On April 3, 2009 Samuel and I arrived at the train station in Angers at exactly 2pm in the afternoon awaiting the arrival of my mother and Karla (a good family friend/basically family) with a lot of anticipation. For an hour and a half we waited, becoming increasingly worried- did they sleep on the train and miss their stop? did they get lost in the airport? where are they? And at 3:53pm just before we were about to leave I finally recognized someones face! I ran down the ramp leading to the trains and hugged and kissed my mom and Karla and of course we chatted about their adventure through the airport and train stations.
We rented our car at the train station (Renault Kangoo) and had a blast finally being in a car after 2 months. It was a totally different perspective of Angers on the road then it was by foot. Things went by faster and everything seemed much closer together. We settled Karla and mom into their hotel ran to the supermarket for some cheese, a baguette, coke, water, grapes, and two bananas for the perfect jet lagged hunger. After they took showers we took them two blocks to Sam's homestay for "un petit gôute". We sat around the living room table while while laughing and talking (of course Sam and I were translating) and then Michelle brought out a basket of chocolates bottle of "Champagne" (this isn't so simple to say because the name "champagne" is from a specific region in France- this type of sparkling wine was from the region of Anjou) but it was abnormally frozen. So when Pascal opened this beautiful bottle of "Champagne" for his guests it became a science experiment of constantly exploding frozen wine. No one knew what to do so we just watched it explode for awhile laughing as hard as was possible.
After that very eventful visit, we drove over to my homestay for a full course meal. It was so awesome to have my mom meet my French family, although Karla and mom were extremely tired it was still very lively. After a full course meal and translating conversations and jokes- we all crashed and looked forward to the next day of starting our vacation to the South of France, Switzerland, and Paris!
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
One Day of My Life
"To my surprise, and my delight
I saw sunrise, I saw sunlight"
-Coldplay, Daylight
As I wake up in the morning, it is pitch black. I pull on my slippers and shuffle over to the window. Turning the old fashion knob, covered in what would have been a fresh paint job in 1930, I open the windows and push out my blue 4 foot tall window shutters just like in the movies. I'm immediately embraced by a scene one can only imagine. A green garden, chirping morning birds, and blooming flowers scattered in front of the small, charming shed that rests next to a tall stone wall that blocks off the rest of the world. As my eyes take their time adjusting, my body automatically begins to get ready, make the bed, fix coffee and cereal, strap on some shoes and say "Au revoir! Bon journée!" to Veronique and the kids who are typically eating their breakfast of tea and croissants or cereal everyone smiling at each other as I leave.
As I exit our main gate, I turn around to lock it with my ancient gold keys, weighing 5 pounds in themselves. I plug in my headphones, listening to something new everyday, and walk to our university. The day goes on as always at school, but by lunchtime Sam and I meet up on the long driveway hugged with tall trees that connects the University to the main city and we get our hour and a half long sieste. We have so many choices! "What do we want for lunch today?" There are endless cafes, middle eastern kebab sandwiches, panini stands, my house is close by- we could make something, or perhaps a fresh sandwich from a local boulanger (bakery)? We make a choice and decide to go to Centre Ville for a panini. The crowd of people is intensively waiting to have their order taken, but Sam and I quickly find ourselves at the front of the counter drooling over which panini to get! Curry chicken and cheese, or goat cheese, or ham or chicken and cheese, steak and fries panini (which is very odd, but turns out delicious!), or a pizza panini. "Peux j'avoir un petit panini poulet s'il vous plaît? Avec une coca et pain au chocolat. Merci!" I grin in satisfaction as she tells me the price extremely fast- sounding almost like a blur, "trois euro cinquante". I understand perfectly- 3,50. I pull out a few coins that represent the exact change. After Sam and I both get little yellow and black stripped bags with our panini, coke, and a dessert (a croissant stuffed with baked chocolat). We walk up a cobblestone alley with people of all sorts zooming, or strolling past us. We find a little courtyard with a perfect view of a cathedral and sit down on the same stone bench as always and enjoy our lunch, chatting about what we learned in class that day or how beautiful the weather is becoming.
After the rest of my classes, it's about 4 in the afternoon- it's time to collect ingredients for dinner before everything closes and you're out of luck! I walk past the beautiful old church just as it begins to tell me the time. DING DONG DING.... I look up to the bell tower to try and spot it moving, but all I see is beautiful grey architecture against the brilliant blue sky. Not even a block away from this scene, I spot my favorite Boulanger/ Patisserie (Bakery/ "Desserterie"). The same middle aged, smiling woman as always greets me. And I order my usual- "Juste une baguette et un torsade s'il vous plaît" - "Bien sûr!" (Of course!). It was the charming ritual of ordering an 80 cent stick of bread that went with every meal. Today was different though. I was a usual customer, but this day after I payed, she asked me some more familiar questions such as what I was doing in France, how long I was staying, if I was here to study French, if I lived in the neighborhood... and after a wonderful conversation with a local she said this, "Tu parle bien francais!". My heartbeat raced and I couldn't help but to smile a Fools Smile. A local had told me I speak French well! What a compliment, especially to a beginner/ intermediate learner. I found myself crossing the bridge over the railroad tracks, half way back to my home from the Boulanger still grinning.
I get a phone call from a friend inviting Sam and I over for dinner. I find it a hard thing to turn down, so in what seems like 15 minutes we were ringing the doorbell of a grand, rich wooden brown door with aesthetic carving around the frame. We greet one another and soon enough we're all prepping vegetables or laughing together or setting the table. Our host (a half Norwegian half American, speaking 5 different languages) brought different dishes out, one by one, to the outdoor table which has been set and awaiting us under the trees of the garden, and cushioned by the bright flowers and cobblestone wall separating us from the neighbors. There was pasta, wine, mussels in a tomato/onion/wine sauce, traditional fajitas (with fresh guacamole, made by myself), a vinaigrette salad with salmon and goat cheese, and a fabulous sunny breeze.
After the dinner party, I found myself for the last time that day walking through the ancient buildings, cobblestone walkways, and houses boarded up by their shutters. Night time in Europe has an almost opposite vibe than day time Europe. Everything, all the shops, restaurants, houses, and gates are closed, locked, and boarded up. The stars shine bright over the rooftops, but its as if someone truly turns off a switch when the sun goes down. I think about how the cultural and historical significance of boarding your windows and doors at night in France... some French claim it's for privacy, others say its because of a tradition from hundreds of years ago when the government would send spies on households to determine how much they have, and how much to tax them, others may even say its because of the wars in their history...for protection? My mind wanders. When I get back to my own room I close my own shutters, for traditions sake- knowing that when that switch is turned back on with the sunrise- it will be a whole new start to an amazing day.
I saw sunrise, I saw sunlight"
-Coldplay, Daylight
As I wake up in the morning, it is pitch black. I pull on my slippers and shuffle over to the window. Turning the old fashion knob, covered in what would have been a fresh paint job in 1930, I open the windows and push out my blue 4 foot tall window shutters just like in the movies. I'm immediately embraced by a scene one can only imagine. A green garden, chirping morning birds, and blooming flowers scattered in front of the small, charming shed that rests next to a tall stone wall that blocks off the rest of the world. As my eyes take their time adjusting, my body automatically begins to get ready, make the bed, fix coffee and cereal, strap on some shoes and say "Au revoir! Bon journée!" to Veronique and the kids who are typically eating their breakfast of tea and croissants or cereal everyone smiling at each other as I leave.
As I exit our main gate, I turn around to lock it with my ancient gold keys, weighing 5 pounds in themselves. I plug in my headphones, listening to something new everyday, and walk to our university. The day goes on as always at school, but by lunchtime Sam and I meet up on the long driveway hugged with tall trees that connects the University to the main city and we get our hour and a half long sieste. We have so many choices! "What do we want for lunch today?" There are endless cafes, middle eastern kebab sandwiches, panini stands, my house is close by- we could make something, or perhaps a fresh sandwich from a local boulanger (bakery)? We make a choice and decide to go to Centre Ville for a panini. The crowd of people is intensively waiting to have their order taken, but Sam and I quickly find ourselves at the front of the counter drooling over which panini to get! Curry chicken and cheese, or goat cheese, or ham or chicken and cheese, steak and fries panini (which is very odd, but turns out delicious!), or a pizza panini. "Peux j'avoir un petit panini poulet s'il vous plaît? Avec une coca et pain au chocolat. Merci!" I grin in satisfaction as she tells me the price extremely fast- sounding almost like a blur, "trois euro cinquante". I understand perfectly- 3,50. I pull out a few coins that represent the exact change. After Sam and I both get little yellow and black stripped bags with our panini, coke, and a dessert (a croissant stuffed with baked chocolat). We walk up a cobblestone alley with people of all sorts zooming, or strolling past us. We find a little courtyard with a perfect view of a cathedral and sit down on the same stone bench as always and enjoy our lunch, chatting about what we learned in class that day or how beautiful the weather is becoming.
After the rest of my classes, it's about 4 in the afternoon- it's time to collect ingredients for dinner before everything closes and you're out of luck! I walk past the beautiful old church just as it begins to tell me the time. DING DONG DING.... I look up to the bell tower to try and spot it moving, but all I see is beautiful grey architecture against the brilliant blue sky. Not even a block away from this scene, I spot my favorite Boulanger/ Patisserie (Bakery/ "Desserterie"). The same middle aged, smiling woman as always greets me. And I order my usual- "Juste une baguette et un torsade s'il vous plaît" - "Bien sûr!" (Of course!). It was the charming ritual of ordering an 80 cent stick of bread that went with every meal. Today was different though. I was a usual customer, but this day after I payed, she asked me some more familiar questions such as what I was doing in France, how long I was staying, if I was here to study French, if I lived in the neighborhood... and after a wonderful conversation with a local she said this, "Tu parle bien francais!". My heartbeat raced and I couldn't help but to smile a Fools Smile. A local had told me I speak French well! What a compliment, especially to a beginner/ intermediate learner. I found myself crossing the bridge over the railroad tracks, half way back to my home from the Boulanger still grinning.
I get a phone call from a friend inviting Sam and I over for dinner. I find it a hard thing to turn down, so in what seems like 15 minutes we were ringing the doorbell of a grand, rich wooden brown door with aesthetic carving around the frame. We greet one another and soon enough we're all prepping vegetables or laughing together or setting the table. Our host (a half Norwegian half American, speaking 5 different languages) brought different dishes out, one by one, to the outdoor table which has been set and awaiting us under the trees of the garden, and cushioned by the bright flowers and cobblestone wall separating us from the neighbors. There was pasta, wine, mussels in a tomato/onion/wine sauce, traditional fajitas (with fresh guacamole, made by myself), a vinaigrette salad with salmon and goat cheese, and a fabulous sunny breeze.
After the dinner party, I found myself for the last time that day walking through the ancient buildings, cobblestone walkways, and houses boarded up by their shutters. Night time in Europe has an almost opposite vibe than day time Europe. Everything, all the shops, restaurants, houses, and gates are closed, locked, and boarded up. The stars shine bright over the rooftops, but its as if someone truly turns off a switch when the sun goes down. I think about how the cultural and historical significance of boarding your windows and doors at night in France... some French claim it's for privacy, others say its because of a tradition from hundreds of years ago when the government would send spies on households to determine how much they have, and how much to tax them, others may even say its because of the wars in their history...for protection? My mind wanders. When I get back to my own room I close my own shutters, for traditions sake- knowing that when that switch is turned back on with the sunrise- it will be a whole new start to an amazing day.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Castles on the Water
This past weekend was the most beautiful time anyone could have ever asked for. Friday was spent with our friends, walking through parks with a sac of clementines taking about life, the universe, and everything while practicing our French- the divine weather let us peek into the near future of what life is like in the spring/summer, with warm weather, smiling faces (for once from the locals), children playing on the carousels, the cafés appear outside, and the sky is a brilliant blue laying on top of the old roofs of the city. Then Saturday was equally amazing- Sam and I had received two free tickets to go see the Château de Loire (the castles of the region). Early in the morning we boarded the big tourist bus with a handful of the other lucky students who were able to get tickets for this day trip. We were both exhausted but I stared out the window- wide eyed and agape at the sun rising over the French countryside. It was stunning as you'll see from the pictures.
Overall the three castles were stunning as well. Obviously they receive a lot of money from the tourists coming to see them because, in especially the second castle, they had displays of fresh flowers and bouquets in every bedroom and dining room; fresh arranges of colorful fruits and vegetables, dried herbs and flowers hanging in the ceiling by the arm full. Everything we saw was real- they were perfectly preserving each room so it seemed like it was still in use. There were roaring fires throughout the castles as well. It was a truly unique experience...
On another note- Yesterday I found out that I have been accepted into the University of Michigan! The 18th best university in the entire world. Life is going fantastically for me right now ^_^
Overall the three castles were stunning as well. Obviously they receive a lot of money from the tourists coming to see them because, in especially the second castle, they had displays of fresh flowers and bouquets in every bedroom and dining room; fresh arranges of colorful fruits and vegetables, dried herbs and flowers hanging in the ceiling by the arm full. Everything we saw was real- they were perfectly preserving each room so it seemed like it was still in use. There were roaring fires throughout the castles as well. It was a truly unique experience...
On another note- Yesterday I found out that I have been accepted into the University of Michigan! The 18th best university in the entire world. Life is going fantastically for me right now ^_^
Sunday, February 22, 2009
What I'm Really Doing Here...
I suppose it's time that I share what I'm actually doing here, no? My full time job is of course being a student at the University, I take 21 credit hours a week. Everyday I wake up between 7 and 8am and am at school for at least 3 to 6 hours- always with a 2 hour "sieste" (which is the time where the whole country is put on pause and goes to sleep/ eats in the comfort of their own home or elsewhere).
I take 9 hours a week of "general language"- in this class we cover everything between grammar and conjugations, translating poems, to practicing our "expression orale" in debates, or sharing our opinions with endless subjects (politics, French food, French culture, the environment, homosexual rights, smoking, China, 'taboos' in France and elsewhere, traveling, fashion, wine, weather, our homework, film and music, and one of the most common topics of "why is French grammar so strange? How is conjugating this verb right? Why are there so many irregular verbs that I have to memorize?!" Overall- it's a very fun class. At the moment our class is writing a small newspaper, my group is covering "Où sortir? Vivre ta Vie à Angers": where to go in Angers to eat like a local, and where to have fun or just relax in the city. I get the amazing job of researching restaurants, cafes, bars, cinema, bowling alleys, the multiple parks and fountains, cheap places to eat, historical sites, etc and am getting credit for it ^_^ Bon Chance, non?
I also take 3 hours a week of "oral expression" where it's one big conversation between the international students. 3 hours of "writing competency" where we are lectured on endless vocabulary, 3 hours of grammar where we do endless exercises and practice our grammar (obviously), and finally 3 hours of "oral comprehension" where we listen to clips of TV programs, or radio excerpts, or staged discussion on CD's and do our best to understand them, and then we'll continue to listen to the same track for the rest of the class until it's crystal clear. These classes are kind of tedious, but I truly believe that I've already dramatically improved my French skills and I can carry on conversation with my homestay or professors or shop vendors entirely in French- THAT is an amazing feeling.
Another fantastic thing about this program is that there are students from all over the world here being bonded by French language and culture. For example, Sam and I have made some pretty good friends whom we visit a lot in our free time- our nationalities span from Italy, Greece, New Zealand, USA, France, Korea, Japan, China, England (Liverpool), Irish, etc. It's natural for us to switch between English and French in our conversations. I'm learning about other cultures as we share stories from our homeland.
On another note, I had lunch with my "famille l'accueil" or literally "the welcome family" or more familiarly my homestay and her brother, wife and children for a very large lunch.
Here's a general idea of what a traditional family dinner/ lunch is in France... It begins with the whole family sitting around the same table with wine and bread laid out on the table (literally ON the table- your bread never goes on your plate). The host after a long period will put of "l'entrée" or "hors d'œuvres" or appetizers which can range from sausage and crab bites, or vegetables chopped with other vegetables in a vinaigrette- but there's always several things to taste on the table. Next after some more wine the host will bring out the main dish, or "plat du principal" which usually has meat, potatoes, and vegetables- or other times a pasta dish. Next, you have a salad and a cheese platter is placed in the middle of the table with several different types of cheeses from different regions of France- Chevre (goat), Camembert, Swiss, Brie and many versions of it, and there's always a cheese that I have no idea what it is but always surprises me with a new taste!
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I take 9 hours a week of "general language"- in this class we cover everything between grammar and conjugations, translating poems, to practicing our "expression orale" in debates, or sharing our opinions with endless subjects (politics, French food, French culture, the environment, homosexual rights, smoking, China, 'taboos' in France and elsewhere, traveling, fashion, wine, weather, our homework, film and music, and one of the most common topics of "why is French grammar so strange? How is conjugating this verb right? Why are there so many irregular verbs that I have to memorize?!" Overall- it's a very fun class. At the moment our class is writing a small newspaper, my group is covering "Où sortir? Vivre ta Vie à Angers": where to go in Angers to eat like a local, and where to have fun or just relax in the city. I get the amazing job of researching restaurants, cafes, bars, cinema, bowling alleys, the multiple parks and fountains, cheap places to eat, historical sites, etc and am getting credit for it ^_^ Bon Chance, non?
I also take 3 hours a week of "oral expression" where it's one big conversation between the international students. 3 hours of "writing competency" where we are lectured on endless vocabulary, 3 hours of grammar where we do endless exercises and practice our grammar (obviously), and finally 3 hours of "oral comprehension" where we listen to clips of TV programs, or radio excerpts, or staged discussion on CD's and do our best to understand them, and then we'll continue to listen to the same track for the rest of the class until it's crystal clear. These classes are kind of tedious, but I truly believe that I've already dramatically improved my French skills and I can carry on conversation with my homestay or professors or shop vendors entirely in French- THAT is an amazing feeling.
Another fantastic thing about this program is that there are students from all over the world here being bonded by French language and culture. For example, Sam and I have made some pretty good friends whom we visit a lot in our free time- our nationalities span from Italy, Greece, New Zealand, USA, France, Korea, Japan, China, England (Liverpool), Irish, etc. It's natural for us to switch between English and French in our conversations. I'm learning about other cultures as we share stories from our homeland.
On another note, I had lunch with my "famille l'accueil" or literally "the welcome family" or more familiarly my homestay and her brother, wife and children for a very large lunch.
Here's a general idea of what a traditional family dinner/ lunch is in France... It begins with the whole family sitting around the same table with wine and bread laid out on the table (literally ON the table- your bread never goes on your plate). The host after a long period will put of "l'entrée" or "hors d'œuvres" or appetizers which can range from sausage and crab bites, or vegetables chopped with other vegetables in a vinaigrette- but there's always several things to taste on the table. Next after some more wine the host will bring out the main dish, or "plat du principal" which usually has meat, potatoes, and vegetables- or other times a pasta dish. Next, you have a salad and a cheese platter is placed in the middle of the table with several different types of cheeses from different regions of France- Chevre (goat), Camembert, Swiss, Brie and many versions of it, and there's always a cheese that I have no idea what it is but always surprises me with a new taste!
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Thursday, February 12, 2009
Les Photos! (Copyright Samuel Demski, LLC)
My family! The next three pictures are of Veronique, Breno (12), Elcio (15), and of course the dog (11). The following picture is of Michelle and Pascal Poupard posing for the picture! Their dog is hiding somewhere. And the rest of them are thanks to Sam who went around today and took pictures of several different places in Angers.
The first picture of the city is the Fountain in the Jardin du Mail- this is where a huge outdoor market is on Saturdays. The following is obviously the beautiful castle, the river in which it overlooks, and the centre ville which surrounds the castle.
The last picture is of our University! It's very old, and very charming to walk around.
We'll add some more when the time is right! Enjoy!
The first picture of the city is the Fountain in the Jardin du Mail- this is where a huge outdoor market is on Saturdays. The following is obviously the beautiful castle, the river in which it overlooks, and the centre ville which surrounds the castle.
The last picture is of our University! It's very old, and very charming to walk around.
We'll add some more when the time is right! Enjoy!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Ma Famille, et Mon Université
The past few days have been focused on exploring!
Exploring the ways of our French families (their behaviors, what's okay and what's not); exploring this beautiful and historical city with all of its mysterious cobblestone walkways between the tall buildings; exploring the cafes, the shoppes, the cheap places to eat and get a quick coffee; exploring the French way of THINKING. After those first couple of nights in Angers, I found myself on a somewhat normal sleep schedule, and also resorted to having my dreams in French! That's a good start to embracing the language, no?
About my family: Madame Veronique Beziau picked me up just outside of Sam's homestay two nights ago now with her old, "gentille" dog named Mali. Sam and I, of course, practiced our French and began to collect a lot of information about her. Veronique is a nurse at a psychiatric hospital, traveled a lot when she was younger (for example Nigeria, Africa), is an absolutely amazing artist, and adopted two starving children from Brazil (Breno and Elcio)- she's a very compassionate woman. My house is very small, but very charming. When you look at the entrance- it looks like a very simple wooden gate, but once you open that you enter a very winsome garden. Once you continue into the house, its a little crowded but comfortable and the walls are thoughtfully decorated with Madame Beziau's artwork! She ranges from abstract paintings (that you could find at the DIA for thousands of dollars), to crafty art hanging from window ledges and in the bathroom and kitchen and artifacts she . Breno and Elcio are really sweet kids, actually yesterday morning Elcio- the 12 year old- guided me to class through the rain.
Last night Madame Beziau made Sam and I a really traditional dinner. We sat down and there was one plate with crab, and the other plate with some sort of dried sausage. She showed us the bottle of wine we would be drinking, and this bottle of wine (A 2006 Chateau D'Avrille- Coteaux de l'Aubance) should only be used with l'appertifs (appetizers). It was a white wine that was ridiculously sweet- it tasted like a dessert. After the appetizer we had a bowl of soup (very similar to the carrot, potato mush that Michelle Poupard made for us, and then we had a traditional French entree called "un omlette". It was just like our breakfast omlettes, but with hoards of mushrooms and shallots- we ate this with a side salad with a simple vinagerette. Another French tradition with their meals is to eat from a cheese tray after dinner. I'm still boggled by the idea that there are some 364 types of cheeses in France, I feel like every time I eat cheese with our families- its a new and different type. Dinner time (so far) has been a feast with lots of talk about politics, culture, and entertainment.
About my university: our first day at school was yesterday. A massive group of Americans, Europeans, and Asians gathered in the main hall of the university- it was very entertaining to listen to all the different languages all at once and now that by the end of this semester we would all be united by one language. We entered an amphitheater and began a 4 part test: the first part was listening comprehension (listening to radio and TV blurbs and using multiple choice to answer questions), then reading comprehension (read and respond), then logical responses, and the grammar. Overall it wasn't too bad.
Tomorrow Sam and I are going to go around a take pictures of this beautiful city if the weathers good- so look out for pictures on this blog later on!
Exploring the ways of our French families (their behaviors, what's okay and what's not); exploring this beautiful and historical city with all of its mysterious cobblestone walkways between the tall buildings; exploring the cafes, the shoppes, the cheap places to eat and get a quick coffee; exploring the French way of THINKING. After those first couple of nights in Angers, I found myself on a somewhat normal sleep schedule, and also resorted to having my dreams in French! That's a good start to embracing the language, no?
About my family: Madame Veronique Beziau picked me up just outside of Sam's homestay two nights ago now with her old, "gentille" dog named Mali. Sam and I, of course, practiced our French and began to collect a lot of information about her. Veronique is a nurse at a psychiatric hospital, traveled a lot when she was younger (for example Nigeria, Africa), is an absolutely amazing artist, and adopted two starving children from Brazil (Breno and Elcio)- she's a very compassionate woman. My house is very small, but very charming. When you look at the entrance- it looks like a very simple wooden gate, but once you open that you enter a very winsome garden. Once you continue into the house, its a little crowded but comfortable and the walls are thoughtfully decorated with Madame Beziau's artwork! She ranges from abstract paintings (that you could find at the DIA for thousands of dollars), to crafty art hanging from window ledges and in the bathroom and kitchen and artifacts she . Breno and Elcio are really sweet kids, actually yesterday morning Elcio- the 12 year old- guided me to class through the rain.
Last night Madame Beziau made Sam and I a really traditional dinner. We sat down and there was one plate with crab, and the other plate with some sort of dried sausage. She showed us the bottle of wine we would be drinking, and this bottle of wine (A 2006 Chateau D'Avrille- Coteaux de l'Aubance) should only be used with l'appertifs (appetizers). It was a white wine that was ridiculously sweet- it tasted like a dessert. After the appetizer we had a bowl of soup (very similar to the carrot, potato mush that Michelle Poupard made for us, and then we had a traditional French entree called "un omlette". It was just like our breakfast omlettes, but with hoards of mushrooms and shallots- we ate this with a side salad with a simple vinagerette. Another French tradition with their meals is to eat from a cheese tray after dinner. I'm still boggled by the idea that there are some 364 types of cheeses in France, I feel like every time I eat cheese with our families- its a new and different type. Dinner time (so far) has been a feast with lots of talk about politics, culture, and entertainment.
About my university: our first day at school was yesterday. A massive group of Americans, Europeans, and Asians gathered in the main hall of the university- it was very entertaining to listen to all the different languages all at once and now that by the end of this semester we would all be united by one language. We entered an amphitheater and began a 4 part test: the first part was listening comprehension (listening to radio and TV blurbs and using multiple choice to answer questions), then reading comprehension (read and respond), then logical responses, and the grammar. Overall it wasn't too bad.
Tomorrow Sam and I are going to go around a take pictures of this beautiful city if the weathers good- so look out for pictures on this blog later on!
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Our First Days in France!
The moment we landed in Paris, Sam and I had been awake for at least 24 hours- and obviously very exhausted. Our empty stomachs and confused demeanor magically found themselves on a train through the beautiful countryside of Le Maine- Loire. Luckily the train had a little cafe on it so we scarfed down a sandwich and a water and passed out for the rest of the ride. We met a girl at the train station who was from New York, and ironically was on her way to the Universite Catholique L'Ouest as well! Once we arrived in Angers, we stood outside la gare (the train station) like we were kids again on the sideline of the soccer field- waiting, and hoping to be picked first by the French team... it seemed like every man walking by us could be a "Pascal Poupard".
Eventually a woman identified the other student and took her away, so just Sam and I sat there- waiting & wishing. Our exhaustion and jet lag was creeping up on us when a stout, middle aged man wearing glasses that exemplified his eyes to be twice the normal size within the thick black frames resting on the peak of his nose. "Anglaise?" We responded with bright smiles and followed him into a taxi with his 4 foot, plump mama who spoke not a word of English. He brought us back to his very stylish flat and introduced us to his little, French, 6 month old puppy named "Ratatouillie". She prances around with a lot of attitude, but is extremely shy. They offered us coffee (but isnt anything like the coffee we get in the States- they are very smal cups of coffee, like espresso, but extremly strong. Pascal refers to out coffee as "Jus du Causette" or "Sock Juice") He showed us a hotel very close to his flat, and we passed out until 11 am the next day.
The next morning we woke up totally exhausted still from jet lag- but eager to explore. It was Saturday when all the outdoor markets were bustling- selling clothes, fish, seafood, freshly butchered beef and pig, chickens, every type of fruit and vegetable that grows in that region, jarred delicacies, etc. So naturally, Sam and I bought a huge bottle of water, two kiwis, two bananas, and two clementines for under 3 euros and had a feast on a park bench overlooking to giant fountain that was in the center of the market. A nice introduction to France, non?
Soon after we met up with Monsieur Poupard who showed us how to use the bus system, where the university is, and le centre ville (the downtown) was. Downtown Angers is absolutely beautiful- perfectly preserved medieval streets, cathedrals, and a fantastic castle that overlooks the river. He also showed us where to buy really cheap sandwiches and Panini's that your eat-on-the-go basically, its much cheaper than sitting down at a cafe or a restaurant. We ordered a footlong panini with chicken and this amazing cheese that I've never has before (I'll be saying that a lot actually considering the fact that France has something like 364 different types of cheeses), a pop, and a pain du chocolat (a croissant stuffed with chocolate or Nutella) all for less than 4 euro.
We came back to his flat and visited for quite some time, and drank MORE coffee. Everytime we see Monsieur Poupard he offers us a cup of coffee- which is several times a day. It amazes me how much coffee, bread, cheese, wine, beer, etc that eat but still remain fit, with perfect skin and complexion- they really are beautiful people! They also served us some homemade soup- kind of like a much of carrots, potatoes, and peas- it was so perfect.
This morning we woke up exhausted yet again- but were very excited to go to Poupard's flat at noon- we were going to meet the family! His brother and his wife with their 5 children (between the ages 2 and 11). We had a blast trying to communicate with the little French we know- talking about politics, film and TV, and mostly about music. Michelle Poupard (Pascal's mother) made this interesting meal of some sort of... I don't know what else to compare it to but coleslaw- but with peas, and carrots- wrapped in a thick slice of ham. And then we had sausage and a rice dish! It was really good!
It's the start of a really good trip- I can't wait to meet my French family (in two days)and continue meeting people, and exploring this beautiful culture and its language (and might I add the cuisine ^_~).
A Bientot!
Eventually a woman identified the other student and took her away, so just Sam and I sat there- waiting & wishing. Our exhaustion and jet lag was creeping up on us when a stout, middle aged man wearing glasses that exemplified his eyes to be twice the normal size within the thick black frames resting on the peak of his nose. "Anglaise?" We responded with bright smiles and followed him into a taxi with his 4 foot, plump mama who spoke not a word of English. He brought us back to his very stylish flat and introduced us to his little, French, 6 month old puppy named "Ratatouillie". She prances around with a lot of attitude, but is extremely shy. They offered us coffee (but isnt anything like the coffee we get in the States- they are very smal cups of coffee, like espresso, but extremly strong. Pascal refers to out coffee as "Jus du Causette" or "Sock Juice") He showed us a hotel very close to his flat, and we passed out until 11 am the next day.
The next morning we woke up totally exhausted still from jet lag- but eager to explore. It was Saturday when all the outdoor markets were bustling- selling clothes, fish, seafood, freshly butchered beef and pig, chickens, every type of fruit and vegetable that grows in that region, jarred delicacies, etc. So naturally, Sam and I bought a huge bottle of water, two kiwis, two bananas, and two clementines for under 3 euros and had a feast on a park bench overlooking to giant fountain that was in the center of the market. A nice introduction to France, non?
Soon after we met up with Monsieur Poupard who showed us how to use the bus system, where the university is, and le centre ville (the downtown) was. Downtown Angers is absolutely beautiful- perfectly preserved medieval streets, cathedrals, and a fantastic castle that overlooks the river. He also showed us where to buy really cheap sandwiches and Panini's that your eat-on-the-go basically, its much cheaper than sitting down at a cafe or a restaurant. We ordered a footlong panini with chicken and this amazing cheese that I've never has before (I'll be saying that a lot actually considering the fact that France has something like 364 different types of cheeses), a pop, and a pain du chocolat (a croissant stuffed with chocolate or Nutella) all for less than 4 euro.
We came back to his flat and visited for quite some time, and drank MORE coffee. Everytime we see Monsieur Poupard he offers us a cup of coffee- which is several times a day. It amazes me how much coffee, bread, cheese, wine, beer, etc that eat but still remain fit, with perfect skin and complexion- they really are beautiful people! They also served us some homemade soup- kind of like a much of carrots, potatoes, and peas- it was so perfect.
This morning we woke up exhausted yet again- but were very excited to go to Poupard's flat at noon- we were going to meet the family! His brother and his wife with their 5 children (between the ages 2 and 11). We had a blast trying to communicate with the little French we know- talking about politics, film and TV, and mostly about music. Michelle Poupard (Pascal's mother) made this interesting meal of some sort of... I don't know what else to compare it to but coleslaw- but with peas, and carrots- wrapped in a thick slice of ham. And then we had sausage and a rice dish! It was really good!
It's the start of a really good trip- I can't wait to meet my French family (in two days)and continue meeting people, and exploring this beautiful culture and its language (and might I add the cuisine ^_~).
A Bientot!
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