No, unfortunately, I have not had pancakes recently, but I thought the title appropriate for what day it is. (hint: I hop, you hop, we all hop, it's leap day!) It's dumb, I know, but I think I'm stuck conjugating verbs for a while and I also have the "I scream, ice cream" song stuck in my head.
Now, back to touristy business, today was a trip about an hour by train outside Barcelona to Montserrat, a monestary up in pink (yes, pink) mountains. It was very cool and nice to get away from the city even if we were being very touristy.
Once again, the day started off with us going to the fruit stand across the street from our hostel and the supermarket around the corner. Then, we took the metro to Place Espanya (with a 'y' because it's Catalan), got tickets, and hopped on the R7 (I think) to Montserrat. When we arrived, it was with lots of Dutch tourists and a few German couples and we all bonded going up the mountain in the tiny cable car; which, by the way, was only supposed to have 42 people in it and we had 54.... We did make it up though and went straight to the cathedral where the boy's choir was going to perform at noon. We were there at 11:30, so we had excellent seats and the acoustics were amazing. I adore acappella music.
Then, from the cathedral, we left the main buildings of the monestary, took a 'furnicular' up the mountain (kind of like a small, sideways train that runs up instead of straight) and went off hiking down many paths and even found a veritable treasure trove of deer pellets - yay. I felt quite french picnicing on top of the mountain with my bread, cheese, and fruit. Around 4, we started heading back down and got back to the train station in time to catch the next train. (We thought we had missed it along with our whole cable car, who were quite angry, and then turns out we didn't.) Unfortunately, the train was so crowded, we had to stand up the entire way back - the. whole. hour. By the time we got back to the hostel, we basically collapsed. waited for dinner time (not until after 9pm unless you're deathly ill or an infant) and ordered pizza. It was quite good and is enabling me to be full enough to go straight to bed anticipating returning to Nantes tomorrow morning.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Gaudy Gaudi
Ah, today was gaudy! And not in a bad way whatsoever, a very Gaudi way.
This morning we started out at the supermarket again buying more food (since it's much cheaper than eating out) and we headed off to see La Sagrada Familia, which is this amazing cathedral designed by Gaudi which was started in 1882 and still isn't even close the being finished. It was amazing walking through it and then going down underneath the building to see the museum which includes all of the mock-ups and shows Gaudi's inspiration from nature for the designs within the architecture. (Wikipedia has a decent webpage if you'd like to know more.) On the way there, because we walked, we even saw a few of Gaudi's casas, which looked like they were made of peanut brittle, caramel, and candy - very whimsical and storybookish.
Then, in the afternoon, we met up with another IES-er who was supposed to be in Barcelona with us but arrived a little late. This time we decided to take the metro over to Park Guell since we walked for an hour over to La Sagrada Familia - or at least that's what the guidebook had told us. Turns out from the metro stop, it's about a mile hike straight up a hill to get to the park. And guess who was carrying the backpack with all the water and food? I suppose I shouldn't complain because Jess had been carrying it all morning, but man, that hill was steep. The whole time all I could think of was the runners from Kenya who train in the mountains.
Then finally, we had lunch and wandered around the park for a few hours (which was soo cool!), saw some street (park?) performers, and headed back to the hostel. We ended up going out for dinner to a Mexican restaurant called La Negra Rose and all had delicious burritos.
This morning we started out at the supermarket again buying more food (since it's much cheaper than eating out) and we headed off to see La Sagrada Familia, which is this amazing cathedral designed by Gaudi which was started in 1882 and still isn't even close the being finished. It was amazing walking through it and then going down underneath the building to see the museum which includes all of the mock-ups and shows Gaudi's inspiration from nature for the designs within the architecture. (Wikipedia has a decent webpage if you'd like to know more.) On the way there, because we walked, we even saw a few of Gaudi's casas, which looked like they were made of peanut brittle, caramel, and candy - very whimsical and storybookish.
Then, in the afternoon, we met up with another IES-er who was supposed to be in Barcelona with us but arrived a little late. This time we decided to take the metro over to Park Guell since we walked for an hour over to La Sagrada Familia - or at least that's what the guidebook had told us. Turns out from the metro stop, it's about a mile hike straight up a hill to get to the park. And guess who was carrying the backpack with all the water and food? I suppose I shouldn't complain because Jess had been carrying it all morning, but man, that hill was steep. The whole time all I could think of was the runners from Kenya who train in the mountains.
Then finally, we had lunch and wandered around the park for a few hours (which was soo cool!), saw some street (park?) performers, and headed back to the hostel. We ended up going out for dinner to a Mexican restaurant called La Negra Rose and all had delicious burritos.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Poor Pieds
My poor feet. We walked a lot today, but it was totally worth it!
This morning, we went to a grocery store around the corner, grabbed stuff for a picnic lunch, and hiked up Montjuic, which is a rather large hill (or small mountain) right on the edges of Barcelona. It's actually where the Olympic facilities from '92 are. It was so cool to walk up there, look out over the (urban) sprawl of Barcelona, and see all the gardens, pools, stadium, and the torch from 1992. I sort of vaguely remember those Olympics and I definitely remember how the torch was lit, but mostly I remember the opening and closing ceremonies - all the dancing and singing! It was a little sad seeing how run-down it sort of is after the spotlight is taken off of it. I mean, everything was still nice, it was just overrun with feral cats and algae. (Which make for an interesting eau de cologne.) It was still very cool to be up there though and there were quite a few other tourists and lots of tourist buses, so it's not a ghostown or anything by a long stretch.
After that, we hiked back down the mountain and cut across Barcelona to visit the Gothic Quarter (barri gothique). Not Gothic like 'goth' like Addams family (that's what my host mom thought I meant! Hee.) But actually Gothic like the style of architecture. The streets were very small and it felt like the buildings were going to fall in on me, but the ornateness of all of it was just amazing! After walking around, we went to the Picasso Museum (with apparently about 3 middle school's worth of loud kids from France). It was really neat seeing his version of "Las Meninas" after being in the Prado Sunday where Velasquez's is. We left and went to get gelato as a pick-me-up down the street, and okay, it wasn't Italian, but it was delish!
Tonight we hit up the grocery store again (not the robbing kind, the buying kind) and made a delicious pasta dinner with peanut-buttered mini biscotti, which weren't actually like biscotti at all, but were still good as an appetizer. I thought it was really nice that the hostel had a kitchen and refridgerators we could use (eggs for breakfast tomorrow maybe?). It makes eating for me more about gusto and less about worrying about the costs.
This morning, we went to a grocery store around the corner, grabbed stuff for a picnic lunch, and hiked up Montjuic, which is a rather large hill (or small mountain) right on the edges of Barcelona. It's actually where the Olympic facilities from '92 are. It was so cool to walk up there, look out over the (urban) sprawl of Barcelona, and see all the gardens, pools, stadium, and the torch from 1992. I sort of vaguely remember those Olympics and I definitely remember how the torch was lit, but mostly I remember the opening and closing ceremonies - all the dancing and singing! It was a little sad seeing how run-down it sort of is after the spotlight is taken off of it. I mean, everything was still nice, it was just overrun with feral cats and algae. (Which make for an interesting eau de cologne.) It was still very cool to be up there though and there were quite a few other tourists and lots of tourist buses, so it's not a ghostown or anything by a long stretch.
After that, we hiked back down the mountain and cut across Barcelona to visit the Gothic Quarter (barri gothique). Not Gothic like 'goth' like Addams family (that's what my host mom thought I meant! Hee.) But actually Gothic like the style of architecture. The streets were very small and it felt like the buildings were going to fall in on me, but the ornateness of all of it was just amazing! After walking around, we went to the Picasso Museum (with apparently about 3 middle school's worth of loud kids from France). It was really neat seeing his version of "Las Meninas" after being in the Prado Sunday where Velasquez's is. We left and went to get gelato as a pick-me-up down the street, and okay, it wasn't Italian, but it was delish!
Tonight we hit up the grocery store again (not the robbing kind, the buying kind) and made a delicious pasta dinner with peanut-buttered mini biscotti, which weren't actually like biscotti at all, but were still good as an appetizer. I thought it was really nice that the hostel had a kitchen and refridgerators we could use (eggs for breakfast tomorrow maybe?). It makes eating for me more about gusto and less about worrying about the costs.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
HelloBCN!
Today we were back on the road - packing up, taking the metro (which we are obviously pros at now) back to the aeropuerto de Madrid, and waiting, waiting, waiting. Instead of getting right to the airport 20 minutes before boarding, we were there around 2 hours ahead of time. Unfortunately, we also chose apparently the wrong ticket option (electronic tickets), which meant we were the last three people to board the plane. I was a little worried when the flight attendant told me to "wait over there" that I wouldn't be able to get on at all! (We had booked through an airline none of us had ever heard of before - Spanair- no, that is not a typo, and we didn't know how it worked as far as tickets and stuff, but we did end up being on the plane when it took off with all our stuff.)
It was nice to arrive and not have a connection to make and it was not late at night either, which just made everything seem (literally and figuratively) sunnier. We decided to wait around the Barcelona airport for an hour, eat, and see if our friend who was coming in later that afternoon would arrive so we could all go to the hostel together. However, since we didn't know Jess' flight number (we did know the airline though), we decided to go ahead without her after 2 hours of sitting around. This time we had to take a shuttle bus to the train station (there weren't really any signs and we had no idea where the bus was actually going until we got there) and then there was a guy in an orange jumpsuit standing at the entrance to the station handing out what I thought were pamphlets. I said I didn't want one. Ooops! They were the tickets for the train, which apparently is completely free because when BCN built the rail line, it wrecked many waterways or something like that and as a result, it's freeeeeee! We found our metro line, got tickets, and got to the hostel all in quite good time. The hostel itself was very different from the last one - very modern with lots of steel and bright colors, and very, very clean.
We checked in and found a bunch of books on Spain and BCN, so we sat around doing some research on what to do while waiting for Jess to show up. When she finally made it, it was still only about 4pm, and we decided to walk around a little and go to the centre ville. We ended up finding a great Indian place a little ways off of La Rambala (where everyone gets pick pocketed and smokes lots of illegal drugs - illegal in the US at least...), went back to the hostel after eating, and another IES-er, Julie was there. Then lots of planning for the rest of the week was done and done and sleeping was achieved.
It was nice to arrive and not have a connection to make and it was not late at night either, which just made everything seem (literally and figuratively) sunnier. We decided to wait around the Barcelona airport for an hour, eat, and see if our friend who was coming in later that afternoon would arrive so we could all go to the hostel together. However, since we didn't know Jess' flight number (we did know the airline though), we decided to go ahead without her after 2 hours of sitting around. This time we had to take a shuttle bus to the train station (there weren't really any signs and we had no idea where the bus was actually going until we got there) and then there was a guy in an orange jumpsuit standing at the entrance to the station handing out what I thought were pamphlets. I said I didn't want one. Ooops! They were the tickets for the train, which apparently is completely free because when BCN built the rail line, it wrecked many waterways or something like that and as a result, it's freeeeeee! We found our metro line, got tickets, and got to the hostel all in quite good time. The hostel itself was very different from the last one - very modern with lots of steel and bright colors, and very, very clean.
We checked in and found a bunch of books on Spain and BCN, so we sat around doing some research on what to do while waiting for Jess to show up. When she finally made it, it was still only about 4pm, and we decided to walk around a little and go to the centre ville. We ended up finding a great Indian place a little ways off of La Rambala (where everyone gets pick pocketed and smokes lots of illegal drugs - illegal in the US at least...), went back to the hostel after eating, and another IES-er, Julie was there. Then lots of planning for the rest of the week was done and done and sleeping was achieved.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Palais! Which one?
This morning started out a little later because Vanessa and I ended up meeting a Canadian girl, Laura, who was just settling into our room and also travelling by herself and we thought she'd like to come with us. So about 30 minutes later we started off walking down the Avenue del Prado to see all the great big landmarks of Madrid. We did see quite a few ornate buildings, including the Agricultural Center, Communications Center, and the National Library. Then instead of finding the royal palace like we had planned, we ended up finding the Palace of Justice (whoops) and a few fantastic cathedrals.
Eventually, later that afternoon, we did make our way over to the Royal Palace and Cathedral, which was very cool. We didn't pay to go in though (a little museum-ed out from yesterday) and instead headed back to the hostel for a siesta. Later on, we met the Quebequoise, Isabelle, and we all went out to dinner together, mingling a bunch of French and English together for a language understood by all.
The other two French girls and the girls from New Zealand had left this morning, and we had an older Spanish lady in our room as well as another girl no one really saw (but her stuff was there). I have to say, Spain is much more vibrant late at night than France, partially because of the late dinner time, and also a little because of the warmer weather, I think.
Eventually, later that afternoon, we did make our way over to the Royal Palace and Cathedral, which was very cool. We didn't pay to go in though (a little museum-ed out from yesterday) and instead headed back to the hostel for a siesta. Later on, we met the Quebequoise, Isabelle, and we all went out to dinner together, mingling a bunch of French and English together for a language understood by all.
The other two French girls and the girls from New Zealand had left this morning, and we had an older Spanish lady in our room as well as another girl no one really saw (but her stuff was there). I have to say, Spain is much more vibrant late at night than France, partially because of the late dinner time, and also a little because of the warmer weather, I think.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Prancing through the Prado
Today was much less stressful than yesterday, thank goodness! We were able to sleep in a little and then had breakfast at Cat's Hostel and walked to the Prado (about 5-10 minutes away) because it is free on Sundays. When we got there we found out it's only free after 5pm, but 4 euros wasn't too bad for an entire day of art and culture. There was a huge expo on Velasquez's life and works wrapping up the day we went, so it was a little crowded, but not too bad. We even met up with another IESer in line accidentally and hung out with her the rest of the day. She was in Madrid visiting a friend who is studying here, so after the Prado, we met up with her friend and went out to the very edge of the city to see a flamenco performance at the Teatro de Madrid. It was definitely more contemporary than the traditional touristy performances, but it was cool to see because that is what Spanish people are watching, not tourists.
On the walk from the metro stop to the theatre, we even saw an authentic Spanish car accident with someone's tire blowing up and causing them to slam into the car in front of them. Much yelling and hand-waving followed (no one was hurt, but the cars were pretty banged up). After the flamenco, we headed over to Plaza del Sol to get some food and went for an authentic Spanish restaurant. I had a potatoe and ham sort of omelette tortilla thing and flan for dessert. It was quite good and not too pricey.
On the walk from the metro stop to the theatre, we even saw an authentic Spanish car accident with someone's tire blowing up and causing them to slam into the car in front of them. Much yelling and hand-waving followed (no one was hurt, but the cars were pretty banged up). After the flamenco, we headed over to Plaza del Sol to get some food and went for an authentic Spanish restaurant. I had a potatoe and ham sort of omelette tortilla thing and flan for dessert. It was quite good and not too pricey.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Time Travels
Hola from Espana (finally!). Today was, shall we say, extremely long and hectic. Traveling really shouldn't make me this tired - I'm just sitting most of the time, right? Ah, no, today reminded me that the stress of traveling more than makes up for the lack of physical exertion.
This morning started out great - woke up on time, was all ready and packed, caught the right bus to Commerce and the right tram to Gare SNCF Nord, met Vanessa and Brian, found my seat on the TGV, got my ticket punched, had my 12-25 card. It was all grandly trucking (errr training?) along. That is, until between Le Man and Angers, when we apparently hit a person. The announcer came on, told us there had been an accident and we would have to wait for local authorities to get there and assess the situation. An hour and a half delay. I said, "Alright. Our plane is at 4:25 and it's only 10 something. We'll be fine." I go and borrow a book from Brian who was two cars up, text-message Vanessa a few times, and ask the conductor what is going on - "Apparently it was a suicide," he says. Fast-forward about an hour and the announcer is talking to us again - this equals another 2 hours of sitting in the countryside watching the goose pond and some ponies grooming each other. 45 minutes after the second announcement the announcer comes on again. At this point I am ready to say, "Turn around and take me home, French local authorities! I want to wake up from this bad dream." But this time, we're moving. So instead of arriving at Montparnasse at 11:15, we get there at 2:30, and we have no idea how we're getting to the airport.
I went and asked the information guy if there was a bus to CDG, he says, "But of course, mademoiselle - it is right that way." There is no bus. There is however, a very kind Frenchman who tells us if we walk this very short distance on the map to Place Royale, we can catch the RER to CDG. We start walking, and walk some more, and some more. Finally, around 30 minutes later, we have found the mythical RER, get on, and get to the airport about 20 minutes before our gate closes - but our gate isn't posted. So we grab a quick (and absurdly overpriced) lunch and finally get on our plane to Madrid.
Arriving in Madrid is a little hectic since now we have to figure out how to get to the hostel. I don't want to spend money on a taxi, but knowing how the subway system in Paris is (and Madrid's reputation), I'm not completely all for taking the metro. The metro it is in the end however, and what a nice surprise! Madrid's metro system is lovely, clean, well organized, and very easy to take. We make our three connections and find the hostel within about 10 minutes walking from the Anton Martin stop.
The hostel was lovely, old, and apparently used to be a palace. It is a historical monument that is protected by the federal govt. of Spain. Wow. Why they let loads of kids stay here, I don't know. Vanessa and I must have looked tired and paranoid (V almost got pick pocketed twice on the metro) and the reception guy upgraded us to a room with less people, only girls, and right next to the bathroom, free of charge. After settling in, we all go and wander around a bit (dinnertime is around 9pm here, so lots of people and little kids are out quite late). Then about 10:30, we head back to the hostel for free paellas (provided you get a drink). It was delicious.
In our room with us: 2 French girls, 2 New Zealanders (who are travelling around Europe for 7 months (eek!)), a Quebequoise, and us.
This morning started out great - woke up on time, was all ready and packed, caught the right bus to Commerce and the right tram to Gare SNCF Nord, met Vanessa and Brian, found my seat on the TGV, got my ticket punched, had my 12-25 card. It was all grandly trucking (errr training?) along. That is, until between Le Man and Angers, when we apparently hit a person. The announcer came on, told us there had been an accident and we would have to wait for local authorities to get there and assess the situation. An hour and a half delay. I said, "Alright. Our plane is at 4:25 and it's only 10 something. We'll be fine." I go and borrow a book from Brian who was two cars up, text-message Vanessa a few times, and ask the conductor what is going on - "Apparently it was a suicide," he says. Fast-forward about an hour and the announcer is talking to us again - this equals another 2 hours of sitting in the countryside watching the goose pond and some ponies grooming each other. 45 minutes after the second announcement the announcer comes on again. At this point I am ready to say, "Turn around and take me home, French local authorities! I want to wake up from this bad dream." But this time, we're moving. So instead of arriving at Montparnasse at 11:15, we get there at 2:30, and we have no idea how we're getting to the airport.
I went and asked the information guy if there was a bus to CDG, he says, "But of course, mademoiselle - it is right that way." There is no bus. There is however, a very kind Frenchman who tells us if we walk this very short distance on the map to Place Royale, we can catch the RER to CDG. We start walking, and walk some more, and some more. Finally, around 30 minutes later, we have found the mythical RER, get on, and get to the airport about 20 minutes before our gate closes - but our gate isn't posted. So we grab a quick (and absurdly overpriced) lunch and finally get on our plane to Madrid.
Arriving in Madrid is a little hectic since now we have to figure out how to get to the hostel. I don't want to spend money on a taxi, but knowing how the subway system in Paris is (and Madrid's reputation), I'm not completely all for taking the metro. The metro it is in the end however, and what a nice surprise! Madrid's metro system is lovely, clean, well organized, and very easy to take. We make our three connections and find the hostel within about 10 minutes walking from the Anton Martin stop.
The hostel was lovely, old, and apparently used to be a palace. It is a historical monument that is protected by the federal govt. of Spain. Wow. Why they let loads of kids stay here, I don't know. Vanessa and I must have looked tired and paranoid (V almost got pick pocketed twice on the metro) and the reception guy upgraded us to a room with less people, only girls, and right next to the bathroom, free of charge. After settling in, we all go and wander around a bit (dinnertime is around 9pm here, so lots of people and little kids are out quite late). Then about 10:30, we head back to the hostel for free paellas (provided you get a drink). It was delicious.
In our room with us: 2 French girls, 2 New Zealanders (who are travelling around Europe for 7 months (eek!)), a Quebequoise, and us.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Spain!
Well, this is it! I'm off to Spain tomorrow morning! I'm very excited but also a little nervouse since I don't speak Spanish and I'm slightly worried about pick-pockets (the last girl that stayed here got her passport stolen in Barcelona).
We do have some neat things to see - we're going to the Prado Museum in Madrid on Sunday (when admission is free!). It's supposed to be amazing and it's like the Louvre of Spain. Then Monday I think we're just going to walk around and see some monuments. Tuesday we leave for Barcelona, and well, I won't say anything else because then I won't have things to write about when I get back.
On the French side of the border nothing really happened today - I did buy a ticket from Madrid to Barcelona, but that was about it. Grammar was nothing exciting - we went over transition words like d'ailleurs, or, au contraire, and all those great conclusion words. In conclusion, I will say farewell until next week!
We do have some neat things to see - we're going to the Prado Museum in Madrid on Sunday (when admission is free!). It's supposed to be amazing and it's like the Louvre of Spain. Then Monday I think we're just going to walk around and see some monuments. Tuesday we leave for Barcelona, and well, I won't say anything else because then I won't have things to write about when I get back.
On the French side of the border nothing really happened today - I did buy a ticket from Madrid to Barcelona, but that was about it. Grammar was nothing exciting - we went over transition words like d'ailleurs, or, au contraire, and all those great conclusion words. In conclusion, I will say farewell until next week!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Foggy Bottom
Yesterday was long, but lots of delicious food was eaten! I got together with a few IESers at one of their host family's houses (because it's vacation this week in France a lot of people's families have gone away) and we made scrambled eggs, French toast (which actually isn't French), bacon (thank you Monoprix!), and ate cookie dough. It was so American, but so good to eat something kind of from home.
Then on the way home it was really creepy and foggy -eek! I got up around 3am to see the lunar eclipse, but it was so foggy I couldn't even see the balcony below mine! So much for that - I guess I'll have to wait another 7 years to see the next one.
Today was better weather and almost toasty warm. Classes went well and then I got home and looked up trains from Madrid to Barcelona for next week and yikes! 109 euros! I think we're going to fly, which is much more reasonable at 34 euros and much faster. Now all I have to do is book that flight and turn in my itinerary sheet, pack, and I'm ready to leave for Paris and Espagne Saturday morning!
Then on the way home it was really creepy and foggy -eek! I got up around 3am to see the lunar eclipse, but it was so foggy I couldn't even see the balcony below mine! So much for that - I guess I'll have to wait another 7 years to see the next one.
Today was better weather and almost toasty warm. Classes went well and then I got home and looked up trains from Madrid to Barcelona for next week and yikes! 109 euros! I think we're going to fly, which is much more reasonable at 34 euros and much faster. Now all I have to do is book that flight and turn in my itinerary sheet, pack, and I'm ready to leave for Paris and Espagne Saturday morning!
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Cheese Please!
You know those days? The ones that last forever? (Like in Sandlot, "for-ev-er...") Well, today was one of them. Normally, I have just two classes, one from 8:15-9:30 and another from 2-2:15. But today I had to make-up a class period ahead of time because my Middle East prof is going to a conference in Marseilles in May sometime, so we had 2 1/2 hours extra today. And that was in the time slot when I usually commandeer the tv room and take a nap! Meh. It really wasn't all that bad, my professor is great and I really like the class, but but the time art history rolled around, I was too tired to really pay attention. And I definitely took part in the "snap-your-neck-as-you-sleep-in-class" club, also known as the "my-art-history-prof-turns-off-all-the-lights-for-a-slideshow-and-talks-monotone-for-2-hours-in-a-warm-room" afternoon.
I also had a conversation with Laurel during lunch about despite all the great cheese here, we really miss cheddar and colby jack and other American cheeses. At least I have my goldfish now!
I also had a conversation with Laurel during lunch about despite all the great cheese here, we really miss cheddar and colby jack and other American cheeses. At least I have my goldfish now!
Monday, February 18, 2008
Les Poissons rouges
Les poissons, les poissons,/ How I love les poissons! /Love to chop and to serve little fish!
First I cut off their heads,/Then I pull out their bones,/Ah, mais oui, ca c'est toujours delish!
No, I'm not on a Little Mermaid run, although I could do with seeing that particular song again - it makes me laugh hysterically. (found at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Rdk2IrA0Hm0) I am, however, on a HSM2 run (or at least the DJ in my head decided that was the theme for today). I did get a package today in the mail (including a note!). It was from my good pal back at GCC, Gretchen - let's all give her a rousing round of applause for being such an awesome friend! She sent a package of goldfish (which are called "poissons rouges" in France) and lots of good chocolate and those little Valentine's Day hearts that have stuff written on them like, "UR A QT". It made me a little homesick and sad thinking about all the things I'm missing back at the Grove this semester - especially with my senoir friends that are graduating! :(
I got my midterm for grammar back and got a 14/20, which I realize isn't all that great in American grading terms, but here it's pretty darn good. You only get above a 16 "if you're god," said my grammar prof, so I like to think I did well. Then after the most mind-numbing translation class (during which I turned in my essay), I was treated to a film about Charles de Gaulle (that following the most mind-numbing reading of 44 pages on constitutional law in France this morning during library duty - and we didn't even talk about it in class! Pooey.)
First I cut off their heads,/Then I pull out their bones,/Ah, mais oui, ca c'est toujours delish!
No, I'm not on a Little Mermaid run, although I could do with seeing that particular song again - it makes me laugh hysterically. (found at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Rdk2IrA0Hm0) I am, however, on a HSM2 run (or at least the DJ in my head decided that was the theme for today). I did get a package today in the mail (including a note!). It was from my good pal back at GCC, Gretchen - let's all give her a rousing round of applause for being such an awesome friend! She sent a package of goldfish (which are called "poissons rouges" in France) and lots of good chocolate and those little Valentine's Day hearts that have stuff written on them like, "UR A QT". It made me a little homesick and sad thinking about all the things I'm missing back at the Grove this semester - especially with my senoir friends that are graduating! :(
I got my midterm for grammar back and got a 14/20, which I realize isn't all that great in American grading terms, but here it's pretty darn good. You only get above a 16 "if you're god," said my grammar prof, so I like to think I did well. Then after the most mind-numbing translation class (during which I turned in my essay), I was treated to a film about Charles de Gaulle (that following the most mind-numbing reading of 44 pages on constitutional law in France this morning during library duty - and we didn't even talk about it in class! Pooey.)
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Taking Back Sunday
No, not the group whatsoever. More like my homework ambitions. Which, if you have noticed, I am studiously avoiding right now.
Yesterday was so much fun - I took a train to Rennes for the day. Rennes is about an hour and a half north of Nantes, so it wasn't too far and the tickets were a great deal with my handy dandy 12-25 pass. On the other hand, Rennes was also very cold. I have never just taken a train somewhere and not known what I was going to do before, but it was an adventure. Two girls from IES and I met at the station in Nantes, hopped on the train (this was when Vanessa and I realized our 12-25 passes weren't valid until next Friday at which point I decided to cry and put on a very fake bad accent in French if the conductor called us out, which he did not, so I did not have to cry), and went to Rennes.
We got off and went into the city with no maps or anything, but it was fun wandering around anyway until the cold and the hunger was a little too much for comfort. We did find the Parlement building which burned down 10 years ago, but they rebuilt it in the Louis -whatevernumber style it was originially built in; a new building looking old. Then we found a map (yay!) and tried to get over to some parks (and had to go back to the map to look again). There was a park with lots of ducks (made my day), a tropical bird house, and the most crocuses I have ever seen in one place. Ever. It was incredible to see all of that nature when I've been effectively cooped up in a city - I loved seeing the huge sequoia trees and the tiny crocuses. God really did have an amazing plan for everything he created!
After the park, we meandered our way over to the Musee des Beaux Arts de Rennes (I did go to the Beaux Arts in Nantes already for class last Thursday - gorgeous!). There was an art exhibition on American art from 1830-1940 on "how the west was won". It was neat to see how French people view American art, especially with many Native American pieces and history included in the expo. Following the park, we wandered around the Galeries Lafayette (it was so coooold!) and then got a cafe in a cafe before catching our train back to Nantes. It was a lovely day trip and so nice to get back "home" at the end of the day.
Now, I have to effectively take back my Sunday with a concentrated effort on a translation essay due tomorrow (2 pages to write on whatever I want...hmmm...), reading an article for grammar, and book reading for a report due later this semester. It's almost like being back at GCC - too much work!
Yesterday was so much fun - I took a train to Rennes for the day. Rennes is about an hour and a half north of Nantes, so it wasn't too far and the tickets were a great deal with my handy dandy 12-25 pass. On the other hand, Rennes was also very cold. I have never just taken a train somewhere and not known what I was going to do before, but it was an adventure. Two girls from IES and I met at the station in Nantes, hopped on the train (this was when Vanessa and I realized our 12-25 passes weren't valid until next Friday at which point I decided to cry and put on a very fake bad accent in French if the conductor called us out, which he did not, so I did not have to cry), and went to Rennes.
We got off and went into the city with no maps or anything, but it was fun wandering around anyway until the cold and the hunger was a little too much for comfort. We did find the Parlement building which burned down 10 years ago, but they rebuilt it in the Louis -whatevernumber style it was originially built in; a new building looking old. Then we found a map (yay!) and tried to get over to some parks (and had to go back to the map to look again). There was a park with lots of ducks (made my day), a tropical bird house, and the most crocuses I have ever seen in one place. Ever. It was incredible to see all of that nature when I've been effectively cooped up in a city - I loved seeing the huge sequoia trees and the tiny crocuses. God really did have an amazing plan for everything he created!
After the park, we meandered our way over to the Musee des Beaux Arts de Rennes (I did go to the Beaux Arts in Nantes already for class last Thursday - gorgeous!). There was an art exhibition on American art from 1830-1940 on "how the west was won". It was neat to see how French people view American art, especially with many Native American pieces and history included in the expo. Following the park, we wandered around the Galeries Lafayette (it was so coooold!) and then got a cafe in a cafe before catching our train back to Nantes. It was a lovely day trip and so nice to get back "home" at the end of the day.
Now, I have to effectively take back my Sunday with a concentrated effort on a translation essay due tomorrow (2 pages to write on whatever I want...hmmm...), reading an article for grammar, and book reading for a report due later this semester. It's almost like being back at GCC - too much work!
Friday, February 15, 2008
Purifier of Silver
My mom sent this e-mail to me yesterday and I thought it was such a powerful image that I had to share it:
Malachi 3:3 says: 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.'
This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement
meant about the character and nature of God.
One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.
That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.
The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.'
She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time.
The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?' He smiled at her and answered, 'Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.'
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.
Malachi 3:3 says: 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.'
This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement
meant about the character and nature of God.
One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.
That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.
The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.'
She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time.
The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?' He smiled at her and answered, 'Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.'
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Oh Jour de Saint Valentin
Happy Valentine's Day! Apparently only celebrated by lovers in France, also the most typical American-Hallmark holiday that has made it over here. Today was interesting to say the least - a few IESers really got into the celebration and gave valentines to everyone. I, unfortunately, having never really celebrated v-day, did not think to do so. I did get a very cool Pirates of the Carribean valentine with pirate temporary tatoo included - arrrgg!
However, the day was spiced up with a visit to the Musee des Beaux Arts in Nantes. It was one of those class trips to a museum with a 9 page packet to fill out. Laurel and I did not know this was strictly for our own benefit and rushed to finish, and even then were 20 minutes late for our next class back at the center. Booo art teacher not giving us directions.
On the other hand, I went and got my train tickets at the SNCF boutique tonight for Rennes on Saturday and Paris next week (on the way to Spain). I was so relieved it worked - from booking on the internet to actually being able to use my French and get the correct tickets - whew!
I do have a midterm tomorrow morning for grammar - passe simple and futur anterieur are the banes of my existance...
However, the day was spiced up with a visit to the Musee des Beaux Arts in Nantes. It was one of those class trips to a museum with a 9 page packet to fill out. Laurel and I did not know this was strictly for our own benefit and rushed to finish, and even then were 20 minutes late for our next class back at the center. Booo art teacher not giving us directions.
On the other hand, I went and got my train tickets at the SNCF boutique tonight for Rennes on Saturday and Paris next week (on the way to Spain). I was so relieved it worked - from booking on the internet to actually being able to use my French and get the correct tickets - whew!
I do have a midterm tomorrow morning for grammar - passe simple and futur anterieur are the banes of my existance...
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Schwarze-what?
Yesterday, well, the wireless I have been "piquering" off of turned off around 9, when I was busy watching Double Detente, a movie from 1988 starring Jim Belushi and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Except my host mom was pronouncing his last name French-like when she was asking me if I wanted to watch it with her at dinner and I couldn't understand her at all - whoops. We eventually sorted everything out, but it was quite a puzzle for about 5 minutes. The movie was alright - not amazing, but my host mom and I had a lot of fun trying to predict what will happen next and just making fun of some aspects of the movie in general.
Also, last night was club de conversation and we had a grand time - more and more French students are coming and less American students. So the IES students who are still here have more of a chance to speak French. Last night we talked about facebook and other social networking sites which lead to a very funny conversation about eharmony.com and dating sites, which don't really exist in France. The French students were so taken aback at the prospect of looking for a husband or wife online - they hadn't really even thought of the concept before. Which, I don't personally agree with the idea, but it was funny trying to explain it.
Today was lots of class and a three hour nap in one of the chill rooms here at IES (yay!). Then tonight is just I don't know, reading? Not too much planned. Maybe another Schwarzenegger movie...
Also, last night was club de conversation and we had a grand time - more and more French students are coming and less American students. So the IES students who are still here have more of a chance to speak French. Last night we talked about facebook and other social networking sites which lead to a very funny conversation about eharmony.com and dating sites, which don't really exist in France. The French students were so taken aback at the prospect of looking for a husband or wife online - they hadn't really even thought of the concept before. Which, I don't personally agree with the idea, but it was funny trying to explain it.
Today was lots of class and a three hour nap in one of the chill rooms here at IES (yay!). Then tonight is just I don't know, reading? Not too much planned. Maybe another Schwarzenegger movie...
Monday, February 11, 2008
Abby is four jars of peanut butter and a huge bag of Skittles
Well, can't complain. I am now connected with (the non-perishable) American foods I missed. I got a nice flat-rate priority mail box today while at work as the bibliothecaire. It was so exciting, but the opening part of the package was sort of ruined by the customs form on the outside that listed everything that was in there. Which, in retrospect, was good because otherwise I would have so ripped it open last Tuesday and then had a big, open box on the bus - not the best idea.
Today was also my second time having classes at the Fac, which was a much different (if not still mind-numbing) experience. The weather was great - Jess and I left a full half hour later than we did two weeks ago and were still half and hour early, so we took advantage of the very sunny 60-degree weather and chilled outside for a while. I wish we had had pastry.
Tonight's dinner was one of the best I have had since I got here - a delicious potatoe-ham-pickle salad, chicken curry (yay!), and a really, really, really good kind of cheese. I know my dinner is not super-interesting, but I thought it was so great it deserved a hurrah! Also, nothing else was interesting except today was one of those days that seems like 3 days in one - sooo long. I am going to snack a bit on my newly-aquired beurre des cacahuetes and then head off to bed. Hopefully my sleep will seem to last as long as this day did...
Today was also my second time having classes at the Fac, which was a much different (if not still mind-numbing) experience. The weather was great - Jess and I left a full half hour later than we did two weeks ago and were still half and hour early, so we took advantage of the very sunny 60-degree weather and chilled outside for a while. I wish we had had pastry.
Tonight's dinner was one of the best I have had since I got here - a delicious potatoe-ham-pickle salad, chicken curry (yay!), and a really, really, really good kind of cheese. I know my dinner is not super-interesting, but I thought it was so great it deserved a hurrah! Also, nothing else was interesting except today was one of those days that seems like 3 days in one - sooo long. I am going to snack a bit on my newly-aquired beurre des cacahuetes and then head off to bed. Hopefully my sleep will seem to last as long as this day did...
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Lazy Sunday
Today was great - a wonderful, lazy day - the kind that make me think of Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh. Slept in (because I missed the one bus I could take to get to church, so instead I listened to a sermon online from the previous week that I missed when I was exploring a Presbyterian church close by). Then I took the tram to Commerce, bought a sandwich and a baguette and went to a friend's house for lunch. I felt very French walking around with my baguette - even more so when we shared a bottle of wine. It was called "Bottle of Sunshine" so it had to be good, and it was.
Then we watched Stardust, which I thought was a good movie (never seen it before then), and the day was pretty much over. Because I went out, I missed a Russian movie marathon with our downstairs neighbor and my host mom. I suppose Dr. Zhivago will have to wait another day for me. On the culture front, I finally finished Northanger Abbey and started Persuasion last night. Overall, a good, lazy Sunday (minus the grammar homework I did).
Then we watched Stardust, which I thought was a good movie (never seen it before then), and the day was pretty much over. Because I went out, I missed a Russian movie marathon with our downstairs neighbor and my host mom. I suppose Dr. Zhivago will have to wait another day for me. On the culture front, I finally finished Northanger Abbey and started Persuasion last night. Overall, a good, lazy Sunday (minus the grammar homework I did).
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Jules Verne, speaking of whom, it was his birthday yesterday too...
Today was full of adventures! First my host mom and I went to a strange electronics store in kind of a (I thought) shady part of town - this was to find a USB card for her Mac. Unfortunately, they didn't have it, but we both got a good laugh out of it; apparently electronics stores in France only ever have men in them. Now, we did get a few strange looks walking into the store, but I didn't think anything of it until we were back in the car and my host mom told me we were the only two women in that store and probably would be for the next week or so! How amusing.
After that, we went to a contemporary art show at a place called the Rayon vert (it was painted red though...). It was an expo by two brothers who paint together wit h four hands at once. I'm not a huge fan of contemporary art, but there were a few paintings there I thought were nice. We also watched a slightly disturbing realism/surrealism movie - very strange. My host mom told me it was strange even for the French, which says alot about how bizarre it was.
Then, we took a stroll down to the Loire and the Jules Verne Museum (we didn't actually go in, but I did take some pictures with statues outside of it). She was able to point out to me all the main buildings in the centre ville and some a little ways away from up on the hill. We also went by the planetarium of Nantes and I was able to go into the little garden with all the sundials and other astronomical instruments - very cool.
Then came back here and I'm going out for dinner soon with two friends from IES and maybe a bar later? Either way, but today was full of adventure and was quite grand!
After that, we went to a contemporary art show at a place called the Rayon vert (it was painted red though...). It was an expo by two brothers who paint together wit h four hands at once. I'm not a huge fan of contemporary art, but there were a few paintings there I thought were nice. We also watched a slightly disturbing realism/surrealism movie - very strange. My host mom told me it was strange even for the French, which says alot about how bizarre it was.
Then, we took a stroll down to the Loire and the Jules Verne Museum (we didn't actually go in, but I did take some pictures with statues outside of it). She was able to point out to me all the main buildings in the centre ville and some a little ways away from up on the hill. We also went by the planetarium of Nantes and I was able to go into the little garden with all the sundials and other astronomical instruments - very cool.
Then came back here and I'm going out for dinner soon with two friends from IES and maybe a bar later? Either way, but today was full of adventure and was quite grand!
Friday, February 8, 2008
Pair of Ducks
Friday is a really good day here. It's been decided. Class at 10 then FINISHED! So today, after having the most nerve-wracking bus ride (new bus drivers are kind of scary) and barely making it to grammar on time, we discussed the movie Je vais bein, ne t'en fais pas. The movie was nominated for 5 Caesars (French Oscars) last year. It was quite good but also depressing. Mme said it was a real French "happy ending" which I didn't understand. I would explain it, but it will be enitrely too long here. Ask me if you desperately need the plot explained to you.
I also went walking around and explored the Isle de Versailles in the middle of the Loire River - took tram line 2 got off at Motte Rouge and voila! A Japanese garden in France. It was quite pretty, but will be more so once flowers start blooming and the water isn't so murky. But, I did see a very cute pair of ducks, and that made my day.
And in conclusion, a birthday shout goes out to three friends at home and my brother - yay birthdays!
I also went walking around and explored the Isle de Versailles in the middle of the Loire River - took tram line 2 got off at Motte Rouge and voila! A Japanese garden in France. It was quite pretty, but will be more so once flowers start blooming and the water isn't so murky. But, I did see a very cute pair of ducks, and that made my day.
And in conclusion, a birthday shout goes out to three friends at home and my brother - yay birthdays!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
New from Nantes!
Alright, I'm going to try and keep a blog from France since I have not been so good about writing in my journal and I'm on the computer a lot more than I should be. This is mostly for my own benefit to record things worthy of note as well as for people (like Mom) who want more than weekly updates.
Today was not exactly a very exciting day - nothing out of the ordinary. However, I did get to sleep in until almost 9:30, which was a treat after being at the center for almost 12 hours Monday and Tuesday each. This morning, while waiting for the bus, I also saw Julie on her bus going by and then on the way home (while I was on the bus) I saw Julie walking - it was a reverse. Imagine that - the most exciting thing that happened to me today was seeing another IES-er on her bus and then from mine. Woo.
Also, yesterday while going to Monoprix to get lunchfoodstuffs, I went snooping around the stores downtown because they are all having ridiculous 80% off sales to get rid of all their winter things. So, being practical, I went looking for a lighter-waterproof-wintery coat for Spain. Something that is not my heavy woolen one at least. Well, after bouncing around about four stores, I found a really nice military blue/grayish coat that was originally 40 € and I got it for six! I am so excited with my amazing beating-the-system skillz, even now I look at the coat with pride.
This is plenty for today and I still have to get the hang of lots of these features (I must inquire of my blog-meister friends how to do certain things). See if you can get the irony of the title of my blog ... I thought it was quite witty.
Today was not exactly a very exciting day - nothing out of the ordinary. However, I did get to sleep in until almost 9:30, which was a treat after being at the center for almost 12 hours Monday and Tuesday each. This morning, while waiting for the bus, I also saw Julie on her bus going by and then on the way home (while I was on the bus) I saw Julie walking - it was a reverse. Imagine that - the most exciting thing that happened to me today was seeing another IES-er on her bus and then from mine. Woo.
Also, yesterday while going to Monoprix to get lunchfoodstuffs, I went snooping around the stores downtown because they are all having ridiculous 80% off sales to get rid of all their winter things. So, being practical, I went looking for a lighter-waterproof-wintery coat for Spain. Something that is not my heavy woolen one at least. Well, after bouncing around about four stores, I found a really nice military blue/grayish coat that was originally 40 € and I got it for six! I am so excited with my amazing beating-the-system skillz, even now I look at the coat with pride.
This is plenty for today and I still have to get the hang of lots of these features (I must inquire of my blog-meister friends how to do certain things). See if you can get the irony of the title of my blog ... I thought it was quite witty.
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