Hi gang,
It's been far too long since I've posted [the battle cry of all study abroad bloggers ever] but I'm sorry okay? Paris. It's far too exciting.
Quick recap of Provence:
So, I went to Provence two weekends ago. More specifically we stayed in the city of Arles (which I enjoy pronouncing as "Ahrrrrrrrrles") which is almost at the very south of France... but a mere 2 hour TGV (high speed train) ride from Paris. Training through the French countryside as the sun rises? Yes please!
Once arriving in Ahrrrrles we hit up the local open market. It was a feast for all the senses. Fresh spices, fruits, vegetables, meat.... I died and went to food heaven. We were a little hungry so instead of ruining our appetites too horribly before dejeuner, we happily sampled all of that the market had to offer.
The rest of the weekend was spent exploring beaucoup de historic sites in the greater Ahrrrles area.
Pont de Gard - an aqueduct that was used to transport water from France all the way to Italy. I don't remember how long the aqueduct was (this is only a section) but it was very long.
This is Les Baux de Provence. It is a village that was built directly out of the stone as a defense in the feudal age. It is in fact such a defensively good location, very high up with an impressive view, that there are traces of human habitation as far back at 6000 B.C.! Right now it's 22 residents do very well supporting the tourist industry.
This is the Pont d'Avignon (I guess there is a famous song about it?) with the Papal Palace in the background, where Pope Benedict XIII was imprisoned for 5 years in the 1300's.
Basically - I loved Provence and I can't wait to go back! How could I not fall in love with farm fresh food, feudal fortresses, and frolicking with friends? oh France. Fun.
Back in Paris....
Last weekend Katherine and I went to the Ballet! Here we are all dressed up (in our new winter coats - much needed! It's already feeling like winter here!) for dinner beforehand - but there is always time to snap a quick picture of La Tour Eiffel at night. The spectacle was a bit too avant-garde for our taste, but the soirée rounded off nicely with a night of dancing and a 5 am metro ride home. C'est la vie!
And here we are at the 50's diner we discovered, just a stone's throw from Notre Dame. I realize as much as I love this pain, fromage et crêpe nutella diet - I will tire of the simplicities of les frites et le... milkshake.
Other things of importance....
This is Madame Ouchka - ruler of the roost. Sometimes she takes over my bed. I'll try to document Monsieur Picasso (the other cat, for newer readers) but he is a bit more shutter shy.
France is en greve, have you heard??? A greve is like a strike in the US - except really, it's not quite as big of a deal because France strikes ALL THE TIME! And in France, instead of in the US where we strike until we get what we want, strikes can last a few days - prove a point - and then everyone goes back to work as if nothing happened. I'm sure there are more intricacies - but this is just my humble American perception. This manifestation has of course become a bit more of a big deal - but I have to say it seems to have been blown out of proportion by the American media. So thank you parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, acquaintances that have urgently emailed, called, facebooked..... I haven't seen any burning cars or rocks thrown through windows. I guess the French are rioting - but all it hasn't affected my quality of life in the least, besides having to wait for some metros for 5 minutes instead of 2. Wow - tough life, right?
Now you might be wondering - what the heck is the greve about anyways? Well, to put things simply, the current retirement age is 60. Yes. EVERYONE RETIRES AT 60! But, heaven forbid(!), the government has decided to change it to.... 62! Oh Mon Dieu!!! (I hope you catch my sarcasm). The problem is is that France doesn't have enough money to start paying their form of social security to all of the 60-year-olds that are about to retire.... so they are attempting to delay the issue. The French are up in arms about it, especially the students because there is a valid concern that as people work longer it will be more difficult to find jobs.
So yeah - that's what's up with French politics right now. I wish I was more informed on the issue, but that's what I've picked up from attempting to read the newspaper and talking with my host family. I'll let everyone know if it ever blows up into more of an issue. At this point the law has currently passed the Senate and Sarkozy should be signing it into law sometime this next week. I'll keep you posted.
Well enough of all these French politics.... you know what is really occupying my time? The West Wing. Greatest show on earth AND thankfully my dear friend Nora has all 7 season on DVD here with her. So we have begun watching them from the beginning. It may be a little idealistic (or as Nora describes it "liberal elitist porn") but I need a little early 2000's in my life right now and it reminds me of curling up in the living room with my mom and letting the far-too-difficult-to-catch-every-word-witty-Aaron-Sorkian-banter waft over me.
Well what else?
Homework? nada... at least not yet
Movies? Yeah I saw three last weekend (The Kids Are All Right, Wall Street, and The Social Network - I recommend them all)
French Hip Hop? Listen to this.
Oh and j'ai coupé un fringe hier soir. So that's new...
Bonne courage!
Clara (pronounced Clahhhww-rrrraahhh here... which is getting some getting used to)
