My time in Paris has flown by extremely quickly. I can hardly believe that the month is over. Today was the last day of classes. Last night was our farewell dinner. It really has been in the blink of an eye. I will be posting a few blogs in the next couple of days to let you all know what has been happening the last couple of weeks.
First I would like to talk about my trip to Loches. Many of you know that Mimi's mother was a Deloach and the name hailed from Loches, France. When I made plans to come to Paris, Mimi insisted that I visit the town of my ancestors. The weekend of the 16th was a free weekend for our program so my friend Mariam and I set out for Loches. We took a train from Paris to Tours then a bus from Tours to Loches. All in all, the travel was painless and inexpensive. I did only a little bit of research befoe we left. When we arrived, I was armed with only a few names of hotels in the town. However, Loches was so small that it was not hard to navigate, even with luggage and a tiny bit of French. Hardly anyone in the town spoke French but we managed well. In Paris, one can speak English almost everywhere. This was an interesting change for us and we took it as a challenge to test our skills. We went to two hotels before we found one that had a free room. The hotel was inexpensive and the people were kind. They spoke slowly for us and were patient. After checking in with the hotel, Mariam and I went up to the chateau. The chateau de Loches sits a the top of a hill and it can be seen from almost everywhere in town. In addition to the chateau, there is also an old fortress and a church. All three are in very good condition. On the first day, we saw the church and the fort. By the time we got inside the fortress and started touring, we only had about 2 hours to see the whole thing. Hardly enough time! The fort was really cool. We walked all the way up the tower and onto the roof where soldiers would lookout onto the countryside and defend the fort if necessary. This sight was amazing. We could see for miles of the most beautiful countryside. It took a moment of concentration to imagine what this sight might have looked like in the Middle Ages. We took so many pictures! The fort also had a torture room, underground tunnels, and a surprisingly beautiful garden. After we finished at the fort, we went to a bakery to pick up a snack and then we went to the banks of a smalll river that cuts through the town. We walked up and down the river for a while and then went back to our hotel to go to bed.
The next morning, we had a list of things to accomplish before returning to Paris so we started early. First, a quick breakfast then we checked out of the hotel and went to explore the town a little. We went to the top of the hill to see the inside of the chateau and to dig into the gift shop. In the chateau, we saw the room that Joan of Arc met with the king of France, Charles VII.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_of_arc
We also saw the Tower of Agnes Sorel. Agnes was the mistress of King Charles VII and the chateau de Loches was her country home.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agn%C3%A8s_Sorel
To say that the chateau is picturesque would be a gross understatement. The chateau, fort, church, and town are all extremely beautiful. After visiting the chateau we stopped by the gift shop and I picked up the things that I think Mimi would like. We left Loches for Tours via bus around 3pm. I simply loved this town and everything in it. I want to return and I would love to move there one day although I don't know if my mother would let me move to France!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C3%A2teau_de_Loches
We walked around Tours a bit while waiting for our train to leave for Paris. It was nice to see another city besides Paris. We didn't spend enough time here.
The whole weekend was so wonderful. I don't even know how to express it in words! When I get back to DC, I will post pictures so you can see for yourselves! Thank you for reading. Check back again soon.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
So much Paris, so little time
Hello everyone!
I have officially finished my first week of classes here in Paris. It has been an interesting first week, to say the least.
I was originally put into a class level that is a bit too difficult for me and I thought I would be able to switch. But as it turns out there is not enough space in the level below me so I must stay where I am. This has proven to be quite frustrating and difficult. My faculty advisor from Mason advises me that he has the final say on the grade that I will get through Mason and he will take all aspects of the study abroad into consideration, not just the classroom grade from the institut. This is all good news for me.
My class schedule is set up as follows: daily class from 9am-noon, phonetics workshop once a week from 2pm-5pm, and writing workshop once a week from 2pm-5pm. This schedule is giving me a wellrounded approach to learning French. Moreover, I have three professors from which to learn giving me even more exposure to the language.
During this first week, I got to see quite a bit of Paris. On Saturday, the group took a walking/metro tour of Paris.
The first and most interesting stop was the Paris catacombs. Deep under the city lies the final resting place for thousands of people. The bones of these are stacked floor to ceiling through an underground chamber of tunnels. The whole thing is extremely eerie.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Catacombs
Next, we stopped at Canal Saint Martin. This was pretty much only interesting because Audrey Tatou famously skipped rocks at the canal in the film Amelie.
Then we mae a quick stop at the American Embassy just to see it, and then a stop at the home of the French President, Sarcozy.
After this, we stopped by the Moulin Rouge long enough to snap a few pictures and then went to Sacre Coeur.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moulin_Rouge
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilique_du_Sacr%C3%A9-C%C5%93ur,_Paris
On Sunday, a group from our study abroad went to Versailles for the day. This was so much fun. I really enjoyed seeing it. We roamed around the extensive and beautiful gardens for a while, toured the chateau, and stopped by Marie Antoinette's garden home.
We left Versailles just in time to make it to the Eiffel Tower to watch the World Cup final match. Fifa sponsored huge projection screens right next to the Eiffel Tower to show the game. The crowd was overwhelmingly in favor of Spain and went absolutely bananas when the game ended. There was some rioting, some flares, fireworks, and finally some teargas. In the end, we made it out alive. I loved seeing the spirit of the youths out here. I cannot even imagine what Barcelona was like last night.
For those of you with Facebook, keep an eye out for pictures. They are on the way!
Enjoy Bastille Day and thank you for reading!
I have officially finished my first week of classes here in Paris. It has been an interesting first week, to say the least.
I was originally put into a class level that is a bit too difficult for me and I thought I would be able to switch. But as it turns out there is not enough space in the level below me so I must stay where I am. This has proven to be quite frustrating and difficult. My faculty advisor from Mason advises me that he has the final say on the grade that I will get through Mason and he will take all aspects of the study abroad into consideration, not just the classroom grade from the institut. This is all good news for me.
My class schedule is set up as follows: daily class from 9am-noon, phonetics workshop once a week from 2pm-5pm, and writing workshop once a week from 2pm-5pm. This schedule is giving me a wellrounded approach to learning French. Moreover, I have three professors from which to learn giving me even more exposure to the language.
During this first week, I got to see quite a bit of Paris. On Saturday, the group took a walking/metro tour of Paris.
The first and most interesting stop was the Paris catacombs. Deep under the city lies the final resting place for thousands of people. The bones of these are stacked floor to ceiling through an underground chamber of tunnels. The whole thing is extremely eerie.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Catacombs
Next, we stopped at Canal Saint Martin. This was pretty much only interesting because Audrey Tatou famously skipped rocks at the canal in the film Amelie.
Then we mae a quick stop at the American Embassy just to see it, and then a stop at the home of the French President, Sarcozy.
After this, we stopped by the Moulin Rouge long enough to snap a few pictures and then went to Sacre Coeur.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moulin_Rouge
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilique_du_Sacr%C3%A9-C%C5%93ur,_Paris
On Sunday, a group from our study abroad went to Versailles for the day. This was so much fun. I really enjoyed seeing it. We roamed around the extensive and beautiful gardens for a while, toured the chateau, and stopped by Marie Antoinette's garden home.
We left Versailles just in time to make it to the Eiffel Tower to watch the World Cup final match. Fifa sponsored huge projection screens right next to the Eiffel Tower to show the game. The crowd was overwhelmingly in favor of Spain and went absolutely bananas when the game ended. There was some rioting, some flares, fireworks, and finally some teargas. In the end, we made it out alive. I loved seeing the spirit of the youths out here. I cannot even imagine what Barcelona was like last night.
For those of you with Facebook, keep an eye out for pictures. They are on the way!
Enjoy Bastille Day and thank you for reading!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Paris and I
Hello everyone!
I am abroad again for the summer and I thought I could easily let everyone know about my trip by starting up this blog again.
Last summer I was mumbling a little French in Morocco. This summer I am still mumbling French but now I am in Paris attempting to actually learn something! Tomorrow will be the end of my first week. My trip is a four week French language program through George Mason. After two years of language classes, I will finally satisfy my language requirement for my degree. And what better way than to do it in Paris?
I am taking classes through a Parisen institut and living in an international student hostel. I am living in what is called the Fifth Arrondissement. It is known for the nightlife and student population. There are several universities in the area and I constantly hear a number of different languages spoken on the street. I am living across the street from the Luxembourg gardens and just a brisk walk down the road from Notre Dame; the Louvre is walking distance (albeit a bit far) from our hostel.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5th_arrondissement_of_Paris
As I wrap up my first week here in Paris, I make note of my first impressions. I haven't met any rude Parisens. Weird, eh? Everyone seems to be very friendly. Two friends and I even received assistance from random people on the street when we were struggling to carry our luggage up stairs and on sidewalks. In fact I was pleasantly surprised when we were treated with such kindness. The city is very clean and is always lively. One stereotype that seems to be true is that of the city of love... We have an ongoing count of couples we find kissing in public places. The count is at 13 today. I have seen a couple French poodles and lots of very French fashion. AND an average size block of brie cheese is only one euro! Amazing.
Since I have been here, I have been to the Louvre, walked around Notre Dame, and sat at a number of cafes. I have been to the Pantheon and into the Luxembourg gardens at least twice a day on school days. This upcoming weekend we have a walking tour of Paris planned, so I will surely see more of the city and I can't wait to explore more of this beautiful city.
Until then, I hope you are all doing well. Thank you for reading!
ps, hi natalie.
I am abroad again for the summer and I thought I could easily let everyone know about my trip by starting up this blog again.
Last summer I was mumbling a little French in Morocco. This summer I am still mumbling French but now I am in Paris attempting to actually learn something! Tomorrow will be the end of my first week. My trip is a four week French language program through George Mason. After two years of language classes, I will finally satisfy my language requirement for my degree. And what better way than to do it in Paris?
I am taking classes through a Parisen institut and living in an international student hostel. I am living in what is called the Fifth Arrondissement. It is known for the nightlife and student population. There are several universities in the area and I constantly hear a number of different languages spoken on the street. I am living across the street from the Luxembourg gardens and just a brisk walk down the road from Notre Dame; the Louvre is walking distance (albeit a bit far) from our hostel.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5th_arrondissement_of_Paris
As I wrap up my first week here in Paris, I make note of my first impressions. I haven't met any rude Parisens. Weird, eh? Everyone seems to be very friendly. Two friends and I even received assistance from random people on the street when we were struggling to carry our luggage up stairs and on sidewalks. In fact I was pleasantly surprised when we were treated with such kindness. The city is very clean and is always lively. One stereotype that seems to be true is that of the city of love... We have an ongoing count of couples we find kissing in public places. The count is at 13 today. I have seen a couple French poodles and lots of very French fashion. AND an average size block of brie cheese is only one euro! Amazing.
Since I have been here, I have been to the Louvre, walked around Notre Dame, and sat at a number of cafes. I have been to the Pantheon and into the Luxembourg gardens at least twice a day on school days. This upcoming weekend we have a walking tour of Paris planned, so I will surely see more of the city and I can't wait to explore more of this beautiful city.
Until then, I hope you are all doing well. Thank you for reading!
ps, hi natalie.
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