Fromage, and other things

"Never go out with a girl that doesn't eat cheese" - my host mother, quoting some famous French person.
She's definitely correct. Another favorite Pascale quote, "When you have too much bread, you have to eat more cheese. When you have too much cheese, you have to eat more bread - That is la vie française." I am so d'accord.

Cheese in France is just a very interesting phenomenon. Did you know there are over 350 different types? "One for every day of the year" - another Pascale-ism. And a type of wine that goes with each one. There is also a correct way - "The French Way", says my dear sister Alice - to cut each cheese and, as I discovered this evening, a correct order to eat all of the different cheese if you are eating more than two in a night. Yes sometimes the French eat more than two cheeses in one night.

It's very odd - the year here in Paris is wrapping up. My mom arrives next Tuesday - and then I will only have a week left here. Trop bizarre. I am constantly in a state of conflict between wanting to stay forever (I honestly could stay another year and not be phased at all) and being thoroughly overjoyed to return home.

I'm having a hard time putting into words how wonderful this year was. We had to write a paper today in my Atelier d'Ecriture on what we will take away from this year. Of course I spoke of how great my host family has been, and how much confidence in traveling I have gained.... but really the main focus was what true friends I have made this year.

Need I say more?

.... more ramblings on reverse culture shock and paris-sickness coming soon!

- Clara

Minuit à Paris

Everyone must must must see this movie. It was a perfectly fantastical representation of Paris, visually stunning, hilarious... I both laughed and felt some tears welling. And the theater I was sitting in was featured in the film. So meta.

Ma Vie

Oh Paris in the springtime.... un petit tour through times spent in Montemartre, le Jardin du Luxembourg, various picnics and strolls through Paris. Enjoy!

Sophie and my band photo

Crowds descend on Luxembourg

New friends

French wine, french fries.... so French

Nora and Katherine, une promenade après nos cours

Snookie in the metro - a rough week for all

Les fraises!

Near La Sorbonne

As you can see, Paris is in full bloom! When not piquenique-ing in a garden, shopping for "essentials" (nude pumps, floral dresses, baked goods), or having way too much fun - I can be found devouring Tina Fey's new book Bossypants. It's too good.

xoxo,

Clara

Les Vacances en Espagne

Bonjour! or rather shall I say Hola!

Yes indeed, I am a week back from a lovely almost two weeks spent in Spain, and I must say I'm already beginning to miss it. Sand, sun, tapas, sangria..... this is a culture I could get used to.

I started off the week with a lovely three days spent in Madrid where my two besties Jordan and Andrew. They have been studying abroad there since January and gave me a very thorough tour of all the most iconic spots in Madrid. I have to say I absolutely fell in love with that town - it really had all of the charm, hustle and bustle of Paris.... without the Parisians [parfait!]

Andrew showing off the Opera building

Jordan and I attempting to row around the lake at the Parque de Retiro. Notice the beautiful weather! We were so blessed.

After a jampacked three days Jordan went off with her parents to London, and Andrew and I hit to the road to explore the southernmost coast of Spain.

After a few hours on the train, we found ourselves in Cádiz - Europe's oldest city. We went on a walking tour, explored some markets and the cathedral, but mostly found ourselves enjoying the beautiful weather and beaches.

Next stop Tarifa! But only with enough time to eat at Europe's Closest Restaurant To Africa (!!!) before boarding the ferry to Tangier, Morocco!

Our favorite restaurant, right on the beach.

Shark for lunch! (delicious)

View from the ferry as we left Tarifa (click to enlarge)

After a bumpy ride, we finally arrived at our destination. I must say, culture shock was rampant, but we ended up having the time of our lives.

Here is the view from our hotel in the medina. Breathtaking.

We consumed quite a bit of mint tea.... as well as fish, lamb, couscous, etc. The food was really delicious (and so cheap!). After exploring the markets, we took the ferry back (nearly capsizing - the waves were far worse than before), spent a night in Tarifa before heading to Marbella.

And lemme tell ya - that mar was soooooo bella.

We built a sandcastle....

... and ate a lot of tapas.

Next stop.... Malaga! - one of the most beautiful cities I have ever encountered. It actually rained quite a bit while we were there - but we managed to see all of the sites and climb to the top of a beautiful mountain. Pristine views, a castle, followed by more tapas, more siestas..... honestly this is the life. I never wanted to leave.

Bilan: Incredibly successful adventure. So glad I got to spend such a long time in Spain, really getting to know such a unique area... and Garvin and I managed not to kill each other - so pas un echec!

Back in Paris.... it's still beautiful. Just three more weeks until my mom arrives!! Which means I have a merde-ton of work to do in the meantime. This week: test tomorrow, paper wednesday, paper friday, presentation the following monday.... but then my main galpal Jordan Grief arrives for a few days!!!!!! All of this combined with packing, spending time with my amazing group of friends here + trying to see all of the last sites of Paris makes for a busy time.

Lots of mixed feelings about leaving - but I have to say.... I'm glad to be in Paris right now but I'll be so glad to be back in Anacortes to see my dear family and friends.... and then moving down to LA a few weeks later! Life is trop exciting.

Soon,

Clara