she's back!

I thought it was about time to let you all know that I'm still alive! HELLOO!
I can't believe it's already been a month since I last wrote! Time is starting to fly by!

Highlights of the last month: Last time I wrote, I was soon headed to Belgium and Amserdam. It was a wonderful trip, and I had a great time getting to know the girls I went with better (mostly all from my Wellesley group). Let's see...we first checked into our hostel in Brussels on a Tuesday night. From there we went out and explored the Brussels night life, mostly in and around La Grande Place. It's a spectacular place, with beautiful architecture and waffles and fries everywhere! A pretty impressive selection of beer, too!
The next day we got up early and explored Brussels by day, going first for breakfast (waffles, of course!), next to the Dali museum, then through multiple parks to the Palais Royale and the Senate, allll around, stopping only for a nice Italian lunch. We then came back to the hostel to rest for a little bit, then went back out for dinner. It was a relatively early night, because we were all tired and would be traveling to Brugges the next day.
The next day we found our way to the train station and took the hour long train to Brugges to spend the day. I loved it! It's such a quaint little town, with cute houses, horse-drawn carriages, and canals. A bit like a cute, little dutch version of Venice. We spent the day biking around, taking a canal tour, and of course sampling the local chocolate, fries, and beer (I think you're getting the idea of what my diet consisted of for the week). Then we headed back to Brussels, exhausted but happy, had a light dinner and then went to bed.
The next morning we woke up at 4am (!) to catch our 5:30 bus to Amsterdam. We found it easily enough, and I slept the whole way. When in Amsterdam, we checked into our very classy hostel, went for a group lunch at a fantastic little cafe nearby, then split off to do our own thing. My friend and I went into Amsterdam proper to take an open-air bus tour, to get a sense of the city. It was a great idea- we got to see alot! On the way we marked places we wanted to go back to. That night we all met at a little local restaurant and proceeded to be served- and eat- a heaping buffet of local food. Meat, veggies, potatoes...that sort of thing. It was delicious! After that we walked around the city for a bit and then to a pub for a quick drink. My friend and I were thinking of going to a club located in an old church, but the place was riotously expensive, and we frankly didn't have the energy for much dancing. So we returned home, and slept very well.
The next morning we woke up, had breakfast in the hostel, then headed out to the Anne Frank museum. It was an incredibly moving presentation. From there, we all met back up at the famous AMsterdam sign, had a quick strobbewaffle, and then proceeded to have a photoshoot (like every other tourist in the world who comes to Amsterdam). From there we strolled around, taking pictures of the canals and doing a bit of shopping. Some of us witnessed the grand opening of the biggest Apple store in Europe, got free Tshirts and took a tour. Later that night, we met up for Indonesian food - and the dutch REALLY know how to make their Indonesian! When our tummies were full and we could eat no more, we hung around the town for a bit, enjoying the weather and energy, then slowly made our way back to the hostel.
Our last morning in Amsterdam, we took it easy, sleeping in until we were awoken by the made telling us we needed to check out (oops). So we packed our things and headed to the same cafe of our first lunch to hang out and wait until it was time to take our bus back to Brussels.
When back in Brussels, we checked into our hostel, and then went out for one last woohoo together before the end of our trip! The next morning was another 4am wake up, and we all trudged to the bus, then the train, and then the plane back to Marseille. It started to rain on our way there, and then was snowing when we boarded the plane. Gates do not really exist here, so we had to walk in it, only to stand around and wait until we could get on. I was soaked, tired, and unhappy when I got on that plane. A nap helped though, and I awoke to the view of the sunny, golden coast of Marseille. We were very happy to be back.
I came back to the apartment, exhausted and utterly relieved to be home. I rested and unpacked, then somehow found the energy to make it to my theater class that night.
So ends that story! As I mentioned, a fantastic trip with many good memories and good friends. I have to say though, that I was absolutely spent by the time we got back- it took me a couple days just to catch my breath and to catch up on some much needed sleep.

Since then I have enjoyed myself immensely: going to class (blah), spending time with the family...I've even planned a few more trips since then, which will be coming up shortly!
I just got back today from a weekend spent in Paris with my exchange little sister, Celia. We had a great time, walking the streets, sitting in parks, and enjoying the sun. What a different place Paris is in the summer! It was quite warm, and swarms of people were out strolling, sipping wine, and dozing in the sun in the parks or along the Seine. We went back to the Jardin Luxembourg, and I was stunned by the masses of people around! They had good reason though, everything was green, the flowers were blooming, birds were singing, there was a slight breeze....it was heavenly. But crowded, that's for sure.

I've realized that, looking at my calendar, I have no weekends 'free' until the beginning of exam period! This Friday our Wellesley group is taking a short trip to Switzerland; next week my wonderful parents and grandmother are coming to visit until the next weekend; Easter weekend I'm looking to go to Nice; the weekend after that I head to Madrid to meet up with two good friends from Wellesley; and then the weekend after that our Spring break starts, and I'm going to Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, and Milan with friends from here!
It's crazy..I can already see the end of my time here approaching: I only have a few weeks of classes left! When I get back from Spring break though, I know I will be staying around Aix. I want to spend the last little time I have with my family.

Well, friends, that's all for now! It's about time I motivate myself to do some work before theater class tonight.
I'm missing you all! I hope to write again soon- sooner than last time!
My love to you <3

beach weather already!

Cassis

La Grande Place in Brussels

staple of my diet

view of old town Brussels

View of modern Brussels

Fry sampling in Brugges

Canal tour!

view from the canals

no standing in the boat!

biker girls on our bike tour around Brugges

Historic Amsterdam

beautiful canals along Amsterdam

can't get enough

long time no talk

Hello all! 

It's been a while, though I'm sure you will be happy to know that I haven't written because I've been so busy having fun here in the south of France!

The weather has finally started to warm up- I can now leave the house without my gloves, and sometimes even without a jacket! We are all very happy to see the sun and spend alot of time soaking it up in the parks and cafes. It's impressive what good weather can do for one's mood! I feel like, in the past couple of weeks, I've finally settled into my life here.

This coming week is our vacation. We originally planned to go to Toulouse for the weekend before leaving for Belgium on Tuesday, but that never really worked out. I'm fine with it though- I'm welcoming the down time with my family in preparation for the good times to come in Brussels and Amsterdam. Tomorrow morning I'm leaving for the day with a friend and driving to the beach. We're both excited to go. Then I'll come back and spend Monday getting ready for the big trip! I should probably get some homework done between now and then, too...

Classes here, as I may have mentioned before, are not inspiring and I have a hard time motivating myself to work when there are so many other things I want to do. It's very unlike me! Classes are a necessity though, so unfortunately I need to get my act together, at least a little bit, before exams.

Being here has been really good for me. Life here is slower and more relaxed and the new pace of life has been very restful for my soul. I feel relaxed, and am for once in my life content to improvise and "flow with the wind". Very little is planned ahead of time here, so one needs to get used to not knowing. It's been a very good exercise for me, because I've always driven myself crazy with my need to plan.

Weekends here are wonderful. On Saturdays we wake up late, have a relaxed breakfast, and then go to the market. We then go to a nearby cafe to read, drink coffee, and enjoy the sun. For lunch we usually buy a rotisserie chicken and potatoes, which we eat when we get back. The rest of the day is spent lounging around drinking moroccan mint tea and eating dates. Sunday is spent doing much of the same thing, though without the market, maybe a movie, and with a smaller lunch and bigger dinner. I never really feel the Sunday blues here- maybe because I don't have class on Mondays- but also, I think, because the week is so relaxed aswell. In short, weekends are very restful and enjoyable. I love spending the time with my family.

On Mondays I've started to help Sandrine and Robert (my host parents) by going to the school where they work and spending some time with the students in English class. I enjoy it, and it's very easy for me as all I need to do is speak in English! I like helping them when I can, and I find the experience personally rewarding. I like getting to know the French youth. Their perspectives on the US is pretty amusing and enlightening.

Now, friends, it is time for me to leave you again: it's time to sit out in a the sun and drink tea while reading a book for my litterature class! Torture, I know.

À bientôt!

<3

view of Paris from Notre Dame

First foie gras ever!

An excellent dinner of snails and hot wine

Hello All!

Everything is bon here in Aix! The weather has been superr cold, which has been a bummer (the Aix-ians share the Atlanta-ian view of, and preparation for, snow...AKA- apocalypse). The weather does make things a bit difficult, my 40 minute walk to school a bit less pleasant, but things should get better soon. My blood seems to be thickening too.

This past week was kindof a difficult one for me. I've been very frustrated with my classes and the french academic system, and have had a little bit of trouble coping and adapting. Up until now, nothing in my schedule has been concrete, which can make things difficult for anyone. I suffered a strong bout of homesickness and lonliness these past few days, was feeling a bit defeated, but things are starting to look up now that my schedule is becoming clear. I've finally figured out which classes I'm going to take, so I now know when I'll be able to take the time to do some other things I want to do (wine tastings, cooking classes, theater classes, dance classes, theater, gym..). The longer I spend here the easier it gets for me, too. Living in France has become less tiring, which is wonderful. For a while there I was exhausted after doing simple things, like going to the market (with speaking and trying to understand all the French/ the way things work here). Less fatigue means that I have more energy and feel more inspired to go out and explore! This, as I'm sure you can imagine, is a very good thing. One never realizes how much of a difference it makes in one's happiness when we don't have the energy to do anything.

Things with the family are fabulous. They are so fun, and I love coming home and spending time with them! I love my new siblings too- last week, when they were here, we spent alot of time together watching movies, talking, and whatnot. Today the family and I are going to see a movie together, and then we're going to come back and I'm going to cook for them (Hamburger Stroganoff, a family recipe, and one of my favorite dishes! Grandma, you will be happy to hear that your recipe has made its way back to Europe!) I'm looking forward to sharing some of my home with them, as they've been so generous as to share their home with me! I'm going to play some of my music for them too, which they really enjoy.

Yesterday I booked tickets to go on an adventure with some of my girl friends from the group for our winter break. The plan is we'll leave on the Friday of our break to go to Toulouse, stay until Tuesday looking around, then fly from Marseille to Belgium. We'll stay there for two or three days, then take a bus to Amsterdam. We'll stay there until Sunday, when we'll go back to Brussels, spend the night, and then fly back to Marseille on Monday morning. I'm really looking forward to it! I love the girls I'm going with, we have the same ideas of what we want to do (experience the daily life, not spend much time in museums), and I've always wanted to visit these places! I'm already looking forward to the Belgian chocolate and waffles...

For a little while I hesitated making plans, because I was overwhelmed by the number of places I wanted to visit and couldn't decide when was the best time to go where, blah blah blah, but I quickly decided that it was best to go with a fun group. And anywhere I go will be interesting and fun! This whole experience has inspired me to look into other places to visit and to start planning NOW. I luckily have a three day weekend every weekend (no classes for me on Mondays!), so I could look into going somewhere any weekend! I have some places that are high on my list: London, for one, because I have quite a few friends studying there, and its so cheap to get there! Then Spain, where I also have friends, and then there's Morocco, where I'll go with some friends from my group here! This new activity has definitely helped raise my spirits... ;)

Another thing that definitely raised my spirits yesterday was the discovery of a specialty beer store, a mere five minutes walk from where I live! I've decided to start a course all of my own: each week I'll go and buy a couple of beers, drink, rate, and describe them, then go back for more! I'll get through quite a few of them that way :) Maybe I'll create a beer blog.

That's all for now...time for the movies!

my love to you all <3

Gelato with my new family!

Cappuccinos in the main square: a new favorite past-time

untitled

Dear all,

I've been negligent, I'm sorry. To be honest, my too-smart mac decided to translate everything from English to French, and it took me a while to figure out how to make a new blog! But now everything is back in English, so all if well :)

I've been in Aix for one week today! I've been very busy, and have been learning alot. I'm all moved in with my host family, who are wonderful. They are so sweet and are very patient with me and my broken French. I'm very fond of them and already feel at home here. They have two children, a daughter and a son, whom Im also very fond of. I've adopted them...I enjoy having younger siblings! The family and I are very similar in terms of interests. The daughter studies psychology and biology, the brother takes theater classes (which I now take aswell), and the mother and Robert are very hip, energetic, and love all things cultural. They also enjoy cooking. I feel so lucky to have been placed with them!

Their apartment is about five minutes from the center of town and ten minutes from the Cours Mirabeau (the Champs-Elysées of Aix). It's very easy and convenient to go anywhere I want to go!

Since my arrival I've met a few new international friends on a trip to Avignon organized by Erasmus- (anyone heard the song?). That was a fun day!

I've started courses this week, and they are...interesting. Much different than what I'm used to: much bigger and impersonal than Wellesley. It will take getting used to, that's for sure.

I have yet to pick all my courses, as these next two weeks are the "trial period". I know I'll be taking a translation class, which is mandatory for my major. There's a literature course on the texts of Molière I'm pretty sure I'll love, and an archeology class I have yet to try, so that leaves 1 more for me to choose. It should be easy to find: there are lots of interesting history course options.

And I'm loving Aix! It's a very charming city, full of small streets full of vendors, daily produce markets, cafés, parks, fountains...I could go on and on. And its WARM! So much warmer than Paris. Though it's usually quite cool and night and in the morning, there's sun everyday. The wind can make things complicated, though.

Aix is definitly a walking city: the university is a 25 minute walk for me. I don't mind it though, when its nice out (which it has been thus far, and will only get better!)

Apart from courses, promenading, and eating, I have little to do. My boredom won't last long though, I know. It will be fabulous when I figure everything out!I'm enrolled in a theater course, and hope to enroll in some dance and cooking classes, and join a gym!

Last night the family and I went to a movie premiere, which was alot of fun!

That's all for now...on with my life!

my love to you all!

"Sur le pont D'Avignon"...(famous bridge in Avignon)

Avignon

 

Fontaine de Vacluse

The grotto!

Gordes

 

 

Cheese selection at the weekly market in Aix

And the fruit!!

Le Cours Mirabeau

Photo entry

Foggy Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel at dawn

Inside the monastery gardens

The old monastery

Why do I feel like I'm always eating? Lunch time! Dessert, two times a day (!)

The northern coast

our window in the fortified ancient city of Saint-Malo

Saint-Malo

Chateau Saint Malo

Saint-Malo

The speciality, mussels!

The life.

Hello all!


Today was a relatively relaxed day: no tours. We had class at 9 until 10:30 this morning, then I went back up to my room and took a nap until 12 (I'm so tired these days!). The big sales in France started today (like Black Friday, but until February), so of course we had to go look at the shops! I didn't last very long though: things were crazy and I'm not much of a shopper. I did get a nice green sweater for 9 euro, though! It was fun looking around, at least. I also had to come back to the hotel to do some research into courses for Aix because we had a meeting about it at 4. 
After the meeting, which ended around 6:30, I came back to the room and relaxed for a little bit. I was starving and wanted to get dinner, but couldn't find anyone to eat with. I was feeling particularly homesick today too, which was hard. But instead of moping around my room like I was tempted to, I decided to go out and treat myself to a nice dinner. I walked around for a bit, looking for a cafe and enjoying the night air, when I decided on going into a very cute restaurant on one of the quieter side roads. They had a vey reasonable fixed menu, so I started with escargot (which I've come to like very much), roast chicken with salad, and then crème brulée. I had hot wine too, of course! I was proud of myself for going out on my own, and felt much better after eating such a good meal! The women next to me were American too; it was a bit of a comfort to eavesdrop on their english. It's funny how people of the same nationality find such camaraderie in each other when in a foreign country! When I was finished, they asked me in English how my meal was, and I think were pleasantly surprised to find out I was also American. We chatted for a bit, and then I left, happy and full.


I'm back at the hotel now, studying and attempting to upload some photos for you all to see. The internet is extremely slow here though, so I think they'll have to wait until I have a better connection (hopefully in Aix!)


love to you!

Week 2

Salut tous!


It's been a while since we last spoke! This past weekend our group took a little trip to Normandy and Brittany for the weekend. They were both such beautiful places! I'd seen the French country side before, but I found it breathtaking all over again.


On Friday afternoon, after literature class, we all left on a big bus to drive to Normandy. The ride was about 4 hours long, but I didn't mind because I love bus rides and observing the countryside. We stopped at a rest stop to find some food and the restrooms, I was really surprised by how luxurious the building was, and how much food they offered! It was like a mini supermarket in the middle of nowhere, with a scrumptious cafe in the middle. Many bought croissants (which I admit, I was tempted by), but I stuck with a bit more of the daily stuff: cookies and chocolate from the region (much healthier..?). From there we continued on until we reached our hotel which was located in a small town near Mont-Saint-Michel. There we ate a delicious dinner, with salad, fish, cheese, and dessert ordered for us by Madame Masson, the head of our group. And of course, we drank wonderful wine! It was a very memorable meal, with such great company! I really enjoyed getting to know the girls more.
The second day we woke up early to travel to Mont-Saint-Michel, which is a beautiful monastery build on top of a rock in the middle of floor plains. It is a stunning building. I'd seen it once before with my family, but was only too happy to be able to see it again! We arrived very early, before the museum opened and before tourists arrived, so we got to explore the town and ramparts of the monastery alone before our tour. It was a cold, grey, and rainy day, which was unfortunate, but it resulted in very few tourists being around. This was very nice, and our private tour got to see things that we wouldn't have been able to get close enough to during peak season! After the tour we had a bit of free time, where we explored the shops. Then we all loaded back onto the bus (like little ducklings) and went to a creperie for lunch, where madame again ordered us delicious fare, with plenty of fermented apple cider of the region. I had a great galette with sausage and ratatouille, with an ENORMOUS chocolate and almond crepe for dessert (which I ate all of, of course!). 
After this, we travelled to Brittany and the old coastal town of Saint-Malo. I had no idea the French coast was so beautiful, the water so aqua! I understand how it is a luxury visit in the summertime. There are to parts to the city of Saint-Malo: one new, the other old and surrounded by stone wall. The city dates back to the middle ages, before Brittany was a part of France. It is a spectacular town, with cobblestone walkways, small roads, tall houses, old churches, and high walls with ramparts all around. There we stayed in a very cute hotel right on the edge, with views of the harbor. After getting settled, we quickly set out on a private tour of the city. I loved hearing about the history! When we finished our tour at six, we had a little time before the shops closed, we we did some shopping. A few of us tried some of the local sweets- a must!- and went hunting for discount shoes, which we found. Then a group of twelve of us went to dinner in a great cafe, where we all ate seafood (St. Malo is renown for its seafood). I had the famous delicacy of the region, fresh mussels, with a glass of wine recommended specifically by Madame Masson. The mussels were delicious, and tasted all together different than the mussels I'm used to! From there, a few of us broke off from the group in search of a pub, but to no avail. We were too tired anyway, I think, so we just ended up walking around the city. Then, to bed! We were all exhausted from the long day.
The final morning we woke up, had a quick breakfast, then loaded onto the bus once again to go back to Normandy to visit the small town of Colleville, whose beach was one of the major locations of the beach invasion on D Day. We ate lunch there, once again hosted by madame (with more wine!), explored to beach a bit, and then left to visit the American cemetery. We had a short visit of the cemetery (we were unfortunately running out of time, as is always the case), and then started our journey back to Paris. What a weekend! I enjoyed myself tremendously, and felt so much closer to everyone in the group after that (including Madame and her husband!)
Today we had class in the morning, after which I took a nap, and then a friend and I went walking around Paris to find the Opéra Garnier. We found it all by ourselves! We were so proud. We met up with the group and had a tour of the opera, which is a magnificent building, full of gold, marble, mirrors, statues, and mosaics. It's like a mini Versailles, and in fact was modeled after it! I could have spent hours in that building. I'm going to look into seeing an opera there, actually. I think it would be an incredible experience, and I'd use any excuse the see the building again!
From there, my friend and I went to eat lunch, then did a little shopping, and returned to the hotel. I bought a pair of pants, which I needed desperately, and a novel that was written in the 17th century, called " La Princesse de Clèves". It's all about the the duel between passion and virtue in French court, and we read a bit of it in our class here...I'm really looking forward to starting it! I think it's only fitting, also, that I be reading in French swell as speaking it!
When we got back, I rested for a little bit, then went out with some friends for Indian food. It was a great time!
Tomorrow: class, and a tour of the Musée de Victor Hugo. I'm excited and ready to go!


love to you all <3

l'Opéra Garnier

the Seine at dusk