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!