Hey guys!
Thought I would let you all know that I arrived safely in Strasbourg! The wifi is sketchy and costly, so I am not sure how frequently I will be able to update all you lovely people. in any case, I will write more soon.
Natalie
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Bordeaux pictures
So the title of today's blog does not in any way relate to this first bit but it must be said.
As a class "activity" we might have all gone chocolate tasting today...
(might as in we most definitely DID)
In other news I changed my blog theme. I think this is easier to read. What say you?
Also here are some pictures from Bordeaux (a lovely, beautiful town)
(that last one seems like some un-naturally sassy stained glass, yes?)
As a class "activity" we might have all gone chocolate tasting today...
(might as in we most definitely DID)
In other news I changed my blog theme. I think this is easier to read. What say you?
Also here are some pictures from Bordeaux (a lovely, beautiful town)
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Excursions and more yummy food.
Our time in Toulouse is coming to an end! And if the rest of the week
looks like it does today, it should be a very nice one. (woo sun!)
There have been quite a few outings since I last wrote. We took a guided tour of Toulouse, we went to the Airbus factory, and I visited Bordeaux for a day. But my favorite trip was to the fortified city of Carcasonne (yes - the one that inspired the board game!).
We learned LOTS of fascinating history about this city/fortress. And I am not lying when I say fascinating.I really enjoyed this learning stuff.
For example, when Viollet-le-Duc started restoring the city in the mid 1800's, he had not a single blue print, and worked only from his memory and imagination. (It was Viollet-le-Duc who added all the towers. His restoration was a bit controversial, touted as much too "romantic" and not historically accurate, although now most people seem to be able to get over that because it makes Carcasonne so recognizable). Also apparently this Viollet dude designed like, nearly everything in France around that time, according to various tour guides.
We were shown the many defense mechanisms and tricks for protection, like a double drawbridge and first entrance that is offset with the second entrance, so that battering rams would get stuck and have to be awkwardly maneuvered to attack the second door, giving time to the archers to shoot arrows from their tiny arrow window slits.
But my favorite story was one about Trencavel (or more specifically as I found out via Wikipedia Raymond Roger Trencavel). During the crusades of the early 13th century, Trencavel was the noble in charge of Carcasonne. As the crusaders lay siege to the city and cut off its water supply, Trencavel made a deal. He negotiated terms in which he would be imprisoned (in his own castle) so that his people would not be harmed (killed). After only 3-4 months of imprisonment in his own dungeon, Trencavel mysteriously died (some suspected poison).
Anyway you look at it, that is a pretty cool real life story.
And to end this blog post, here is a round up of more yummy food I have eaten:
-Fresh fois gras. This region is known for its fois gras, but the last time I had fois gras it was a spread on a piece of white toast and I did not care for it. However, my host mom cooked fresh fois gras (cut into little morsels) with apples and chestnuts in the oven. The result was me taking second helpings.
- Banane flambee. I believe this is similar to bananas foster, but I have never tried it before. Last night we had finished dinner and she asked if I wanted a 'banane flambee' I said "oh no thats fine thank you" and she responded "yes! of course! yes. I'll make it"
And man, I am glad she insisted. It was a banana with a little bit of sugar, cooked in butter and white rum and I ate it ALL.
- I also had artichokes for the first time! I mean, the leaves and everything. She either roasted them in the oven or steamed them, and then mixed together apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar, garlic, and olive oil in which to dip the leaves. Yum!
Is it weird my favorite pastimes in France are walking around/lounging in public gardens, visiting castles, eating, and drinking?
There have been quite a few outings since I last wrote. We took a guided tour of Toulouse, we went to the Airbus factory, and I visited Bordeaux for a day. But my favorite trip was to the fortified city of Carcasonne (yes - the one that inspired the board game!).
We learned LOTS of fascinating history about this city/fortress. And I am not lying when I say fascinating.I really enjoyed this learning stuff.
For example, when Viollet-le-Duc started restoring the city in the mid 1800's, he had not a single blue print, and worked only from his memory and imagination. (It was Viollet-le-Duc who added all the towers. His restoration was a bit controversial, touted as much too "romantic" and not historically accurate, although now most people seem to be able to get over that because it makes Carcasonne so recognizable). Also apparently this Viollet dude designed like, nearly everything in France around that time, according to various tour guides.
We were shown the many defense mechanisms and tricks for protection, like a double drawbridge and first entrance that is offset with the second entrance, so that battering rams would get stuck and have to be awkwardly maneuvered to attack the second door, giving time to the archers to shoot arrows from their tiny arrow window slits.
But my favorite story was one about Trencavel (or more specifically as I found out via Wikipedia Raymond Roger Trencavel). During the crusades of the early 13th century, Trencavel was the noble in charge of Carcasonne. As the crusaders lay siege to the city and cut off its water supply, Trencavel made a deal. He negotiated terms in which he would be imprisoned (in his own castle) so that his people would not be harmed (killed). After only 3-4 months of imprisonment in his own dungeon, Trencavel mysteriously died (some suspected poison).
Anyway you look at it, that is a pretty cool real life story.
And to end this blog post, here is a round up of more yummy food I have eaten:
-Fresh fois gras. This region is known for its fois gras, but the last time I had fois gras it was a spread on a piece of white toast and I did not care for it. However, my host mom cooked fresh fois gras (cut into little morsels) with apples and chestnuts in the oven. The result was me taking second helpings.
- Banane flambee. I believe this is similar to bananas foster, but I have never tried it before. Last night we had finished dinner and she asked if I wanted a 'banane flambee' I said "oh no thats fine thank you" and she responded "yes! of course! yes. I'll make it"
And man, I am glad she insisted. It was a banana with a little bit of sugar, cooked in butter and white rum and I ate it ALL.
- I also had artichokes for the first time! I mean, the leaves and everything. She either roasted them in the oven or steamed them, and then mixed together apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar, garlic, and olive oil in which to dip the leaves. Yum!
Is it weird my favorite pastimes in France are walking around/lounging in public gardens, visiting castles, eating, and drinking?
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Albi the (racist dragon) day trip.
On Saturday, a couple of students and I decided to venture out on a day trip to the nearby city of Albi. I could not help but giggle to myself every time I said the city's name because of THIS beauty. It was an enjoyable trip, with fun people, and we had a good time despite the bitter cold (I thought this was supposed to be the south of France, right? Well, I guess this is February).
We were hungry so we stopped at a restaurant where Maggie ordered the duck hearts and I tried a bite. They were heavily spiced and pretty fibrous but not bad!
We walked around town, saw and laughed at this sign like 6th grade boys:
And then toured the cathedral and palace (which had been turned into a Toulouse Lautrec museum because he was born here!). We then walked all around town.
Because of the cold, a couple of us decided to seek refuge in a cafe, where, of course, we proceeded to order crepes with ice cream. I guess it is never to cold for ice cream!
On Sunday, a bunch of the group attended a Catholic church service together. In true French fashion, our group was met by about 5 other people in the church at 11 am, when the service was supposed to start. I was wondering if it was just because French people are notoriously late to events or because out of all Catholics in France, only about 4.5% are practicing. Anyway, after waiting about 25 minutes the rest of the congregation and the pastor arrived. He was very nice, and even asked Lauren to read the text from an English bible.
I also went to the movies and saw Hitchcock. As someone who really enjoys Hitchcock movies, I had a lot of fun watching this behind the scenes look at the making of psycho.
Sunday night I met the infamous Jean-Marc (my host mom's boyfriend who lives 2 hours away and had stayed over the night before). He seemed alright, but I feel like their relationship was very strange and very French. I wont go into all the details, but after he left she started telling me about their relationship between long drags from her cigarette. I was unsure of how to appropriately respond when she told me he was an "old bachelor". He had never married, and lives with his mother, aunt, and daughter. And all I did was nod along when she told me how even though they have been together 8 years, she has never met his mother, and has only ever been to his country home.
Anyway. Some people on the trip are experiencing what is is like to be sick while studying abroad! I do not envy them, and I pray that they will be healthy soon, and then they will be able to more fully enjoy the experience with the rest of us.
I will write again soon. Leave a comment! Say hi, ask a question, let me know if you want a postcard, anything!
Natalie
We were hungry so we stopped at a restaurant where Maggie ordered the duck hearts and I tried a bite. They were heavily spiced and pretty fibrous but not bad!
We walked around town, saw and laughed at this sign like 6th grade boys:
Because of the cold, a couple of us decided to seek refuge in a cafe, where, of course, we proceeded to order crepes with ice cream. I guess it is never to cold for ice cream!
On Sunday, a bunch of the group attended a Catholic church service together. In true French fashion, our group was met by about 5 other people in the church at 11 am, when the service was supposed to start. I was wondering if it was just because French people are notoriously late to events or because out of all Catholics in France, only about 4.5% are practicing. Anyway, after waiting about 25 minutes the rest of the congregation and the pastor arrived. He was very nice, and even asked Lauren to read the text from an English bible.
I also went to the movies and saw Hitchcock. As someone who really enjoys Hitchcock movies, I had a lot of fun watching this behind the scenes look at the making of psycho.
Sunday night I met the infamous Jean-Marc (my host mom's boyfriend who lives 2 hours away and had stayed over the night before). He seemed alright, but I feel like their relationship was very strange and very French. I wont go into all the details, but after he left she started telling me about their relationship between long drags from her cigarette. I was unsure of how to appropriately respond when she told me he was an "old bachelor". He had never married, and lives with his mother, aunt, and daughter. And all I did was nod along when she told me how even though they have been together 8 years, she has never met his mother, and has only ever been to his country home.
Anyway. Some people on the trip are experiencing what is is like to be sick while studying abroad! I do not envy them, and I pray that they will be healthy soon, and then they will be able to more fully enjoy the experience with the rest of us.
I will write again soon. Leave a comment! Say hi, ask a question, let me know if you want a postcard, anything!
Natalie
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
photos from our first week in Toulouse
below(some art work on the ceiling near the classroom)
at the natural history museum
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