!!!! Great drawings, stories and characters!!!

Meuseum Day (Sunday)

Okay I know I am a day behind but I will try to catch up today.

So Sunday I woke up early-ish got some yummy free breakfast at the Adagio Hotel. I ate my favorite (St. Moret's spready cheese on a croisant ), a good way to start my day. I went back up to the room and got ready. I debated that I had a lot to do including laundry but I decided I could do that when I got back, I needed to take advantage of the daytime when everything was open. So I hoped on the train and began my Meuseum day.

I started with the Louvre. I didn't know when I'd make it there again (or if I would because this week is super busy and I still have so much to do and see). So I went in (Free ticket because of school pass) and I made my way toward teh Mona Lisa. I had to see it before I left. So I wandered through statues and Roman, then Italian art, saw the Mona Lisa and then on to the French art. Of course I didn't see all of any section but I saw a lot. I wandered and wandered seeing alot of beautiful art, until I was super hungry and had to leave to get lunch. SO I wandered the area near the Louvre trying to find a relatively cheep cafe (which ended up being difficult).

Finally I found a good looking reasonable place to stop. I got a glass of Kir (aka heaven in a glass) and they brought me out a little try of popcorn as appetizer. First of all I didn't realiaze how much I missed popcorn, and second of all I couldn't help thinking: Kir and popcorn, lunch of champions. I order the equivalent to French grilled cheese Croque Monsieurs. The thing is that I haven't had one because they are made with Ham, but at this cafe they had Croque Tomate (with Tomato instead of ham) so I got it. SO DELICIOUS!!!! I loved it!!!

Then I was going to go to a nearby meuseum that had some impressionist stuff, but I was walking toward there and found this other random musee (museum) called Les Arts Decorative which had fashion, jewelry, animal, medival furniture, print art (like the super famous Moulin Rouge poster), and furniture from the 90s to 40s exhibits. I was just going to stop in there but I ended up spending 4 hours wandering around. It was totally cool they had beautiful stuff and it was so funky and fun. The fashion part was fun (Barbra Murray would've liked it), the Jewelry exhibit was beautiful (Hali would have liked it). The furniture was super old and funky and cool, the Medival stuff was cool. It was all awsome. The Animal exhibit was weird but awsome in that it dealt with animals in pop culture, art, furniture and fashion. So they had stuff like furniture with animals carved in it, animals in commercials, animals in classic paintings, and even Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. It was super fun.

After that I hit up the Louvre store and bought an umbrella and book mark, plus present (oooo). I also found another Comedie Francais store (I know bad idea) and yes I did buy a t-shirt, but I started talking to the guy working there who was also an actor but spoke little English, so not only did I practice my French but I made a new actor friend in France. Then I sat on a bench to make a list of the things I still needed to see and talked to this charming gentleman about France. At first I thought he was weird, but then he actually was helpul and told me about a Theater festival going on in France right now. I went in to the first Comedie Francais store and asked about it. They didn't have much info but they did inform me it was going on while I am in France so I might have to go check it out.

Anyway back home to eat and do laundry, which I did. But the dryer ruined some of my clothes which was really super lame. I'm pretty upset actually since it cost like 9 euro to was and dry my stuff. Some of it even got dirtier. Oh well its clean. Then some homework and catching up with people (including roomie) about their fun weekends. Then bed!!!

COMEDIE FRANCAIS (aka awsome!)

So I slept in on Saturday, ate breakfast in the room, did some computer stuff, and watched parts of some movies on TV (including Golden Compass and that one where the guy has to write everything down because he can't remember things due to brain damage. I don't remember the name but I watched it at Gusy's one time.) Anywho it was a pretty lazy day. I lfet the room to buy groceries, and wander the Bercy village(the little shopping restaurant area near the hotel). I found a smell shop and looked at some cafes, but more importantlyI found a comic book store!!! How did I miss this!?!? I'm considering buying a Graphic Novel but I'd like to find one in English. Anyway I ate dinner on our little balcony and then got ready to go. I was supposed to meet my friend Robert to see the show with me, but I couldn't find him, qnd I wasn't gonna miss my oportunity to see the show, so I just left.

I got the the COmedie Francais and stood in line forever! It seemed especially long along, but that ended up working to my advantage!!! A girl came up to me and asked if I was alone. WHen I responded yes she offered to sell her ticket to me. She only had the one for herself but she couldn't see the show that night. Lucky me!!! It was still a cheep ticket and it was probably a better seat than I would get for the last minute tickets. Besides this way I was garanteed a seat. So I paid her for the ticket and still had time to kill before the show. So I went into the Comedie Francais store... bad idea (or awsome idea depending on your point of view)! It was awsome, I loved it!!! I was like a kid in a candy store, I wanted everything. Of course I didn't buy everything, but I still bought a few things. I left that store so happy I couldn't stop smiling, It was my little French corner of heaven!

Then I went to my seat to watch the show. The show was Cyrano de Bergerac. A famous French play with an actor who is apparently quite famous here in Paris. I thought it was a perfect show to see at the COmedie Francais, not only a classic but one of the most famous French plays. The production was BEAUTIFUL!!! It was a mix of modern and classic scene design with moving sets and video projection. I was so amwzed by the creativity of it. THis would come in form all sides of the stage and move fluidly into the scene, then off with ease. Pannels in the floor opened and closed to change the space and create extrances and exits. It was so cool!!! The costumes were also beautiful, very classic, but no too flashy. Simple but period appropriate, which was an interesting contrast to the modern set. The actors were amazing, I couldn't understand most of what they were saying, but they still performed wonderfully and told the story well. I am so glad that I knew the show before I went or it would have been hard to follow. The amazing acting helped, but it was alot for my brain to try to understand that much French. I caught things here and there but I was mentally exaughsting trying to watch the show and try to translate, while still trying to remeber the English version to figure out where they were in the story. Still overall it was an amazing experience and definately one of the highlights of my trip so far!!!

Oh by the way I forgot to mention this (and it is knid of funny), I didn't consider this before I went to see the play, but the French take longer to say things. It isn't the people it is just that the French languages uses more words to say the same thing in English. I became especially aware of this when I went into the lobby for intermission. I bought an Orangina and was chilling by a window when I thought, I should check my phone. So I turned it on to discover that the first half had been 2 HOURS LONG!!! I was shocked. The second half took another hour and a half, so by the time I got out of there I just went to bed. It didn't seem that long in the theatre because the show was so good, but it was a long show.

One other cool thing then I am done. They all bow together. The Comedie Francais is a big ensamble that rotates actors in the leading roles. Thus when a show nds, they all bow together, no solo bow even for the actor that played Cyrano. I found that interesting and kind of cool.

Vendredi (Friday)

Today went pretty well. Other than I couldn't get internet the night before so I had to wake up super early and go to the center to try to finish my expose (presentation) before class. I made it but it wasn't very good. Then we had a test, which I actually think went okay. My re-taken test wasn't great, but hopefully things will even out. I asked the teacher if I could do extra credit, then had to explain to her what extra credit was. (silly French teacher)

Anywho once that was done we went for another of our guided walks of Paris with the French teachers. I took notes this time cause Dominique (my teacher) said I could write about the walk for extra credit. We went around and saw some cool buildings, some schools, the Parthenon (which was super epic), the ruins of a amphitheater that the Romans built, and this giant Mosque in Paris. It was pretty sweet. We got that yummy mint tea again near the mosque. I love that stuff. Anyway I enjoyed the walk a lot more this week.

After we went back to the center for out last day of La Croissanterie because it closes for holiday Saturday. So next week we will eat somewhere new. (which is kind of exciting but I liked La Croissanterie). Then we ate in the center and grabbed our stuff. We stopped back at the hotel before going to a museum, but by the time we got there they were closing. So Karen, Nicole and I wandered the grounds and took pictures in all the nature-y, park-y, labyrinth-y places.

Then back to the hotel again. I was going to go to the Comedie Francais by myself, but by the time we got back I would have had to leave again right away, and I wasn't up for it. So I relaxed a bit in the room and chatted to people online. Some of my fellow students said they were going out but that didn't happen. I didn't want to spend my whole night in the hotel room so I decided to climb the stairs to get to the top of the Eiffel tower. I grabbed munchies at the Monop for my adventure (new discover: Parsnip chips, SO DELICIOUS!!!) then I went on my way. Well I got there and the top was closed because of too many people. I guess I should have known better than to go on a Friday night. Anyway I was there when the Tower started glimmering in the sunset, so it was totally worth the trip. After that I ate my munchies on the lawn in front of the tower and texted the gang of students that were out at a bar. I watched some street performers (musicians and break dancers) then went to join the gang at a bar. It ended up being an Irish bar which just got me excited for Ireland!!!I found my friends and hung out with them and their French friends. It was pretty sweet. I met Nicole's conversation partner (Demetri) and Tracy's conversation partner (Daniel). They were cool. I talked with Danny for a while then we all danced. It was super fun!!! I went back late so I took a taxi.

p.s. I rocked that dance floor!!! In my opinion I got that dance floor hoping because I was the only one not afraid to just dance. lol

Versailles!!!

Yesterday wasn't that cool initially. I had class, then had to re-take a test which wasn't fun. Then lunch at the Croissanterie again. Then I chilled at the center for a bit. Did some computering (including writing my last blog cause I still can't get the hotel internet to cooperate), then i went to the post office. (Yes Gus and Allie your postcards are on their way)

Then met back at the center to go to VERSAILLES!!!! One of the professors was taking her class and invited anyone who wanted to come. Free ticket to Versailles...Hells yeah!!! We didn't get to go in the palace but it was still super cool! Only lame thing...MY CAMERA DIED!!! :( It was super sad but I intend to steal some of my roomie's pictures. The teacher who took us was a history teacher so we got a lot of info along the way. We learned about why it was built, how it was designed, and a bunch of cool stuff. Like how different kings spent time there, and as the line went on the kings kept spending more time there so that eventually the king never left. The nobles lived there, and everything he needed was moved there. It is one of the only cities designed and built in a planned pattern, most just grow organically. We saw the servant quarters, which are now being renovated to office buildings. We saw a pond that was built to drain the marsh from the land, and beyond it where the king put the statue he was given that he hated. Lots of interesting stuff like that.

Then we got food for a picnic. After we all had something we went into the gardens. We walked by Marie Antoinette's room, saw the gardens and fountains...AMAZING!!!! It was so big, the gardens just went on forever, and they were so absolutely beautiful!!! We sat and ate dinner by this giant pond. There was a family of ducks with little baby ducks and Swans with awkward teenage swans (they had their young gray feathers, not the pretty white ones). Then back home to study for my test the next day and sleep.

I wanted to go inside the castle but it was closed and I'm not sure its worth going all the way back out there again. Still, at least I saw it!

Bastille Day (aka disappointment)

So I didn't sleep much due to coughing so I didn't wake up in time to leave with Hali and Chris. So I decided I would meet them there. I got ready and left to meet them, but I couldn't get accross the street. There was a maze of fences that trapped me in this weird area by myself. It was kinda lame to be alone, but once the pqrqde started it was okay. Lots of troops, and a band on horses. It was actually pretty cool. The best were the planes that made a french flag in the sky!!!! I enjoyed myself till it started pouring rain. I couldn't help thinking: here I am soaking wet and cold in the rain after being sick, and still being sick without a jacket or umbrella. I hid under a ledge on the side of a nearby building. The rain stopped after a bit so I went bqck out to watch some more parade. Then it started raining again so back to hiding. Finally it went to a drissle so I could leave and navigate my way through the fence maze to the metro. Then to the croissanterie to meet with Hali and Chris for lunch, then home.

Then Hali and I chilled in the room and had epic nap time. We also watched the new Alice In Wonderland and I was plesently surprised. It was pretty good.

Then we got ready and left to watch the fireworks at the Eiffel Tower, but of course it took eveyone forever to leave. Then the metro was packed. Then we were late, then from where we were we could only see half the fireworks because we were behind a building and a tree. THe fireworks were really good though. Then we tried to get to the Eiffel Tower but it was blocked. Then we waited a bit for the metro to clear, then couldn't find an open metro stop, then couldn't find an empty taxi. Finally we found a way on to the metro and made it home. It wasn't that fun.

I came to a conclusion last night. I'm not having as much fun as I expected. I find myself rather unhappy here. I'm really excited to be done with the program, away from people, and class and stress. I want to just be on my own doing the Europe adventure. I don't mean to complain, really I don't! Some of the people here are awsome and I love hanging out with them, and the program helps us out so much. I just feel like I am failing my class, and stressed over school, and feeling wierd here. I dunno I guess I just expected to be happier in Paris.

Busy Day!!!

Well not an exactly fun, or exciting day, but a busy one...

Went to class, eh, nuf said. Then Lunch. Then I made a poster asking if people wanted to go with me to the Cmedie Francais on Thursday or Friday. They are doing Checkov's "The Three Sisters" Thursday, and "Cyrano De Bergerac" Friday. I'm hoping to at least go to one since the rush tickets are only 5 Euro.

After that I had tutoring, which was helpful. Then I wandered around the the streets near the center. There were some cool shops. I got a Chat Noir bag to carry my binder in and Carly's Birthday Present! Then I bought a crepe filled with bananas, super delicious!!! And good for the soul!

I went back to the center to eat my crepe and meet JP. I have been under the weather lately (coughing enough to keep me and my roomie awake) so JP and Hannah thought I should see a doctor. So I did. I met JP and he took me to the doctor and played translator, although the doctor spoke excellent English. He suggested some meds so after the appointment JP took me to the pharmacy and we picked up the stuff. It was all super cheap which surprised me because I'm used to USA prices of medicine. Definitely like the French health care. lol. JP is always fun to hang out with so that made the whole adventure better.

I then hunted for this electronic store JP said was nearby so I could get a travel adapter (the one I have doesn't work for my laptop). Finally found it, and a swatch store, so i replaced my watch battery too. I felt accomplished.

Finally got back to the hotel. Went to Mon Op to get groceries. Hali made some pasta and we ate with Chris and Aaron next door, then change for going out. (told you it was busy)

First we went to a big concert at the Bastille. (appropriate for night before Bastille day) Then we went to a fireman's ball. (to explain: to celebrate Bastille Day the fireman throw these big dance parties all over Paris.) We found one along the canal where they were there was a live band playing all these American covers. So we danced and sang along (apparently it wasn't the one we were looking for, but it was still fun.) It got a little weird when these guys wouldn't leave our group aloe, but it was okay. I danced my socks off which made me happy!

Later in the night I went into the bar area to take a break from dancing and look at how much a bottle of water cost. Shortly after I entered the bar area some of the firemen got up on the bar and began doing a strip show. They had alot of the same moves as the FULL MONTY boys (but I think the Monty boys could've learned a thing or two from these guys). The Ladies were all about it. I took some photos (don't worry no nakedness), but I couldn't help laughing to myself because all I could think of was that this was like really life Monty rehearsal. Ha ha it cracked me up.

Anyway we made our way home but the subway closed. Some poeple walked back to the hotel from the subway, but I took a cab with 3 other girls. It was hard to get one and we were being harassed by drunk people, but we got it and the cab driver was really nice. Overall a crazy night, and tomorrow BASTILLE DAY!!!!

Lundi (Monday) chill day

Stupid internet still fails at life!!! Grrr!!!! I’m getting really sick of this!!!

Anywho had class :p I’ve decided the way they teach doesn’t work for me so I’m going to try to study a different way. Class is stupid but at least it is done by 12:30. Then lunch, did some homework, and came back to the hotel room. I wasn’t feeling great so I took a long nap, ate dinner with Hali in the room. Went to the grocery store to get the awesome cheese and a baguette. After food I found a pay phone and got the phone card to work so I could call mom. YAY MOM!!! Then gelato which they shape into a flower. It was super yummy. Then we walked through the park eating gelato.

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY: I was walking and licking my gelato flower on a cone. Thinking yum yum yum…then the flower of gelato falls off the cone!!!! AHHH!!! But I caught it with my left hand, which was awesome cause I saved my delicious gelato, but then my hand was covered in gelato. I ran to the crepe stand and the crepe girl looked at me, then I showed her my hand covered in coconut and raspberry gelato and said, napkin? She laughed at me and handed me napkins. I think I made her day.

Now I’m going to study, take a bath, read and sleep. Yay more sleep!!! Lol anyway Bastille Day festivities begin tomorrow so I need it. WOOT!!!

Dijon (yes like the mustard)

So I just got internet so I am catching up on posts :p

Okay, so we went on a 2 day weekend trip (I would’ve posted this last night but the stupid hotel internet was still broken). Anyway here is the rundown of Saturday and Sunday.

We had to be at the train station at 7:30am :p So we slept on the train to Dijon. Yes, the town is called Dijon like the mustard. We got into Dijon and walked to our little hotel. It was super cute! Hali, Tracy and I shared a room together, it was a fun little hotel where all the windows faced into this little courtyard. So we could all talk out our windows to each other! We also had a super cute little sitting room. I wish we could have stayed more than one night there.

After that we went to the local Saturday market where there was a lot of cool stuff like African clothing stands and stuff. I got a gift for Mom and one for Dad (ooooo ;) ). I also bought a funky African shirt. It was pretty cool. Then we went to lunch (paid for by the program!) it was very tasty at this very funky fun restaurant. I’m taking pictures of some of the really pretty food I’ve gotten (you will like them Gusy) I will post some later.

Then we got a historical tour of Dijon from one of the professors. There is a Paris history class so the teacher of that gave us the tour. It was very informative. It is a very cool old town with lots of hotel particulers (really old city mansions that Dukes used to live in.) We went in that had this interesting show…thing…anyway it was on hands and it had all these videos of people miming stuff. It reminded me of improv practice. The city was actually a lot like Paris, but less people. We also went into a pretty little chapel (more stained glass photos for you mom!).

After that we went to a café to chat with some people about immigrating to France. There is a class on Francaphone cultures (cultures outside of France that speak French). It talks about the preservation of the French language it sounds pretty cool, but the class is taught in French. Anyway they invited anyone to come so I went. It was pretty interesting, but the best part was this amazing Moroccan mint tea. It was super sweet and delicious. They talked about how the mint was good for your digestion so they had us chew on mint leaves. (I joked with JP later that Mojitos must be good for digestion then, lol)

After that we went to this really famous Gingerbread store. Apparently like THE GINGERBREAD STORE. Anyway it was super cool and I got this chunk of gingerbread for train eating and to share with mom and dad :). Then I got a phone card to call mom (it took me a few days to get it to work but it ended up working).

Then we went to a really nice dinner in this converted cellar. It was pretty awesome. SUPER GOOD FOOD, yay free food!!! I talked to the professor of the Francaphone class and she was super awesome. She teaches a theater technique class so we chatted a lot. She teaches the Alexander technique and said she would give me more info about it. It was super cool. After that we went to this outdoor concert that was supposed to be American-ish so they were playing jazz music. It wasn’t very good though, and one of the girls in the program almost got her ass kicked by a homeless guy. It was pretty intense. Then we went to a bar to see the end of the FIFA game, then bed.

Sunday we had to be up super early again to go to Beaune. It was another fun little France town. We went to a museum of this Palace of the Poor. It was this really cool old hospital with a lot of antiques and tapestries. They also had a super cool roof. It was interesting. We then went to a cheese shop and then another delicious restaurant for lunch. Had some Ratatouille that was super yummy.

After that … WINE TASTING!!! It was super cool. We got free little metal wine tasting spoons, and then we went down to the wine cellar. They had these barrels set up in front of the racks. Each barrel had a candle on it and one bottle of wine for tasting. It was a very nice atmosphere. We were taught how to taste the wine properly…look at the color, smell it, then taste it, and spit it out. You don’t have to spit all of them, but if you drank them all you’d drink a lot of wine. It was really nice and the guide told us a lot about wine. I feel knowledgeable now, well more knowledgeable then I was. I bought a bottle of sweet dark berry liquor which they use to make a very famous drink of the area called Kir. (Carly here is a drink for you). It is a mixture of bitter (aka not very good) white wine with super sweet yummy liquor, and tad ah!!!! Kir!!! So I didn’t buy any wine cause I am waiting till I get to southern France.

Then the train back to Paris. It was cool I finally got a chance to really talk to Robert. He is really cool and way smart. It was sweet. Then I slept on the train. When we got back we got crepes and then went to watch the World Cup game. We were gonna go to the Eiffel tower to watch it cause they have a giant screen, but it was way too busy so we found a bar. The game wasn’t great but I tried a beer (I know crazy, and it wasn’t too bad). Spain won though. VIVA ESPANA!!!! Then we saw the Eiffel Tower all lite up at night, and walked along the Cen (river). Then bed.

oops ....forgot

I forgot a little anecdote about the Kiss Party I wanted to mention....

Chris and I were walking around and we saw these two highschool age French girls with FREE HUGS signs. We thought that was cool and fun, so we decided we should go up to them and get some free hugs. We were just walking toward them when they hugged these two French boys... and then proceeded to makeout with them. I guess the sign should have read FREE HUGS AND KISSES, AND IN FRANCE ALL KISSES ARE FRENCH. Anyway we walked the other direction and gave up on the free hugs.

I also forgot to mention that some of this will be on Chris' video blog. I don't have the address to it yet, but I will find it and post it here.

Ok... getting ridiculous

Our internet STILL doesn't work at the hotel. The center works but that is so inconvenient and the French keyboard takes so long. grr! They are supposed to fix it today, but I am losing faith!!!

Stupid internet!!!!!

Okay so 2 and a half days in one blog! All becasue the internet at our hotel is always dead!!!! now we have a weekend trip so i won't be able to blog for 2 days again. Anywho I want to get caught up before I have to leave at 7am :p

So I left off with my not fun morning on Wednesday. After that Chris and I went park exploring. We found this park near the edge of Paris with this super cool little waterfall cove thing. We walked all around the park and chatted. It was super fun, and they had this mountain track thing for kids to use little toy cars on.

Then we headed back and I began helping out my roomie on making/ preping our room for our Spain worldcup game party. Hali made black beans and rice, Julian made Guac, Chris and I bought chips, Aaron brought bred and nutella, and other people brought other stuff. It was great!!! Then we re-organized the room so that there was room for everyone to sit. Then everyone, litterally everyone in the program (all 18) were in our room watching the game and eating food. Half for Spain and half for Germany. Viva Spain!!! Great game and great fun with great people. plus not so great mess to clean up...

After that some of the girls were gonna go out to this discotheque (disco tech aka club) called Duplex. I wouldn't have gone, but I hadn't gone to one yet, and I had all my homework done so I decided to go. We got all dolled up and then we went out. It was pretty fun. I danced with some french boys, and my fellow students. I headed back pretty early cause of class but it was pretty sweet.

Then Thursday had class, went okay. I had a presentation on Victor Hugo that went pretty well. Then Tracy and I went up the Arc de Triomphe. SO MANY STAIRS!!! But we got in free with our student passes and it was really cool. After that we did a little shopping before I had to run back to the center to get some help with French. Then I went back to the hotel for a nap. I was super sleepy from all the stairs and dancing the night before.

Post nap time Chris and I went to this outdoor concert/ party thing called a "Kiss Party". We got handed an add for it coming off the subway and it said we could get free T-shirts if we had ticket things from the store. So Chris picked up 2 ticket things and we decided it was worth checking out for his video blog and free shirts. So we got out shirts and walked around. There was less kissing than expected but still a lot. We chose not to partake in the kissing part of the party but we danced a bit to the music before we headed out to go do homework/ study.

Now to Friday...We had a test this morning that I studied for, for hours last night, but still managed to do very poorly on. It was very discouraging/ frustrating. First time I've felt really homesick because I'm tired of being frustrated. We had a walk around the Marais for class but I didn't enjoy it much because I was kinda down. We saw places like the Place de Vosage, and the Victor Hugo Museum. We got Fallafel for lunch and then Nicole Karen and I went to the Holocaust Memorial. It was very moving. They had these tiny light bulbs, each one represented a deportee that didn't return. There were like 30 five foot panels covered with them. It was pretty overwhelming to even imagine what number that is. After we got Ice cream to cheer us up.

Then I met with my language partner, nans. We went to a cafe and had a drink and chatted for a while. He is super cool. Then back to the hotel to change and shower.

Then...THE BALLET!!!!!! Tracy and I went and got scalper tickets. They were BOX SEATS!!!! The Opera house was absolutely beautiful. We couldn't stop talking about how amazing it was. The ballet was magnificent! The costumes were to die for (Kandi you would've loved them). The ballet was called La Petite Danseuse De Vega, and it was basically the Vega statue/ painting of ballerinas come to life. SO BEAUTIFUL!!! The costumes, the sets, the dances, all amazing. So worth the money, so the best thing so far!!!

Anyway then back home to pack and sleep before the trip tomorrow. I think that covers it. Till Sunday...ttfn