Giverny et Chateau Gaillard

Wow!! One week until the program is finished?! I really do not know where the past 5 months have gone. Sometimes I don’t even believe that I am in France in the first place not to mention living here for 5 months. I am glad that I am staying a bit longer though as I am not ready to say goodbye to France.
Yesterday, was a perfect day though. We met at 8:00 to leave for our final day trip: Giverny and Chateau Gaillard. We started at Giverny, Monet’s garden and stayed throughout the morning and afternoon. Things were beautifully in bloom and the sites were beautiful just as they were in the summer. It was such a perfectly relaxing morning, just the thing we all needed after so much work this past week and in the week ahead. The weather was perfect too. No more winter coats!! Spring is finally here!! After visiting the gardens and Monet’s house, some of my friends and I walked down Rue de Claude Monet to look more at the town. We went to the church and cemetery to look at the Money family plot and discussed the differences in all the cemeteries we have seen throughout the trip. After wandering a bit more, we found our way to Les Nymphs for lunch.

After lunch we went to Chateau Gaillard built by Richard the Lion Heard in the 11th Century. We took a very interesting tour of the chateau and played in the sun there a bit.Then we made out trip back to Rouen where the sun was still shining. I went into the backyard after coming home to bring my host mom a drink as she had been working in the garden all day. We sat in the lounge chairs and talked about makeover shows since she loves them too. Then I swung on the swing in the backyard, played soccer and badmitten with my host siblings and had a very big dinner. After dinner, Bertrand and I played games until midnight then called it a night. What a great day!
Next on the agenda:
a.) getting through Wednesday and finishing everything
b.) going on a trip with my host family to the country-side
c.) packing up and moving to the Cower’s apartment next Wednesday
d.) go to Tunisia
e.) spend the night in Paris
f.) fly to the States on the 19th!!
g.) go to Las Vegas on the 23rd
Life is good!

Bisous!

Senegal!

Assalaamou Aleykoum!

What an incredible journey! This semester is just flying by. I cannot believe that I have already been back from Senegal for a week and a half. I almost don’t even believe that I went so I suppose it is a good thing that I took so many photos. Senegal is such a wonderful place. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to travel to Africa already.

For preparation for Senegal, we learned in class a lot about the history, geography and politics of the country. We touched a bit on the daily life of a person living in Senegal, but that was what we were really sent to find out for ourselves. The culture of the Senegalese is so much different than that of France and the U.S. In Senegal, every custom is founded upon the idea of Turanga or hospitality and it is very visible throughout every encounter. All the doors are open, there is always food for unknown guests and it is expected to shake hands and wish peace on every person you pass on the street. Everyone is so generous, kind, and helpful. The culture of the Senegalese is so interesting so different. I am glad that we had the opportunity to stay in a host family as there are so many interesting things about the culture we would have otherwise not learned especially being there for only 10 days. Our host family is Muslim which 95% of the country is. They have 6 boys and 5 girls living at home. The mom stays there and works all day cooking, cleaning, doing laundry etc. The father is a polygamist, as many men are, and had other wives thus would spend only a few nights with ours. The accommodations were very nice. I had a roommate from SLU with me and another American girl studying in Senegal for the semester. We stayed in a very clean house with filtered water and such. The only difficult part was the hole for the toilette... That was a tricky thing to get used not only because it was a hole but also because swarms of mosquitoes liked to hang out there at various times of the day… very tricky indeed. We had a great family which I am sure I will have to go visit again some day.From the moment we landed on the 5th every moment in Senegal was just packed with things to do. Our first night we slept on mattresses on the floor of a hotel called Coumba Ndao. We had a traditional Senegalese dish that we all came to know very well: Yassa Poisson. Because Senegal is on the coast, most everyone eats a lot of fish. Needless to say I was not disappointed with my chicken when returning to France. When we awoke the next day, we walked to the Baobab Center to meet our guides and teachers for our petit sejour in Senegal. After a brief orientation of the week’s agenda, we went on a neighborhood walk to find the things that we would probably like to know the location of when in Senegal... like our host family’s home. The rest of that day, and the day after, were full of lectures and such so that we could have a better understanding of the culture we were going to live in. We attended a lecture on Islam, Senegalese culture, and women’s issues. For lunch, we had a traditional Senegalese meal where we sat “around the bowl” which means everyone shares one big bowl on the floor and eat with hands.On Tuesday, we visited la Mosquee de la divinite. We met the mosque keeper and learned some of the history of that mosque. It was absolutely beautiful and right on the coast where the majority of towns people fished throughout the day. After visiting the mosque, we went to a Coranic school to visit the first/second year classrooms. They were just the cutest kids and all so sweet. They were learning Arabic and French could recite many verses in Arabic as well as many songs in French. I thought this was amazing as the spoken language in Senegal is wolof and many children do not get that much exposure to French before school nonetheless Arabic. After lunch with our host families we went to an English classroom to talk to some of the students studying English in the Lycee (like high school) level. I talked with a girl who was studying English to use in business school, which she was hoping to get into for next year.

Wednesday, we ventured downtown to look at the markets. Chaos. I have never had so many people come up to me at the same time and offer me things... even marriage! The markets were fun though as we could use our bargaining skills and the little Wolof that we knew. It was so sad though to see all the poor children asking for money. Every time you turned a corner there were more and more. It was so hard not to give to them, but there are so many and if you give something to one of them, they all come up to you asking. The solution I used was candy so that everyone could have some. Nonetheless it is so hard to see so many children suffer with no option. After visiting centre ville, we went to Goree island right outside of Dakar. It was such a beautiful island. In the 1800s it was used as a port to ship slaves from Africa to the Americas. It was really powerful being in the Maison des Esclaves (House of slaves) and to walk through the rooms titled, “homes,” “femmes,” and “enfants.” We also went to a women’s museum to see the progression of women over time in politics and other fields after seeing a presentation on how the island has been used in the past both for good and bad.
Thursday we left early for Rufisque, town outside of Dakar inland about an hour. We went there to see the effects of the advance of the sea caused by global warming. After I got locked in a bathroom for a good while, I attended a lecture on the advance of the sea with photos and progression slides. The changes were unbelievable and the results terrifying. Houses, schools, factories, and even the cemetery were slowly being swept away by the ocean. There was garbage everywhere too, even worse than Dakar, because of the effects of the ocean. The poverty was incredible and the lesson made most of us stay silent throughout lunch thinking about it. After lunch, we got back on the bus for Toubab Dialao. Toubab Dialao was a beautiful place. Most of us felt so out of sorts having just come from Rufisque, but it was a nice relaxing place we felt very comfortable in. We stayed the late afternoon on the beach until it was time to commence the evening’s activities. That night we learned African dance, tribal drumming and batiking (a form of art on fabric).

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday were pretty low key days. Friday we went to the Musee de Leopold Senghor who was the first president of Senegal also well known for his French poetry. After we ate Chobungin in Joal, the town where Senghor lived and visited “seashell” island where 95% of the population is Catholic. After we went on a safari and saw giraffes, rhino, beautiful birds, and all kinds of other animals. In the savannah there was a also a tree dedicated to the Griots or story tellers of Africa who are the keepers of the oral tradition. Saturday we visited the Chef de Village of Toubab Diaolao and had a calm day around the beach before coming back to Dakar. Sunday was a free day and so we went to Centre Ville a bit and the beach. After getting sand in everything we own and getting a nice sunburn we headed back up to Baubab district and had a late lunch.

Monday we visited two school and the community center in Sangalkam. It was fun to talk to the children and to give them gifts. After, we went to Lac Rose for the afternoon. Lac Rose (Pink Lake) is called that because of the high salt content in the water therefore giving it a rose hue when the sun hits it. We learned about the trading of salt there and walked around the salt piles while vendors tried selling us things… that sounds familiar. Then, we got back on our 4-wheeler into a traditional village to see that way of life. It was very interesting to learn about the traditional way of living but even more so to see it live. We got to see the women work and also got to try some of the jobs they do. We then went 4-wheeling in the desert. The funniest thing happened there: we were going up a hill and our 4-wheeler stopped.. so we had to get out to give it a rest. We played in the sand and what not and before we knew it a vendor was running full speed at us to sell us things.. it was the funniest thing. After, our off-roader got to working again, we went to the beach side to watch the most beautiful waves I have ever seen. The beach was untouched and just magnificent. The only place where there was any construction was a little formation of tents for tourist to stay in but we didn’t even see them until leaving. When we finally got back to Lac Rose after our 4-wheeler stopped working for good.. we got Fanta Cocktails and went back to Dakar for out final dinner.

The last day we went to Centre Ville for some shopping then left for the airport at 8:30 p.m. to catch our 11:30 flight back to France. The trip to Senegal was amazing, like I said sometimes it doesn’t even seem like I went. There are so many more details I could say about each and every event, but hopefully you will get some more information through my photos.

Ba Bennane!

Spring Break 2008: Nice et Paris!

Bonjour!

What an amazing two weeks it has been! After such a needed time too. The Friday before break we had two 5-page essays due, took a 2-hour exam, had a big presentation, a small presentation, and finished a novel for English. Yes, a break was definitely needed after that. That Friday many of my friends and I met at cafe depart, our usual rendez-vous location, for a cafe au lait before vacation. After saying goodbye to my friends I went home to pack and finish the laundry. After a good meal of crepes, and watching The Devil Wears Prada in French with my host sister, I went to bed as to be refreshed for the trip ahead.


In the morning I met my friend Kelsey at cafe depart and we boarded the train to Paris at 8:30. Arriving around 10H we went to Starbucks to plan our day. We decided, since it was a nice day, to drop off our bags in at St. Christophers (our hostel) and ventur up to Montmartre. The hosetel was in a great location and it was so easy to find on Rue de Crimee just off the Quai de la Seine. We put our things in the luggage room and walked through the African Quarter on our way. The African Quarter was very interesting as historically is the place for the poor in Paris. There was such a difference in the quality of living when comparing this place to the other places in Paris. After finding a park on the outside of the Quarter, we climbed the stairs to Sacre Coeur to find lunch. The park was magnificent and had such interesting paths and staircases throughout while providing a great view of Paris. After walking through Place de Tertre we found a sandwich shop. I had a wonderful panini: chevre chaud (hot goat cheese) yum. We sat in front of Sacre Coeur to do some people watching and before we knew it a street performer set up his equipment and was playing songs all afternoon. He was great and played music from such classic artists like Pink Floyd, The Eagles, REM, U2 and John Mayer. After staying there for a few hours, we went inside Sacre Coeur to look at the architecture. It was interesting to see the differences between it being built just at the beginning of 1900 and comparing it to the Rouen Cathedral. We wondered if the architecture was similar for simply atheistic or to provide a message as the cathedrals of the middle ages did. Once we toured the cathedral, we went to an ice cream shop that I discovered in the summer to enjoy dessert... it was vacation after all! The rest of the day we walked around, found a free concert at the Parc de la Villette, ate great Indian food, and met some people in the bar at the hostel. We went to bed early as we both had early engagements.


Waking up at 7:30, I went downstairs for breakfast and planned out my route for Gare de Lyon. Leaving the hostel around 8:30 was just perfect as I later bought a panini and dessert from Brioche Doiree for the train ride to Nice. It was so cold the day I left and with wind and rain I was glad to be leaving the North in search of sun on the French Riviera. The train ride was absolutely beautiful as we passed through the French countryside. Arriving at 6:30 that Sunday I was greeted to Nice with not a soul on the street. In the rain through trial and error... but mostly error with no map... I found the tram and called the hostel for my ride to the hostel. The villa was wonderful. Free Internet, laundry, breakfast, rides to the tram, umbrellas, and towels it was a steal for 16 Euro a night.

The week was just lovely. I met so many friends from all over the world: Australia, Belgium, Italy, England, Canada, America, Switzerland, Germany, Normandy, Spain... it was terrific. Transportation in Nice was so easy too as there was a tram that ran every 5 minutes which covered Gare Nice-Ville, Gare Routire, Jean Medicine, beaches, and even to Pont Michel. Finished in 2004 it was a blessing to have especially for one Euro a ticket good for 70 minutes. The first day I used the public transportation to its fullest extent by visiting the Mitese, Picasso, and Chagall Museums. I ate at a great little cafe near Jean Medicine and was sitting near a man who graduated from Clarkson... what a small world. After window-shopping around Galleries Layfette, I went back to hostel for dinner. There I met three people with whom I would be spending the next three days with. That night we went to an amazing restaurant near the Flower market and bought ice cream at Fenocchio and took it to the beach, yum. The rest of the week was amazing as the clouds disappeared and the temperature hovered around 18 c. Each day was an adventure as I visited Monte Carlo/Monoco, Antibes, Cannes, Eze, St. Paul de Vence, and spent much time in Nice especially on the beach. Each day I visited Fenocchio and had a panini on the beach with company from the hostel. Three nights I made dinner myself in the kitchen with a girl from New York, twice ate at the hostel, and two went out to dinner. Nice was so wonderful and was just the break I was looking for. Cannot wait to go back!




I left Saturday at 6:30 a.m. for Paris and spent the day near Gare St. Lazare. I came home in just enouph time to catch up with my family, do some laundry, eat dinner, and go to bed packed and ready to go for Paris Sunday. We met at the gare at 8:00 and made the trek to Chartres. After getting lunch, listening to a tour, and analyzing our assigned windows, we went to our hotel in Paris.

Paris was great though the weather did not compare with Nice as the wind and rain was just terrible. We managed to find some good spots of nice weather though to walk through the Parc de Monceau, visit le Jardin de Luxemburg, get a cafe at le Select a cafe frequented by Hemmingway, Picasso, and Mitese, and have another good day in front of Sacre Coeur. We went to the Louvre, Musee d'Orsay, L'Orangerie, Musee de L'histoire de Paris, toured the Sorbonne and saw the major monuments. We did a cruise on the Seine, went to the Lion King, and went to Zampa a French Opera. We went inside Shakespeare and Company, now owned by the great grandson of Walt Whitman, and did a few literary walks. Some of us went to the cemetiere du Pere Lachaise to find Edith Piaf, James Morrison, Oscar Wilde, and Isadora Duncun. Around the same area we discovered a cafe where Edith Piaf spend much of her time. A friend and I also went to a movie on our last day when the streets were filled with people and the skies were full of rain. We saw Modern Love, my new favorite French film.




Spring Break really could not have been better. It is so nice to be back in Rouen especially for Easter. It is so nice how comfortable I feel here and how much I love my family. Today, being Easter, my host parents closed all the windows and threatened us if we peeked outside while they hid eggs and chocolate everywhere in the yard. We all had purple boxes with our names on it, which we had to find in very difficult places. It was so much fun and I felt so much a part of the family. It will be so sad to leave for the States in only 5 weeks! This program has gone by so quickly I still cannot believe that I will be in Senegal in two weeks!!

Bisous!

Le Mont Saint Michel, D-Day beaches, and plans for Spring Break

Bonjour tout le monde!

I cannot believe how quickly time passes. There has been so much going on that it is hard to find time to get online and update with exams etc... but the longer I wait, the more I have to report, so let's start with last weekend:


We started the day meeting at the gare for our first stop: Le memorial de Caen. This exhibit reminded me much of the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. It was a very emotional presentation of the events of WWII and leading up to it. When you enter the first exhibit you find yourself in a long winding staircase that brings you through the events of WWI, the rise of Fascism, and WWII. At the bottom you are dropped into a series of rooms with videos, sound clips, and artifacts from the war, again, much like the Holocaust Museum. There was a very interesting film that we watched while we were there as well. The direction made it easy for anyone to imagine what it must have looked like during battle. The screen was split in half showing the allied and axis forces preparing for battle and during. The film went through the events of D-day and liberation chronologically showing explicitly who won, who fought, the dates of battles, and what the villages looked like before and after the war. The last exhibit we visited was of Peace. In the series of rooms were portraits of different cultures and their perceptions and practices of peace. There were other parts dedicated to movements for peace, like the Civil Rights Movement, and organizations whose missions involved that of peace.



After, we ate lunch at the museum and headed for Bayeux. We immediately made our way to the Bayeux Tapestry, one of the oldest relics of the medieval time period. The tapestry was used in the Notre Dame de Bayeux and recalled the histoire of the Conquest of England by William the duke of Normandy and the King of England sending away Harold. After seeing the 70 meter long Tapestry (actually not a tapestry but an embroidery) we went to our hotel for a long, amazing dinner and a relaxing evening.



In the morning, we left for the D-day beaches. It was so different actually standing on the beaches and seeing where history took place. We started at Arromnches, went to Omaha and the American Cemetery, then to Pointe du Hoc, and Sainte-Mere Eglise. It is so difficult to explain the emotion felt at each location and at the American Cemetery to see a representation of all the soldiers who lost their lives fighting so young in WWII. (look at my slide show on the right for more description and photos)


After eating lunch at Sainte-Mere Eglise, we went to le Mont Saint Michel. After dropping off our bags at the hotel on le Mont Saint Michel, we went exploring. We stayed out a long time taking photos etc. and watched the sunset on the ledge of the fortress walls. After taking in the Majesty we went exploring more before the dinner bell rang. We found passage that led to the beach front, and of course took the path disregarding the danger signs along the way. After sitting on the rocks and watching the birds fly, we decided to go onto the clay and explore the secret passage ways we were curious to find. While we found many doors and coves that satisfied our need to seek secret passage ways, the most interesting thing we found was a small chapel just off the island. Needing to climb quite precarious steps to reach its summit, we carefully took the challenge. We took many photos, peered into the foggy window, to see nothing because of the darkness, and left when we became frightened. When asking about the chapel the next day on the tour, our guide told us it's legend: When le Cathedrale de Saint Michel was being built, a huge piece of rock fell down from the site of the new cathedrale. Believing this was a sign from God, the workers quickly built a small chapel in which to pray in before and after working. Interesting isn't it?

That night, we ate an exquisite 5 course meal and walked around the fortress star-gazing after the 3 hour event. In the morning we watched the sun rise at 7:30, ate 3 course breakfast and met our tour guide. We learned so many interesting facts about le Mont and it was very neat to see the different architecture used that we have been learning about in class. It was really a magical trip.

I am so glad to be here, as I write I am filled with excitement over the next few weeks in all of the events coming up: Spring Break, Paris, and Senegal. Before you know though I will be home again in Washington and as much as I am excited to go back home, I am more triste that I am leaving France. But I will keep enjoying it as I am here. I just watched a rough rugby game, France lost to England, not good (for the French) ... but France really needs to work on defense... history repeats itself once again. Today I went to the Gare and bought my train tickets for spring break. I am staying in Nice but traveling to Corsia, Marseilles, and Arles from there tout seul. Very excited should be a good time. I will update after Spring Break et Paris. until then!

Week #5

Bonjour Mon Ami!

This week has been a time for me to play philosopher. Full of ups and downs I learned a lot from many experiences this week. I was missing home quite a lot on Monday, but after writing in my journal I realized that missing home is okay, but that I also have to continue to take it all in. Missing home and cultural elements is just part of the experience. It makes you more aware of differences when gone, and makes you see what you take for granted at home. Writing also made me realize that I really need my alone time where I do not have to be “on” and how much I really value things like friendship, love, and knowledge. I am very excited to see what else I can learn from being abroad and know that I will have many identifying moments when away.



As for activities, I did the usual going to school, doing massive amounts of reading, writing, other homework, and going to a café after classes. But this week was also filled with some very interesting and surprising events entwined within it.

For Mardi Gras, also known as Shayla’s birthday, we ate a lovely peach cake with our lunches. After the school day some of use walked with the birthday girl home as we silently snickered at the secret we were keeping from her. At around 19H00, our whole group, minus Shayla, met at the Gare with flowers, cakes, wine, and chocolates. Together we tip-toed into M. et Mme. Delaporte’s home and hid behind the piano. As Shayla came down the stairs we sung her Joyeaux Anniversaire and presented her gifts. Also missing home this week, Shayla was having a very difficult time with being so far away on her birthday and not understanding the French. We wanted to do something nice, but it was Shayla’s host mom who came up with the idea. The evening was lovely. We had wonderful conversations in French with some English, and ate such good food. The first course was a vegetable soup, the second a small lamb pot-pie type entrée with glazed carrottes and brown rice, the third the cheese plate and baguettes duh…and the fourth amazing desserts: petite chocolate cakes, a fruit pie, crème brulee and pistachio ice cream, and the white birthday cake. To drink we had sparkling water, red wine, and coffee after the meal. We finished the night dancing and singing along to with the piano player. Quite a good Mardi Gras as far as I am concerned.


The net day after class, we went to Ash Wednesday Mass. It was a really neat experience because the year before I was in Mexico with dad, and a church building homes with Gateway Missions. It made me think a lot about culture, the meaning of home, and values. Last year being in Mexico and realizing how lucky I really am to be living in such a well-developed place where I can go to college, I can find a job and really take advantage of so many opportunities really made me think how much I can do for others. Now being in France and learning my potential and strengths in adjusting to a new place, developing a foreign language, finding a balance, and finding my passions really makes me think about the future. I can really see myself bringing these two worlds together and doing work overseas after graduation. I know time will tell but it is something to ponder nonetheless.
Thursday was a normal day. I got a haircut Friday and met friends at the creperie again… next time I will bring my camera and share photos of the deliciousness since it has become a tradition to eat there every week. After eating, we went to the movie theatre to see Juno, a very good film I thought. On the way though something very interesting happened… I was hissed at by a French woman… I guess something unusual has to happen everyday to keep me on my toes.

Today was such a glorious day! Hovering around 50 degrees Fahrenheit with sun, it was the perfect day to enjoy exquisite Rouen. I spent with morning with my host mom in the sunroom reading before eating a very good lunch. After I finished my laundry and went to meet some friends at the Gare. I was about 10 minutes late because I started talking to my host dad about why Macs are better than anything with Windows and decided to just meet them at the Musee des beaux-arts where we were visiting this afternoon. Taking a short-cut that actually turned into a long-cut, I decided just to enjoy it and take the paths that looked the prettiest. During my walk, I found a park behind the Hotel de Ville and connecting St. Ouen cathedral that is just divine. I played a little game of soccer with a boy who at first accidentally kicked the ball past his father, I kicked it back and that’s when the game begun. Afterward, I took a path that led to a huge swing, which of course I had to try out. Of course it was amazing and from the view I could see all the French people with holding hands, playing with their children, or just enjoying the surroundings. I know that will spend much time there this spring! The Museum was great, quite large and had a great exhibition on Rouen from different periods. It was interesting to see how everything has changes over the years. Afterward we spent the remaining afternoon in a café. Very good day I must say indeed.



Tomorrow I am looking forward to going hiking in the afternoon with Zel’s host family! Should be fun!

Bon Nuit!

End of Week #2

The more I stay here the more I fall in love with it. I love getting up in the morning to see the sunrise as I walk to school and reading in a cafe after classes. I have had a very good week though nothing terribly exciting has happened...

Last weekend some of my friends and I went to see Romeo and Juliet performed by the Ballet de Monte Carlo at Theatre de Rouen. Done in a very contemporary style, it was a treat to see such a different take on the Shakespeare play. We went to the ballet about 45 minutes before the curtain call as to purchase our tickets at the door. What we didn't realize was that 15 minutes before the performance the tickets are only 5 Euro for students. Good thing we were in the front of the line as the ticket counter only had about 30 tickets. We sat in the orchestra pit front and center, how perfect! It was just like when dad and I went to see Chicago in Seattle, purchased Will Call tickets, and had the same experience. After the ballet we went out to a late dinner and called it a day.

The rest of the weekend was superb as it was sunny and busy in Centre Ville. I met a friend at the gare and together we walked to take advantage of the countrywide sales. After an exhausting day of shopping we purchased sandwiches with Orangina... of course. We took our sandwiches to a set of steps near the main cathedral where we met some other friends. Together we people-watched and listen to a band play on the streets. Afterward we went into a cafe to warm up and went home to our families after sunset. Sunday, we went to church then had a big lunch together. After coffee my host dad and sister took me for a motorcycle ride (dad I can feel your jealousy). It was absolutely fantastic. We went all though Centre Ville and hugged the Seine. It was just exquisite.

This week has been very nice, just getting into the swing of things. Everyday I meet Zel at the gare and we walk for about an hour to school. We found the best boulangerie that we frequent every morning. Across the boulangerie is a beautiful park that overlooks the city. So every morning we take our treat over there and watch the sunrise. It is like something from a storybook. When we get to school we usually grab a coffee from a cafe on campus (where again I am a regular) and go to class. For lunch, I usually have pasta, a sandwich, or split a baguette and cheese. After classes I usually go home unless I have a afternoon off in which I go to a cafe in Centre Ville and read.

I am looking forward to the next few weeks as soon we will go to Mont Saint Michel and Chartres, which we have been studying in class... not to mention the planned menu sounds amazing!! We are eating a traditionally cooked lamb at Mont Saint Michel, which I hear is so good because the lamb only eats the salty grass and thus tastes a little salty. Oh, and by the way the food here is amazing. My favorite place has to be this tiny creperie near the Hotel de Ville. It is owned by a couple who live upstairs and is just the most quaint little restaurant... but oh my.... so good. Today I had a crepe with goat cheese, ham, with onions and for dessert an apple and caramel crepe with cider for my drink. The cider is a specialty of Normandy and is made with champagne, if you ever come to Normandy it should defiantly be a goal to try the cider.

Well that is all for now. I just got my computer back from the Apple store since the "LCD mort" as the man said.

Gros Bisous!

Quebec-Rouen

Bonjour! I cannot believe how quickly times passes. It seems as though just yesterday I was getting ready to leave on my french expedition, and now I am repacking for leg two. The past two weeks have been wonderful and rewarding in so many ways.

Everyday we are in class from 8:30-11:30 usually with Richard. I love the class because the french we are learning is very practical and serves as a very good review... not to mention giving us socially useful information like where the best discotheques are. Making us laugh at ourselves and teaching us the alternative meanings phrases may have, Richard is a phenomenal teacher and makes our mornings go by quickly. After class, we always do on some sort of expedition in Quebec to get to know the area and the history better. The first museum we went to was Le Musee des Ursulines a very interesting museum which tells the story of the first school in Quebec commencing in 1639. With original living quarters, cafeteria, and hand-made creations still in tact, it is an exquisite way to see the life of community, religion, and education of the Ursulines. Other places we went to inculde the Isle d'Orleans, Eglise Saint-Roch, la Sainte-Anne bascilica, the Musse de la civilization, and the Musee de beaux-arts where we saw the Picasso exhibit! Something that struck me at the Musee de la Civilization was an exhibit simply named the "Trash Mines." This exhibition was created by Paul-Antione Pichard for the purpose of educating others about the poverty across the world. A link to the Museum's website can be found here: http://www.mcq.org/fr/mcq/expositions.php?idEx=w1112

Quebec has definitely left an impression on me. I am excited to return and to see my host family again. When reflecting on my stay, I can see how quickly I adapted to things and how different things were when living there. A friend told me before I left that "culture shock" is a result of the little things, not the big things and I can absolutely see how true that is. Studying abroad has also made me realize some of the things I take for granted such as having a ride to places around, having a bank where I don't have to pay to take out cash, having Internet, being able to call without an exorbitant fee, and speaking/hearing English. I am so thankful that I signed up for this study-abroad program because I really think that it will stretch me mentally in ways that I have yet to experience. Thank you for your encouragement and support on my French Expedition!