That is angry. Because I'm angry. Not really - I've come to terms with my position, but it could be a lot better - i.e. I could be in LONDON. But no. Basically, we could do nothing about it, and we at least get much more relaxing and much less expensive weekend hanging out in Paris than we would have in London. Alright, here's what's happened so far, and I'll add updates as they come.
SO we leave Nantes at 5:30. Train was delayed just a little while, and it had to go slower due to snow and cold conditions on the rails. We get to Paris about 20 minutes late, tackle Montparnasse after a while and then have to trek to the metro to get to Paris Nord. That is always fun, and then plus ALL of our luggage - it was a good time, and my arms about fell off. Also, on our tickets for the next train, it said we had to be there at least 30 minutes before the train left to get through customs and all that, so we were sprinting as we got there about 6 minutes before the scheduled time. But that train was late as well, and we had lots of fun adventures getting through British customs and security and all that - oh the Brits (ALSO I got my passport stamped with a UK stamp! However, the coolest part is that on paper, I entered the UK...however, I never LEFT it hahahaha). ANYWAY.
We get on the train. I'm freaking out about the Chunnel, and think I'm going underwater at all times and it was scary. But then, we slow down and stop...and they say "oh, there's a train stopped in the tunnel, we're just going to wait." THEN another train breaks. So we can't get through at all. So, the conductor - obviously stressing out a lot - tells us we're turning around to go back to Paris. But then, changes his mind and we decide to wait it out. At this time, it is about 2:30 am, and he says they've started evacuating passengers out of the tunnel, and it should be open about 4:30 am. At 4:30 am, they said there have been delays and it won't be open until 6:30 am. At 6:30 am, it was delayed until 8:30 am. At 8:30 am, he gives up completely. It was sad - he sounded so defeated after the cheery announcement bell came on, and then he was just so sad. So we decide to turn around to Paris, with a stop at Lille for those who want it. We could have taken a ferry from Lille, but then found out that the ports were all closed, plus all the highways in Britain were closed too so there were no busses/cabs that could have gotten us to London from Dover.
ANYWAY. So now we're back at Paris Nord station. Trying to get off the train, the doors are all frozen shut. Awesome. So we wait, queued at the door with all our luggage, for a while for them to thaw haha. It was priceless, really. Then, we get off the train in masses. The train company - Eurostar - had provided drinks and croissants for everyone just off the platform, which was really nice. I truly think they handled the whole situation really well, especially seeing that there was absolutely nothing they could have done. However, everyone was just freaking out; screaming at the representatives they had on the platform, demanding reimbursements and complimentary hotel rooms/taxis/meals/internet...my goodness. I felt so bad for them. Plus, there was a TON of media that was there, interviewing people and everything AND the CEO of the Eurostar was there, being interviewed. I GOT ON THE PARIS NEWS! If you go to Yahoo news, then there's a bunch of video links. Here's the link: http://uk.video.search.yahoo.com/video/play?p=eurostar&n=21&ei=utf-8&fr=yfp-t-702&tnr=21&vid=0001852013431. I'm about 45 seconds in. I look really really concerned. I was trying to translate for a Spanish lady. Which was difficult. haha. It was exciting!!!
So, we went to search for a taxi to the closest hotel; got in a taxi, asked him to drive to the closest hotel; he asked if we had a reservation; when he found out we didn't, he kicked us out. That was pleasant. But, we walked around and then found a fairly nice hotel that had rooms. So we checked in, and then came up and SHOWERED and it was lovely. Then, we bought internet and skyped with parents and figured out flights and relaxed a bit.
SO, right now the plan is as follows: checkout is tomorrow at noon. We're going to head directly to Charles de Gaulle to get a flight to London. We're booked on a flight at 7:30, but the airport is going to be mad crazy so we're allowing as much time as possible. Then, we will get to Heathrow, and then wait it out until 10 am Monday morning, which was when our original flight that's been booked since April leaves for Chicago. CROSS YOUR FINGERS FOR US IT'S GOING TO BE A BUMPY RIDE!!
Alright - so I'm in Charles de Gaulle now, about a half hour before we board. As of right now, the flight is on time and still scheduled. Which is AWESOME because the previous flight and the flight after ours were both cancelled. SO for now, we're lucky, but the fingers are still crossed!
Next update - we're now in Heathrow. It's now 2:42 am, but it's 3:42 am for me. We've camped out in this internet cafe outside of security. When we got here, we meandered around and found the right terminal eventually. So we get here, the United terminal is closed so we can check in at the self-do it kiosks, but we can't check our bags. But we really want to spend the night inside of security, but we can't do it with our bags obviously. So somebody tells us that there's an overnight baggage storage place. So we check our bags in there, and head to security. However, there they tell us that you're not allowed to go through security unless it's the day of your flight. Obviously it was the day before ours. So we couldn't get through - and we decided to go and get our bags back to save the 8 pound fee if it was going to be pointless.....but we went back to the people, and asked to get our bags out. It had been literally less than 10 minutes. However, the lady said they'd already been processed and we'd have to pay. So we just freaked out at her. Obviously, it was ridiculous, and she did NOT understand. It was SO frustrating. Then, we demanded to call the manager (one of the plus sides was that we could do all this in English, and it was probably 10 times more effective) and he did not understand either. It was really really frustrating. So we're now stuck outside of security, in an internet cafe, being cold and uncomfortable. BUT our flight is still on time, and we will be home within 20 hours of now. It will happen. That's all for now!
19 December 2009
18 December 2009
NOUS AVONS FINIS!!!
I remember writing the 'requisite day before post.' Like, yesterday. This is SO weird. I just finished my last LAST exam, and I actually feel fairly confident that I did well. Which is also fairly odd. But great!
Also, it snowed overnight so we woke up to a magical wonderland of a light dusting of snow. Then, we had an adventure walking in to school because the busses stopped running because of the snow. It was amazing. It was bittersweet at the same time, because it felt so much like home - and now, I can actually say that Nantes IS home. I've been telling people that I "live in Nantes" when I'm away from it, and talking to people and they ask me. But it's true - it's such a 'homey' town, and I know the map like the back of my hand. And every time I leave on the train, I know that I'll be coming back in a few days to the Nantes station, and I'll be back home again. Except this time, when I won't be coming back. At least for a while - because really, it isn't even a question that I'll be back here again to visit. I don't know when, but it kindof softens those realizations that 'oh, this might be the last time that I'll EVER do this, or that, in this town.' i.e. I was looking forward to the bus ride this morning, because it was going to be the 'last time' taking the 21/23 into school. BUT NOPE. and that was fine - because honestly, at some point, I'll be back here again.
And what makes this town even more irresistible is my amazing host family. Last night was the cutest night of my life, and it was so hard not to cry. While I was helping make dinner, my host mom asked me if I was sad to be going home, or more excited. And I responded, then she told me that they were definitely going to miss me being there, and how "my smile always brightened the house." AGH I love her. Then, at dinner, they gave me a really nice cookbook with traditional French foods which was so cute and perfect, and I exchanged gifts with them as well - I had gotten them some nice Christmas tea, because we have it after dinner every single night. They loved it, and it was a lot of fun. Then, my host dad made us some DELICIOUS chocolate custard for dessert, and we had a 'night cap' of some really good cassis liqueur which was made with his great-grandmother's recipe. He told me that every time someone marries into the family, that recipe is the traditional gift. AND THEN - he gave me the recipe. Big deal. I almost broke down at that point. After, we took some family pictures by the Christmas tree, and then host dad emailed me some more family recipes. It was such an awesome evening, and goodbyes are definitely going to be hard today.
So the plan is that we're heading out to lunch, with the four of us that have been inseparable this whole trip and who I'm going to miss dreadfully (but will see again very soon, so that won't make me cry. It's going to be alright) and then Meryl and I will head home, finish up packing and cleaning the room a little bit. Then, host mom is driving us to the station for our final goodbyes and we'll hop on and head to Paris. We have to change between Montparnasse and Paris Nord which will be interesting, but hopefully hilarious and not super stressful (plus, we have three hours to do it) and then, THE CHUNNEL which hopefully will not kill me....and THEN LONDON! We get in tonight, will find our hotel and crash and then start our two days of adventure tomorrow morning! I can't WAIT and it blows my mind that this trip, which I literally have been looking forward to since April, is actually here. And in 3 days, I will be in my own bed, after taken a shower in my own shower, and with my family and boyfriend just rooms away, instead of oceans. I can't wait. It's going to be amazing, and really truly - I just can't believe how lucky I am.
I'll update with pictures and London later, once I'm home!!!! AU REVOIR DE FRANCE POUR MAINTENANT!
Also, it snowed overnight so we woke up to a magical wonderland of a light dusting of snow. Then, we had an adventure walking in to school because the busses stopped running because of the snow. It was amazing. It was bittersweet at the same time, because it felt so much like home - and now, I can actually say that Nantes IS home. I've been telling people that I "live in Nantes" when I'm away from it, and talking to people and they ask me. But it's true - it's such a 'homey' town, and I know the map like the back of my hand. And every time I leave on the train, I know that I'll be coming back in a few days to the Nantes station, and I'll be back home again. Except this time, when I won't be coming back. At least for a while - because really, it isn't even a question that I'll be back here again to visit. I don't know when, but it kindof softens those realizations that 'oh, this might be the last time that I'll EVER do this, or that, in this town.' i.e. I was looking forward to the bus ride this morning, because it was going to be the 'last time' taking the 21/23 into school. BUT NOPE. and that was fine - because honestly, at some point, I'll be back here again.
And what makes this town even more irresistible is my amazing host family. Last night was the cutest night of my life, and it was so hard not to cry. While I was helping make dinner, my host mom asked me if I was sad to be going home, or more excited. And I responded, then she told me that they were definitely going to miss me being there, and how "my smile always brightened the house." AGH I love her. Then, at dinner, they gave me a really nice cookbook with traditional French foods which was so cute and perfect, and I exchanged gifts with them as well - I had gotten them some nice Christmas tea, because we have it after dinner every single night. They loved it, and it was a lot of fun. Then, my host dad made us some DELICIOUS chocolate custard for dessert, and we had a 'night cap' of some really good cassis liqueur which was made with his great-grandmother's recipe. He told me that every time someone marries into the family, that recipe is the traditional gift. AND THEN - he gave me the recipe. Big deal. I almost broke down at that point. After, we took some family pictures by the Christmas tree, and then host dad emailed me some more family recipes. It was such an awesome evening, and goodbyes are definitely going to be hard today.
So the plan is that we're heading out to lunch, with the four of us that have been inseparable this whole trip and who I'm going to miss dreadfully (but will see again very soon, so that won't make me cry. It's going to be alright) and then Meryl and I will head home, finish up packing and cleaning the room a little bit. Then, host mom is driving us to the station for our final goodbyes and we'll hop on and head to Paris. We have to change between Montparnasse and Paris Nord which will be interesting, but hopefully hilarious and not super stressful (plus, we have three hours to do it) and then, THE CHUNNEL which hopefully will not kill me....and THEN LONDON! We get in tonight, will find our hotel and crash and then start our two days of adventure tomorrow morning! I can't WAIT and it blows my mind that this trip, which I literally have been looking forward to since April, is actually here. And in 3 days, I will be in my own bed, after taken a shower in my own shower, and with my family and boyfriend just rooms away, instead of oceans. I can't wait. It's going to be amazing, and really truly - I just can't believe how lucky I am.
I'll update with pictures and London later, once I'm home!!!! AU REVOIR DE FRANCE POUR MAINTENANT!
16 December 2009
T minus 5 days...and counting
I've been meaning to update for so long. It's awful. But these past few weeks have been a blur. It was just November. good lord. And now it's like almost halfway through December. And nine days until Christmas. Today, every time I left a store, they left me with 'Happy Holidays!!' and it made me SO happy. I also saw a bus drive by today, that had garlands draped over the windows(I wasn't on it, unfortunately. But it was the 22, which is fantastic - I think that that is the best bus line. Definitely the most cheery. It makes my day most of the times I take it. And I will miss its awful, awful - not even trying to uphold the stereotype - female drivers). It blows my mind, and to prove my point, I've probably said that like 60 times today alone. Meryl, my very very good friend, came in on Sunday so we've just been hangin out all week. Finals have been passing quickly, which is lovely - especially since the preparation for them almost killed me. Studying was so painful, because we were all stuck in the school together, staring at the same information over and over. Also, I learned that if you try to keep a group of five or more fairly homesick college students that have been away from home for 4 months focused for more than, oh, 45 minutes at best - you have your work cut out for you. It does not work. We have far too much else to talk about - packing stories, some people dreading their awful layovers and others bragging about their direct flights (that's me haha), discussing how exactly we're going to say our goodbyes to our host families (I don't think there will be words for how amazing they have been. That part is going to be pretty tough), and also just how insanely excited we are - or most of us are - to be going back to everything "normal" - things like wearing my slippers around the house and eating things out of the fridge and driving. I can't WAIT to drive! Though I can wait for the cold and snow (it got to freezing here, and I'm dying. It's -5 Celsius...but -5 Fahrenheit at home).
Anyway - I haven't told stories about my past excitements. My mommy's visit, first of all, was absolutely wonderful. Seeing her was just so exciting, and kindof shocking but really nice at the same time. It was really really fun to show her my new "world" here, that is Nantes and France in general. Not that it's MINE or anything, but it's just an aspect that only she - and meryl- will know from home. So it was really great that she could see that, and share it with me. We also had a fantastic time just hanging out, meeting my host family, doing some shopping (LOTS of shopping haha) and lots of sightseeing as well.
Thanksgiving was really fun too, and also nice to have a family member here to share it with. The program, along with the Franco-American Association of Nantes put it on for us, and it was a very nice gesture and really well done. This being France, there aren't many structures that hold not only all 90 of us in the program, but a good portion of the host families, the IES staff, and the members of the Association as well. Therefore, we were in the middle of nowhere, way the heck out in one of the suburbs...but easy enough to get to, and a fairly nice restaurant. We shared "les boissons d'amitie" - drinks of friendship, definitely a favorite term I've learned - to start off with, and then had to strategically plan the seating arrangement. In the end, we had Leah and I with my mom, and both her parents, plus Ruth and Hannah and some of Leah's host fam/host fam friends at the table. It was a great mix, and we had very pleasant conversation. It was just such a nice vibe, with everyone (all the students included) dressed up for the dinner, and in a new and exciting setting that wasn't a classroom....a highly enjoyable evening was had by all, topped off with some really impressive musical displays by some of the kids. We had a great sing-along to "La Vie en Rose" the classic by Edith Piaf. It was all very lovely, and was a memorable and highly appropriate way to celebrate the day.
The following Saturday, we left for Paris wayyyyy early. After fighting with the cab company, the driver finally came and picked us up and proceeded to hit on me as could probably be expected of a French taxi driver at 6 a.m. Obviously. Then, we arrived at about 9, found our hotel at about 10 and then started our one day of Paris right away. We went down to the Champs Elysses, and then headed up the Arc de Triomphe, then we trekked across (what felt like) the entire city to find the Longchamp store which was probably really unecessary but quite fun. Then we headed back to recouperate in the hotel room for a while and took off again for the Eiffel Tower and dinner. We couldn't go all the way up because there was "too much wind"....pshhhh it wasn't really that windy (in fact, it was absolutely terrifying just on the second level of the tower. On the Eastern-facing side, we literally had to hold on to the railing.) It was gorgeous though, and I think it was worth it. Dinner was pretty sweet too, at a nice cozy Italian place, AND we got to see the insane light show that happens every Saturday night, apparently. It was pretty great. The trip to the airport the next day was pretty uneventful, except for the inevitable confusion that is Charles deGaulle, and then I hopped back on the train to come back to Nantes.
So that was Paris trip #1. Paris trip #2 was the following weekend (how lucky am I, that I got to be in the city of lights twice in a week, and then I get to go to London, one of the other major cities of the world, within a week after that!?) with my host sister, Marie. Well, I shouldn't say WITH because that implies togetherness. I actually showed up there a day after she had, because she is applying for internships and had a bunch of interviews (which she has actually heard back from since, and has decided to accept the offer made by 'Elle' - as in, the magazine - to be their exhibition designer. How awesome is that?) and then she told me to just hang out for a while and meet her at this metro stop at this time...which worked out well, and I was so proud of myself! Thinking about how much I would have freaked out about following those instructions before living in Washington, DC last summer, and even before this semester (when I landed, I had to get on a bus and meet a friend for the first night and beforehand, I was TERRIFIED) sort of cracks me up now. I used to get really nervous and anxious about trying to figure out public transportation, whereas now I know that "Oh, if I get on the wrong line, I can probably just turn around and take it back to the station where I started from and find the right one..." which is a wonderful revelation to have had, believe me.
ANYWAY. I met up with Marie, finally, and her boyfriend Max (I won't talk about how wonderfully attractive he is here, because she'll probably read this haha) and we went to some dinner at a fairly chic Parisian resto, called the "Metropolitain," which the group of them obviously frequented, and called "le Metrop" which sounded hilariously French and made me feel somewhat out of place, but I went with it. But it was really fun - I ended up talking about West Wing with one of the guys, who I found out owns a castle, and it was nice and pleasant - and a pleasant evening. The next day was Versailles, which I voyaged to by myself, which was quite the adventure, and met up with some of my friends who were also in Paris for the weekend. We did the castle, and the gardens which were absolutely gorgeous, but totally overwhelming and ridiculous at the same time. The exhibit that was there, on the life of Louis XIV was hilarious; he was one of the most self-centered people ever. But at the same time, he did a lot of amazing things for the world of art and fashion and all that - he invented the high heel, believe it or not, because he wanted some way to better show off his sexy dancer's legs.
Then, after the castle, we headed back into the town of Versailles and got lunch and then I met back up with Marie and Max, who had driven out to spend the afternoon there with me. We walked around and explored - and I fell in love. For sure. The town itself is so cozy and quaint, and it had such a great feel to it. It was like it was this gorgeous town, but at the same time, it wasn't trying too hard to be special or anything. The fact that it's only 20 minutes out from Paris - the huge, huge, hugeness of Paris - and it can still manage this feat was even more endearing and I love it. But we just wandered, and Marie showed me the church my host parents were married in, and where she was baptized...and we went to the market, and just hung out...and then we went to visit my host grandmother as well. She lives in Versailles, but has severe alzheimer's, so she needs to be taken care of 24/7. She has a Portuguese lady who stays during the weeks, but then my host mom and her 3 siblings split the weekends. So host mommy was there for this weekend, and we got to see her too. It was really pleasant, and also really nice - it made me feel like they were really welcoming me into their family. I saw all the baby pictures and all that...I really enjoyed it, even though it was kindof sad too.
Then, we drove back in to town (which was AWESOME - we were driving along the Seine, and I just kept thinking, 'who DOES this?!?') and then I hopped on the metro to meet my friends up in Mont Martre, which is another great neighborhood. We got dinner, and then they were exhausted so I headed towards home. But it was only about 10:00, so I decided to take a walk...along the Seine, next to where all the Bateaux Mouches park, and then past the Eiffel Tower....it was amazing. I was thinking, "what does it take to be French? Because I'm pretty sure I've got it down fairly well." I loved it. And it was also nice to have some pure alone time, though I was in the middle of a huge crowd. I really enjoyed my time there.
The next day was Sunday, so I woke up and then headed down to the Sunday market that was nearby. It was solely food, so I didn't really get anything - except for a ton of photos, just of the colorfullness and the faces on the people that you can see. It's so fascinating to watch some 70 year old woman force her way through a crowd, just so she can get her roasted chicken and the freshest mushrooms. It is an experience, let me tell you. Then, I headed back to the wonderful family's house that we were staying with and helped them prepare lunch. But then, people started showing up and I realized that what we were getting ourselves into - it was a legitimate, huge family gathering: all her neices and nephews came, with their kids as well. There ended up beging about 15 people around the lunch table, all of whom were utterly confused as to why there was an American there, and I proceded to try and keep up with conversation, and then entertain myself with the 3 year olds. It was great fun, and very very authentically French. I loved it.
Then, we went and met up with Max again and went and did some visiting, and then some sightseeing which I think Marie felt was required. Then, I headed back to the station and back to Nantes - home sweet home! I think it was the most 'authentic' weekend I've had here, and it was absolutely fantastic.
As of now, I'm at school and the goodbyes have started as exams are ending and people are packing up and heading home. There's all kinds of different travel plans, and I feel like everyone has their own story to tell - as usual. But it's kindof nice, that we've gotten so close and are so sad to see each other go. Tomorrow is my last day in Nantes, and it will definitely be an interesting one. We'll see if the tears will come or not!!
Anyway - I haven't told stories about my past excitements. My mommy's visit, first of all, was absolutely wonderful. Seeing her was just so exciting, and kindof shocking but really nice at the same time. It was really really fun to show her my new "world" here, that is Nantes and France in general. Not that it's MINE or anything, but it's just an aspect that only she - and meryl- will know from home. So it was really great that she could see that, and share it with me. We also had a fantastic time just hanging out, meeting my host family, doing some shopping (LOTS of shopping haha) and lots of sightseeing as well.
Thanksgiving was really fun too, and also nice to have a family member here to share it with. The program, along with the Franco-American Association of Nantes put it on for us, and it was a very nice gesture and really well done. This being France, there aren't many structures that hold not only all 90 of us in the program, but a good portion of the host families, the IES staff, and the members of the Association as well. Therefore, we were in the middle of nowhere, way the heck out in one of the suburbs...but easy enough to get to, and a fairly nice restaurant. We shared "les boissons d'amitie" - drinks of friendship, definitely a favorite term I've learned - to start off with, and then had to strategically plan the seating arrangement. In the end, we had Leah and I with my mom, and both her parents, plus Ruth and Hannah and some of Leah's host fam/host fam friends at the table. It was a great mix, and we had very pleasant conversation. It was just such a nice vibe, with everyone (all the students included) dressed up for the dinner, and in a new and exciting setting that wasn't a classroom....a highly enjoyable evening was had by all, topped off with some really impressive musical displays by some of the kids. We had a great sing-along to "La Vie en Rose" the classic by Edith Piaf. It was all very lovely, and was a memorable and highly appropriate way to celebrate the day.
The following Saturday, we left for Paris wayyyyy early. After fighting with the cab company, the driver finally came and picked us up and proceeded to hit on me as could probably be expected of a French taxi driver at 6 a.m. Obviously. Then, we arrived at about 9, found our hotel at about 10 and then started our one day of Paris right away. We went down to the Champs Elysses, and then headed up the Arc de Triomphe, then we trekked across (what felt like) the entire city to find the Longchamp store which was probably really unecessary but quite fun. Then we headed back to recouperate in the hotel room for a while and took off again for the Eiffel Tower and dinner. We couldn't go all the way up because there was "too much wind"....pshhhh it wasn't really that windy (in fact, it was absolutely terrifying just on the second level of the tower. On the Eastern-facing side, we literally had to hold on to the railing.) It was gorgeous though, and I think it was worth it. Dinner was pretty sweet too, at a nice cozy Italian place, AND we got to see the insane light show that happens every Saturday night, apparently. It was pretty great. The trip to the airport the next day was pretty uneventful, except for the inevitable confusion that is Charles deGaulle, and then I hopped back on the train to come back to Nantes.
So that was Paris trip #1. Paris trip #2 was the following weekend (how lucky am I, that I got to be in the city of lights twice in a week, and then I get to go to London, one of the other major cities of the world, within a week after that!?) with my host sister, Marie. Well, I shouldn't say WITH because that implies togetherness. I actually showed up there a day after she had, because she is applying for internships and had a bunch of interviews (which she has actually heard back from since, and has decided to accept the offer made by 'Elle' - as in, the magazine - to be their exhibition designer. How awesome is that?) and then she told me to just hang out for a while and meet her at this metro stop at this time...which worked out well, and I was so proud of myself! Thinking about how much I would have freaked out about following those instructions before living in Washington, DC last summer, and even before this semester (when I landed, I had to get on a bus and meet a friend for the first night and beforehand, I was TERRIFIED) sort of cracks me up now. I used to get really nervous and anxious about trying to figure out public transportation, whereas now I know that "Oh, if I get on the wrong line, I can probably just turn around and take it back to the station where I started from and find the right one..." which is a wonderful revelation to have had, believe me.
ANYWAY. I met up with Marie, finally, and her boyfriend Max (I won't talk about how wonderfully attractive he is here, because she'll probably read this haha) and we went to some dinner at a fairly chic Parisian resto, called the "Metropolitain," which the group of them obviously frequented, and called "le Metrop" which sounded hilariously French and made me feel somewhat out of place, but I went with it. But it was really fun - I ended up talking about West Wing with one of the guys, who I found out owns a castle, and it was nice and pleasant - and a pleasant evening. The next day was Versailles, which I voyaged to by myself, which was quite the adventure, and met up with some of my friends who were also in Paris for the weekend. We did the castle, and the gardens which were absolutely gorgeous, but totally overwhelming and ridiculous at the same time. The exhibit that was there, on the life of Louis XIV was hilarious; he was one of the most self-centered people ever. But at the same time, he did a lot of amazing things for the world of art and fashion and all that - he invented the high heel, believe it or not, because he wanted some way to better show off his sexy dancer's legs.
Then, after the castle, we headed back into the town of Versailles and got lunch and then I met back up with Marie and Max, who had driven out to spend the afternoon there with me. We walked around and explored - and I fell in love. For sure. The town itself is so cozy and quaint, and it had such a great feel to it. It was like it was this gorgeous town, but at the same time, it wasn't trying too hard to be special or anything. The fact that it's only 20 minutes out from Paris - the huge, huge, hugeness of Paris - and it can still manage this feat was even more endearing and I love it. But we just wandered, and Marie showed me the church my host parents were married in, and where she was baptized...and we went to the market, and just hung out...and then we went to visit my host grandmother as well. She lives in Versailles, but has severe alzheimer's, so she needs to be taken care of 24/7. She has a Portuguese lady who stays during the weeks, but then my host mom and her 3 siblings split the weekends. So host mommy was there for this weekend, and we got to see her too. It was really pleasant, and also really nice - it made me feel like they were really welcoming me into their family. I saw all the baby pictures and all that...I really enjoyed it, even though it was kindof sad too.
Then, we drove back in to town (which was AWESOME - we were driving along the Seine, and I just kept thinking, 'who DOES this?!?') and then I hopped on the metro to meet my friends up in Mont Martre, which is another great neighborhood. We got dinner, and then they were exhausted so I headed towards home. But it was only about 10:00, so I decided to take a walk...along the Seine, next to where all the Bateaux Mouches park, and then past the Eiffel Tower....it was amazing. I was thinking, "what does it take to be French? Because I'm pretty sure I've got it down fairly well." I loved it. And it was also nice to have some pure alone time, though I was in the middle of a huge crowd. I really enjoyed my time there.
The next day was Sunday, so I woke up and then headed down to the Sunday market that was nearby. It was solely food, so I didn't really get anything - except for a ton of photos, just of the colorfullness and the faces on the people that you can see. It's so fascinating to watch some 70 year old woman force her way through a crowd, just so she can get her roasted chicken and the freshest mushrooms. It is an experience, let me tell you. Then, I headed back to the wonderful family's house that we were staying with and helped them prepare lunch. But then, people started showing up and I realized that what we were getting ourselves into - it was a legitimate, huge family gathering: all her neices and nephews came, with their kids as well. There ended up beging about 15 people around the lunch table, all of whom were utterly confused as to why there was an American there, and I proceded to try and keep up with conversation, and then entertain myself with the 3 year olds. It was great fun, and very very authentically French. I loved it.
Then, we went and met up with Max again and went and did some visiting, and then some sightseeing which I think Marie felt was required. Then, I headed back to the station and back to Nantes - home sweet home! I think it was the most 'authentic' weekend I've had here, and it was absolutely fantastic.
As of now, I'm at school and the goodbyes have started as exams are ending and people are packing up and heading home. There's all kinds of different travel plans, and I feel like everyone has their own story to tell - as usual. But it's kindof nice, that we've gotten so close and are so sad to see each other go. Tomorrow is my last day in Nantes, and it will definitely be an interesting one. We'll see if the tears will come or not!!
02 December 2009
Oh les francaises...
This week has been going so fast - it's already Thursday. Which wouldn't normally mean anything truly consequential...except for now, that means I have less than three weeks left. We've started the goodbyes, and the number-exchanging, and going-away party/outing planning; I'm in that mindset that I get at the end of things, where each time I do something, I think: "Is this going to be the last time I get to do this in my life?" Not with normal things of course, but, for instance, shopping in Passage Pommeraye (the old, old mall downtown) or picking up a quick pastry at a certain boulangerie or witnessing an old man fishing on the river or a woman buying a bouquet. Not that these things are huge in any way - it's just I don't get downtown as much as in the beginning of this semester with all my work and everything now, so you just never know! It's a bittersweet feeling. But I can also feel the excitement starting to boil about coming home, and London and Meryl's visit!!!! It's just a contemplative time, but also fairly hectic as everyone's tying up loose ends - picking up Christmas presents, gathering up samples (at least) of things we've grown to love while we were here (LU Biscuits and cassis syrop for me!), taking photos of things we've never actually thought to take photos of before, and trying to pack as many last vocab words and grammar rules into our brains as possible. The study abroad cliche of discovering our love for a place just when you're about to leave it definitely has a lot of truth to it. i.e. tonight, Emily messaged me and told me to go look at the moon. For me, that involves putting coat and shoes on and walking down the street to the end of the row of buildings so I can see over them - but once I saw it, it was entirely worth the cold. It was full, and petite, and glowing and all silvery. It was glorious - and it totally epitomized how wonderful this city is, and how much I'm going to miss it. It was great.
In other news: there were campus elections up at the faculte the other day...and BIEN SUR there were protesters. I mean - we're in France, how could there not be? But they were also handing out flyers. Again - this is to be expected, as we've come to learn, especially at the faculte. But this one was particularly interesting. Here's some snippets (translated, for your viewing pleasure):
"Elections are a vain exercise and everyone knows it: but it is from this vanity that democracy takes its force, and it is for this reason that it is the worst of the political systems...you know that voting does not actually accomplish anything grand, but if you don't vote, the result would be even worse...Democracy is nothing more than permanent blackmail to promote terror: as imperfect as it is, it is still preferable to tyranny...democracy is never achieved, never complete, always leaves something to conquer...the defects of democracy cannot support itself, and they are a perpetual failure to achieve anything...."
And it goes on and on...At the bottom of the page, the excerpt is cited from "Mort a la democratie" (Death to Democracy) by Leon de Mattis, and was distributed by the GSAE: Groupuscule Subversif des Anarchistes Enrages (Little Subversive group of enraged anarchists).
First, I thought it was hilarious. Oh, those enraged anarchists - goin' at it again! But it really highlighted, for me, the true rocky, volcanic state of the French society. There is ALWAYS something to combat within the French government - from the privatization of the postal system, to the price of public parking, to working salaries and the '40-hour work week,' to the voting age, to health care...and that's just their problems with the French government - that's not even mentioning all their various problems with the EU and the European government. It is just truly shocking to see people reacting this way. I mean - the US government is leaps and bounds away from being perfect, and that statement would be agreed upon by all sides. But we don't go about changing things by burning tires in the streets, and shutting down entire public transportation systems at a time. It's so shocking.
It also made me realize: Europe is a fairly new concept. When we grow up in the states, at least for me, Europe was full of really, really, really, really old stuff. And it was (again - for me) SO MUCH cooler than America because of that - history has always kind of had an added bonus. And this is obviously true - take the fact that I walk down a road with ruts in it from Roman chariots every day here as proof of that. However, in the sense of present-day Europe - it's a pretty new thing! France itself has had five constitutions, the most recent of which was written in 1958 - ours beats that by about 200 years. But a constitution lends itself in many, many ways to the sociological functioning of a country, and it affects the daily life of all of its citizens (this sounds a LOT like the introduction of my constitutional law paper I just wrote, haha). But it truly is a huge factor in a nation, and having such a young constitution, I can totally see how they would still be hammering things out! They're not fighting a war over it, but strikes and manifestations (and anarchist sentiments) is the French way of getting all those things straight.
Then, when you add that to the whole concept of the European Union, things get even more messy. But even more new. When I was in Brussels, I was lucky enough to see all the official buildings that house the various bodies of the EU...those buildings weren't anything like Victorian castles or Gothic churches. They were new. They were sleek and shiny and metallic and ecologically sound and all of that. But these brand new buildings are what house the core of Europe today - this really really old continent has been transplanted into a brand new idea. And then, to think that the newest development in the EU (the Treaty of Lisbon) was just ratified a few days ago by the final country and went into effect just last week...It's all happening NOW. Not in the 14th Century, which is how Europe functions in my head - not even 200 years ago, when the US probably went through a similar process.
It was really interesting. And I know I'm geeking out about this, but it's definitely been something that's impacted my time here a lot!
In other news: there were campus elections up at the faculte the other day...and BIEN SUR there were protesters. I mean - we're in France, how could there not be? But they were also handing out flyers. Again - this is to be expected, as we've come to learn, especially at the faculte. But this one was particularly interesting. Here's some snippets (translated, for your viewing pleasure):
"Elections are a vain exercise and everyone knows it: but it is from this vanity that democracy takes its force, and it is for this reason that it is the worst of the political systems...you know that voting does not actually accomplish anything grand, but if you don't vote, the result would be even worse...Democracy is nothing more than permanent blackmail to promote terror: as imperfect as it is, it is still preferable to tyranny...democracy is never achieved, never complete, always leaves something to conquer...the defects of democracy cannot support itself, and they are a perpetual failure to achieve anything...."
And it goes on and on...At the bottom of the page, the excerpt is cited from "Mort a la democratie" (Death to Democracy) by Leon de Mattis, and was distributed by the GSAE: Groupuscule Subversif des Anarchistes Enrages (Little Subversive group of enraged anarchists).
First, I thought it was hilarious. Oh, those enraged anarchists - goin' at it again! But it really highlighted, for me, the true rocky, volcanic state of the French society. There is ALWAYS something to combat within the French government - from the privatization of the postal system, to the price of public parking, to working salaries and the '40-hour work week,' to the voting age, to health care...and that's just their problems with the French government - that's not even mentioning all their various problems with the EU and the European government. It is just truly shocking to see people reacting this way. I mean - the US government is leaps and bounds away from being perfect, and that statement would be agreed upon by all sides. But we don't go about changing things by burning tires in the streets, and shutting down entire public transportation systems at a time. It's so shocking.
It also made me realize: Europe is a fairly new concept. When we grow up in the states, at least for me, Europe was full of really, really, really, really old stuff. And it was (again - for me) SO MUCH cooler than America because of that - history has always kind of had an added bonus. And this is obviously true - take the fact that I walk down a road with ruts in it from Roman chariots every day here as proof of that. However, in the sense of present-day Europe - it's a pretty new thing! France itself has had five constitutions, the most recent of which was written in 1958 - ours beats that by about 200 years. But a constitution lends itself in many, many ways to the sociological functioning of a country, and it affects the daily life of all of its citizens (this sounds a LOT like the introduction of my constitutional law paper I just wrote, haha). But it truly is a huge factor in a nation, and having such a young constitution, I can totally see how they would still be hammering things out! They're not fighting a war over it, but strikes and manifestations (and anarchist sentiments) is the French way of getting all those things straight.
Then, when you add that to the whole concept of the European Union, things get even more messy. But even more new. When I was in Brussels, I was lucky enough to see all the official buildings that house the various bodies of the EU...those buildings weren't anything like Victorian castles or Gothic churches. They were new. They were sleek and shiny and metallic and ecologically sound and all of that. But these brand new buildings are what house the core of Europe today - this really really old continent has been transplanted into a brand new idea. And then, to think that the newest development in the EU (the Treaty of Lisbon) was just ratified a few days ago by the final country and went into effect just last week...It's all happening NOW. Not in the 14th Century, which is how Europe functions in my head - not even 200 years ago, when the US probably went through a similar process.
It was really interesting. And I know I'm geeking out about this, but it's definitely been something that's impacted my time here a lot!
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