C'est Paris! Nous sommes jeunes et nous sommes vivant.

I arrived in Paris a few days before the rest of the group and decided to acquaint myself with the city. It turns out that using the metro and walking the streets is relatively simple if you have somewhere to go and if you don't have anywhere to go it works all the better. The city is substantially different from what I have been lead to expect. Although movies and television shows attempt to paint the city as the epitome of beauty, they refrain from mentioning several important details. The city is fairly dirty, it is littered with trash, smells like urine, and there are gypsies and pickpockets everywhere. Regardless, Paris is still one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The museums are packed with historical artifacts, paintings, and other various artworks that are incredible. Each building is ornately decorated with hundreds or thousands of years of history. The food and wine is incredible. The fast food tastes better. It is no wonder that the city holds such popularity. After wandering through Paris for a couple of days, the group arrived and the following morning we visited Sacre-Coeur, this commenced a long day of traveling through the city and visiting the sites. Since this time, we have been to Musee de l'Orangerie, Musee Rodin, Musee d'Orsay, Les Invalides, The Catacombs, Versailles, L'Arc de Triomphe, La Tour Eiffel, and the Louvre. Despite the overabundance of tourists, it has been nothing short of the most incredible city in the world, that I have yet seen.

Versailles

Today we went to Versailles. we all got to go around and explore all of the Garden. The Garden is massive and was a lot of fun going around by foot, bike and by golf-kart. We all had a good time racing around in our golf-karts even though we could only go about 5 miles per hour. And my favorite part of it all was being able to get a bike and go out to the farthest points of the garden. It was very peaceful and it was a beautiful day.

-Andrew Meek

Home Sweet Home

Spent a weekend in Rome. It was tight, but I was ready to get back home to Nice. Rome was cool and there was lots of stuff to see, but Nice just feels like home to me now. I really started to feel a little homesick while we were gone! I want to live in Nice when I grow up. Here's a pic of the Woof Pack at the airport. I always wanted to get picked up at the airport by someone holding a sing with my name on it. Yet another checkmark on my bucket list!!

Midnight in Paris ..

We finally arrived in Paris, right about at the stroke of midnight ... almost 3 hours later than the planned arrival time.  For those who have seen Midnight in Paris, the movie, we were not transported into a different, "golden age", but we were transported into the excitement of being in this great city!  After 2 additional train transfers and a short walk, we landed at our hotel just shy of 1:00 a.m.

There was a strike today with the train workers, at least on the local level in Nice, perfectly planned timing, as it is right when everyone was trying to get to Monaco.  A few of us had managed to make it to Villefranche, a small village close to Nice, to go to the beach, after major problems with our overcrowded trains, however, when it came time to return to catch the train for Paris, no trains were to be found.  We finally teamed up with three Britts who were there to celebrate one man's birthday, and go the the Grand Prix.  The six of us shared a taxi back to Nice.  The driver didn't get the message that we needed to get to the train station first, so we wouldn't miss our train, and was taking the English mine to their hotel first, so finally we just told the driver to drop us off, so we could run, and run we did...  We made it in time to the station, only to find out it had been delayed!  C'est la vie!

Elections

My first day in France I was able to go with the lady that I was staying with and see how the voting system works here in France. It was explained to me that there are many people that run for the presidency and that one can vote for. But then the election gets narrowed down to two candidates. I was able to see the voting for the two candidates.

There was a long line just like we have in the states but none of it was electronic. The people would walk in with their ids and would give that to one person and then on the next table there were two stacks of paper. The two stacks had the names of both of the candidates. Each voter was to take both names into the booth and then to take and small blue envelope that was next to the two paper stacks. The voters would go into the both and put one of the names into the small blue envelope. Then there was a big glass box that was see through and they would slide the envelope into the box and on the next table would be where they would sign their name. A little different than the states but that's how it's down in France.

-Andrew Meek

"I'm the money...Every penny of it" (James Bond: Casino Royale)

Having the chance to be in Europe is already amazing, but having the chance to visit Monte Carlo & Monaco during the Grand Prix is kind of awesome. Monaco is where Prince Albert lives and it is a separate city state from France. Things you will see when walking around: girls walking in six-inch heels taking photos next to million dollar cars (that aren't theirs), a ton of old men driving those million dollar cars, a giant white sculpture of a baby next to the marine museum (so random), and bleachers lining the roads getting ready for the grand prix. The casino is pretty spectacular and I couldn't help but imagine myself in James Bond Casino Royale when I walked through the front doors. Aside from the beautiful ocean, since it is part of the French riviera, the Japanese garden to the left of the casino is breathtaking and a must see if you ever go, and seeing Princess Grace Kelly's grave was also a favorite moment.

Kind of spectacular all of the great adventures we are having together; we soak in the french culture everyday and improve this magnificent language--who knew learning verbs could be so fun ;)

Travel Often-

Alle

All photos taken by me

Roma

This last weekend a few of us flew over to Rome for the weekend.  It was really neat to be able to see all of the big tourist attractions.  We saw the colosseum, the pope in vatican city, the pantheon, mouth of truth statue, and trevi fountain.  It was neat to be able to learn some more about a different culture and hear the language.  I originally thought Italian was similar to french but after being there I realized it is not at all like French.  Being in Rome made me appreciate the French and their culture and the city of Nice so much more.  Rome was a neat place to visit, but France is so much better! The streets are cleaner, people a little friendlier, and the food is better!

It is official, I am in LOVE with France.  It is such a beautiful place and so fun to be.  This last week we were able to go to Cannes during the Film Festival.  I have never seen so many dogs in one day in my life! I loved it though, the beach was amazing, people and cameras everywhere! It was so fun to be able to be there during the festival.  Before coming out to france I had always heard the French people are not friendly but after 2 weeks in southern france I feel as if it is the exact opposite! They are always so incredibly friendly and helpful.  We walked around the city some and napped on the beach walked around the market and then were able to go to a film at the festival, it was very strange but at least we can say we've been to a movie at the Cannes Film Festival!

French Culture: True or False?

Before we left, we were assigned to read the book, French or Foe, by Polly Platt.  She writes about what to expect in France, and why Americans think the french are rude and vica versa.  We were supposed to come up with 5 questions from that reading, (or inspired by that reading) that we wanted to try to answer while in France.  These are mine:

1. Is it true that the french eat a large dinner?
2. Is it true that the french are more interested in relationships than business deals?
3. How would that be verified, what would that look like?
4. Are dinners more formal?  Is conversation a large part of the enjoyment of dinner?
5. Do the french really not smile at foreigners?

I will make comments on what I have observed so far, and what I continue to observe not only in Nice, but Paris.  I imagine that there may be a big difference in what I find in Paris, than in Nice, but ... time will tell.

So far I have not witnessed a large dinner, quite the contrary.  However, several of the other students who are staying with other families have, including true french cuisine, like escargot!  I have had some lovely french dinners: quiche and a soufflé-like roll.
Conversation at the dinner table does seem to be an important part of the culture.  I enjoy it very much.  I also was honored to be invited to visit with my hostess and her family when they had her birthday toast of champagne (and my orange juice).  It was delightful to listen to the family interact.  They were very polite and kind to include me in the conversation and make sure I understood what was being said.

As far as relationships .... I mentioned to our professor, Tammy, when we were eating a late lunch in the plaza, that what we were doing was much of what I saw the book trying to express about the french.  The plaza is open, with shops and restaurants all around, yet the most wonderful part of it is the conversing that is taking place.  People sit outside of the restaurants, where they can see and hear what is going on all around them, and interact as they choose.  A great, and I think very french experience!

Enough for now!

One Week

This place is awesome!! I've only been here for a week, but I don't ever wanna leave! Every day we have done something cool, and each day has been better than the one before it. And I feel like my French is getting a lot better too. It's like in school I was learning French language theory or something, like how French is supposed to work, but being able to talk to people on the tram, or in the streets, or where ever I find them, has been teaching me how to apply the what I've learned in school and has been teaching me new things too. Here's a random pic of a corn cob pipe some guy gave me on one of our first days here.

I Survived........ one week!

It's been a full week since we arrived in Nice. And we have been on the go ever since. There are so many things to see and everything is tres jolie! 

 The view from our window

 Not only is the scenery amazing, so are the Eclairs......

 and the chocolate Meringue....... this was my pickles!

 There are also Natives in France as well! ;-)

<3 Kaye

P.S. Shout out to Marianna!! Thanks for working hard and taking care of us! Wish you were here!! 

Entreveux

Today we were able to head up to Entreveux in the Alps.  It was amazing! The little town had so much character and the views were gorgeous.  I loved getting up to the top of the citadel and looking in every direction.  After exploring a bit we found a little cave to climb down in and it led us to a different exit.  It was incredible.  It's so interesting to think about all that must have happened there since it was used in past wars.  I love everything about France so far and each day has gotten better and better! And of course, we couldn't leave without a little planking and tebowing at the top!

Put Me On a Bus & Take Me Anywhere

Samedi, we took a bus with Professor Blandine to a town tucked away on a hill called, Saint Paul de Vence. 

At the end of the road there is an overlook that shows out to the cemetery

This town definitely has a lot of character. 

Vence reminds me of a little village that would be featured in Godfather, it has a definite Italian spin. 

Or maybe it's just because I was chilling with an Evian outside of a little bar in front of this fountain (like in Godfather III)

I was obsessed with this little Italian place the group stopped to eat at, the piano was attached to the ceiling upside down--J'adore! 

I have to say one of my favorite moments was the short bit I got to have alone with Professor Blandine, when we got on the "short bus" (lol! because I'm a gimp with my sprained toe) she asked the bus driver to take us up to the "Hollywood sign" (which I think is credited towards Travis) to snap a photo. It is the Vence sign that is a little version of our Hollywood sign back in the states. We barely got it, but watching Blandine so proud of capturing it and her smile were just simply priceless. 

Right before this though, we had the chance to go through the Matisse Chapel that is really interesting. Cameras and taking photos are not allowed... well, leave it to one in the group to be the rebel. Don't judge!! Lol. 

I simply could not resist. 

Travel Often-

Alle

all photos taken by me