Germany: a land of beauty, beer, and brezel

This past weekend, I ventured over to Bavaria for a once-in-a-lifetime experience of going to Oktoberfest. The weekend was amazing, and I was so lucky to spend it with my good buddy Ela.

It started off a little crazy cuz I had to book it out of my 12:30 class to make a train at Gare de l'Est at 1:09. Luckily, I scouted out the place the day before, so I made the train with about 4 minutes to spare. That train to Stuttgart was pretty uneventful until we just suddenly stopped on the tracks right about when we were supposed to get off. Now, I had a connection to Munich that they booked me on leaving in 12 minutes, so I was sort of freaking out. The announcer came on and consistently tried to say what was happening since a ton of these people were going to Munich, but since his French was really fast and his English was muffled and pretty rough, I had no idea what the problem was. I gathered as much that they would hold the other train for us for about 20 minutes, so when we finally pulled into the station I ran like the wind down to the platform. Literally, I squished myself into a random car and the doors closed behind me. I was sooooo lucky, but I feel bad for all the old people needing to make that connection who we left behind. No way any of them ran that fast. :(

On the bright side, I was on the train and trying to move down an aisle when a girl my age turned to me and tried to ask me something in German. I told her I didn't understand and she let out a sigh of relief cuz she was American. We spent the whole rest of the train together and she was so awesome! I made a new friend who's studying in Paris! Hopefully we'll meet up sometime here now that we're back.

Anyway, eventually got to Munich Hbf (even though we first got off at Munich-Pasing--apparently still not Munich) and I got myself on a suburban line which took me to Rosenheim where Ela picked me up. What a lovely reunion! It's so nice to see a piece of home in Germany. :) She took me to a lovely Bavarian dinner of käsespätzle (basically macaroni and cheese with fried onions on top) and schnitzel which was so satisfying after that long train ride.

The next morning we got up early and dressed in our dirndls for OKTOBERFEST! We had to leave extra early to hopefully get a table in a tent but alas, they were packed already when we got there (and it was raining which apparently doesn't deter people from wanting to drink still). Through some magic from Ela's friend Anna, we eventually worked our was into a smaller tent and got a table! It was so charming and adorable with the Bavarian musicians playing softly on the second level overlooking the tables. There, we all got our beers, pretzels, and a plate of assorted German specialties mostly consisting of pork. Mmmmmm.....I was in heaven.

Once the rain cleared up, we walked around and explored because besides a humongous beer fest, Oktoberfest is also a rather large carnival. Though, with rides costing upwards of 7 euros, I opted to watch. We briefly explored Munich before heading home for dinner where Ela's mom made us the most delicious meal. It was so nice to be in such a comfy and welcoming home! Truthfully, it got me homesick for my own family, but it was nice nonetheless. Ela and I crossed the border into Austria (check!) to go to a bar/hangout spot called Manhattan that evening with her friends, but since the day started to early we called it a night rather soon and headed home to sleep.

For my last day, Ela's dad and little sister took us to the "Bavarian Sea" which is a huge lake in Chiemsee with very large islands and cute towns nearby to explore. We went to Herrenchiemsee (Man Island) where King Ludwig II built his own version of the palace at Versailles. It was quite stunning though a bit funny because after awhile Ludwig went broke and some rooms are completely unfinished. I mean, grand hallways are gilded and adorned with fine details while others are totally and completely bare with basic wooden floors and walls of purely exposed brick. It was pretty funny looking.

But the area was truly stunning, and I was so happy to get to explore some of the countryside. Bavaria is really an absolutely beautiful place what with the Alps , the lush green friends, and all the picturesque German houses. I was sad to head back to Paris, but alas classes begin this week so I had to go. I took an overnight train (most uncomfortable sleep ever--go for the couchettes if you ever are in the same situation) and eventually made it back to the City for my week. So far so good, though today's first class at the Sorbonne was a little overwhelming. Hopefully it will turn out ok--I'm taking one about the Middle East and one about Media and Communications between the US and France. Ehhhhh, I need to find some French friends to share notes with.

Til next time!

Find the free things in Paris, and it's sure to be a good day!

Whew it's been a crazy week! Had a midterm yesterday and I'm getting ready to go to Germany tomorrow as soon as the essay standing in my way is finished. I can't wait to see Ela and a new country!!

This past weekend I got to do some pretty cool things because of it being les journées du patrimoine where lots of things were free and open to the public. I tried to visit Sarkozy's residence, but the line was legitimately 4 hours long so I decided against that plan. I really couldn't believe that people were waiting in such a ridiculous thing; virtual tour will be just fine with me. One of the cooler things I did was visit this Polish library on Ile-Saint Louis where university students were performing continuous Chopin for the public. It was awesome!!! 45 minutes of an amazing concert. These kids were so good--I wish I had learned piano long ago.

My other favorite activity was visiting L'Orangerie which is a small museum in the Tuileries showcasing a lot of Impressionist work but most importantly these humongous Monets which are seriously about 20 feet long or more. They are breaktaking!

 

I also visited an open-air market near my apartment which was lovely and hung out with Ariel in Place des Vosges which is a beautiful public square. I like to call it the Parisian Rittenhouse Square. Other than that, it's been a busy school week with lots to learn grammatically. I just cannot wait to head to Germany tomorrow afternoon. There will be lots of train switching which I hope goes well. With a little luck, I shall make it to Ela's around dinnertime. 

Next stop--Allemagne! Hope I have some good Oktoberfest stories to tell ya! Get ready to see me rock a dirndl!!

I'm a tourist...I know...

Though I shall always be a tourist in this wonderful city, I'm attempting to get my fill of the famous stuff before the weather gets too cold and also while I truly am new here. Hopefully in a month or so I can pretend at least that I'm a local. ;)

The last week has seen me going to my intensive French practicum for 3 hrs/day while getting in some sightseeing in between. It's been a fun way to start off the city, and as always it's getting easier and easier to talk to people and get myself around. Notre Dame, Sacre Coeur, the Seine, Sainte Chapelle...there are so many beautiful things to see here. Above you'll see first a taste of what the amazing stained glass is like in Sainte Chapelle (which was preserved through WWII because people had sense to take out the 13th century glass) with hardly a true perspective because in person the colors are just so breathtaking, Notre Dame on a lovely fall day, and Paris at night from the base of the Arc de Triomphe. Yeah, you can see why this city attracts so many people.

So, I though I absolutely refuse to eat there at home, after hearing so many people gush about the French version, I finally walked into the infamous MacDo on the Champs-Elysees last Friday night. Whoa, it is tres different than the United States!! Beside the fact that it's colorful, clean, and packed to the brim, French McDonalds have separate dessert bars filled with all the typical French fare you'd see in a patisserie like croissants, macaroons, etc. That was so funny to see! The French really know how to upscale our most basic restaurant. They also had these (surprisingly) delicious potato wedges in addition to the ever classic french fries. I feel like I cheated on my body for tasting things there.

Other than that, it's been a pretty low-key week. Just been going to class, sleeping in, and doing homework. With such late afternoon class, I'm making a promise to myself that next week onward I shall get out of bed earlier and perhaps start some of my days with a trip to Paris' museums (my program has written on our ID cards that we're all "Art History" students so that we can get into all the museums for free!). This weekend also apparently is a special weekend in France where lots of normally private places are open to the public. Apparently I can go to the equivalent of the White House, but I'll need to do some more research on that. I'm also a week away from OKTOBERFEST, so that's starting to get exciting. I hope I can actually drink a beer without gagging. :{

I'll let you all know if I see Sarkozy! A bientot!

Yeah, you know, I'm staying with the decendants of Charles de Gaulle...

Ok, so I know I've been a bad blogger this week, but Paris is going wonderfully!! I'm finally adjusted and starting to enjoy myself a lot. It's amazing how even after only one week I'm already becoming more comfortable speaking and participating in the French way of life.

I shall try to remember all the interesting things that have happened so far, but really it's been a long week of orientation at Reid Hall and just wandering around the city.

Few cool things that have happened:

1) I went out with my French friend Albane's sister (who spoke hardly any English) and had a lovely full conversation en francais!! It felt so good afterward to know that I DID it!!!
2) I gave directions to a woman totally and French and, here's the kicker...was correct! SUCCESS!!
3) Found out my host family is related to CHARLES DE GAULLE!!!! My host-dad's grandpa is his brother. Siiiiiicccckkk.

Other than that, just been taking tours around and hanging out with the kids in my program. They are all really great, so I know it'll be a fun semester with them. I've also planned a trip in 2 weeks to Oktoberfest to visit Ela, and in November when Ricky comes we're going to spend a weekend in Copenhagen and one in Rome. So excited for all the travels!!

That's all for now--promise I'll have more exciting stories as the days progress. Au revoir!

The beginning

Well, I am here! It's been overwhelming already. Yesterday was a whirlwind of getting acclimated, learning the area, and meeting the family. I arrived via taxi from Charles de Gaulle (chose this expensive option because my big suitcase weighed in at 71 pounds!) and was immediately greeted by my host-dad Laurent. He's a really nice man, and he helped me put my luggage in the tiniest elevator I've ever seen. I went in on the first trip with my carry-on luggage, and he told me to stand in it "comme les egyptians". Yes, it's practically coffin-sized.

I got up to the third floor and waited for the rest to travel up when suddenly the door to the apartment opened and little Blanche welcomed me in. She's the youngest daughter of the family and so far the easiest to talk to. We spent the next few hours together as she and I ate breakfast and got to know each other. Also around were the 3 older kids: Marguerite who is 19 and soon to be living on her own, Bertrand who is 14 and mostly away at boarding school, and Therese who is 16 and studying English. I hope that I can get to know the others well enough soon; so far, Blanche, Laurent, and my host-mom Carole have been the most helpful with getting me to feel comfortable.

Carole and Blanche took me on a tour later in the afternoon to get me used to the surrounding area. They live in a very nice part of the city with lots of shops and restaurants everywhere. We walked in a huge triangle so that I could see where the nearest Metro/bus stops are as well as the most notable sights of the area. We are especially close to the grands magasins or department stores.

Though I tried to avoid it, what with only sleeping about an hour on the plane I had to give in to my tiredness and fall asleep around 6 pm Paris time. Probably not the best idea considering I woke up for a bit around 4 am, but I just couldn't hang anymore. I did get up and surf the net a bit before falling back asleep until around 9:30. I hope this is a good amount of sleep to get my body back on track, especially because I start orientation tomorrow morning.

Today I would love to go the Louvre because apparently on the first Sunday of the month it is free. I'm trying to get a hold of a friend via Facebook who is also here for Reid Hall, but not having a phone makes things difficult. We might go phone shopping together later before dinner. I'm also a bit in limbo right now because my host family invited me to lunch with them here at the house but are currently at church and due back at an undisclosed time. Hmm...probably should have asked about that one, but oh well.

I hope today turns out to be a nice day. I'm uncharacteristically nervous to go out by myself. I keep thinking of Jake and how he just ventures out into Buenos Aires all alone and finds fun things, but I for some reason am really timid lately. I think I'm worried about my language skills. I know I just need to push myself out there and not worry, but it's really hard when I'm still a little homesick and tired.

It's still really surreal to think I'm here. After so long of waiting for this experience, it's bizarre to think it's come and is now. I know I need to go begin making the most of it, so I shall try and of course keep you all posted. Thanks for reading.

T-minus 2 days

Well, here I am on my last day of work anxiously awaiting Friday evening when I board that plane to Paris. This is really becoming scary! I can't believe that after so many years of dreaming of going abroad in college the time has finally come.

The past few days have been utterly nuts as Ricky and I have worked hard to pack up my apartment, put everything I own into storage, and simultaneously take out the necessary things for Paris. Let me tell you it is extremely difficult to figure out what one will need for the next 3 months let alone fit it neatly into 1 large suitcase, a carry-on, and a backpack. I think I might have to deal with some weight issues come check-in time.

I have just a few more things left to do before Friday, perhaps the most important being finding a gift for my host family. Any suggestions? My thoughts were to send them Lou Malnati's pizzas, but I'm afraid that might not travel internationally so well. Hmm....

2 major things are freaking me out right now:
   
    a) I have to speak straight French for the next 3 months. This is going to be interesting. Don't get me wrong--I'm incredibly excited to learn and improve--but the task ahead seems daunting and scary. Currently I get so nervous when a fluent French-speaker starts a conversation with me that I almost hyperventilate in my attempts to understand and respond. We shall see how this goes.

    b) I'm not going to see some very important people for 3 months or more. :( I'm especially bummed to be missing little Matty's birthday (2nd year running...). I hope he still loves me when I return.

Well, that is all for now. Despite my reservations, I am really looking forward to being there in France, to eating the food everyday, and to interacting with my host family (The de Gaulle's). So far, they seem great and I can't wait to meet them all in person. I also have visiting Ela in Germany for Oktoberfest to look forward to, so expect some good posts to come!

Au revoir!