When living in a city far away, there comes a point when distraction sets in and, for a fleeting moment, you forget about your life back home. I had several of those moments in the two weeks and I send my apologies for neglecting you all. Since last time, I have celebrated St. Patrick's day, gone to Chartres Cathedral, given a thirty minute oral presentation to my Institut Catholique class, and spent a lovely week with my parents.
St Patrick's Day:
A holiday much more exuberantly celebrated here than in the US, I assume because of the proximity to Ireland. It was quite nice, actually. It was the first time that most of our program all got a chance to hang out together outside of the classroom. An overwhelming abundance of shamrock pins, hats and singing.
Chartres Cathedral:
I have dreamt about visiting this church since I studied it in high school. Known for it's stained glass windows, Chartres is one of the oldest cathedrals in France and has the 3rd largest crypt in the world. The Cathedral was stunning even if the windows weren't as thrilling as I had expected. I think the most beautiful parts were the marble labyrinth on the floor and the gothic semi-circle wall around the altar. The windows, of course, were beautiful, but the intricate carving and decoration on the inside was really amazing.
It was such a pleasure to have my parents here this past week and to really so them my Paris. Although there were some hiccups, mom got sick and there were some sub-par meals, I think they were able to get a taste of how my life has been going here. The highlight by far was our dinner with Helene and Thomas. It was so funny to hear Helene speak in English, because she rarely does when we are at home. She prepared a fabulous aperitif which consisted of far more than appetizers. Thomas loved getting a chance to speak English and mom thought Helene was a hoot. We found out that Helene is a virgo and Thomas is a Tauren just like my parents, what a coincidence. At the end of the evening, seeing how much my mom enjoyed the Laduree cookbook that Helene published, gave mom her copy. She is really one of the most generous people. The sadness of having to leave her is already starting to set in.
We have spring break starting on Friday and I am beyond ready for a break. I am going to Nice with Laurel and plan on doing nothing but lie on the beach. I need some sun.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 2011
One French entry
À cause de ce qui m’attend ce soir, j’écris tous ce blog en français. Ce soir, il y a quatre amis d’Hélène qui viennent ici (y compris son fils) pour dîner. Ma camarade de chambre est à Prague donc, je suis toute seule. C’était un bon weekend sans elle, mais dans une situation comme ça, je voudrais qu’il y aura une autre personne pour faire référence s’il y a un problème avec compréhension. Bref, j’essayerai et je parlerai ma meilleure française.
Nous avons fini les examens de mi-semestre cette semaine. C’était la semaine la plus stressant que j’ai eu en tous ce voyage. Je n’ai pas les examens beaucoup à Whitman parce que j’écris des comptes-rendus le plus souvent. J’ai eu 4 examens cette semaine dernière et tous en français ! C’était difficile. J’ai trouvé aussi que je suis obligé de donner un présentation de 30 minutes pour mon cours a l’institut catholique, devant une classe des étudiants élites et français ! Aidez-moi ! Nous devons présenter sur un sujet que la prof nous a donné. Mon sujet ? Les pouvoirs présidentiels dans les lois constitutionnelles en 1875. Mon dieu. Priez pour moi.
Sur une note plus léger, vendredi, je suis allée à la ville de Reims. C’est le centre de la production de champagne et le lieu de l’église Notre Dame de Reims. Notre Dame de Reims était là pour presque 800 années. Il est plus ancien, plus large et plus orna que Notre Dame de Paris. Mais, dedans, il y des fenêtres en verre souillées par Marc Chagall. Ensuite, nous sommes allées à un bon déjeuner de potage aux légumes, rôti de porc et crème caramel. Après, nous avons reçu un excursion de la maison Pommery, un producteur de champagnes. C’était très intéressant et délicieux. Quand nous sommes parties de Reims, nous avons vu la maison de Veuve Clicquot et Moët. C’a été une bonne journée.
Hier, je suis allée à Berthillon, la plus célèbre producteur de la glace à Paris. Et maintenant je sais pourquoi. C'était la meilleure crème glacée que j'ai jamais eue. C’est naturel aussi !
J’aime les Parisiennes et les Français mais, j’ai noté qu’ils sont les moins politiquement correcte gens en tout le monde. C’est génial de porter la fourrure, ce soir Hélène est en train de faire un plat traditionnel français avec le veau et ils mangent le fois gras tous le temps. Il me fait un peu inconfortable, mais je dois accepter que ça, c’est leur culture. Mais, je suis heureuse parce qu’Hélène fait du lapin pour dîner demain soir et j’aime beaucoup le lapin.
C’est tout pour maintenant. À tout à l’heure !
Nous avons fini les examens de mi-semestre cette semaine. C’était la semaine la plus stressant que j’ai eu en tous ce voyage. Je n’ai pas les examens beaucoup à Whitman parce que j’écris des comptes-rendus le plus souvent. J’ai eu 4 examens cette semaine dernière et tous en français ! C’était difficile. J’ai trouvé aussi que je suis obligé de donner un présentation de 30 minutes pour mon cours a l’institut catholique, devant une classe des étudiants élites et français ! Aidez-moi ! Nous devons présenter sur un sujet que la prof nous a donné. Mon sujet ? Les pouvoirs présidentiels dans les lois constitutionnelles en 1875. Mon dieu. Priez pour moi.
Sur une note plus léger, vendredi, je suis allée à la ville de Reims. C’est le centre de la production de champagne et le lieu de l’église Notre Dame de Reims. Notre Dame de Reims était là pour presque 800 années. Il est plus ancien, plus large et plus orna que Notre Dame de Paris. Mais, dedans, il y des fenêtres en verre souillées par Marc Chagall. Ensuite, nous sommes allées à un bon déjeuner de potage aux légumes, rôti de porc et crème caramel. Après, nous avons reçu un excursion de la maison Pommery, un producteur de champagnes. C’était très intéressant et délicieux. Quand nous sommes parties de Reims, nous avons vu la maison de Veuve Clicquot et Moët. C’a été une bonne journée.
Hier, je suis allée à Berthillon, la plus célèbre producteur de la glace à Paris. Et maintenant je sais pourquoi. C'était la meilleure crème glacée que j'ai jamais eue. C’est naturel aussi !
J’aime les Parisiennes et les Français mais, j’ai noté qu’ils sont les moins politiquement correcte gens en tout le monde. C’est génial de porter la fourrure, ce soir Hélène est en train de faire un plat traditionnel français avec le veau et ils mangent le fois gras tous le temps. Il me fait un peu inconfortable, mais je dois accepter que ça, c’est leur culture. Mais, je suis heureuse parce qu’Hélène fait du lapin pour dîner demain soir et j’aime beaucoup le lapin.
C’est tout pour maintenant. À tout à l’heure !
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Fashion Week: the good, the bad and the ugly
As the tents and trailers and models and cameras rolled in this week for the Pret-a-porter shows, so did the tourists, the closed lanes and the traffic. Two lessons learned: allow 25 extra minutes minimum to get anywhere and always carry a camera. Just to scratch the surface of what I have seen this week: the skinniest women in the world, sky-high heels, fur coats and one silver metallic fingerless glove. But who am I to complain-I get to be in Paris for Fashion Week.
On Thursday morning we arose at 6:30 to see the sunrise at the Sacre Coeur- a church up on a hill which overlooks all of Paris. The weather had been clear all week so we thought the conditions were optimal. Regardless of the freezing cold, I think this is a necessary adventure for anyone visiting Paris. It was absolutely stunning and it lacked all the peddlers and crazy people who normally hang out in Montmartre. Outside the sunrise was glorious as was the church inside. Wonderfully peaceful, it was a fantastic way to start the day. Much to our surprise, the church still has a group of nuns (full habit-wearing nuns) who practice in the church and live next door. While we were walking through the ambulatory of the church, they were on the altar praying and then started singing. It was quite magical. After the sun had risen, we went to have breakfast in the Marais and got to school in time for our first class. All in all a very productive morning.
Friday, two high school friends came into town so I met them at the train station and took them to their hotel. It felt nice to actually be the knowledgeable one for once. Saturday we explored the area around the eiffel tower which I had not done yet. We didn't climb it because Paris on Saturdays is mind-blowingly crowded. I showed them the Champs-Elysees, Hotel des Invalides and the Louvre.
Today, Laurel and I went to a flea market. Suffice to say, I cannot let myself go every weekend or I will completely blow my budget. They are so cool! Everything from old prints, to clothes, to street signs and dishes. Everything you could every want, really. I got a beautiful antique map, shell dish and a silver egg cup. One stand had a vintage Chanel bag for 1500 euro. yikes. Tonight, Helene made dinner for Sonia's birthday which was on Thursday. I think it was one of the most French meals I have had so far.
Midterms start this week. Oh no....
Notable Meals:
Sunday
Lunch: Mushroom and cheese crepe from a stand at the flea market. So amazingly delicious. Galettes (savory crepes) are made out of buckwheat flour instead of white and have a rich, earth taste. With the mushrooms and cheese it was absolutely etherial. And only 3.50 euro
Dinner:
Salad of spinach and arugula with shrimp and mushrooms with Thomas's famous balsamic vinaigrette.
Boeuf bourguignon with polenta. (I had never had this dish, though I have heard so much about it. It fulfilled all of my dreams about it)
Chocolate fondue.
During dinner Helene was asking if we ever ate lamb or rabbit, which of course I said yes, so she said she will make her rabbit ragu with gnocci soon. I cannot wait.
On Thursday morning we arose at 6:30 to see the sunrise at the Sacre Coeur- a church up on a hill which overlooks all of Paris. The weather had been clear all week so we thought the conditions were optimal. Regardless of the freezing cold, I think this is a necessary adventure for anyone visiting Paris. It was absolutely stunning and it lacked all the peddlers and crazy people who normally hang out in Montmartre. Outside the sunrise was glorious as was the church inside. Wonderfully peaceful, it was a fantastic way to start the day. Much to our surprise, the church still has a group of nuns (full habit-wearing nuns) who practice in the church and live next door. While we were walking through the ambulatory of the church, they were on the altar praying and then started singing. It was quite magical. After the sun had risen, we went to have breakfast in the Marais and got to school in time for our first class. All in all a very productive morning.
Friday, two high school friends came into town so I met them at the train station and took them to their hotel. It felt nice to actually be the knowledgeable one for once. Saturday we explored the area around the eiffel tower which I had not done yet. We didn't climb it because Paris on Saturdays is mind-blowingly crowded. I showed them the Champs-Elysees, Hotel des Invalides and the Louvre.
Today, Laurel and I went to a flea market. Suffice to say, I cannot let myself go every weekend or I will completely blow my budget. They are so cool! Everything from old prints, to clothes, to street signs and dishes. Everything you could every want, really. I got a beautiful antique map, shell dish and a silver egg cup. One stand had a vintage Chanel bag for 1500 euro. yikes. Tonight, Helene made dinner for Sonia's birthday which was on Thursday. I think it was one of the most French meals I have had so far.
Midterms start this week. Oh no....
Notable Meals:
Sunday
Lunch: Mushroom and cheese crepe from a stand at the flea market. So amazingly delicious. Galettes (savory crepes) are made out of buckwheat flour instead of white and have a rich, earth taste. With the mushrooms and cheese it was absolutely etherial. And only 3.50 euro
Dinner:
Salad of spinach and arugula with shrimp and mushrooms with Thomas's famous balsamic vinaigrette.
Boeuf bourguignon with polenta. (I had never had this dish, though I have heard so much about it. It fulfilled all of my dreams about it)
Chocolate fondue.
During dinner Helene was asking if we ever ate lamb or rabbit, which of course I said yes, so she said she will make her rabbit ragu with gnocci soon. I cannot wait.
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