Wanna guess how tired I was this morning? Well I went to bed at 11:30 p.m. last night, and told myself I was going to wake up at 8 a.m. and take a proper shower. That did not happen. Man, I really procrastinate. Our Stage (intensive week-long/ 6 hour-a-day French learning course) was to start at 10:15 a.m. I woke up and Jordan and I practically crawled to Dauphine
Just so you know, while in Amsterdam, our friend Joy texts us the results of our placement test. Jordan and I both got the same, group one. Joy and Kylie got group 3. Well I guess that's what happens when you half-ass something! Oh well, we figured we would learn the basics and do well. It's only a week long.
We get in there and we are placed with 3 people from Argentina, 3 from Korea, one from Hong Kong, a girl from Canada, and a guy from Poland. They could not speak for shit and we were learning how to say "my name is..." and "how are you" in French. Imagine how retarded I felt. I learned that my freshman year of highschool. I'm not one to brag, but come on. They hadn't taken french ever before and Jordan and I have been taking it for years!
After it was over (10-1:30) we asked the prof if we could move up a level. He doesn't know if its possible b/c all the groups are full, so we have to wait until 2 people move a level down so we can take their places a level up. Complicated, I dont know if I care enough.
After, Jordan and I got food (yay for CROUS cards!), went to API for a brief sec, got some groceries at Monoprix (Target) and then came home. I finally got around to decorating my room and have been blogging, facebooking, and skyping ever since! Gotta go to bed tho, retardo stage again tomorrow!
Au Revoir, A Demain!
lundi 25 janvier 2010
Jour 20- LAST DAY! IAmSterdam statue, Heineken Brewery, and (All of Us) Making It to the Train in Time!
Sunday... Fun day! Woke up bright and early just in time to do a bunch of walking around!
The goal was two things: picture with IAmsterdam sign, then Heineken brewery, then buy last minute souvenirs. Everything was accomplished!
We started of headed towards the IAmsterdam sign. It was close to our hostel, and thank god everyone speaks english, because if not we would be lost in another country. I would say the hardest part about being in Amsterdam is the street signs. They are impossible to understand. When we finally arrived, we took a bunch of pics infront of it. What is cool about the sign is that it's a) massive and b) when you look at it it reads "IAmsterdam" with the I and AM in red letters and the "sterdam" in white. So it reads "I am Amsterdam". And after this weekend, we sure are! After those pictures, the guys were headed towards the Van Gogh museum. We, on the other hand, wanted to go to the Heineken Brewery so we asked Clay (who had already been there) to tell us where to go. He said it was across from the train station, all the way up town. So we took the tram all the way there, walked to this big building we thought was the brewery and found out it wasn't by some kind guy in a hotel nearby. It was actually located all the way south, near our hostel! We had to take the tram all the way back and walk. Finally, when we got there walking in snow and slush because it had rained and snowed on Saturday, we went into the gift shop.
We said screw the tour b/c I've been in a brewery tour before and it was 14 euros to do it. No way. ALl I wanted as a Heineken sweatshirt. We bought some things, and then decided to see if we could score a free beer that tourists get at the end of the brewery tour. We didn't do the tour, but the gift shop guy liked us and said to come with him so he could get us each a beer. One beer led to 4!
Before I talk about that, there was a surprise waiting for us in the bar. We walk in and find all of the guys just sitting there sipping on beers! Not cool! We screamed at Clay for leading us in the wrong direction, and gave them all the silent treatment for 5 mins. After, we went and got beers and hung out. Well, the bartenders ended up liking us Americans a lot and they kept giving us more. We kept refilling our glasses and drinking away. Meanwhile, Jordan is giving me a schpeal about how she is the perfect "wingman" and how she's going to be the guy's new one. Okay Jordan. Funny convo tho, I want to be one!
The best part of this adventure was Jordan and Joe who wouldn't stop at nothing to get more free beer. The bartenders said they give them a fifth one if we all did the Macarena. Eveyone except Clay and I got up and started dancing the Macarena in the middle of the bar. Normal. They got their beer tho. After we all wanted to leave. Jordan and Joe were having such a good time, they decided to stay and we all parted ways.
Natalia, Libby, and I hit up some more shops and then cozied up at two coffee shops to relax before the train ride. I was planning on sleeping anyways. We found the two coolest shops of all time. Save the best for last I say! One was this shop where they played the chillest old school rap.. I'm talking Snoop Dogg and such. Very cool, and I saw the highest guy in my entire life there. He was cracking us up. Then, we went to this other one that had beds! I laid down for a while. Next thing you know, it's time to go!
Mind you, I haven't heard from Jordan in a few hours, so we are just hoping they make the train in time. We all end up meeting at the perfect time and board the train. Jordan is wasted and tells us Joe and her scored 4 more beers (a grand total of 6)from the bartenders. They kept giving them more b/c they were entertaining and interesting to talk to. Man, should've stayed! Natalia, Jordan and I all sat together and passed out. All in all the trip was amazing. Definitely glad I experienced it. So many memories I'll never forget!
The goal was two things: picture with IAmsterdam sign, then Heineken brewery, then buy last minute souvenirs. Everything was accomplished!
We started of headed towards the IAmsterdam sign. It was close to our hostel, and thank god everyone speaks english, because if not we would be lost in another country. I would say the hardest part about being in Amsterdam is the street signs. They are impossible to understand. When we finally arrived, we took a bunch of pics infront of it. What is cool about the sign is that it's a) massive and b) when you look at it it reads "IAmsterdam" with the I and AM in red letters and the "sterdam" in white. So it reads "I am Amsterdam". And after this weekend, we sure are! After those pictures, the guys were headed towards the Van Gogh museum. We, on the other hand, wanted to go to the Heineken Brewery so we asked Clay (who had already been there) to tell us where to go. He said it was across from the train station, all the way up town. So we took the tram all the way there, walked to this big building we thought was the brewery and found out it wasn't by some kind guy in a hotel nearby. It was actually located all the way south, near our hostel! We had to take the tram all the way back and walk. Finally, when we got there walking in snow and slush because it had rained and snowed on Saturday, we went into the gift shop.
We said screw the tour b/c I've been in a brewery tour before and it was 14 euros to do it. No way. ALl I wanted as a Heineken sweatshirt. We bought some things, and then decided to see if we could score a free beer that tourists get at the end of the brewery tour. We didn't do the tour, but the gift shop guy liked us and said to come with him so he could get us each a beer. One beer led to 4!
Before I talk about that, there was a surprise waiting for us in the bar. We walk in and find all of the guys just sitting there sipping on beers! Not cool! We screamed at Clay for leading us in the wrong direction, and gave them all the silent treatment for 5 mins. After, we went and got beers and hung out. Well, the bartenders ended up liking us Americans a lot and they kept giving us more. We kept refilling our glasses and drinking away. Meanwhile, Jordan is giving me a schpeal about how she is the perfect "wingman" and how she's going to be the guy's new one. Okay Jordan. Funny convo tho, I want to be one!
The best part of this adventure was Jordan and Joe who wouldn't stop at nothing to get more free beer. The bartenders said they give them a fifth one if we all did the Macarena. Eveyone except Clay and I got up and started dancing the Macarena in the middle of the bar. Normal. They got their beer tho. After we all wanted to leave. Jordan and Joe were having such a good time, they decided to stay and we all parted ways.
Natalia, Libby, and I hit up some more shops and then cozied up at two coffee shops to relax before the train ride. I was planning on sleeping anyways. We found the two coolest shops of all time. Save the best for last I say! One was this shop where they played the chillest old school rap.. I'm talking Snoop Dogg and such. Very cool, and I saw the highest guy in my entire life there. He was cracking us up. Then, we went to this other one that had beds! I laid down for a while. Next thing you know, it's time to go!
Mind you, I haven't heard from Jordan in a few hours, so we are just hoping they make the train in time. We all end up meeting at the perfect time and board the train. Jordan is wasted and tells us Joe and her scored 4 more beers (a grand total of 6)from the bartenders. They kept giving them more b/c they were entertaining and interesting to talk to. Man, should've stayed! Natalia, Jordan and I all sat together and passed out. All in all the trip was amazing. Definitely glad I experienced it. So many memories I'll never forget!
Jour 19- Anne Frank House and Pub Crawl
Saturday came around and when we said we were going to wake up at 9 a.m. to go to the Anne Frank house, we were lying....again. We woke up at 11 a.m. instead. I took a gnarly shower in a gnarly bathroom with no towels (i used spare sheets instead) and got ready for the day. After feeling slightly cleaner, Natalia and I went to visit Libby and Jordan who were staying in the room below us with 4 other randoms. The guys turned out to be super cool. They were all from Kentucky and were a little older than us (24 or so) and were traveling. One guy, Brandon, worked on cruise ships, so he travels around a lot during his time off. Kind of a cool job when you think of it. We talked to them for a good hour and told them that we should go to pubs later. We said bye, and were off to the Anne Frank house/museum.
The boys did their own thing. We went and got lunch, hit up a coffee shop and then went to the musuem. The Anne Frank house is a place everyone should visit. Standing in the place were she was in hiding for 2 years was remarkable. The rooms were not furnished, it was Otto Frank's wish that the room be left empty, as it was when they were discovered and the Nazis seized them and all of their belongings. The most interesting part was Anne's room that she shared with her younger sister, Margot. On the walls, "to make it look home-y", Anne had glued magazine clippings of actresses all over the wall. To see that was amazing. It was part of her personality on the walls. I really enjoyed the tour, and 8.50 euros was definitely worth it to experience a little bit of history.
After, we went to shop around for souvenirs and then headed back. We all took a nap and then around 7 we met up with the guys in Jordan and Libby's room. All of us (the group including the new guys) went to "De Rockery" which is a pub/smoke shop and we hung out, drank beer that we thought was real beer but really nonalcoholic, and talked. We left there shortly b/c all we wanted was a place to drink real beer, so we hit up a local Irish pub nearby our hostel for a bit.
After, the guys went off to the Red Light District again, and we went to a few more pubs and McDonalds. I said I would not eat Mickey D's in Europe and I ate it practically every night in Amsterdam. DAMN IT! After we got home and went to bed around 12:30 a.m. Tomorrow was going to be a big day before we left. On the agenda: IAmSterdam sign, souvenirs, and Heinken Brewery.
The boys did their own thing. We went and got lunch, hit up a coffee shop and then went to the musuem. The Anne Frank house is a place everyone should visit. Standing in the place were she was in hiding for 2 years was remarkable. The rooms were not furnished, it was Otto Frank's wish that the room be left empty, as it was when they were discovered and the Nazis seized them and all of their belongings. The most interesting part was Anne's room that she shared with her younger sister, Margot. On the walls, "to make it look home-y", Anne had glued magazine clippings of actresses all over the wall. To see that was amazing. It was part of her personality on the walls. I really enjoyed the tour, and 8.50 euros was definitely worth it to experience a little bit of history.
After, we went to shop around for souvenirs and then headed back. We all took a nap and then around 7 we met up with the guys in Jordan and Libby's room. All of us (the group including the new guys) went to "De Rockery" which is a pub/smoke shop and we hung out, drank beer that we thought was real beer but really nonalcoholic, and talked. We left there shortly b/c all we wanted was a place to drink real beer, so we hit up a local Irish pub nearby our hostel for a bit.
After, the guys went off to the Red Light District again, and we went to a few more pubs and McDonalds. I said I would not eat Mickey D's in Europe and I ate it practically every night in Amsterdam. DAMN IT! After we got home and went to bed around 12:30 a.m. Tomorrow was going to be a big day before we left. On the agenda: IAmSterdam sign, souvenirs, and Heinken Brewery.
Jour 18 Where is everyone?/Boom Chicago/Red Light District
On Friday it was time to meet up with the other kiddos in our group.
Natalia and I woke up at 9: 30 am, packed our bags, and got breakfast downstairs in the Happy Room. I'm not going to lie, I felt pretty "happy" there. We met our friend Jeff there, who we met the night before, and all ate breakfast. On the walls of the room there are happy pig-flying colorful cartoons. Also, there are many tables and beds for lounging and a giant TV It's definitely the place I'd want to go and just hang out. So we finished breakfast and went up to the smoking room to hang. Our friends did not get in until 10 so we had plenty of time to relax. We hung out with a bunch of people and talked and then checked out of The Flying Pig. It was a sad good-bye, but at least I can say I stayed there!
After, I called Clay to find out everyone's whereabouts and if we should meet them at the train station and then check in to our other hostel. We put ONLY Clay, Jordan, and Dex at a coffee shop. Where were the others? Well, things did not go as planned or "there was a strange turn of events" in the words of Clay. Apparently when they woke up to catch their 6:25 am train ride, they were waiting on the platform when she realized Had Libby forgot her passport, and Zoe Had forgot his ticket. WHAT THE HECK! That would only happen to my friends! The train station is only 20 mins away on the metro, so Libby and Zoe headed towards the Cite to get their things. When they returend, They had missed the train by 2 mins! They had to wait to get on the next one 2 hours later! Even better, there are 3 stops along the way to Amsterdam. It goes to Brussels, Rotterdam, another one I can remember, and then it ends in Amsterdam. It's simple, you stay on the train until its done running. Well, Joe didn't get the memo and when he awoke from a nap an hour into the 4 hour ride, we were stopped at the Brussels stop and he figured that they Had reached Amsterdam so he got off the train. Clay wakes up and sees Joe waiting on the platform looking around confused. Clay calls him and is like, "why did you leave the train?" and Joe is confused, and the train starts moving without Joe. So Joe was left stranded in Brussels, Belgium for an hour until he could hop on the next train! So hysterical, I was dying of laughter when I heard this story.
Once the time arrived, we all went to the Amsterdam Centraal Station to pick up the Stragglers. The guys took our bags to check into the hostel and us girls went around to explore.
We hit up a few coffee shops, souvenir shops, and then came home where we met the guys in our room. We took a little nap and thnn met the guys outside of this comedy show called Boom Chicago. It was a place were three American comedians do improvisations. People wre giving out flyers all day for a reduced cover price so we all got ticks and went at 8 pm It was pretty funny. It's hard doing improvisations, but they did well. The thing I didn't like was how much they made fun of America and Americans, and they were Americans. Apparently people hateeus for a lot of reasons b'c one of the categories was "what do you hate most about Americans" and people kept shouting a bunch of things. Whatever. It was really funny and then after we went to the infamous Red Light District.
Let me tell you, the DRC is super awkward and creepy. The main streets are pretty normal with red christmas lights hanging above and many bar / restaurants / shops / etc. lining the street. A lot of poeple were out, so it did not seem sketchy. There were a good amount of sex shops, so that Seemed fitting. The scary / weird part was in between these stretto, in the alleys, where there were clear doors lined with red lights. Inside stood girls of all shapes and sizes staring directly out at you, and wearing nothing but a bra and underwear or skimpy swimsuit. Not exciting if your a girl. I'm glad I experienced it tho. It was very interesting, and you gotta make money somehow I guess. Apparently, to rent out rooms One Of Those girls have to put a downpayment of a EUR 100 for 8 hours in it. Guess you got to make all the money you can Those within 8 hours! Start strippin!
After we went back to the hostel and slept. Our plan is to wake up early and go to site-seeing things ... finger's crossed!
Natalia and I woke up at 9: 30 am, packed our bags, and got breakfast downstairs in the Happy Room. I'm not going to lie, I felt pretty "happy" there. We met our friend Jeff there, who we met the night before, and all ate breakfast. On the walls of the room there are happy pig-flying colorful cartoons. Also, there are many tables and beds for lounging and a giant TV It's definitely the place I'd want to go and just hang out. So we finished breakfast and went up to the smoking room to hang. Our friends did not get in until 10 so we had plenty of time to relax. We hung out with a bunch of people and talked and then checked out of The Flying Pig. It was a sad good-bye, but at least I can say I stayed there!
After, I called Clay to find out everyone's whereabouts and if we should meet them at the train station and then check in to our other hostel. We put ONLY Clay, Jordan, and Dex at a coffee shop. Where were the others? Well, things did not go as planned or "there was a strange turn of events" in the words of Clay. Apparently when they woke up to catch their 6:25 am train ride, they were waiting on the platform when she realized Had Libby forgot her passport, and Zoe Had forgot his ticket. WHAT THE HECK! That would only happen to my friends! The train station is only 20 mins away on the metro, so Libby and Zoe headed towards the Cite to get their things. When they returend, They had missed the train by 2 mins! They had to wait to get on the next one 2 hours later! Even better, there are 3 stops along the way to Amsterdam. It goes to Brussels, Rotterdam, another one I can remember, and then it ends in Amsterdam. It's simple, you stay on the train until its done running. Well, Joe didn't get the memo and when he awoke from a nap an hour into the 4 hour ride, we were stopped at the Brussels stop and he figured that they Had reached Amsterdam so he got off the train. Clay wakes up and sees Joe waiting on the platform looking around confused. Clay calls him and is like, "why did you leave the train?" and Joe is confused, and the train starts moving without Joe. So Joe was left stranded in Brussels, Belgium for an hour until he could hop on the next train! So hysterical, I was dying of laughter when I heard this story.
Once the time arrived, we all went to the Amsterdam Centraal Station to pick up the Stragglers. The guys took our bags to check into the hostel and us girls went around to explore.
We hit up a few coffee shops, souvenir shops, and then came home where we met the guys in our room. We took a little nap and thnn met the guys outside of this comedy show called Boom Chicago. It was a place were three American comedians do improvisations. People wre giving out flyers all day for a reduced cover price so we all got ticks and went at 8 pm It was pretty funny. It's hard doing improvisations, but they did well. The thing I didn't like was how much they made fun of America and Americans, and they were Americans. Apparently people hateeus for a lot of reasons b'c one of the categories was "what do you hate most about Americans" and people kept shouting a bunch of things. Whatever. It was really funny and then after we went to the infamous Red Light District.
Let me tell you, the DRC is super awkward and creepy. The main streets are pretty normal with red christmas lights hanging above and many bar / restaurants / shops / etc. lining the street. A lot of poeple were out, so it did not seem sketchy. There were a good amount of sex shops, so that Seemed fitting. The scary / weird part was in between these stretto, in the alleys, where there were clear doors lined with red lights. Inside stood girls of all shapes and sizes staring directly out at you, and wearing nothing but a bra and underwear or skimpy swimsuit. Not exciting if your a girl. I'm glad I experienced it tho. It was very interesting, and you gotta make money somehow I guess. Apparently, to rent out rooms One Of Those girls have to put a downpayment of a EUR 100 for 8 hours in it. Guess you got to make all the money you can Those within 8 hours! Start strippin!
After we went back to the hostel and slept. Our plan is to wake up early and go to site-seeing things ... finger's crossed!
Jour 17 (part 2)- The Flying Pig Hostel
So I used to think hostels were like those straight out of the horrific, gruesome,and disgusting movie appropriately named "Hostel". After seeing the movie with my sister, I promised myself I'd never stay in one of those creepy places. Well, I lied because that's exactly what I did the second I got into Amsterdam. When booking our trip, Natalia really wanted to stay at this one hostel called The Flying Pig. She said it was the second best hostel in Europe behind the number 1 hostel which is in Interlochin, Switzerland. I took her word for it, and b/c we were going a day early, we booked a room for 2 in a 21 person room. BEST DECISION EVER!
I am so glad we stayed there. When we arrived, we went to find our hostel and check in. It was in the downtown main area which was convenient and when you walked in it had everything a world traveler would want. It had a bar/coffee station with a pool table and bar stools. That's cool because no where else in a hostel does it have a bar. Even better, they had a "smoking room" where people spend a good amount of their day(s)and night(s) just smoking and talking. What makes this room even cooler is the giant floor bed they make. Tons of people lay there. It's great because you meet so many cool and interesting people. Also, they have a room called the "Happy room" downstairs where they serve morning breakfast and there's tables and a giant TV for people to watch. How great!
We checked in and set our stuff down and then went straight to a coffee shop. There, I introduced myself to these 5 guys from Liverpool and we played black jack and smoked. Pretty cool guys. Their accents were so strong tho, I didnt know what they were saying half of the time, and they were speaking English!
After Natalia and I got food (duh) and I discovered my love for chocolate covered Belgium waffles. Yes, you heard me right. So they make these waffles and after they have cooled, they dip one side in any flavor of syrup--chocolate, white chocolate, strawberry, banana, choc and nuts, etc. I'm pretty much naming you all of the flavors I had because that's how much I loved them and couldn't control myself! After dinner and many waffles, we explored the streets. The city is extremely interesting and there is a lot to do. There were so many people out which was surprising. The shops had cool clothes and there were many souvenir shops, which I will hit up later in the trip. After, it was like 7 p.m. and we went back to the hostel to chill in the smoking room. There, we met the coolest chick named Naina. She was from Chicago. She was on a vacation from her job at a chemical company and wanted to go to Amsterdam. Hey, I would too if I needed a break. She was 23 and super chill. We hung out with her all night, as well as this cool guy named Jeff who was also from the states but has been living outside Amsterdam for the past months for a job. He comes to the hostel all of the time and chills.
I'm pretty sure I spent a good 5 and a half hours in the smoking room because Natalia and I didn't leave until 12:30 am. By then we were so tired, sleep was inevitable. Thus, we went up to our 21 person bedroom and passed out. It was a great great stay at The Flying Pig.
I am so glad we stayed there. When we arrived, we went to find our hostel and check in. It was in the downtown main area which was convenient and when you walked in it had everything a world traveler would want. It had a bar/coffee station with a pool table and bar stools. That's cool because no where else in a hostel does it have a bar. Even better, they had a "smoking room" where people spend a good amount of their day(s)and night(s) just smoking and talking. What makes this room even cooler is the giant floor bed they make. Tons of people lay there. It's great because you meet so many cool and interesting people. Also, they have a room called the "Happy room" downstairs where they serve morning breakfast and there's tables and a giant TV for people to watch. How great!
We checked in and set our stuff down and then went straight to a coffee shop. There, I introduced myself to these 5 guys from Liverpool and we played black jack and smoked. Pretty cool guys. Their accents were so strong tho, I didnt know what they were saying half of the time, and they were speaking English!
After Natalia and I got food (duh) and I discovered my love for chocolate covered Belgium waffles. Yes, you heard me right. So they make these waffles and after they have cooled, they dip one side in any flavor of syrup--chocolate, white chocolate, strawberry, banana, choc and nuts, etc. I'm pretty much naming you all of the flavors I had because that's how much I loved them and couldn't control myself! After dinner and many waffles, we explored the streets. The city is extremely interesting and there is a lot to do. There were so many people out which was surprising. The shops had cool clothes and there were many souvenir shops, which I will hit up later in the trip. After, it was like 7 p.m. and we went back to the hostel to chill in the smoking room. There, we met the coolest chick named Naina. She was from Chicago. She was on a vacation from her job at a chemical company and wanted to go to Amsterdam. Hey, I would too if I needed a break. She was 23 and super chill. We hung out with her all night, as well as this cool guy named Jeff who was also from the states but has been living outside Amsterdam for the past months for a job. He comes to the hostel all of the time and chills.
I'm pretty sure I spent a good 5 and a half hours in the smoking room because Natalia and I didn't leave until 12:30 am. By then we were so tired, sleep was inevitable. Thus, we went up to our 21 person bedroom and passed out. It was a great great stay at The Flying Pig.
Jour 16 and 17 (part 1) Hasta La Vista Paris, Gotta Catch a Train!
Le 19th Janvier: not a very exciting day. I slept in... . duh. I figure I'm going to soak up as much sleep time as I can get before school starts. We had a walking tour of the La Villete area, but I just felt "toured" out. So I slept in again and stayed in my room for a good amount of the day. I can't think of much that I did, that just shows it was an uneventful day.
(Part 1)Le 20th Janvier. What a day! So I had my Stage Placement test this morning at 10 a.m. Okay lets get this straight, when it says that a test begins at a certain time, you would expect it to--not start 45 mins into the test-taking time. The French are retardedly slow. This placement test was supposed to be an hour and half long; therefore, I would be done at 11:30 am. That's perfect timing because I had to catch a train at Gare du Nord at 12:25 headed towards Amsterdam with Natalia. (Woo!) So this professor is talking to us about meaningless stuff about the test for 45 mins and I am literally gving him the rudest looks and practically shaking in my seat. Finally, he administers the test- 30 oral questions, 20 grammar, and 30 comprehension at 10:45. Didn't understand half of it (my ADD running wild and lack of interest comsuming me) and I left 15 questions answered with my favorite letter of the alphabet and bolted out of the test at 11:35. Hey, you cant blame me, I had more important things to do!
So I literally ran from my school, throughout the metro and into the main train station just in the nick of time. I got there 20 mins early so Natalia and I got food and relaxed. We boarded the train at exactly 12:25 and were off to paradise.
(Part 1)Le 20th Janvier. What a day! So I had my Stage Placement test this morning at 10 a.m. Okay lets get this straight, when it says that a test begins at a certain time, you would expect it to--not start 45 mins into the test-taking time. The French are retardedly slow. This placement test was supposed to be an hour and half long; therefore, I would be done at 11:30 am. That's perfect timing because I had to catch a train at Gare du Nord at 12:25 headed towards Amsterdam with Natalia. (Woo!) So this professor is talking to us about meaningless stuff about the test for 45 mins and I am literally gving him the rudest looks and practically shaking in my seat. Finally, he administers the test- 30 oral questions, 20 grammar, and 30 comprehension at 10:45. Didn't understand half of it (my ADD running wild and lack of interest comsuming me) and I left 15 questions answered with my favorite letter of the alphabet and bolted out of the test at 11:35. Hey, you cant blame me, I had more important things to do!
So I literally ran from my school, throughout the metro and into the main train station just in the nick of time. I got there 20 mins early so Natalia and I got food and relaxed. We boarded the train at exactly 12:25 and were off to paradise.
mercredi 20 janvier 2010
Jour 14 and 15- Baking a cake and Pere Lachaise Cemetary
Greetings followers,
Monday: Woke up around 12:30 pm and discovered that API Had scheduled a cultural activity for Joy, Jordan, Kylie (she never comes to anything), and I at 2. I hurried to get ready and we were off the center API. I really like that place, you can hang out, go on the computers, eat in the kitchen, etc. .. Students are always in and out.
Our cultural activity (there are three, the first being the cheese tasting with Paschal; second baking is a French dessert with Anne-Marie, and third is going to the perfume museum with Melissa) activities are fun little Dauphine us that students get to do To learn more about French culture. The other students who arrived with us go to Diderot (Paris VII) and they have already started school, so they dont get to attend! ha!
We had scheduled with Anne-Marie to bake a chocolate cake called a French "Mousseaux" or something (was not really paying attention. She practically baked it and we listened. I mostly just watched the pots and stuff in advance to eat the cake .) Typical evans move! A cool thing about French culture is that baking leads to a man's heart apparently. When you bake a sweet dessert and give it to a man, that means you like him. Whatever, I'd just eat the entire thing. Screw the guy! After, we ate the cake and it was delicious! It was a moist chocolate cake with sliced almonds and chopped up candied orange peels. To top it off, you also make a custard sauce that you drizzle ontop of it. It was soooo good, I had two slices and lots of cheese and bread to balance the sugar with the sweet. Usually what I do!
We hung out the API Center for awhile, and then I came home. We went up to the boys room to hang out for a little bit and Amsterdam to discuss plans (so excited!) Then we got some wine (wine everyday keeps the heart healthy!) And headed down to the basement to hang out, play card drinking games, and listen to music. The basement of the FEU is really cool. It has a bunch of layers, a ping pong table, a kitchen, a room with a nice tv for watching movies and tv, and another room with a billiard table and table Fooseball. Ive gone down there a bunch, you meet a lot of people and it's a fun place to hang out. A bunch of people joined us from all over the FIRE. Those from U of Chicago, some guys from Georgia Tech I met the previous night before at the hookah bar. It was a good time, I'm sure it will become a hang out for nights during the week.
Tuesday: Jordan and I woke up early to go to Dauphine to have a doctor's appointment. We did this because we want to sign up for work at Dauphine out classes during the school year .. a little bit of toning, core workouts, kick boxing gold .. we'll see but it sounds cool. It was a rough morning for Jordan though. I told her, "Now dont drink too much bc we HAVE to wake up and go". Of course, I call her in the morning (I'm her mom) and tell her to get up and be ready in 20. She struggled all morning.
After we took the metro to Pere Lachaise Cemetery where we saw many famous French people's serious. It was an extremely cold day, but we braved it out there. We saw many serious including Edith Piaf, Balzac, Chopin, Oscar Wilde, who had a bunch of kisses all over it, and Jim Morrison. I was surprised, his grave was cleaned up after all of the stories I had heard about people leaving siringa and stuff.
After we all got coffee at this cute little cafe and then we went home. Hours after, I went to meet up with the group again for a tour of Montmartre. The artsy district of Paris where you can find the Sacre Coeur. Our tour guide took us along the back streets interesting that not many people visit and we ended up top at the Sacre Coeur, Which is the highest point in Paris. It was beautiful at night, and we took a lot of pictures. Also, we got a tour inside, they were having mass so it was interesting to see how French masses went. Still old fashioned with nuns and the whole scha-bang.
After, we were treated to crepes! Ahhh soo good! I had a cheese, ham, egg and one for dinner and then a nutella and bannana one after! I was so full but so happy!.
The night did not end there. The gang and I decided to buy wine and go to the giant Ferris wheel located at the Champs-Elysees. It is only open during the winter months and that night just so happened to be its last night open. We had to go! So we went to the Champs-Elysees, bought wine, and walked up and down the streets filled with glorious Jimmy Choo, Prada, Hugo Boss, etc.. So classy, I know. We went up the ferris wheel and it was definitely worth it. The view of Paris was amazing. I'm so happy we did it.
After we ran around the field for a while. It was actually one of the more fun nights I've had in Paris. Just buying wine and walking up and down the field is fun. Thank god for drinking in public!. After I retired and went home to bed! Funnn day!
Bye!
Monday: Woke up around 12:30 pm and discovered that API Had scheduled a cultural activity for Joy, Jordan, Kylie (she never comes to anything), and I at 2. I hurried to get ready and we were off the center API. I really like that place, you can hang out, go on the computers, eat in the kitchen, etc. .. Students are always in and out.
Our cultural activity (there are three, the first being the cheese tasting with Paschal; second baking is a French dessert with Anne-Marie, and third is going to the perfume museum with Melissa) activities are fun little Dauphine us that students get to do To learn more about French culture. The other students who arrived with us go to Diderot (Paris VII) and they have already started school, so they dont get to attend! ha!
We had scheduled with Anne-Marie to bake a chocolate cake called a French "Mousseaux" or something (was not really paying attention. She practically baked it and we listened. I mostly just watched the pots and stuff in advance to eat the cake .) Typical evans move! A cool thing about French culture is that baking leads to a man's heart apparently. When you bake a sweet dessert and give it to a man, that means you like him. Whatever, I'd just eat the entire thing. Screw the guy! After, we ate the cake and it was delicious! It was a moist chocolate cake with sliced almonds and chopped up candied orange peels. To top it off, you also make a custard sauce that you drizzle ontop of it. It was soooo good, I had two slices and lots of cheese and bread to balance the sugar with the sweet. Usually what I do!
We hung out the API Center for awhile, and then I came home. We went up to the boys room to hang out for a little bit and Amsterdam to discuss plans (so excited!) Then we got some wine (wine everyday keeps the heart healthy!) And headed down to the basement to hang out, play card drinking games, and listen to music. The basement of the FEU is really cool. It has a bunch of layers, a ping pong table, a kitchen, a room with a nice tv for watching movies and tv, and another room with a billiard table and table Fooseball. Ive gone down there a bunch, you meet a lot of people and it's a fun place to hang out. A bunch of people joined us from all over the FIRE. Those from U of Chicago, some guys from Georgia Tech I met the previous night before at the hookah bar. It was a good time, I'm sure it will become a hang out for nights during the week.
Tuesday: Jordan and I woke up early to go to Dauphine to have a doctor's appointment. We did this because we want to sign up for work at Dauphine out classes during the school year .. a little bit of toning, core workouts, kick boxing gold .. we'll see but it sounds cool. It was a rough morning for Jordan though. I told her, "Now dont drink too much bc we HAVE to wake up and go". Of course, I call her in the morning (I'm her mom) and tell her to get up and be ready in 20. She struggled all morning.
After we took the metro to Pere Lachaise Cemetery where we saw many famous French people's serious. It was an extremely cold day, but we braved it out there. We saw many serious including Edith Piaf, Balzac, Chopin, Oscar Wilde, who had a bunch of kisses all over it, and Jim Morrison. I was surprised, his grave was cleaned up after all of the stories I had heard about people leaving siringa and stuff.
After we all got coffee at this cute little cafe and then we went home. Hours after, I went to meet up with the group again for a tour of Montmartre. The artsy district of Paris where you can find the Sacre Coeur. Our tour guide took us along the back streets interesting that not many people visit and we ended up top at the Sacre Coeur, Which is the highest point in Paris. It was beautiful at night, and we took a lot of pictures. Also, we got a tour inside, they were having mass so it was interesting to see how French masses went. Still old fashioned with nuns and the whole scha-bang.
After, we were treated to crepes! Ahhh soo good! I had a cheese, ham, egg and one for dinner and then a nutella and bannana one after! I was so full but so happy!.
The night did not end there. The gang and I decided to buy wine and go to the giant Ferris wheel located at the Champs-Elysees. It is only open during the winter months and that night just so happened to be its last night open. We had to go! So we went to the Champs-Elysees, bought wine, and walked up and down the streets filled with glorious Jimmy Choo, Prada, Hugo Boss, etc.. So classy, I know. We went up the ferris wheel and it was definitely worth it. The view of Paris was amazing. I'm so happy we did it.
After we ran around the field for a while. It was actually one of the more fun nights I've had in Paris. Just buying wine and walking up and down the field is fun. Thank god for drinking in public!. After I retired and went home to bed! Funnn day!
Bye!
dimanche 17 janvier 2010
Jour 13- Chantilly castle and Amir arrives!
Bonjour~
Updating you on my past two days! The first day was eventful, the latter not so much.
On Saturday I woke up very early (7 a.m.) to catch a bus ride API had planned to visit the Chantilly castle. It is located about an hour or so outside of Paris. Chantilly castle is a beautiful getaway where many French people visit for summer vacations. Of course you can't live in the castle, but there is a town nearby full of hotels, shops, bars and restaurants.
We took a tour of the castle and it sits on this grand landscape. The Chantilly domain is comprised of the chateau and a museum. Also, there is a large park and horse race track. It was interesting to know that this placed served as a venue for horseracing and equestrian events.Inside the chateau, it reminds me a lot of Versaille. The walls and furniture are intricately decorated, and there are beautiful paintings. Many important French people have lived in there throughout French history. The last inhabitant was the duke of Aumale who was the son of King Louis-Phillipe.
While on this trip, I met a very cool/chill girl named Natalia. After our visit, we went to the SNCF which is a train booking business so that we could switch our plane tickets. Now, instead of going on Friday to Amsterdam, I'm going a day early on Thursday! Wooo! More fun more me! So excited!
After, I rushed to meet Amir, my best guy friend from SDSU. He left yesterday from the states to study abroad for 2 months in Florence. He had a layover in Paris for the day, so I wanted to meet up with him before his train departed at 6:30 p.m. Jordan and I met him at Gare du Nord, the massive train station, and we had pizza at this pizza joint. I ate the entire massive pizza, and we reminisced about the good times, and all of the traveling we are going to do. It was short but sweet. After, we went off in search of a good-bye/see you soon absinthe shot. Unfortunately we couldnt find any bar that carried it, so istead we walked into this one place that gave us this drink called "l'eau de la vie". It means water of life, but I would call it "death in a bottle"! We took too double shots, and we thought we were going to die! Oh well, it was fun!
After, I sad farewell to Amir and we parted ways. I will see him soon though. I want to visit him and his friends in Florence in March. Jordan and I headed back home and pretty much lounged all night. I had a very long day of running around and all we wanted to do was sit back and relax. We bought out an entire vending machine's worth of candy and just sat in her bed and hung out.
Sunday: Slept in till literally 3 p.m. I just didnt want to get out of bed, and I am coming up with a little cold, so laying in bed as long as possible on a Sunday seems perfectly fine with me.
Finally, I woke up and Jordan and I went to the grocery store to buy food for our rooms. Living without food in our rooms is soo hard. We have meal cards, but on the weekends the places to use them are closed. So we resort to wanting to eat anything in site!
After shopping, I fixed up my rooom a little and now I'm back in bed awaiting the next day's events.
Au revoir for now!
Updating you on my past two days! The first day was eventful, the latter not so much.
On Saturday I woke up very early (7 a.m.) to catch a bus ride API had planned to visit the Chantilly castle. It is located about an hour or so outside of Paris. Chantilly castle is a beautiful getaway where many French people visit for summer vacations. Of course you can't live in the castle, but there is a town nearby full of hotels, shops, bars and restaurants.
We took a tour of the castle and it sits on this grand landscape. The Chantilly domain is comprised of the chateau and a museum. Also, there is a large park and horse race track. It was interesting to know that this placed served as a venue for horseracing and equestrian events.Inside the chateau, it reminds me a lot of Versaille. The walls and furniture are intricately decorated, and there are beautiful paintings. Many important French people have lived in there throughout French history. The last inhabitant was the duke of Aumale who was the son of King Louis-Phillipe.
While on this trip, I met a very cool/chill girl named Natalia. After our visit, we went to the SNCF which is a train booking business so that we could switch our plane tickets. Now, instead of going on Friday to Amsterdam, I'm going a day early on Thursday! Wooo! More fun more me! So excited!
After, I rushed to meet Amir, my best guy friend from SDSU. He left yesterday from the states to study abroad for 2 months in Florence. He had a layover in Paris for the day, so I wanted to meet up with him before his train departed at 6:30 p.m. Jordan and I met him at Gare du Nord, the massive train station, and we had pizza at this pizza joint. I ate the entire massive pizza, and we reminisced about the good times, and all of the traveling we are going to do. It was short but sweet. After, we went off in search of a good-bye/see you soon absinthe shot. Unfortunately we couldnt find any bar that carried it, so istead we walked into this one place that gave us this drink called "l'eau de la vie". It means water of life, but I would call it "death in a bottle"! We took too double shots, and we thought we were going to die! Oh well, it was fun!
After, I sad farewell to Amir and we parted ways. I will see him soon though. I want to visit him and his friends in Florence in March. Jordan and I headed back home and pretty much lounged all night. I had a very long day of running around and all we wanted to do was sit back and relax. We bought out an entire vending machine's worth of candy and just sat in her bed and hung out.
Sunday: Slept in till literally 3 p.m. I just didnt want to get out of bed, and I am coming up with a little cold, so laying in bed as long as possible on a Sunday seems perfectly fine with me.
Finally, I woke up and Jordan and I went to the grocery store to buy food for our rooms. Living without food in our rooms is soo hard. We have meal cards, but on the weekends the places to use them are closed. So we resort to wanting to eat anything in site!
After shopping, I fixed up my rooom a little and now I'm back in bed awaiting the next day's events.
Au revoir for now!
vendredi 15 janvier 2010
Jour 12- The Notre Dame and Pat arrives!
Hello!
This day was a special b / cc we had a tour of the famous Notre Dame church. Kylie, Joy and I took the metro together at 1:30 pm and got to our meeting place early! Wooo! No random stops, no confusion, just perfect! Jordan did not make it, she was so hungover she DECIDED to stay in bed-ALLLLL dayyy! I'm not kidding you, when I got home at night She Had Yet to leave her room! Lazy-ass j / k love you!
Back to the church, I've seen it before from the outside, but this was a real treat b / c we actually got to go inside. Our tour guide told us all about the architecture and that its dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
Inside, there are large "rose" colored stain glass windows, and a long line of pews that seats nearly 9.000 people! Thats amazing. You can visit during mass too! The church was very dark inside, but thats b / c it was designed during the MEDEVIAL times, so that was kind of "in" then. It was all stone and there were stone statues and beautiful molding everywhere. My friend TJ, Whose also in API him and said I should go to go to one of the masses on Easter. That would be soooo amazing! We'll see.
After, we all got ice cream at the most famous place for ice cream in all of Paris. The name was Brehoulin's and they make their own ice cream and it's known all over Paris. I got ginger bread and hazelnut flavors. Soooo decilious. Mind you, that it was extremely cold this day, so eating ice cream in 20 degree weather does not quite work. After Joy, Kylie and I went and shopped at these little shops along the Seine. So cute! We bought a sketch of the Moulin Rouge and 6 post cards for just three euros! We r going to use them to decorate our rooms, to give it a little homey touch! After, I parted ways with them and took the metro to the Louvre to meet with Libby and one of my good friends from high school who is studying with a friend in Luxembourg for the semester. His name is Pat Depenaloza.
Libby, Pat, his friend Mike, and I took a two hour tour of the Louvre and saw a good amount of things .. The Mona Lisa, the Winged Angel of Victory, The Coronation of Napoleon painting, the real jeweled crown of Charles the 15th and the Venis de Milo statue. We did not cover nearly everything, so I'm sure I'll go again!
After, we went back to Libby's apartment and bought some wine where we hung out and talked about old times. It was nice to see Pat, I had not seen hime since my senior year of high school!
That was pretty much the end of my night. I can not wait for tomorrow tho. My BEST BEST guy friend from SDSU, Amir, left today to study abroad in Florence for half the semester, and he just so happens to have a lay-over in Paris for a couple of hours! We are going to spend the whole day together! Cannot wait! Gotta wake up early, b / c we have a tour of the castle Chantilly at 9 am and then I'm off to meet Amir!
Bye!
This day was a special b / cc we had a tour of the famous Notre Dame church. Kylie, Joy and I took the metro together at 1:30 pm and got to our meeting place early! Wooo! No random stops, no confusion, just perfect! Jordan did not make it, she was so hungover she DECIDED to stay in bed-ALLLLL dayyy! I'm not kidding you, when I got home at night She Had Yet to leave her room! Lazy-ass j / k love you!
Back to the church, I've seen it before from the outside, but this was a real treat b / c we actually got to go inside. Our tour guide told us all about the architecture and that its dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
Inside, there are large "rose" colored stain glass windows, and a long line of pews that seats nearly 9.000 people! Thats amazing. You can visit during mass too! The church was very dark inside, but thats b / c it was designed during the MEDEVIAL times, so that was kind of "in" then. It was all stone and there were stone statues and beautiful molding everywhere. My friend TJ, Whose also in API him and said I should go to go to one of the masses on Easter. That would be soooo amazing! We'll see.
After, we all got ice cream at the most famous place for ice cream in all of Paris. The name was Brehoulin's and they make their own ice cream and it's known all over Paris. I got ginger bread and hazelnut flavors. Soooo decilious. Mind you, that it was extremely cold this day, so eating ice cream in 20 degree weather does not quite work. After Joy, Kylie and I went and shopped at these little shops along the Seine. So cute! We bought a sketch of the Moulin Rouge and 6 post cards for just three euros! We r going to use them to decorate our rooms, to give it a little homey touch! After, I parted ways with them and took the metro to the Louvre to meet with Libby and one of my good friends from high school who is studying with a friend in Luxembourg for the semester. His name is Pat Depenaloza.
Libby, Pat, his friend Mike, and I took a two hour tour of the Louvre and saw a good amount of things .. The Mona Lisa, the Winged Angel of Victory, The Coronation of Napoleon painting, the real jeweled crown of Charles the 15th and the Venis de Milo statue. We did not cover nearly everything, so I'm sure I'll go again!
After, we went back to Libby's apartment and bought some wine where we hung out and talked about old times. It was nice to see Pat, I had not seen hime since my senior year of high school!
That was pretty much the end of my night. I can not wait for tomorrow tho. My BEST BEST guy friend from SDSU, Amir, left today to study abroad in Florence for half the semester, and he just so happens to have a lay-over in Paris for a couple of hours! We are going to spend the whole day together! Cannot wait! Gotta wake up early, b / c we have a tour of the castle Chantilly at 9 am and then I'm off to meet Amir!
Bye!
Jour 11- The Long Hop!
Bonjour!
So I was extremely tired from the previous night's events, so instead of visiting some random museum at 11 a.m., I slept in until 2 p.m.! Ridiculous, I know. But it felt soooo good! Jordan did the same, so I'm not alone on this! When we woke up, we went to the API center to fix our class list and have tea and cards with Melissa and some other API students who are just finishing up their semester here.
The french card game was called Tarot. Not like the psychic cards, but same name. It's a very complicated game, and the French deck of cards is not the same as American cards, but I picked it up after a while. I didn't win, b/c you have to place a bet at the beginnning of the game to show by how much u think you can win by, and even tho I won the most cards with the most points, I didn't nearly reach my designated bet.. so I lost. Darn! On the upside, the tea was good! It was apple flavored, and I ate more cheese from our previous cheese tasting. Hey, whatever is free!
After, Jordan and I when home and hung out for a while. We then got ready to go out. There was a whole bunch of us that went out. Our friends from U of Chicago and our friends from API. We went to this bar called The Long Hop. If you go on Thursday nights it's cheap for students with a student ID. So we went there. Well, it took a while because I was basically the tour guide trying to lead a bunch of drunk people thru the metro, but it all went well. The bar was really cool! It's like an American pub where a lot of international students go.
There we met these guys form London and I met a very cute guy from L.A. I gave him my number and said we should all hang out... we'll see! It was very fun and we left around 2. Jordan was quite the drunk skunk. She was trying to mack on the bartender and nearly left her phone in the taxi when we got out. Thank god I'm smart and I double-checked everything before we closed the door!
Libs and I spooned in my bed all night and fell asleep watching The Hangover. I see many more nights with libs and I hanging together!
Au Revoir!
So I was extremely tired from the previous night's events, so instead of visiting some random museum at 11 a.m., I slept in until 2 p.m.! Ridiculous, I know. But it felt soooo good! Jordan did the same, so I'm not alone on this! When we woke up, we went to the API center to fix our class list and have tea and cards with Melissa and some other API students who are just finishing up their semester here.
The french card game was called Tarot. Not like the psychic cards, but same name. It's a very complicated game, and the French deck of cards is not the same as American cards, but I picked it up after a while. I didn't win, b/c you have to place a bet at the beginnning of the game to show by how much u think you can win by, and even tho I won the most cards with the most points, I didn't nearly reach my designated bet.. so I lost. Darn! On the upside, the tea was good! It was apple flavored, and I ate more cheese from our previous cheese tasting. Hey, whatever is free!
After, Jordan and I when home and hung out for a while. We then got ready to go out. There was a whole bunch of us that went out. Our friends from U of Chicago and our friends from API. We went to this bar called The Long Hop. If you go on Thursday nights it's cheap for students with a student ID. So we went there. Well, it took a while because I was basically the tour guide trying to lead a bunch of drunk people thru the metro, but it all went well. The bar was really cool! It's like an American pub where a lot of international students go.
There we met these guys form London and I met a very cute guy from L.A. I gave him my number and said we should all hang out... we'll see! It was very fun and we left around 2. Jordan was quite the drunk skunk. She was trying to mack on the bartender and nearly left her phone in the taxi when we got out. Thank god I'm smart and I double-checked everything before we closed the door!
Libs and I spooned in my bed all night and fell asleep watching The Hangover. I see many more nights with libs and I hanging together!
Au Revoir!
Jour 10- Hookah Bar Time
Wednesday was quite the eventful day for me. It started off with Jordan and I waking up to go visit the Arab Mosque in the 13th arrondissment with Anne-Marie. We HAD to be on time- no messing around with Anne-Marie.
We left the Cite at 9:50 a.m. just so that we would meet Anne-Marie at 10:15 right on the dot. Well, luck was not in our favor this day and right when we get on the metro, the train stops between the Cite stop and the next- Denfert-Rochereau. Not cool. It stopped for 10 mins, pour notre securite (for our safety) thus, we were late 15 mins. I had texted Anne-Marie that due to troubles out of our hand, we would be late and she never texted me back, so I didnt know if she received it or not. So when we arrived at the exit, we were looking around for her everywhere, calling her, etc, but no answer. We just assumed she left with the other students, so we took it upon ourselves to try and catch them at the mosque...
We walked a while and when we got to the mosque they were no where to be found. So Jordan and I hung out until Anne-Marie calls us telling us she's been waiting at a cafe for 45 minutes outside of the exit. UHHHH WHAT! She rushed over to meet us and it all ended up being confusion. Her phone never rang and we never saw her in any cafe. whatever.
We had tea at the mosque with pasteries and it was nice and relaxing. The mosque is a historical monument in Paris because its the only one! It was a cultural experience. After, Jordan and I parted ways with Anne-Marie and went and vistited an ancient roman arena (very tiny) and then did an enitre tour of the Pantheon including the crypts! We saw Voltaire, Braille, Jean-Jacque Rousseau, Marie Curie, etc's tombs! So cool!
After, a long day of walking and exploring, we went home and I took a long nap. When I woke up I got a knock on my door and these guys from Georgia Tech that I had met the previous night in the kitchen invited me, and anyone else I knew to go to a hookah bar. I had never been to one so I was down!
I grabbed Jordan, she didnt end up staying, and I went with these guys to this neat hookah bar located across from the Moulin Rouge! We had three hookah machines, tea, and just talked all night! It was so fun! Very cool guys. I'm glad I met them to hang ut in the future!
I got home around 4 a.m., thats b/c we took the night bus b/c the metro closed at 12:30 a.m. and I passed out! It was a great end to longgggg day!
Au Revoir!
We left the Cite at 9:50 a.m. just so that we would meet Anne-Marie at 10:15 right on the dot. Well, luck was not in our favor this day and right when we get on the metro, the train stops between the Cite stop and the next- Denfert-Rochereau. Not cool. It stopped for 10 mins, pour notre securite (for our safety) thus, we were late 15 mins. I had texted Anne-Marie that due to troubles out of our hand, we would be late and she never texted me back, so I didnt know if she received it or not. So when we arrived at the exit, we were looking around for her everywhere, calling her, etc, but no answer. We just assumed she left with the other students, so we took it upon ourselves to try and catch them at the mosque...
We walked a while and when we got to the mosque they were no where to be found. So Jordan and I hung out until Anne-Marie calls us telling us she's been waiting at a cafe for 45 minutes outside of the exit. UHHHH WHAT! She rushed over to meet us and it all ended up being confusion. Her phone never rang and we never saw her in any cafe. whatever.
We had tea at the mosque with pasteries and it was nice and relaxing. The mosque is a historical monument in Paris because its the only one! It was a cultural experience. After, Jordan and I parted ways with Anne-Marie and went and vistited an ancient roman arena (very tiny) and then did an enitre tour of the Pantheon including the crypts! We saw Voltaire, Braille, Jean-Jacque Rousseau, Marie Curie, etc's tombs! So cool!
After, a long day of walking and exploring, we went home and I took a long nap. When I woke up I got a knock on my door and these guys from Georgia Tech that I had met the previous night in the kitchen invited me, and anyone else I knew to go to a hookah bar. I had never been to one so I was down!
I grabbed Jordan, she didnt end up staying, and I went with these guys to this neat hookah bar located across from the Moulin Rouge! We had three hookah machines, tea, and just talked all night! It was so fun! Very cool guys. I'm glad I met them to hang ut in the future!
I got home around 4 a.m., thats b/c we took the night bus b/c the metro closed at 12:30 a.m. and I passed out! It was a great end to longgggg day!
Au Revoir!
mardi 12 janvier 2010
Jour 9- A cheese tasting gone awry!
Bonjour,
Today was quite a day of eating. It began with me sleeping in until 11:30 a.m. The night before was way too fun and I didn't go to bed until late... standard. So after I finally awoke, I got ready, and Jordan and I headed to the API center for a cheese tasting with Pascal.
I have never consumed so much cheese in one sitting! The cheese was excellent, and were from various regions all over france. My favorite are called Cantalis, Brie, Goat Cheese, Ortay-Itis, and some other funky french names. The thing is, we paired it with bread, so we added on way to many carbs this day! It was a cool experince though. Trying over 20 different types of cheese doesn't happen every day, especially in France!
After we hung out at the center for a while and screwed around. Then Kylie, Joy, Jordan, and myself went and did a little SOLDES shopping. I know, but it's so hard to resist! After this month there are no sales, and I won't buy a thing! I promise!
After, Jordan and I went and got food at this CROUS site called Bulier. It is a cafeteria and had interesting food. The weirdest thing about it was when we sat down, no one really spoke to each other. The French are weird eaters. They keep to themselves constantly; no interaction, no emotion. It got wayyy to awkward for us so we finished up and came home. The night ends with me putting up pictures, buying 2 round-trip tickets to Amsterdam for the 22nd-24th and calling it a night!
See you soon!
Today was quite a day of eating. It began with me sleeping in until 11:30 a.m. The night before was way too fun and I didn't go to bed until late... standard. So after I finally awoke, I got ready, and Jordan and I headed to the API center for a cheese tasting with Pascal.
I have never consumed so much cheese in one sitting! The cheese was excellent, and were from various regions all over france. My favorite are called Cantalis, Brie, Goat Cheese, Ortay-Itis, and some other funky french names. The thing is, we paired it with bread, so we added on way to many carbs this day! It was a cool experince though. Trying over 20 different types of cheese doesn't happen every day, especially in France!
After we hung out at the center for a while and screwed around. Then Kylie, Joy, Jordan, and myself went and did a little SOLDES shopping. I know, but it's so hard to resist! After this month there are no sales, and I won't buy a thing! I promise!
After, Jordan and I went and got food at this CROUS site called Bulier. It is a cafeteria and had interesting food. The weirdest thing about it was when we sat down, no one really spoke to each other. The French are weird eaters. They keep to themselves constantly; no interaction, no emotion. It got wayyy to awkward for us so we finished up and came home. The night ends with me putting up pictures, buying 2 round-trip tickets to Amsterdam for the 22nd-24th and calling it a night!
See you soon!
Jour 8- Running Around the Cite Universitaire
Hello!
Friday the 11th: Woke up at 9 am and puts Jordan, Joy, Kylie and Pascal (one of our resident directors) at Dauphine to apply for our student ID cards. Bore-ing! Jordan and I are not smart once again, and got there 5 mins late (Pascal was not happy and they told us to Anne-Marie) and forgot our passports and 2 passport sized photographs. Opps!
After Jordan and I went an got our cards Studentenwerk (student meal cards) recharged at this ghetto joint that resembles the Salvation Army, and we got some food. This is a good thing we did this, bc I wont spend so much money on delicious food anymore!
Then we went to the center API to fix our class with Melissa. After that, Jordan and I ran errands. Jordan returned her to Asda BROKEN camera (like a massive Best Buy and Borders combined). Mind you, She Had the camera for approx 5 hours and then our friend Clay dropped it and broke the lens in the metro. She palyed it cool off, I would have gone crazy! But, she returned it and lied to the French boy and told him it was taking blurry pictures, so she wanted to exchange it. Good thinking!
Meanwhile, I searched everywhere for a voltage converter with an American couple who I met cuz they were trying to find the same thing!
After shopping, I went home, my parents skyped and then partyed ... I've drank about 7 out of 9 days since ive been here, Which is extremely healthy .. but hey, when in Paris .... So we went up to our guy friends rooms and proceed to drink wine that Jordan and i bought for ourselves. It is a must. and then absinthe shots too! i told myself no more, but i guess i lied.
This is where the tour of the Cite Universitaire began. When we over to the "House Cambodia" building where our two friends are living and there, complete with wine bottles in hand, Joe Clay, Jordan, Zoe and i tried to break in past the security guard on hand. JOrdan was a little tipsy, and stated up a convo with him. I told him it was her 21st birthday, and he bought it! they exchange room numbers and he let us in! so funny! She should be "expecting" a letter in the mail from him shortly ...
A lot went down, we were kind of loud and all of the neighbors around us apparently hate us but hey, what are you going to do. We have to savor every moment here! stay tuned!
Bye!
Friday the 11th: Woke up at 9 am and puts Jordan, Joy, Kylie and Pascal (one of our resident directors) at Dauphine to apply for our student ID cards. Bore-ing! Jordan and I are not smart once again, and got there 5 mins late (Pascal was not happy and they told us to Anne-Marie) and forgot our passports and 2 passport sized photographs. Opps!
After Jordan and I went an got our cards Studentenwerk (student meal cards) recharged at this ghetto joint that resembles the Salvation Army, and we got some food. This is a good thing we did this, bc I wont spend so much money on delicious food anymore!
Then we went to the center API to fix our class with Melissa. After that, Jordan and I ran errands. Jordan returned her to Asda BROKEN camera (like a massive Best Buy and Borders combined). Mind you, She Had the camera for approx 5 hours and then our friend Clay dropped it and broke the lens in the metro. She palyed it cool off, I would have gone crazy! But, she returned it and lied to the French boy and told him it was taking blurry pictures, so she wanted to exchange it. Good thinking!
Meanwhile, I searched everywhere for a voltage converter with an American couple who I met cuz they were trying to find the same thing!
After shopping, I went home, my parents skyped and then partyed ... I've drank about 7 out of 9 days since ive been here, Which is extremely healthy .. but hey, when in Paris .... So we went up to our guy friends rooms and proceed to drink wine that Jordan and i bought for ourselves. It is a must. and then absinthe shots too! i told myself no more, but i guess i lied.
This is where the tour of the Cite Universitaire began. When we over to the "House Cambodia" building where our two friends are living and there, complete with wine bottles in hand, Joe Clay, Jordan, Zoe and i tried to break in past the security guard on hand. JOrdan was a little tipsy, and stated up a convo with him. I told him it was her 21st birthday, and he bought it! they exchange room numbers and he let us in! so funny! She should be "expecting" a letter in the mail from him shortly ...
A lot went down, we were kind of loud and all of the neighbors around us apparently hate us but hey, what are you going to do. We have to savor every moment here! stay tuned!
Bye!
dimanche 10 janvier 2010
Jour 7- No More Absinthe!
One week in Paris completed!
Friday was quite a day of festivities. First, we started off with ice skating at the Hotel de Ville. In this big courtyard in front of the hotel was gorgeous this little ice skating rink. I'm not gonna lie, I did a pretty damn good job ice-skaking. No I am Nancy Kerrigan, but I sure felt like it. Many French people were taking pictures of us, I pretty much won the gold.
After skating Jordan and I decided to hit up the BALANCES (dirty). Bad idea. Running around in the masses of people and trying to tell yourself "No, I dont need this" is impossible. Mind you, that at 6:15 pm we had a tour of the Louvre that Jordan and I did not want to miss. Of course, we were so busy shopping that we completely lost track of time and next thing you know, we look down at our watches and its 6:30. We called our API advisor who does not really speak good Francais and tried to find out where our group was, and if we could still make the turn. Again, we got lost in the metro and by the time we got to the Louvre, our API advisor and group were no where to be found. Wonderful. So Jordan and I said screw it! and we went and got good pizza and headed back home for a short nap.
At night we met up with our friends from SDSU and tried to go to Duplex. Its a hip and happening club, but there were too many guys to girls, and we all forgot our id's, so getting in did not happen. Why I didn't think to bring my id, I dont know. Retardation. Jordan So instead, our friends from U of Chicago and I went back to the Bastille area and hit up the bars. There, Jordana and I made a love connection (hers with zoey-g) with our friends and it was a fun night.
Saturday: What a day. Being hungover during a 3 hour meeting API is no bueno and no fun-o. We had a meeting where we learned all of what we needed to know for survival. This included where to find groceries, clothes, etc.. It was a good thing that I remembered to set an alarm when I got home at night Because if I didn't, I would be toast.
After the meeting I ate wayyyy too many crepes. I made a ham and cheese one, and then a dark chocolate, banana and whipped cream one. De-lish! After my stomach was full, we had a tour of the Musee d'Orsay. Awesome museum with a lot of paintings! I saw all of Vincent Van Gogh. Monet, Gaugin, etc.'s works of art!
Then we all went home, I took a nap and then proceeded to go out again. This night was the biggest night so far. Jordan, Joy, Libby and I met up with our friends at Pizza Pino where we had a late dinner at like 11 until 12:30 am We then went to Buddha Bar, there is one in New York that I had been to before, and it's really cool. We put these "sugar daddies" as I would call them from the United Arab Emirates and they bought us EVERYTHING. I'm talking of partron shots, vodka, etc.. I had my first shot of Absinthe with them and its all a blur! So fun tho, we were there until the bar closed at 3 am and then came home. It was a good night and i "m sure there will be many more!
Stay Tuned!
Friday was quite a day of festivities. First, we started off with ice skating at the Hotel de Ville. In this big courtyard in front of the hotel was gorgeous this little ice skating rink. I'm not gonna lie, I did a pretty damn good job ice-skaking. No I am Nancy Kerrigan, but I sure felt like it. Many French people were taking pictures of us, I pretty much won the gold.
After skating Jordan and I decided to hit up the BALANCES (dirty). Bad idea. Running around in the masses of people and trying to tell yourself "No, I dont need this" is impossible. Mind you, that at 6:15 pm we had a tour of the Louvre that Jordan and I did not want to miss. Of course, we were so busy shopping that we completely lost track of time and next thing you know, we look down at our watches and its 6:30. We called our API advisor who does not really speak good Francais and tried to find out where our group was, and if we could still make the turn. Again, we got lost in the metro and by the time we got to the Louvre, our API advisor and group were no where to be found. Wonderful. So Jordan and I said screw it! and we went and got good pizza and headed back home for a short nap.
At night we met up with our friends from SDSU and tried to go to Duplex. Its a hip and happening club, but there were too many guys to girls, and we all forgot our id's, so getting in did not happen. Why I didn't think to bring my id, I dont know. Retardation. Jordan So instead, our friends from U of Chicago and I went back to the Bastille area and hit up the bars. There, Jordana and I made a love connection (hers with zoey-g) with our friends and it was a fun night.
Saturday: What a day. Being hungover during a 3 hour meeting API is no bueno and no fun-o. We had a meeting where we learned all of what we needed to know for survival. This included where to find groceries, clothes, etc.. It was a good thing that I remembered to set an alarm when I got home at night Because if I didn't, I would be toast.
After the meeting I ate wayyyy too many crepes. I made a ham and cheese one, and then a dark chocolate, banana and whipped cream one. De-lish! After my stomach was full, we had a tour of the Musee d'Orsay. Awesome museum with a lot of paintings! I saw all of Vincent Van Gogh. Monet, Gaugin, etc.'s works of art!
Then we all went home, I took a nap and then proceeded to go out again. This night was the biggest night so far. Jordan, Joy, Libby and I met up with our friends at Pizza Pino where we had a late dinner at like 11 until 12:30 am We then went to Buddha Bar, there is one in New York that I had been to before, and it's really cool. We put these "sugar daddies" as I would call them from the United Arab Emirates and they bought us EVERYTHING. I'm talking of partron shots, vodka, etc.. I had my first shot of Absinthe with them and its all a blur! So fun tho, we were there until the bar closed at 3 am and then came home. It was a good night and i "m sure there will be many more!
Stay Tuned!
jeudi 7 janvier 2010
Jour 4--Dauphine visite!
Today, we went to take a tour of our school-Dauphine. No worries though, the walk through the subway went very well! Jordan, Joy and I have mastered the RER B line!
The school is very cool. It is going to be very confusing though come scheduling time. The French school system is very different. We sign up for classes at school, and once you get them, you have to roam the hallways to find out who's your professor, what time your class is, where is your class, etc.. It is NOT computer-based like in the States. You become very independent doing this task, and I'm freakin 'out already. Trying to find where I need to go to class at San Diego State University is hard enough, this is goin to be impossible!
Even better, grades are posted differently in France. Unlike posting them on the computer, grades for tests, projects, and final grades are posted in the hallway for everyone to see! Even better, some professors on the last day of class orally announce what each individual received! That is ridiculous! Put me on suicide watch for those two weeks!
After our tour, we went back to the FIRE and I slept a lot. Later on, we met up with two of our friends who are doing a month-long study / travel trip through our school. We ate at Cafe L'Amazonial again b / c we love it there and had a bottle of wine, my favorite goat cheese salad, creme brulee, and apple vodka drinks on the house (yes!) B / c the waiters loved us so much! Tomorrow we plan on going clubbing - American style, b / c that's just what Americans do in Paris!
Stay tuned! Bye!
The school is very cool. It is going to be very confusing though come scheduling time. The French school system is very different. We sign up for classes at school, and once you get them, you have to roam the hallways to find out who's your professor, what time your class is, where is your class, etc.. It is NOT computer-based like in the States. You become very independent doing this task, and I'm freakin 'out already. Trying to find where I need to go to class at San Diego State University is hard enough, this is goin to be impossible!
Even better, grades are posted differently in France. Unlike posting them on the computer, grades for tests, projects, and final grades are posted in the hallway for everyone to see! Even better, some professors on the last day of class orally announce what each individual received! That is ridiculous! Put me on suicide watch for those two weeks!
After our tour, we went back to the FIRE and I slept a lot. Later on, we met up with two of our friends who are doing a month-long study / travel trip through our school. We ate at Cafe L'Amazonial again b / c we love it there and had a bottle of wine, my favorite goat cheese salad, creme brulee, and apple vodka drinks on the house (yes!) B / c the waiters loved us so much! Tomorrow we plan on going clubbing - American style, b / c that's just what Americans do in Paris!
Stay tuned! Bye!
Jour 3-- Perdu dans le metro! oh no!
I am not kidding you, the metro in Paris is very confusing. So confusing, it leads to stress, which leads to frustration, which leads to you wanting to never take it!
We woke up in the morning, packed our bags quickly, and moved out of the Hotel Citadines. The stay was great. Jordan and I had many a good night in our closet-style room, and our beds somehow managed to inch closer and closer to each other each night.
We spread up into groups- those going to live in the Cite Universitate (the dorms) in the Foundation des Etats-Unis building were to go in one car; and the others living in Vivaldi (another dorm) and homestays went in another. We took a short ride up north were we stopped infront of the FEU. Now the Cite is really like a mini city. There are 27 "houses" or dorms and each has a different country's name. Students of those countries usually stay in them as well as other nationalities.
We got our room keys, and I moved into my dorm room on the first floor. The room is quite large, with a big closet, a sink, a twin bed, an Anne Frank era furniture. It's old, but it will do. A negative about the dorms is that the toilettes and showers are down the hall. You must constantly push a button every 30 seconds in the shower to keep the water hot and flowing...I dont think I can try this just yet!
After we were settled, we had another meeting about schools. I am going to be at the Universite Paris Dauphine. I start January 25th and dont know what to expect!
After our meeting, Jordan and I wanted to head back to the FEU to shop for some much needed things for our dorm. This when confusion occurred. We weren't really paying attention in the beginning when we first took the metro from the FEU to the API center int the centre of Paris. Soooo we were in for a big one. We walked down the Forum Les Halles metro entrance and were instantly lost in the masses of people using the metro. Mind you, that today was the first day of SOLDES- the mandatory month-long sales mandated by the government. EVERYONE was out!
Jordan and I were standing in the middle of the metro talking and trying to figure out which line to take back, when a man tried to pick-pocket me! Jordan slapped my bag and the guy just casually walked away. No big deal, not scary at all?!! From then on, we freaked out and eventually found the line. Thank god!
When we returned we went to Monoprix (a massive superstore) and got food. We came back and went out for the evening with some study-abroaders from U of CHicago living on our floor. I discovered that one of my best guy friends from grade school was in the group and living directly above me! It had been 4 years since I had last seen him! We had a blast going out to bars in Bastille!
More to come! Au revoir!
We woke up in the morning, packed our bags quickly, and moved out of the Hotel Citadines. The stay was great. Jordan and I had many a good night in our closet-style room, and our beds somehow managed to inch closer and closer to each other each night.
We spread up into groups- those going to live in the Cite Universitate (the dorms) in the Foundation des Etats-Unis building were to go in one car; and the others living in Vivaldi (another dorm) and homestays went in another. We took a short ride up north were we stopped infront of the FEU. Now the Cite is really like a mini city. There are 27 "houses" or dorms and each has a different country's name. Students of those countries usually stay in them as well as other nationalities.
We got our room keys, and I moved into my dorm room on the first floor. The room is quite large, with a big closet, a sink, a twin bed, an Anne Frank era furniture. It's old, but it will do. A negative about the dorms is that the toilettes and showers are down the hall. You must constantly push a button every 30 seconds in the shower to keep the water hot and flowing...I dont think I can try this just yet!
After we were settled, we had another meeting about schools. I am going to be at the Universite Paris Dauphine. I start January 25th and dont know what to expect!
After our meeting, Jordan and I wanted to head back to the FEU to shop for some much needed things for our dorm. This when confusion occurred. We weren't really paying attention in the beginning when we first took the metro from the FEU to the API center int the centre of Paris. Soooo we were in for a big one. We walked down the Forum Les Halles metro entrance and were instantly lost in the masses of people using the metro. Mind you, that today was the first day of SOLDES- the mandatory month-long sales mandated by the government. EVERYONE was out!
Jordan and I were standing in the middle of the metro talking and trying to figure out which line to take back, when a man tried to pick-pocket me! Jordan slapped my bag and the guy just casually walked away. No big deal, not scary at all?!! From then on, we freaked out and eventually found the line. Thank god!
When we returned we went to Monoprix (a massive superstore) and got food. We came back and went out for the evening with some study-abroaders from U of CHicago living on our floor. I discovered that one of my best guy friends from grade school was in the group and living directly above me! It had been 4 years since I had last seen him! We had a blast going out to bars in Bastille!
More to come! Au revoir!
Jour 2- Rendez-vous avec "penny-pal" Alexie!
Holy Jet-lag!
First of all, I did not sleep well. I woke up many times at different hours, until I finally woke up at 6 a.m. to the sweet sounds of French screams and rejoices from above. What party was crackin a 6 a.m.? We'll never know, but much appreciated!
The continental b-fast at the hotel etait manificat! I enjoyed having boiled egges, cheese, ham, cereal, crackers galore, and more cheese at 9 a.m. French b-fast gets the body rollin and makes the tummy satisfied!
After le petit dejeuner, we had a housing orientation meeting at the API centre which lasted what seemed a decade--really that's what it feels like when your so jet-lagged. Apres, we took a tour of the metro. A positive about the metro: its fast, convenient, and will just about take you anywhere around the center of Paris. A negative: confusion, confusion and more confusion with a little bit of danger b/c all of the pick-pocketers creepily roaming about.
After we ha da lunch break were i ravaged a delicious panni au fromage et du jambon (cheese and ham, and then back for more info sessions. Help!
Then the fun began. Instead of taking a tour on the Bateau Mouche on the Seine River, Jordan and I wanted to meet up with her pen-pal named Alexie Perez-Sobrino. After searching for him at 4 of the 10 chatelet metro openings, we finally met! He is a French male, 20 yrs old, who speaks good English and knows the city like the back of his hand. We walked to the Latin Quartier where it houses the oldest buildings, shops, and restaurants in Paris. It's a very happening place! We decided to go to a bar named Cafe Latin where the three of us sat down and ordered a bottle of white wine.
A little thing to know about me, I am not fond of wine. I try and drink it but I just cant develop a taste for it. I am determined during my 5 and a 1/2 month stay here to like the beverage. When Alexie ordered the wine (the French know their wine), I fell instantly in-love! It was the best white wine I've ever tried.
We talked about ourselves for a while--our interests, what we do, etc.--and then moved to the more important things to discuss in life--how to say swear words in French. This conversation infused with translations from english to french on paper (for me to keep on hand) lasted for the duration of our stay. It was hysterical. So funny, that we were causing a scene and one of the bar owners came over (a tall Black male with a Jamaican vibe) to chat. We discussed Amsterdam, and how it is necessary to travel there. Believe me, it's on my list of things to do!
We were having so much fun, and the guy liked us to much, they gave us another round of wine on the house! We chatted all night until the bar closed. We said a demain (see you tomorrow), they gave us their business card to come back (which we will), and were on our way home!
Such a fun night, I hope the nights continue to be this exciting!
Au revoir for now!
First of all, I did not sleep well. I woke up many times at different hours, until I finally woke up at 6 a.m. to the sweet sounds of French screams and rejoices from above. What party was crackin a 6 a.m.? We'll never know, but much appreciated!
The continental b-fast at the hotel etait manificat! I enjoyed having boiled egges, cheese, ham, cereal, crackers galore, and more cheese at 9 a.m. French b-fast gets the body rollin and makes the tummy satisfied!
After le petit dejeuner, we had a housing orientation meeting at the API centre which lasted what seemed a decade--really that's what it feels like when your so jet-lagged. Apres, we took a tour of the metro. A positive about the metro: its fast, convenient, and will just about take you anywhere around the center of Paris. A negative: confusion, confusion and more confusion with a little bit of danger b/c all of the pick-pocketers creepily roaming about.
After we ha da lunch break were i ravaged a delicious panni au fromage et du jambon (cheese and ham, and then back for more info sessions. Help!
Then the fun began. Instead of taking a tour on the Bateau Mouche on the Seine River, Jordan and I wanted to meet up with her pen-pal named Alexie Perez-Sobrino. After searching for him at 4 of the 10 chatelet metro openings, we finally met! He is a French male, 20 yrs old, who speaks good English and knows the city like the back of his hand. We walked to the Latin Quartier where it houses the oldest buildings, shops, and restaurants in Paris. It's a very happening place! We decided to go to a bar named Cafe Latin where the three of us sat down and ordered a bottle of white wine.
A little thing to know about me, I am not fond of wine. I try and drink it but I just cant develop a taste for it. I am determined during my 5 and a 1/2 month stay here to like the beverage. When Alexie ordered the wine (the French know their wine), I fell instantly in-love! It was the best white wine I've ever tried.
We talked about ourselves for a while--our interests, what we do, etc.--and then moved to the more important things to discuss in life--how to say swear words in French. This conversation infused with translations from english to french on paper (for me to keep on hand) lasted for the duration of our stay. It was hysterical. So funny, that we were causing a scene and one of the bar owners came over (a tall Black male with a Jamaican vibe) to chat. We discussed Amsterdam, and how it is necessary to travel there. Believe me, it's on my list of things to do!
We were having so much fun, and the guy liked us to much, they gave us another round of wine on the house! We chatted all night until the bar closed. We said a demain (see you tomorrow), they gave us their business card to come back (which we will), and were on our way home!
Such a fun night, I hope the nights continue to be this exciting!
Au revoir for now!
Mon Arrrive en Paris~~~ My Arrival in Paris!
January 4th, 2010,
Bonjour Paris!
After 12 hours and 25 minutes of flying, from San Diego to Dallas (including a 4 and 1/2 hr layover which should have only been an hour and a 1/2) to Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris, I have finally reached mon destination finale!
A special thank you to customs and baggage claim at CDG, I was majorly jet-lagged and just wanted to get as far away from an airport as possible, and your services were very quick, so merci!
When I arrived at the airport, I was greeted by mon meilleure amie (best friend) Jordan who was patiently waiting for me. We grabbed a cart for our bags, (one 56 lb bag and one 50lb bag plus two carry ons cannot be accomplished by one human, machines must assist!) and were off to paradise. Thank you to Daniel Edward Evans Jr., for without him, we would most likely be in a taxi headed to Spain for all we know. Because of my 4 and a half hour layover, I got in 3 hours later from my arrival time, which caused me to miss the airport pickup Jordan and I had set up through our study abroad program- API (Academic Programs International). My dad wasnt going to let that fly, and so he called Chelsea, our program coordinator, and made dreams come true.
The relationship between our driver started off cold and quiet, but towards the end became warm and very enlightening. He told us all of the cool bars to hit up, and how "Americans" only go to clubs, and the French prefer bars or local cafes for late-night festivies. Well, i know where to go now!
We arrived at the Hotel Citadines in the centre of Paris on Rue Chatelet les Halles. It's a happening joint! The room was quaint; Jordan and I shared a room where there were too twin beds and a closet...nothing else. Almost like a prison. Next to us was another room where we met Joy and Kyle (a girl pronounced Kylie) who were our suitemates! Time to chit-chat and rest was short though because we had meetings upon meetings to sit through for our program! Just what I needed!
Melissa Ladd is our resident director. She is a petite blonde with a bubbly personality and very down-to-earth. Anne-Mairie is the Director of Paris Center, she's French, and a lover of French cuisine. She tells it how it is. It will take a while to get used to this, but she's very nice and informative!
After 3 and a 1/2 hours of orientation procedures, me and 14 of us study abroaders for this semester went to a grande repas (big dinner) au Cafe L'Amazoniale. The food was awesome, and the conversation was great! I food a new love for goat cheese wrapped in bacon- who woulda thought!
The best part of the dinner was Jordan's inability to stay awake. Many times I would catch her eyes rolling into the back of her head or her about to collapse onto her plate... very disturbing but hilarious at the same time. Mnny of the things she said did not make sense, but thank god for creme brulee b/c it brought her back to life!
A four course meal, and overstuffed stomach later, we went back to our hotel room and retired for the evening. C'est un bon journee!
Bonjour Paris!
After 12 hours and 25 minutes of flying, from San Diego to Dallas (including a 4 and 1/2 hr layover which should have only been an hour and a 1/2) to Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris, I have finally reached mon destination finale!
A special thank you to customs and baggage claim at CDG, I was majorly jet-lagged and just wanted to get as far away from an airport as possible, and your services were very quick, so merci!
When I arrived at the airport, I was greeted by mon meilleure amie (best friend) Jordan who was patiently waiting for me. We grabbed a cart for our bags, (one 56 lb bag and one 50lb bag plus two carry ons cannot be accomplished by one human, machines must assist!) and were off to paradise. Thank you to Daniel Edward Evans Jr., for without him, we would most likely be in a taxi headed to Spain for all we know. Because of my 4 and a half hour layover, I got in 3 hours later from my arrival time, which caused me to miss the airport pickup Jordan and I had set up through our study abroad program- API (Academic Programs International). My dad wasnt going to let that fly, and so he called Chelsea, our program coordinator, and made dreams come true.
The relationship between our driver started off cold and quiet, but towards the end became warm and very enlightening. He told us all of the cool bars to hit up, and how "Americans" only go to clubs, and the French prefer bars or local cafes for late-night festivies. Well, i know where to go now!
We arrived at the Hotel Citadines in the centre of Paris on Rue Chatelet les Halles. It's a happening joint! The room was quaint; Jordan and I shared a room where there were too twin beds and a closet...nothing else. Almost like a prison. Next to us was another room where we met Joy and Kyle (a girl pronounced Kylie) who were our suitemates! Time to chit-chat and rest was short though because we had meetings upon meetings to sit through for our program! Just what I needed!
Melissa Ladd is our resident director. She is a petite blonde with a bubbly personality and very down-to-earth. Anne-Mairie is the Director of Paris Center, she's French, and a lover of French cuisine. She tells it how it is. It will take a while to get used to this, but she's very nice and informative!
After 3 and a 1/2 hours of orientation procedures, me and 14 of us study abroaders for this semester went to a grande repas (big dinner) au Cafe L'Amazoniale. The food was awesome, and the conversation was great! I food a new love for goat cheese wrapped in bacon- who woulda thought!
The best part of the dinner was Jordan's inability to stay awake. Many times I would catch her eyes rolling into the back of her head or her about to collapse onto her plate... very disturbing but hilarious at the same time. Mnny of the things she said did not make sense, but thank god for creme brulee b/c it brought her back to life!
A four course meal, and overstuffed stomach later, we went back to our hotel room and retired for the evening. C'est un bon journee!
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