89 days.
822 pictures taken.
6 flights taken.
2 countries visited.
7 regions of France explored.
2 Metro strikes.
1 ticket canceled by the Metro strike.
2 visits with family.
LOTS of crepes and paninis.
Even more friends made.
10 moments I saw the Eiffel Tower sparkle.
3 glasses of Beaujoulais.
4 walks down the Champs-Elysees.
1 fireworks show.
2 pairs of shoes purchased.
13 french films viewed.
5 snowfalls.
1 semester completed.
100s of memories made.
1 unforgettable experience.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
It's Christmas Time in the City...
I just had a lovely Parisian day after class. I went to Notre Dame and took pictures of the Christmas tree in front of it, like everyone else. I strolled down to a cafe decorated for Christmas in Saint Michel and had a chocolat chaud while I perused a magazine and watched all the bundled up people walk along the Seine. I'm going to miss losing track of time in this city.
Many parts of Paris are gearing up for Christmas! In many main streets, including Rue de Rennes right near my school, lights are strung across the street and lit up as soon as it gets dark. They glitter and sparkle, and there are even lights in a swirly shape that has a little glimmer of light spinning from top to bottom. There are trees everywhere, not just at Notre Dame, and of course, almost every storefront has decoration in it. My favorite is a store towards Saint Sulpice with penguins swaying slowly from side to side. It's not very Christmasy, but it's rather adorable. Christmas markets are everywhere! They're a little different from Strasbourg, they sell a lot of what Parisians want; basically anything you can find in a boutique but in a cute little wooden house. Strasbourg had a lot of Christmas memorabilia, ornaments, and the like, and while Paris has some of that as well, you're more likely to do your Christmas shopping in these markets. And of course, there's always a great sweet treat to indulge in! I love that Paris is getting as excited about Christmas as I always am!!
Many parts of Paris are gearing up for Christmas! In many main streets, including Rue de Rennes right near my school, lights are strung across the street and lit up as soon as it gets dark. They glitter and sparkle, and there are even lights in a swirly shape that has a little glimmer of light spinning from top to bottom. There are trees everywhere, not just at Notre Dame, and of course, almost every storefront has decoration in it. My favorite is a store towards Saint Sulpice with penguins swaying slowly from side to side. It's not very Christmasy, but it's rather adorable. Christmas markets are everywhere! They're a little different from Strasbourg, they sell a lot of what Parisians want; basically anything you can find in a boutique but in a cute little wooden house. Strasbourg had a lot of Christmas memorabilia, ornaments, and the like, and while Paris has some of that as well, you're more likely to do your Christmas shopping in these markets. And of course, there's always a great sweet treat to indulge in! I love that Paris is getting as excited about Christmas as I always am!!
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Wrapping Up Presents and Paris
I can't believe I'm approaching my last week in Paris! When I look back, it seems to all have been a blur, but it feels like time is going by slowly when you're looking ahead, have you ever noticed that? I can remember when I realized I would be home in 9 weeks- single digits! And just a few days ago I said wow, I'm in the single digits but this time in days. Six days from now I'll be boarding a plane (fingers crossed it's not delayed!) and returning home! It's surreal to think about. I've been planning this trip for so long, and soon it'll be one of the fondest memories I have. Oh dear, I think I'm going to start tearing up soon... This city is amazing, there are things here that no other place has. I'm going to miss just wandering the streets, walking for hours and not getting tired because Ooh la la, I'm in Paris. I'm going to miss walking down the street and smelling fresh bread in the air. I'll miss just saying "Bonjour" when I walk into a store or a cafe. But I've missed my family and friends for so long! Can't I just have both? I have a sneaky feeling that when I come home, it'll feel like I never left, but so much has happened! It's going to be quite strange the first couple of days. There are things I know I'll miss, things I'm glad I don't have to deal with anymore, but over here we're all wondering what it'll be like to adjust to America again. Can it really be that hard? We left for three months, but most of us have lived there for twenty years! I think I'm going to have PTPD: Post-traumatic Paris disorder. I'm so glad I have amazing people to come back to, that will make it easier, I think.
And now, packing phase two... and I was overweight the first time....
And now, packing phase two... and I was overweight the first time....
Le Capitale de Noel
Last weekend brought me to the Christmas markets in Strasbourg. I was expecting a great deal of festive cheer, and I was not disappointed. Strasbourg is adorable in itself; it's 5 kilometers from Germany, so you can really see the German influence on the architecture and local cuisine! Back in the day France and Germany fought over this territory and of course, after WWII, France won. It's a charming little gem about as east as you can go, laughing all the way, ha ha ha!
I stayed with a family that have recently moved back to France after having lived in my hometown for several years, and in fact a few of their kids had been my mom's students. It was so amazing to hear them speak in French and English. They jibbered back in forth in both languages flawlessly. When they spoke English, there was no French accent, and vice versa. It made me want to become fluent even more! They're all so young and they know two languages perfectly, and some will be learning a third in the next year. It was inspiring and I was a little jealous!
When we went to the markets in the center of Strasbourg, every street was decorated and lights glittered everywhere. Every street had a different color or style of lights than the one before it, and every building looked like a giant present all wrapped up. The markets were full of ornaments, dancing Santas and stockings. The markets are set up almost like little gingerbread houses, each vendor in a different one, and they're all set up in a row, creating little streets of Christmas. The smell of Christmas trees and hot wine was the cherry on top. A cozy restaurant and sauerkraut warmed me up later. I was excited to try another local dish, and it was really interesting. The texture was a little different for me, it was almost a steamed onion and lettuce at the same time, I wasn't sure what to expect because I don't think I've had cabbage before. It tasted pretty good though, and add some sausage and potatoes-you can't go wrong. It was a great day.
On my second and last day, I took a little stroll around La Petit France. It was more like Germany, I thought. All the buildings had that somewhat thatched look with the brown stripes across the front. We saw more markets and I bought a little souvenir for home. It wasn't as decorated as the center of the city, but it was adorable in its own way. The German-French fusion was so fun to see!
The more I see of France, the more I want to spend more time here! The Tuleu's were great hosts, and I hope I can go back again someday!
I stayed with a family that have recently moved back to France after having lived in my hometown for several years, and in fact a few of their kids had been my mom's students. It was so amazing to hear them speak in French and English. They jibbered back in forth in both languages flawlessly. When they spoke English, there was no French accent, and vice versa. It made me want to become fluent even more! They're all so young and they know two languages perfectly, and some will be learning a third in the next year. It was inspiring and I was a little jealous!
When we went to the markets in the center of Strasbourg, every street was decorated and lights glittered everywhere. Every street had a different color or style of lights than the one before it, and every building looked like a giant present all wrapped up. The markets were full of ornaments, dancing Santas and stockings. The markets are set up almost like little gingerbread houses, each vendor in a different one, and they're all set up in a row, creating little streets of Christmas. The smell of Christmas trees and hot wine was the cherry on top. A cozy restaurant and sauerkraut warmed me up later. I was excited to try another local dish, and it was really interesting. The texture was a little different for me, it was almost a steamed onion and lettuce at the same time, I wasn't sure what to expect because I don't think I've had cabbage before. It tasted pretty good though, and add some sausage and potatoes-you can't go wrong. It was a great day.
On my second and last day, I took a little stroll around La Petit France. It was more like Germany, I thought. All the buildings had that somewhat thatched look with the brown stripes across the front. We saw more markets and I bought a little souvenir for home. It wasn't as decorated as the center of the city, but it was adorable in its own way. The German-French fusion was so fun to see!
The more I see of France, the more I want to spend more time here! The Tuleu's were great hosts, and I hope I can go back again someday!
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