Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Paris for Easter!
Jess and I woke up at 4:30am Saturday morning, so we could walk to gare and then go to the TGV station. No one was there, so we danced to some funky techno at 5:45 in the morning! The train left at 6:40am and we rolled into Gare de Lyon station in Paris around 9:40. Jess' friend Nasarah let us sleep at her appartment and her and her mom picked us up from the station! We rode through Paris in their car and it was a blast. i was sure we were goners a few times!!! They made us lunch and we took buses to the Champs Elysee! Stopped and had these great fruit drinks at Les Paradis des Fruits! It was so much fun and everyone got a different kind and they were different colors! Then bought cd for Jess' brother at Virgin Mega Store and it started to rain so we headed home. That night Nasarah's older sister and brother-in-law came over and we all had dinner together. They plugged these plates in and set them on the table and it was like fondu! For desert Bryan(b-i-law), made us mint tea from Morroco! Next day we saw Sacre Coeur but didn't go to mass because their family is Muslim and they were taking us around. Then went under the Eiffel Tower and I was taking a picture when 2 guys from French 1, Laurin and Ryan, spotted me. So, we took a picture together. They are studying abroad in Europe also! What a small world huh?! On Monday, Jess and I were served Pain Perdue(french toast, but different), and then just her and I spent the day alone. We went to Invalides, where there is an awesome WW1 and WW2 musuem and this is where Napoleon is buried. Then we walked by lots of old men playing patonque and boulle. We walked along the Seine and bought pictures and then it began to rain, so we skipped going to Ste. Chappelle and just headed for the train station. The train left at 6:20pm and we were home and eating by 10pm! Was a great trip even with the rain and we think we spoke more french in the past 2 days then we had in the past 2 months!
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
mom and gi
Mom and Gi arrived friday evening and Jess and I took them to a pizza place for dinner. The next morning we walked through all the markets and bought some brioche glace(like doughnuts) at one of my favorite bakeries! Then the three of us hoped a train to Monaco!! The weather was great and we made it to Palm Sunday Mass at the Cathedral where Princess Grace Kelly's tomb is. Then we walked in all of the gardens that line the cliffs to the sea. There were seagulls everywhere. I got my picture taken in front of a yellow submarine(Beetles) in front of the musuem of oceanography. Then went to Marseilles. Chateau D'If was unfortunately closed on Monday, so we couldn't see that. But we went back to Aix and went to a la cave where they have some of the best selections of wine from the area and the world. Gi and I both bought a bottle of local wine. Tried walking back into town, but we walked about an hour and we're not even close, so caught the bus. They went to their hotel because they had a 5:30am flight. It was a wonderful weekend and we were lucky because the weather warmed up just in time!!!
Friday, March 11, 2005
summary of the week
Monday of course I had my patisserie class, which went well. And then headed to Cafe des Negotiates where we all meet up every week. Jess and I made plans and Tuesday we went shopping through all the markets and went to the natural history museum-where there is a special on the migration of penguins and tortuses. Wednesday in Dialogues de Cinema we watched Ameli! Thursday, the rest of my class presented food from their countries. Freddy made a pineapple cocktail(Equador), Eka made rice with spices and crab on top(Indonesia), Celia made noodles with different kinds of mushrooms, peppers and squash(Taiwan), Anna made cornflake treats since they don`t have rice krispies here(USA), Tassim made rice with vegetables and spices wrapped in grape leaves(Turkey), and Yilmes made Baklava with a caramel topping!(Turkey): different than in Greece. It was baked and in littles balls!!!!!!
Then I had my second wine class and we learned about how wine is made and why some places times it is better for vines to be on hilltops and other times it is better in valley. At the end Guilliame gave me the rest of one of the wines we tasted because he knew I really enjoyed it!!! I was from his friends vineyard and is a Saumery Chirac. Thursday and Friday it was warm enough to just wear a jacket...yeah!!! Had Eileigh, Lauren, Iris and Sophia over for lunch and we listened to some country music, so I thought about home:) Tomorrow we are going to Marseilles...if the buses and trains are done being on strike. Then going to see "The Life Aquatic" on Sunday afternoon!
Then I had my second wine class and we learned about how wine is made and why some places times it is better for vines to be on hilltops and other times it is better in valley. At the end Guilliame gave me the rest of one of the wines we tasted because he knew I really enjoyed it!!! I was from his friends vineyard and is a Saumery Chirac. Thursday and Friday it was warm enough to just wear a jacket...yeah!!! Had Eileigh, Lauren, Iris and Sophia over for lunch and we listened to some country music, so I thought about home:) Tomorrow we are going to Marseilles...if the buses and trains are done being on strike. Then going to see "The Life Aquatic" on Sunday afternoon!
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
Tarte
Here is an upclose picture of our tarte! We drissled creme fraiche on top and drank it with tea(milk added of course). It was a great treat and I wrote down the recipe, so I can make it again. It was to bake again since I dont have an oven here, and make everything from scratch!!!
Not to mention, I got to practice my french and see how they decorate their homes here!
Not to mention, I got to practice my french and see how they decorate their homes here!
patisserie
This is in Madamme JoJo`s home. We made Tarte Tatin for the patisserie class today(Monday, 7th March). Lori is in the middle and she is a friend visiting Suzanne who took the photo. Suzanne lives with Mme.
Sunday, March 06, 2005
lauren and erin
During the parade in Nice on weekend of Feb. 26 and 27th. Right before it started to rain. The parade was so colorful and music from all over the world- bagpipes, african music, and american music always in the background!
Colosseum
What a great shot of the Colosseum. Maybe I should switch to photography for my major!!! It is so weird to walk up to because it is surronded by modern buildings(a few hundred years old)!!
Roma!
This is our second day in Rome, when we were at teh Vatican!! Makes you think of the book Angels and Demons. This was the best day in Rome and one of the warmer ones.
Florence
Even though we were in Florence before Roma, I forgot to add this picture first, so bare with me!
This is Erin and I sitting on the top of a hill with the duomo behind us!
This is where Da Vinci would come and think while he was in Florence(Firenze)!!!
This is Erin and I sitting on the top of a hill with the duomo behind us!
This is where Da Vinci would come and think while he was in Florence(Firenze)!!!
Trevi Fountain
I made my wish in the Trevi Fountain, on our first day in Roma!! So, I should have lots of good luck!!!
I also rubbed St. Peters foot in the Vatican, so I figure I am covered!
I also rubbed St. Peters foot in the Vatican, so I figure I am covered!
the pantheon
Erin and I trying to reach around a massive colleum at the Pantheon. We were more amused by the outside of the structure, than the inside!!!!
It had a big hole in the ceiling.
It had a big hole in the ceiling.
my class!!
I decided to write a little about my class. It is so much fun to take french with people from all over the world!! You tell accents and who speaks best just from the continents they are from. We have 2 guys from turkey and one from Equador. Then the rest are girls. They are from Taiwan, Japan, Indonesia, Sweden, Agrentina and a girl from Tennessee. This thursday and next Thursday we have to give a presentation and bring in food from our own countries. I made 7 layered dip(la purée à sept couche). Everyone really liked it and I have to say the Swedish girls had some great food too. Eileigh, my friend from Tenn. made a Bourbon cake, which was awesome. I decided on dip because people are always snacking on dips before the meal when they are hanging out with friends, and people don`t do that in the rest of the world. Can`t wait for next week to try the rest!
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
Italia for winter break(2/11-2/20)
Well Erin and Lauren and I tried to get to Nice friday night so we wouldn`t spend all day sat; traveling to milano. But, the first train we missed because we didn`t know there was a tgv station in Aix, so we hoped a bus to Marseilles to catch another train. They told us track G, but that is J in French and they had spoken to us in English so we didn`t think about it. So we checked the board 4 minutes before the train left and found the mistake. We had to run and we heard the whistle going off. We got on and found a coucher and started laughing cause we could`t believe our luck.
Milano was fun as always, and we climbed the duomo and saw the gargogles up close! Then we walked through the mall where gucci and Louis Vittan were, and we saw a castle with a beautiful park next to it. In the park is a church with an arch that is parallel to the one in Paris. Tried to get in to see the last supper, but needed reservations. So, we headed to Firenze! I looked around in hopes of seeing Pablo(stayed at his home with Jared a few years ago!), but didn`t see him anywhere. Stayed here 2 nights and went inside the duomo, crossed the famous Ponte Vecchio Bridge, and climbed up hill to a great look out point of the city.Had lunch in an authentic, family run restaurant! Had tortellini and then a whole chicken with potatoes that had garlic anc rosemary on it!! We saw the David before we went to Rome, and the statue was much larger than I had thought.
In Roma, we found a hostel that was only 15€ a night and it provided free internet, breakfast and dinner- what a deal!! and it was only 3 blocks from train station. We went to the Colosseum and ate a picnic inside! Also walked through the remains of the Forum and to Trevi Fountain. This is where everyone throws a coin in for good fortune. The next day we went with our new friend Sar to the Vatican. Went inside St. Peters Basilica and rubbed St. Peters foot for good luck. Then we headed for the Sistene Chapelle. This was a great surprise because you end up winding your way through lots of different beautiful hallways and rooms(like in the picture) and at one point there was a traffic jam because the entire room was trying to go through one small door and it felt liek we were a herd of cattle! After lots of signs, you finally enter the Sistene Chapelle and realize the best part was getting here, not just the room itself. It is completely in the middle of the Vatican!!! Sar had his video camera of the whole day and him and Lauren turned off the flash on their cameras and took a picture of "The creation of Adam" and "Judgement Day"!! I might get a copy!!!! Then we headed to the Spanish Steps and walked home through a gorgeous park and saw some guys playing a soccer game. The next 2 days we shopped alot and went to the Pantheon, more fountains and churches that are just everywhere!
Conclusion:
1. ate lots of gelatti
2. saw the Vatican!!!
3. shopped a tonne
4. met some great new people
5. built up some leg muscle
6. succeded in being really dirty(gross public restrooms)
Milano was fun as always, and we climbed the duomo and saw the gargogles up close! Then we walked through the mall where gucci and Louis Vittan were, and we saw a castle with a beautiful park next to it. In the park is a church with an arch that is parallel to the one in Paris. Tried to get in to see the last supper, but needed reservations. So, we headed to Firenze! I looked around in hopes of seeing Pablo(stayed at his home with Jared a few years ago!), but didn`t see him anywhere. Stayed here 2 nights and went inside the duomo, crossed the famous Ponte Vecchio Bridge, and climbed up hill to a great look out point of the city.Had lunch in an authentic, family run restaurant! Had tortellini and then a whole chicken with potatoes that had garlic anc rosemary on it!! We saw the David before we went to Rome, and the statue was much larger than I had thought.
In Roma, we found a hostel that was only 15€ a night and it provided free internet, breakfast and dinner- what a deal!! and it was only 3 blocks from train station. We went to the Colosseum and ate a picnic inside! Also walked through the remains of the Forum and to Trevi Fountain. This is where everyone throws a coin in for good fortune. The next day we went with our new friend Sar to the Vatican. Went inside St. Peters Basilica and rubbed St. Peters foot for good luck. Then we headed for the Sistene Chapelle. This was a great surprise because you end up winding your way through lots of different beautiful hallways and rooms(like in the picture) and at one point there was a traffic jam because the entire room was trying to go through one small door and it felt liek we were a herd of cattle! After lots of signs, you finally enter the Sistene Chapelle and realize the best part was getting here, not just the room itself. It is completely in the middle of the Vatican!!! Sar had his video camera of the whole day and him and Lauren turned off the flash on their cameras and took a picture of "The creation of Adam" and "Judgement Day"!! I might get a copy!!!! Then we headed to the Spanish Steps and walked home through a gorgeous park and saw some guys playing a soccer game. The next 2 days we shopped alot and went to the Pantheon, more fountains and churches that are just everywhere!
Conclusion:
1. ate lots of gelatti
2. saw the Vatican!!!
3. shopped a tonne
4. met some great new people
5. built up some leg muscle
6. succeded in being really dirty(gross public restrooms)
Markets in Aix
I have Mondays and Tuesdays off, so I go around town and shop and jsut walk around. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays there are markets set up in the squares. I sometimes buy my fruits and vegetables here instead of the market because it`s more fresh and just so much fun!!! I bought some fresh flowers the other day for my friend Erin`s birthday, and they were so many selections!!
Harbor in Monaco!!!
This is a view from the Palace.
After this we went to Eze and went to a perfume factory where 90% of all perfumes in the world are made! They explained to us how there are people called noses who come up with the new perfumes. There are only 200 at one time and they make tons of money, but they cant eat or drink certain things, so that their sense of smell stays good! I sure wouldnt want to do that for a living. Explored the medieval town. I love when they take us to places like this because there arent many tourists because buses and trains don`t come to places like this, so it is more unique!!!
After this we went to Eze and went to a perfume factory where 90% of all perfumes in the world are made! They explained to us how there are people called noses who come up with the new perfumes. There are only 200 at one time and they make tons of money, but they cant eat or drink certain things, so that their sense of smell stays good! I sure wouldnt want to do that for a living. Explored the medieval town. I love when they take us to places like this because there arent many tourists because buses and trains don`t come to places like this, so it is more unique!!!
Weekend trip to Nice, Monte Carlo and Eze!
This is one of the many creations we saw in the parade! There were 3 other people who dressed up in other seasons-this is Autumn. There were also tons of floats and they said they used 10 lb.s of flowers in the parade just to throw at the crowd!
Went here with CEA program on weekend of Feb. 26-27th.
After some free time in Nice, we headed to Monte Carlo and dressed up and went to dinner with a cabaret show!!!! Monaco was beautiful and is safest city in Europe. Lauren and I went to a bar called Bars and Stars(named after confederat flag), and we were some of the only girls there out of 50 guys, so it was rather funny.
Next day, we went to the Palace and watched to changing of the guards. Then went to the cathedral where Princess Grace is buried.
Then we headed to a medieval town called Eze.
Went here with CEA program on weekend of Feb. 26-27th.
After some free time in Nice, we headed to Monte Carlo and dressed up and went to dinner with a cabaret show!!!! Monaco was beautiful and is safest city in Europe. Lauren and I went to a bar called Bars and Stars(named after confederat flag), and we were some of the only girls there out of 50 guys, so it was rather funny.
Next day, we went to the Palace and watched to changing of the guards. Then went to the cathedral where Princess Grace is buried.
Then we headed to a medieval town called Eze.
Venice at sunset.
When in Venice for Carnival in mid-February I took a picture of the sun setting behind Piazza San Marco. It almost looks like the scene from Mary Poppins when their on the roof tops!
Avignon
On the pont du gard bridge in Avignon with my roommate Steph( who would prefer to be called Daphne) and our neighbor Meredith! This bridge has been built many times but always falls down, so they stopped building. We went to the Palace de Popes, where the popes ruled for 95 years, during most of the 14th century. It was a chilly castle and I sure wouldn`t want to live in it, but the town of Avignon is beautiful. We also checked out the museum located in the old bishops palace and then did some shopping at H&M!!!
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