Hello, blogoshpere!
So we left for Strasbourg on Thursday morning. I had mixed feelings about this move, as I am sure almost everyone on the trip had also. After 2 weeks, we were finally getting comfortable(r) with our host families! From here on out, we don't have any moms to bring water bottles to European Parliaments, or people to drive us to chic bowling alleys.
lets see...what has happened since my last blog...
Highlights:
-Tarte Flambee night! with all the students and their families and more than enough food. miam! (the French equivalent of 'yum!')
(you learn words like miam and how to say "stop! you bug me!", "pony hair salon", and the ever popular "you stole my tiger!" when you have 2 little host sisters. But I loved it.)
-Lunch with my host father's mother (and her companion Eugene) and visiting Mont Sainte Odile all in the same, amazing day. Lunch in the town where my host father, Daniel, grew up, typically Alsacian. We had amazing food (what a surprise) and I had my first taste of champagne! They brought out the good stuff apparently. That is one thing that I have noticed here that kind of surprised me: the amazing hospitable spirit. They really want to welcome you and serve you. At the house we tasted the traditional baeckeoffe (or something like that) and after we headed to the Voges mountains to see Mont Sainte Odile.
Ok, Mont Sainte Odile was my favorite place we went these first two weeks. It was incredible, built on a peak of one of the Voges. There is a fascinating history/legend about the history of this place and of Sainte Odile herself. So fascinating, that I decided to give my presentation on (Mont) Sainte Odile.
She was born blind (and a female to boot). Her father wanted to abandon her but her mother gave her to a servant, who gave her to some sisters in a convent. When she was 12, a bishop came by and baptized her and she regained her sight. And a lot of interesting stuff that followed.
So that is all that I can really write now, but I will leave you with my favorite french phrase ever. It is up to you to figure out what it is :)
"un coupe de footballeur allemange"
Au revoir
Natalie
Friday, February 26, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
cheesy songs, cheesy cheese
A French song for everyone!
Or at least some people. Rachel seems to have a song for everyone! And really doesn't mind singing them, especially after an incredible (and I mean INCREDIBLE) meal of raclette and a couple glasses of wine and some anise liquor. But more on this meal later...FIRST I simply MUST link here some of those songs. This first one was for me, its cheesy, its from the 60s, its Nathalie!
This next one is dedicated to my dad. Its crazy, its late 80s, and its just really weird. Here comes Andy!
The last one comes from the land of 1990s french rap, and is a personal favorite of mine. Going out to Mia, its Je Danse le Mia!
I don't think any description can do justice to Raclette. Its melted cheese on potatoes, tomatoes, other veggies, assorted meats, accompanied by white wine. Last night our meal went from 8-10:30. It was very French, and very Alsatian.
I learned quite a bit of history last night over dinner; the conversation seemed to flow quite freely (maybe it was the magical raclette. Or the wine. Who knows?). The Alsatian people have a very interesting history, as Alsace has changed hands between France and Germany a gazillion times. The people here really identify with Alsace, differentiating themselves even from the Lorraine area, just next door. Apparently in Alsace there are a lot of Turkish immigrants, but not really anywhere else in France, just like in the Moselle of Lorraine (where Rachel is from) there are apparently a ton of Italian immigrants. It is a big mining area and after WWII, Italy, especially the southern part, was really poor. The government instated an initiative to get Italians to come work in the mines, or something like that (keep in mind this was all in french). I found it fascinating.
This morning I woke up to loud hammering noises. And I could not for the life of me figure out where they were coming from! I finally found out from my host mother that our retired neighbors (with whom we share a wall...its kind of like a duplex) were doing some construction work.
I wish I could show you how these houses are constructed. My house has a built in stair master (in the form of just a lot and lot of stairs), with narrow hallways and cupboards and/or fridges that you can only open when other doors are closed.
Something I like about traveling abroad:
Simple adolescent graffiti becomes hilarious. Walking by the castle where we have class (yes, we have class in a castle), someone had changed the letter "T" into a "P", changing a chateau into a chapeau. A castle into a hat. I found it hilarious.
ALSO!
We always walk by this store on our way to class, where we see a poster of George Clooney seductively holding a tiny espresso. Apparently, its a "thing" here in France. George Clooney and Nespresso. What else?
So far my family, my sister, and my Michele are getting post cards :)
Or at least some people. Rachel seems to have a song for everyone! And really doesn't mind singing them, especially after an incredible (and I mean INCREDIBLE) meal of raclette and a couple glasses of wine and some anise liquor. But more on this meal later...FIRST I simply MUST link here some of those songs. This first one was for me, its cheesy, its from the 60s, its Nathalie!
This next one is dedicated to my dad. Its crazy, its late 80s, and its just really weird. Here comes Andy!
The last one comes from the land of 1990s french rap, and is a personal favorite of mine. Going out to Mia, its Je Danse le Mia!
I don't think any description can do justice to Raclette. Its melted cheese on potatoes, tomatoes, other veggies, assorted meats, accompanied by white wine. Last night our meal went from 8-10:30. It was very French, and very Alsatian.
I learned quite a bit of history last night over dinner; the conversation seemed to flow quite freely (maybe it was the magical raclette. Or the wine. Who knows?). The Alsatian people have a very interesting history, as Alsace has changed hands between France and Germany a gazillion times. The people here really identify with Alsace, differentiating themselves even from the Lorraine area, just next door. Apparently in Alsace there are a lot of Turkish immigrants, but not really anywhere else in France, just like in the Moselle of Lorraine (where Rachel is from) there are apparently a ton of Italian immigrants. It is a big mining area and after WWII, Italy, especially the southern part, was really poor. The government instated an initiative to get Italians to come work in the mines, or something like that (keep in mind this was all in french). I found it fascinating.
This morning I woke up to loud hammering noises. And I could not for the life of me figure out where they were coming from! I finally found out from my host mother that our retired neighbors (with whom we share a wall...its kind of like a duplex) were doing some construction work.
I wish I could show you how these houses are constructed. My house has a built in stair master (in the form of just a lot and lot of stairs), with narrow hallways and cupboards and/or fridges that you can only open when other doors are closed.
Something I like about traveling abroad:
Simple adolescent graffiti becomes hilarious. Walking by the castle where we have class (yes, we have class in a castle), someone had changed the letter "T" into a "P", changing a chateau into a chapeau. A castle into a hat. I found it hilarious.
ALSO!
We always walk by this store on our way to class, where we see a poster of George Clooney seductively holding a tiny espresso. Apparently, its a "thing" here in France. George Clooney and Nespresso. What else?
So far my family, my sister, and my Michele are getting post cards :)
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Scotties and Americans...?
Today I opened my computer to my homepage (MSNBC) and the largest piece of news, stuck right in front of my face where there was no way I could miss it, was the fact that "Sadie the Scottie becomes America's new Top Dog"
Thanks MSNBC, I am glad that I won't perpetuate the American stereotype of being ignorant about world affairs!
Ah, American stereotypes. That is probably what I like least about France, and what I have been struggling with the most. I think a lot of it is just cultural differences (for example, the French love to debate, and argue about things. Nobody is offended, and nothing is personal: it is an art of the highest form. I however, hate confrontation of any sort, and find it very difficult to separate the insulting of a persons beliefs from the insulting of the person). And so much of what they know about the US is blown out of proportion by the media.
However, the other day when we visited the European Union Parliament, my scarf fell as we were leaving a room. The incoming group picked it up and the tour guide brought it out. I ran over to get it, and as she gave it to me, I heard her mutter under her breath "Oh you Americans". I was a little shocked, as we were all speaking french at the time. Really? I didn't know about the stereotype of Americans being the only nationality to accidentally drop scarves. The word that really comes to mind is disappointing. It was disappointing to hear.
However, my experience here so far (all 6 days of it) has been pretty positive (save the falling down the stairs). In class, we are reading Tristan et Iseult which is the Middle Ages equivalent of a soap opera. I am really quite enjoying it. The tea is fabulous, and bien sur the food (although I have discovered I am not a fan of white blood pudding. Which is not pudding, or blood. It is white sausage).
Last night Rachel (student, not host mother) and I went to see Percy Jackson: Le Voleur de Foudre. It was funny, perhaps even more so in French than in English. The best part, however, was that we could understand almost everything. Completement en francais.
Et Maintenant, des photos:
This is Haut-Barr. Tres cool, non?
In front of the EU:
The Double Helix staircase in the EU:
(which apparently is based off a similar design by da vinci in the chambourd castle!)
The view from my room:
Also, today I bought some post-cards. Who wants?
Much love from Saverne
Natalie
Thanks MSNBC, I am glad that I won't perpetuate the American stereotype of being ignorant about world affairs!
Ah, American stereotypes. That is probably what I like least about France, and what I have been struggling with the most. I think a lot of it is just cultural differences (for example, the French love to debate, and argue about things. Nobody is offended, and nothing is personal: it is an art of the highest form. I however, hate confrontation of any sort, and find it very difficult to separate the insulting of a persons beliefs from the insulting of the person). And so much of what they know about the US is blown out of proportion by the media.
However, the other day when we visited the European Union Parliament, my scarf fell as we were leaving a room. The incoming group picked it up and the tour guide brought it out. I ran over to get it, and as she gave it to me, I heard her mutter under her breath "Oh you Americans". I was a little shocked, as we were all speaking french at the time. Really? I didn't know about the stereotype of Americans being the only nationality to accidentally drop scarves. The word that really comes to mind is disappointing. It was disappointing to hear.
However, my experience here so far (all 6 days of it) has been pretty positive (save the falling down the stairs). In class, we are reading Tristan et Iseult which is the Middle Ages equivalent of a soap opera. I am really quite enjoying it. The tea is fabulous, and bien sur the food (although I have discovered I am not a fan of white blood pudding. Which is not pudding, or blood. It is white sausage).
Last night Rachel (student, not host mother) and I went to see Percy Jackson: Le Voleur de Foudre. It was funny, perhaps even more so in French than in English. The best part, however, was that we could understand almost everything. Completement en francais.
Et Maintenant, des photos:
This is Haut-Barr. Tres cool, non?
In front of the EU:
The Double Helix staircase in the EU:
(which apparently is based off a similar design by da vinci in the chambourd castle!)
The view from my room:
Also, today I bought some post-cards. Who wants?
Much love from Saverne
Natalie
Sunday, February 14, 2010
les bleus et la fesse
The only guaranteed way to make sure you learn french vocabulary words like "les bleus" or "la fesse" (bruises and buttock, respectively), is to accidentally fall down an entire flight of french stairs in front your wide-eyed, frightened 10 year old host sister.
ah, bien sur.
This embarrassing moment brought to you by socks on wooden stairs! Makers of quality embarrassing moments since the first visit of Americans to France!
Later that day, after a wonderful visit to the town of Metz (in Lorraine, with a cathedral with the highest interior of any in France and some stained glass done by Chagall), and meeting the cutest 6 year old french girl ever,my host sister Adele, we stopped at a 'resto' (restaurant) for some LEGIT tarte flambee.
oh, mon dieu.
it was heaven in the form of a thin pizza topped with cheese, onions, and tiny pieces of ham. At said resto I spilled my apperatif of blanc cassis, which is white wine with cassis (which is, I believe, a black current liqueur). I caught my glass at the last moment, luckily not spilling too much, which was good because it was delicious! My host parents remarked on how I have such luck! (not dying from tumbling down the stairs, catching my glass before it hit the ground). To this I simply replied that no, what I have is practice.
I am feeling much more comfortable here, and I think the jet lag is finally wearing off. Today I went to a Catholic Mass in the city center, and later my host family is taking me to Haut-Barr. Then tomorrow, back to the grind for our second official class.
Oh, also, for all of you who were dying to know (although you did not comment with your guesses...):
the answer is D. Grease! This fact led to my host mother saying "oh sandy!" in her John Travolta voice multiple times during our 1.5 hour car ride from Saverne to Metz. Ah, la vie :)
Au revoir
Natalie, la maladroite
Friday, February 12, 2010
vingt quatre heures.
Vignt Quatre Heures, for those of you who dont know, is the French name for the television show we know simply as :24:
Just as I was about to hit the sack (dont know what the french equiavlent of that colloquialism would be), I heard Rachel, my host mother, calling my name. I grabbed my empty mug of tisanne (herbal tea, keeping me warm in a 20 degree house), and headed downstairs to put it away. On my way past the living room, I saw another man sitting and chatting with my host parents. I wondered...could this be the man they were tellig me about? I stopped by the room and opened the door.
Indeed, I was introduced to none other than their neighbor ( my neighbor for the next two weeks), Jacques Bauer ( the French equvilent of Jack Bauer...but not really). This Jacques Bauer runs every Sunday with Daniel (my host father), and has a son, Julien, who is a 21 year-old classical musician (piano, violin,organ, etc) and who is also studying to be a male nurse. Apparently, as Rachel tells it, he is also very cute.
Yes, tonight, I met Jaques Bauer and talked with him and Rachel about the Buffalo extinction in America, and I tried to assure them that the buffalo have not gone completely extinct. You can bet that I am going to milk this story for all its worth. Also, I feel like I am jokingly being set up with his son, but hey, I could do a whole lot worse.
Also, I found out that Rachel has a special place in her heart for (guess which movie)
1. Pride and Prejudice
2. Sister Act 2
3. Anything Morgan Freedman
4. Grease
Answers to come next blog update!
Just as I was about to hit the sack (dont know what the french equiavlent of that colloquialism would be), I heard Rachel, my host mother, calling my name. I grabbed my empty mug of tisanne (herbal tea, keeping me warm in a 20 degree house), and headed downstairs to put it away. On my way past the living room, I saw another man sitting and chatting with my host parents. I wondered...could this be the man they were tellig me about? I stopped by the room and opened the door.
Indeed, I was introduced to none other than their neighbor ( my neighbor for the next two weeks), Jacques Bauer ( the French equvilent of Jack Bauer...but not really). This Jacques Bauer runs every Sunday with Daniel (my host father), and has a son, Julien, who is a 21 year-old classical musician (piano, violin,organ, etc) and who is also studying to be a male nurse. Apparently, as Rachel tells it, he is also very cute.
Yes, tonight, I met Jaques Bauer and talked with him and Rachel about the Buffalo extinction in America, and I tried to assure them that the buffalo have not gone completely extinct. You can bet that I am going to milk this story for all its worth. Also, I feel like I am jokingly being set up with his son, but hey, I could do a whole lot worse.
Also, I found out that Rachel has a special place in her heart for (guess which movie)
1. Pride and Prejudice
2. Sister Act 2
3. Anything Morgan Freedman
4. Grease
Answers to come next blog update!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
le jet lag, it is, how you say...ok. it sucks.
bonjour.
I am writing to you from Saverne, France! Yes, we finally made it. My jouney began with an 8 am flight from Portland to Spokane, where I waited until about 1 until my fellow travelers began to show up. All except our professor, that is, and it was here where we learned that madame Brown had caught a bad illness and wont be with us the first few days. However, our TA, Katrina, boldy stepped in! From there, we flew to Seattle, waited again, and then flew into London. From the Heathrow airport we flew (yet again) to Paris, and took le TVG (really fast train) to Strasbourg, and piled into a 14 person bus to Saverne.
However, our autocar (bus) ended up breaking down halfway to Saverne. which turned out to be fine. The exauhstion was, by this point, so overwhelming that i found it difficult to be angered or anything of the sort. i was almost even too exhausted to be tired... even if my accidentally sleeping in until 3 PM would state otherwise...
So we sat there in the bus, hoping it was a regular cigarette our driver was smoking, watching a woman watch us from her 2nd story window, watching the snow, taking pictures, and soaking up what is the typical travelling abroad experience. that is, broken down vehicles and being late to destnations, but also taking seemingly negative events and using them for positive experiences.
My Host Family!
they seem quite nice. I think I am going to have to struggle to parler toujours le francais as my host mother is an english teacher! her name is Rachel, and she is kind, albeit a little intimidating. I am still not quite sure what my host fathers name is ( and at this moment not sure it they have an apostrophe key on this keyboard...) but he is sweet and helped me igure out the telephone. i know they have 2 daughters, though one - the six year old, i believe, is at her grandmothers house for the week.
anyway, i am not quite sure what to do. It is so overwhelming! tomorrow we will have class, so that will give me some structure, that is if i can manage to wake up on time.
i will write again soon, hopefully.
au revoir1
I am writing to you from Saverne, France! Yes, we finally made it. My jouney began with an 8 am flight from Portland to Spokane, where I waited until about 1 until my fellow travelers began to show up. All except our professor, that is, and it was here where we learned that madame Brown had caught a bad illness and wont be with us the first few days. However, our TA, Katrina, boldy stepped in! From there, we flew to Seattle, waited again, and then flew into London. From the Heathrow airport we flew (yet again) to Paris, and took le TVG (really fast train) to Strasbourg, and piled into a 14 person bus to Saverne.
However, our autocar (bus) ended up breaking down halfway to Saverne. which turned out to be fine. The exauhstion was, by this point, so overwhelming that i found it difficult to be angered or anything of the sort. i was almost even too exhausted to be tired... even if my accidentally sleeping in until 3 PM would state otherwise...
So we sat there in the bus, hoping it was a regular cigarette our driver was smoking, watching a woman watch us from her 2nd story window, watching the snow, taking pictures, and soaking up what is the typical travelling abroad experience. that is, broken down vehicles and being late to destnations, but also taking seemingly negative events and using them for positive experiences.
My Host Family!
they seem quite nice. I think I am going to have to struggle to parler toujours le francais as my host mother is an english teacher! her name is Rachel, and she is kind, albeit a little intimidating. I am still not quite sure what my host fathers name is ( and at this moment not sure it they have an apostrophe key on this keyboard...) but he is sweet and helped me igure out the telephone. i know they have 2 daughters, though one - the six year old, i believe, is at her grandmothers house for the week.
anyway, i am not quite sure what to do. It is so overwhelming! tomorrow we will have class, so that will give me some structure, that is if i can manage to wake up on time.
i will write again soon, hopefully.
au revoir1
Friday, February 5, 2010
Four Days!
Bonjour, tout le monde!
We leave for France in FOUR DAYS. I am excited for it, but I still don't believe it has fully sunk in that I am leaving almost everything familiar for three months...
Here is a brief schedule of where we are going to be and when:
Tuesday, Feb 9: Group flies to FRANCE
Wednesday, Feb 10: Group arrives in Paris, takes train to Sauverne for homestays
Thursday, Feb 24: Group moves to CIARUS - STRASBOURG
Monday, Mar 8: Group moves to PARIS
Thursday, Mar 25: Group takes the train to Caen in Normandy.
Thursday, Apr 1: Group takes the train back to Paris
Saturday, Apr 3 – Saturday, April 10 – Spring Break in Ireland!
Sunday, Apr 11: Arrive back in PARIS Class starts the next day
Mon, Apr 26: Group takes the train to Nice
Tue, May 4: Group flies home from Nice
et voila!
Now on to packing...
We leave for France in FOUR DAYS. I am excited for it, but I still don't believe it has fully sunk in that I am leaving almost everything familiar for three months...
Here is a brief schedule of where we are going to be and when:
Tuesday, Feb 9: Group flies to FRANCE
Wednesday, Feb 10: Group arrives in Paris, takes train to Sauverne for homestays
Thursday, Feb 24: Group moves to CIARUS - STRASBOURG
Monday, Mar 8: Group moves to PARIS
Thursday, Mar 25: Group takes the train to Caen in Normandy.
Thursday, Apr 1: Group takes the train back to Paris
Saturday, Apr 3 – Saturday, April 10 – Spring Break in Ireland!
Sunday, Apr 11: Arrive back in PARIS Class starts the next day
Mon, Apr 26: Group takes the train to Nice
Tue, May 4: Group flies home from Nice
et voila!
Now on to packing...
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