We stayed in Nice this past weekend after our Florence adventure the weekend before. France, for some reason, is obsessed with having strikes and demonstration days, and they tend to get rowdy early in the morning as to wake us up on Fridays when we can sleep in. A lot of high school kids skipped classes on Fridays to parade around town complaining about the retirement age and screaming lots. After we woke up we went to the beach on Friday and then booked our flights to Paris for the 1st weekend of December! That will be my final European trip because the weekend after that is my last weekend in Nice, and the weekend after that I will be at my sister's wedding! WOO!
We are lucky that we can still go to the beach because the sun is so strong, but the weather is starting to get cooler and it is starting to rain a little more often. I hate when it's cold, but it's still warmer than Syracuse! Jacqueline's friend from college, Isabel, came to visit for the weekend and she arrived Saturday morning. I met up with them Saturday during the day to do some walking around Nice, and then we went out to dinner and went out.
Sunday I woke up early and walked home without an umbrella in the pouring rain. That was so fun. My host mom, Amel, had invited a friend over for lunch and everything was super perfect. She was wearing a dress and high heels, and my host dad was dressed all nicey nice as well. Meanwhile, I was soaked with the same make up on from the day before, and my hair in a wet rat's nest. She set the table with fancy plates and silverwear, and wrapped the napkins up with flower-ish holders. For an "aperitif" we had some white wine with cherry flavored syrup, and cheese and crackers. Then we had two different salads, beef, potatoes, some vegetables, and a cake that was nicer than wedding cakes in the U.S. I had to take a nap after lunch because I was so tired from eating for so long. I have SO much homework do this week so I stayed up late trying to accomplish some, but unfortunately I didn't get very far. I am going to be one busy girl until Thursday is over!
Friday I leave for Barcelona for 5 and a half days! I am SO excited and cannot wait!
lundi 18 octobre 2010
Florence!
Last weekend (Oct. 8) we went to visit one of my 3 roommates and BEST FRIENDS from Le Moyne, Kat Gallagher, in Florence. I have already been to this city in high school, and I loved it, so I was happy to be going back. We took a bus from Nice to Florence and it left at 2am and arrived at 9am. I would say this wasn't the funnest ride of my life, and kind of reminded me of driving to South Carolina every year with my 6 person family in a CAR. I didn't really sleep too much on the bus, but at least it was nice and sunny when we arrived in Italy. Unfortunately, we couldn't check in to our hostel until 3 pm so we had to do stuff all day with no sleep. The hostel had a luggage room (thank goodness) so I didn't have to walk around with my stuff all day. We went to the market and I bought a new purse, naturally, as well as some gifts for my American people. I also got a pair of leather boots which was the best thing in the whole world because I have been looking for some in France since I got here and then I found the perfect ones in Florence!
Once we were able to check in to the hostel and get ready, we walked about 45 minutes to Kat's apartment, which is on the other side of the river. Then we had some wine and chatted with Kat and her roommates until dinner. They have "aperitivos" in Italy which are chic restaurant/bars that serve you a cocktail of your choice and then a small buffet...all for 8 euros! That is super cheap because in Nice we are used to spending 15 or 20 euros everytime we go out to eat. Kat and her roommates took us out to some bars and we met their other friends who are in the same program from the U.S.
Unfortunately, Kat had a little TOO much fun showing us around and ended up going home early due to a stomach problem, and therefore was down and out the rest of the night and the following afternoon. The next day we went and saw some sights like the Duomo and the Ponte Vecchio (may have spelled that wrong). We went out for lunch, but it was kind of cold and we were dressed for Florida weather, like idiots, so we had to head back to the hostel kind of early. We met Kat and her friends out for dinner and then we went out for a little with them. We took it easy the second night because we had to check out by 10 am Sunday, and that is seriously a struggle for us. We sat at breakfast for many hours Sunday morning because I kept saying "blankie, couch, watch tv, milk NOW" in my head, but Italy doesn't know that trick. After we regrouped we walked to Kat's apartment and hung out with them for a little/said goodbye before doing a little more shopping. We went out to lunch at a random Italian place where they spoke ZERO English; the food didn't impress me too much in Florence, and I was happy to be back in Nice where I can gain several lbs a week and not really care. The trip was a lot of fun, and I was SO happy to catch up with Kat! I think we recruited them to come visit us in a few weekends. The clubs and bars are not quite at their level here, but we do have a beach and nicer restaurants. :)
Once we were able to check in to the hostel and get ready, we walked about 45 minutes to Kat's apartment, which is on the other side of the river. Then we had some wine and chatted with Kat and her roommates until dinner. They have "aperitivos" in Italy which are chic restaurant/bars that serve you a cocktail of your choice and then a small buffet...all for 8 euros! That is super cheap because in Nice we are used to spending 15 or 20 euros everytime we go out to eat. Kat and her roommates took us out to some bars and we met their other friends who are in the same program from the U.S.
Unfortunately, Kat had a little TOO much fun showing us around and ended up going home early due to a stomach problem, and therefore was down and out the rest of the night and the following afternoon. The next day we went and saw some sights like the Duomo and the Ponte Vecchio (may have spelled that wrong). We went out for lunch, but it was kind of cold and we were dressed for Florida weather, like idiots, so we had to head back to the hostel kind of early. We met Kat and her friends out for dinner and then we went out for a little with them. We took it easy the second night because we had to check out by 10 am Sunday, and that is seriously a struggle for us. We sat at breakfast for many hours Sunday morning because I kept saying "blankie, couch, watch tv, milk NOW" in my head, but Italy doesn't know that trick. After we regrouped we walked to Kat's apartment and hung out with them for a little/said goodbye before doing a little more shopping. We went out to lunch at a random Italian place where they spoke ZERO English; the food didn't impress me too much in Florence, and I was happy to be back in Nice where I can gain several lbs a week and not really care. The trip was a lot of fun, and I was SO happy to catch up with Kat! I think we recruited them to come visit us in a few weekends. The clubs and bars are not quite at their level here, but we do have a beach and nicer restaurants. :)
mardi 5 octobre 2010
Weekends in France
Two weekends ago we went to Montpellier in southern France. It was about a three hour drive, and Anna and I went in the car with my host family, while Jacqueline took the train. She unfortunately had to pay a lot more than us, however, she did not have to listen to the novel "Matilda" on C.D., for three hours, in French. Montpellier is a super small city, but it has a big university and there were a lot of students out. We had a really great time and it was easy to find places to go out. We met two kids who showed us where some of the better bars and clubs were. The bad part was that they stay open until 5:00 AM, and if I don't get 8 hours of sleep I really want to bite people the next day. Jacqueline, on the other hand, really never wants to leave anywhere before 5:00 AM, God forbid something fun happens in Montpellier without her. Therefore, we compromised for 4:45 AM, and I struggled the following two days.
They have a really great market in the center of Montpellier and it had all sorts of leather goods, shoes, hand made jewelry, rare foods and spices, etc. We spent hours looking at all of the stuff; it was awesome! About a 10 minute walk from the market there is a huge, 4 floor shopping mall. It had all sorts of high end stores as well as regular, affordable shopping too. I really could've spent two days there, and I know my sister and mom would have done some SERIOUS damage if they were to step foot in this place. I'm not sure why Utica doesn't build something like this for us. There was a fashion show going on in the center of the the first floor so everyone was watching that and everyone shopping on the upper floors stopped to look down and watch it. It was really windy in the city, and definitely not as warm as Nice, but still sunny. I would love to go back if we can find a free weekend!
This past weekend, October 3rd, we went to Aix en Provence and Marseille with the Sweet Briar group. Aix was a cute little city, but there were a lot of protestors because all of France is currently fighting the government on the retirement age. We took a bus to Marseille from there, where we checked in to our hotel, and then immediately went to the opera. I had never been before and I wasn't too excited about it, but it was better than I had anticipated. I still don't really know what it was about, who wrote it, or the name, which was unfortunate when my host family asked me all of those things at dinner tonight...
It was an interesting experience and I loved seeing everyone dressed up! Marseille is kind of a crappy city and I don't ever want to return. We weren't even allowed to go out at night because it was too dangerous. I feel scared when I'm getting out of my car at Trails Crossing, so this was not the place for me. On Sunday we walked to a couple of churches in the city, or hiked rather, and then took a boat ride to visit a nearby island. It was sunny and the boat ride was pretty. We had fun checking everything out. This week I actually have homework for the first time in almost six weeks, and it makes me want to cry. Also, today I stepped on a nail outside which went through my entire sandal and in to my heel and I was bleeding SO MUCH! But I couldn't get the nail out of my shoe forever, which was so unfortunate, and kind of awkard to walk in to my house in the sort of situation: bloody, shoeless, kind of crying, and failing to know any of the french words to describe what had happened. Hopefully Thursday gets here super quickly so I can be off to Florence with Jacqs and Anna to visit Kat Gallagher for the weekend! Bye!
They have a really great market in the center of Montpellier and it had all sorts of leather goods, shoes, hand made jewelry, rare foods and spices, etc. We spent hours looking at all of the stuff; it was awesome! About a 10 minute walk from the market there is a huge, 4 floor shopping mall. It had all sorts of high end stores as well as regular, affordable shopping too. I really could've spent two days there, and I know my sister and mom would have done some SERIOUS damage if they were to step foot in this place. I'm not sure why Utica doesn't build something like this for us. There was a fashion show going on in the center of the the first floor so everyone was watching that and everyone shopping on the upper floors stopped to look down and watch it. It was really windy in the city, and definitely not as warm as Nice, but still sunny. I would love to go back if we can find a free weekend!
This past weekend, October 3rd, we went to Aix en Provence and Marseille with the Sweet Briar group. Aix was a cute little city, but there were a lot of protestors because all of France is currently fighting the government on the retirement age. We took a bus to Marseille from there, where we checked in to our hotel, and then immediately went to the opera. I had never been before and I wasn't too excited about it, but it was better than I had anticipated. I still don't really know what it was about, who wrote it, or the name, which was unfortunate when my host family asked me all of those things at dinner tonight...
It was an interesting experience and I loved seeing everyone dressed up! Marseille is kind of a crappy city and I don't ever want to return. We weren't even allowed to go out at night because it was too dangerous. I feel scared when I'm getting out of my car at Trails Crossing, so this was not the place for me. On Sunday we walked to a couple of churches in the city, or hiked rather, and then took a boat ride to visit a nearby island. It was sunny and the boat ride was pretty. We had fun checking everything out. This week I actually have homework for the first time in almost six weeks, and it makes me want to cry. Also, today I stepped on a nail outside which went through my entire sandal and in to my heel and I was bleeding SO MUCH! But I couldn't get the nail out of my shoe forever, which was so unfortunate, and kind of awkard to walk in to my house in the sort of situation: bloody, shoeless, kind of crying, and failing to know any of the french words to describe what had happened. Hopefully Thursday gets here super quickly so I can be off to Florence with Jacqs and Anna to visit Kat Gallagher for the weekend! Bye!
Meeting Famous People!
So this past weekend, Friday night, we decided to go out to dinner in Old Nice before going out. There was a couple at the table next to us speaking English, and because I am a friend making machine, I asked if they were American. They were a married couple, probably around 40 years old, from California, and were in Nice for a small vacation before leaving on a "Wine Cruise." They said that they were in Nice with their friends who own a vineyard, and they were providing all of the wine for the 300 person cruise around the Med. coast. Jacqueline, Anna and I ended up talking to the couple for about two hours at dinner; they have a daughter and could relate a lot of us, and also were VERY interested in our trip. They ordered us a bottle of wine and told the waiter to put it on their bill, which was really awesome because we are always drinking the house wine but he actually ordered us something fancy. By the end of dinner they had asked to take a picture with us and TOOK OUR CHECK from the waiter to pay for the bill! They were super, super nice and I was so glad we met them. I couldn't believe that a couple we had just met were willing to spend that much money on us... even though we did provide humorous entertainment for them in telling stories about how I am constantly lost, sunburned and gaining weight.
In return, we offered to show them around the city the next day. They thought it was a great idea and we said that we'd meet them at their hotel around 11:00. When we got to the hotel the couple was waiting outside, and they asked if a couple of their friends could also come along to see the city a little bit; of course we said yes and we went inside to meet their friends and be on our way. They were all wearing jewelry or Oakley sunglasses with this little sun on it, and a few of them were wearing clothing that said Tobin James Cellars. I really didn't think much of it UNTIL we started walking around Nice and I noticed a lot more people sporting similar attire. I then heard the man that we were with introduce himself as Tobin James, the owner. Apparently he's famous in California, and in much of the United States and I really had no idea! People were taking their pictures with him, and here I was showing him the beach and some random stores!!! We had so much fun showing the group of people around all day. Of course, they wanted to stop at every bar that we saw and happily paid for our drinks all day... even the disgusting shots of tequila that we took to celebrate them being super wealthy and us reaping the benefits :)
They took us out to lunch after we had showed them everything, and they asked for our email addresses so that they could send us some pictures they had taken. Then, they asked for our parents addresses in the U.S. so they could send them some bottles of wine as another token of appreciation for creating such AWESOME daughters. I told him that my sister is getting married and he said that he'll try to make sure my family is getting drunk with some Tobin James. I hope this all turns out to be true because that was an excellent connection to be made; even if my parents don't get wine, we got a lot of food and a lot of alcahol for just having big mouths and wanting to show people where the party's at in Nice! Now everyone go to his website so you can see how famous his winery really is!!!
In return, we offered to show them around the city the next day. They thought it was a great idea and we said that we'd meet them at their hotel around 11:00. When we got to the hotel the couple was waiting outside, and they asked if a couple of their friends could also come along to see the city a little bit; of course we said yes and we went inside to meet their friends and be on our way. They were all wearing jewelry or Oakley sunglasses with this little sun on it, and a few of them were wearing clothing that said Tobin James Cellars. I really didn't think much of it UNTIL we started walking around Nice and I noticed a lot more people sporting similar attire. I then heard the man that we were with introduce himself as Tobin James, the owner. Apparently he's famous in California, and in much of the United States and I really had no idea! People were taking their pictures with him, and here I was showing him the beach and some random stores!!! We had so much fun showing the group of people around all day. Of course, they wanted to stop at every bar that we saw and happily paid for our drinks all day... even the disgusting shots of tequila that we took to celebrate them being super wealthy and us reaping the benefits :)
They took us out to lunch after we had showed them everything, and they asked for our email addresses so that they could send us some pictures they had taken. Then, they asked for our parents addresses in the U.S. so they could send them some bottles of wine as another token of appreciation for creating such AWESOME daughters. I told him that my sister is getting married and he said that he'll try to make sure my family is getting drunk with some Tobin James. I hope this all turns out to be true because that was an excellent connection to be made; even if my parents don't get wine, we got a lot of food and a lot of alcahol for just having big mouths and wanting to show people where the party's at in Nice! Now everyone go to his website so you can see how famous his winery really is!!!
dimanche 19 septembre 2010
September 17
I REALLY love having a 3 day weekend! Friday and Saturday were, unfortunately, not good beach days, but the girls and I found other ways to entertain ourselves. Friday we ran some errands and got school supplies and other things we needed, and didn't need. We walked to my house from the city on the Promenade des Anglais, which is the main road that runs through Nice. It is along the sea and has a great side walk for running or biking on the sea-side, and the other side is filled with fancy hotels, casinos, and restaurants.
We went out Thursday and were too tired to stay up late again so we went grocery shopping and made ourselves dinner. And drank a 4 euro bottle of wine, ew.
Saturday we took a tour of my home and (kind of) learned about the archives. It was cool to see original documents from the past couple of centuries, but it was hard to understand everything that was being said in French. Amel, my host-mom, brought us to 3 churches around the city and they were absolutely beautiful. All of them were so different but very gorgeous, and well worth the visits! We went out Saturday night and I ran into my American friends from Le Moyne/Utica at a bar in Old Nice. It is nice to actually speak English to other people our age.... and other people in general.
Today was 75 and sunny. We went to our program director's house this afternoon to do tie-dye with her daughter. After, of course, we slept on the beach all day. My skin has seen more sun in the past three weeks than it has in 20 years in New York. I probably lacked some Vitamin D anyways...
Tomorrow starts another week of classes. I feel like everyone studying abroad shouldn't be forced to actually go to classes. It's hard enough translating everything everyone says at dinner, let alone what the professor says in regards to how foreign countries influenced the change in style of poetry from the 19th to 20th century. I will not be on the dean's list this semester. I'm going on a trip to Montpellier this weekend with Anna and Jacqueline! We don't really know anyone who lives there but there's a college, and bars, and a hostel SO I think we'll be fine. Have a good Monday!
We went out Thursday and were too tired to stay up late again so we went grocery shopping and made ourselves dinner. And drank a 4 euro bottle of wine, ew.
Saturday we took a tour of my home and (kind of) learned about the archives. It was cool to see original documents from the past couple of centuries, but it was hard to understand everything that was being said in French. Amel, my host-mom, brought us to 3 churches around the city and they were absolutely beautiful. All of them were so different but very gorgeous, and well worth the visits! We went out Saturday night and I ran into my American friends from Le Moyne/Utica at a bar in Old Nice. It is nice to actually speak English to other people our age.... and other people in general.
Today was 75 and sunny. We went to our program director's house this afternoon to do tie-dye with her daughter. After, of course, we slept on the beach all day. My skin has seen more sun in the past three weeks than it has in 20 years in New York. I probably lacked some Vitamin D anyways...
Tomorrow starts another week of classes. I feel like everyone studying abroad shouldn't be forced to actually go to classes. It's hard enough translating everything everyone says at dinner, let alone what the professor says in regards to how foreign countries influenced the change in style of poetry from the 19th to 20th century. I will not be on the dean's list this semester. I'm going on a trip to Montpellier this weekend with Anna and Jacqueline! We don't really know anyone who lives there but there's a college, and bars, and a hostel SO I think we'll be fine. Have a good Monday!
jeudi 16 septembre 2010
September 16
I LOVE that my weekends start on Thursday! Classes stink, but it's well worth suffering in them for a three day weekend. Classes in France only meet once a week for 2 hours, but in the U.S. they are required to meet for 3 hours a week so everyone had to pick up an extra class in order to get enough transfer credits. My schedule, fortunately for me, will now include 4 hours of bible study (in French) rather than 2. The Jesuits at Le Moyne will be so happy about this.
I went to the beach after class today and it was a perfect day, as usual. I think it's 80 degrees and sunny EVERYDAY. I don't know how people actually go to their jobs instead of the beach! Theres a chance of rain this weekend, but there will be activities in the city (other than the beach) because satuday is Le Patrimoine. This is kind of like Heritage Day in the U.S., but everyone here celebrates being French by visiting ancient buildings (museums, chapels, castles, etc.). A lot of these buildings are private, or closed most of the year, so it gives everyone an opportunity to take a tour of someplace that is rarely open to the public. There will actually be tours of my house all day Saturday! We live upstairs, but the downstairs is thousands of books with all of Nice's archives. The palace and garden are GORGEOUS so apparently a lot of people like to come check it out.
Other than Sunday, we didn't take any really special trips this week. We had our first French classes, and have been spending a lot of time trying to figure out our schedules. Even though I don't have anything TOO exciting to say today it is still exciting to walk to the beach every single day after class, and then walk to the mall/stores when my sunburn starts to get too bad ;)
I went to the beach after class today and it was a perfect day, as usual. I think it's 80 degrees and sunny EVERYDAY. I don't know how people actually go to their jobs instead of the beach! Theres a chance of rain this weekend, but there will be activities in the city (other than the beach) because satuday is Le Patrimoine. This is kind of like Heritage Day in the U.S., but everyone here celebrates being French by visiting ancient buildings (museums, chapels, castles, etc.). A lot of these buildings are private, or closed most of the year, so it gives everyone an opportunity to take a tour of someplace that is rarely open to the public. There will actually be tours of my house all day Saturday! We live upstairs, but the downstairs is thousands of books with all of Nice's archives. The palace and garden are GORGEOUS so apparently a lot of people like to come check it out.
Other than Sunday, we didn't take any really special trips this week. We had our first French classes, and have been spending a lot of time trying to figure out our schedules. Even though I don't have anything TOO exciting to say today it is still exciting to walk to the beach every single day after class, and then walk to the mall/stores when my sunburn starts to get too bad ;)
mardi 14 septembre 2010
September 14
Yesterday was my FIRST real life French class, and I don't think it was the funnest class I've ever had. I would never really sign myself up for History of English Litterature of the 20th Century, so the same class in French isn't appealing. The good news is I can understand people finally! My host family probably thought I was an idiot for the first week because I just stared at them everytime they spoke. They are SO nice and help me all the time with words, books, etc. All of the kids are super nice too and they explain everything little thing to me. They watch American shows on TV everynight that have been translated in to French and then during every commercial they fight over who is going to explain what is going on. I enjoy the arguing at dinner/bed time; it makes me feel at home :).
This weekend we visited Cannes and L'ile St. Honorat. We took a train to Cannes and then a boat to the island. Both were SO gorgeous. We got to lay out all day, since there are rarely any clouds here. It was an easier trip than last weekend which involved a 5 hour hike in mountains that were 2 hours away by bus. We also saw the village of Sigal, which has about 200 people living in it, and it was very pretty. I could've slept for a week after it, but it was well worth it!!! The intense workout also made me feel better about how frequently I eat gelato..
Jacqueline and Anna and I wore dresses to the hike on accident because we didn't realize it would be so involved....but it was involved alright. We also go to the beach everyday together, which is very easy to do considering our classes meet once a week for 2 hours! This schedule thing is much better than it is in America.
Oh, and I miss my mom. Thank God skype exists, because if it didn't, I'm not sure how my dad would give me "tours" of my OWN HOME with his computer when he runs out of things to talk about.
The beach awaits me!!!
This weekend we visited Cannes and L'ile St. Honorat. We took a train to Cannes and then a boat to the island. Both were SO gorgeous. We got to lay out all day, since there are rarely any clouds here. It was an easier trip than last weekend which involved a 5 hour hike in mountains that were 2 hours away by bus. We also saw the village of Sigal, which has about 200 people living in it, and it was very pretty. I could've slept for a week after it, but it was well worth it!!! The intense workout also made me feel better about how frequently I eat gelato..
Jacqueline and Anna and I wore dresses to the hike on accident because we didn't realize it would be so involved....but it was involved alright. We also go to the beach everyday together, which is very easy to do considering our classes meet once a week for 2 hours! This schedule thing is much better than it is in America.
Oh, and I miss my mom. Thank God skype exists, because if it didn't, I'm not sure how my dad would give me "tours" of my OWN HOME with his computer when he runs out of things to talk about.
The beach awaits me!!!
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