Let me tell you, the best class happening a l'ecole de management is called Theatre and Body Language: Tools. I didn't know what to expect. I just signed up for the class because it sounded simple, interesting, and it has no final exam. I made the right decision. When I entered into the classroom about 10-15 minutes late, I saw lots of students and there were no desk!!!! Yes!!! That means that there must be a lack of lecture and written work. I was right.
The first exercise we did involved us introducing ourselves over and over again, but everytime was different. The first time, each student had to state his or her name and his or her country of origin. The second time, we all stood up in this massive circle and stated our names back to back, around the circle, and very quickly. The third time, we were to take a deep breathe afterwards. The purpose of this exercise was for each of us to slow down and pay attention to our own body language as well as the others. I noticed that through the entire exercise, every time all eyes were on me, my smile was bright like the sun. This is what I told her when asked her about how we were feeling. She said that a smile could be a way to show happiness and joy but can also be a wall. In my case, I think it was a wall. Through out the entire class, when I was nervous, when I didn't know what was going on, or when felt strange and ridiculous, I put a smile on. At the end of class, I really began to think. The question came to me, " what are we expressing when we smile?" I could very well be a sign of emotion. Or " What are we hiding when we smile?" Hmm. I thought about the stories that I've heard about my mother's childhood and how it was an unimaginable hell. How many times did this little girl wear a smile and what was that smile really saying. Interestiing huh.
Last but not least, I must share the wierdest moment in this class. The instructor had the entire class to do a warm up. We were to be in movement starting from our toes to our fingers. We got to a point where we were to move our pelvis, nothing else but our pelvis. Can you imagine the awkwardness! We were all grinding.
I feel like this is a class that will definately open me up. I feel that it will definately force me to be creative and just be my secret me. It's cool.
9/23/2011
This Blog Post is Brought to you by Nutella
It is hard not to notice the lack of advertisements here in France compared to the United States. Sure, you have them at every bus stop but that is close to about all. When there is an actual billboard that you see in town, and this is only where cars are driving, it is just one small board with rotating ads. It also seems like they are placed in a strategic manor so as not to mess with the beauty of the city. For example, when I went to Paris this weekend most of the advertisements were in the Metro below ground. You did not even mind the advertisements down there because it was like decoration.
I also noticed on the interstate to Colmar and Paris that there were no billboards just an ongoing freeway. At home you pass more billboards than you can count. Marketers beg farmers for pieces of their land to smack a billboard down for some McDonalds ad.
You hear many of your friends say America is a capitalist country but you just laugh and go on. I am beginning to rethink how seriously capitalist we really are and if we should have more rules on the matter, I know no one can compete with Japan but this is a reflection between France (Europe) and The States for now. Of course by no means am I saying that France or Europe is advertisement or capitalist free but they just seem to have more rules on the issue.
This is just something I have noticed and starting compairing.
Thoughts?
-Tyler Underwood
I also noticed on the interstate to Colmar and Paris that there were no billboards just an ongoing freeway. At home you pass more billboards than you can count. Marketers beg farmers for pieces of their land to smack a billboard down for some McDonalds ad.
You hear many of your friends say America is a capitalist country but you just laugh and go on. I am beginning to rethink how seriously capitalist we really are and if we should have more rules on the matter, I know no one can compete with Japan but this is a reflection between France (Europe) and The States for now. Of course by no means am I saying that France or Europe is advertisement or capitalist free but they just seem to have more rules on the issue.
This is just something I have noticed and starting compairing.
Thoughts?
-Tyler Underwood
9/22/2011
What is it about the French that is fascinating?
Coming from the library this afternoon, I saw a lady with her two children, a little boy probably aged 6 years and a little girl maybe 2-3 years old. She was riding her bicycle with the little girl on a babysit on her bicycle and the little boy was riding his own little bicycle in front of her. She had groceries in a bag in front of the bicycle and was busy talking to the little girl. I was wishing I could take them a picture. They just looked happy and free from worries. They created a picture in my mind that was so beautiful. For a minute I wondered what is so perfect about this scenario? It occurred to me that the French have many ways of transportation, and most people of low to middle income do not waste their hard-earned salaries on the most expensive commodity in the world....gas! The French use, public transportation, buses and trams, which are in plenty, at least every 10-15 minutes there is a bus going to the city or coming from the city, the wait time for the trams is almost no wait at all, thousands use the bicycles, and the bicycles have their own designated pathways, others use the roller skates, and a lot more simply walk. Hence the roads have traffic but not near as bad as any street in Georgia or its outskirts.
Close to the Chateau, I met yet another mother with her two little children, one looked like six months old and the other about a year and half. She was riding her bicycle and the children were in a carrier at the back with the front covered with mesh net all the way round. This here made me to stop and look at them until they disappeared out of my eyesight, I thought to myself, what a way to save money and have fun with your children, not going to the movies, but enjoying nature and fresh air.
Even with the down-spiral of the world economy, I have not seen one home here in Strasbourg, with a sale sign or foreclosure screaming at my face, I have not seen any boarded homes. Does it mean the bad economy is not affecting the French, and if it is is not, it must be because of the way they do not waste their money on unnecessary clothing or big cars or women spending all their money on nail spas, come to think of it, I have not seen one nail shop this far, I have been to the mall and I do not remember seeing anybody with bags and bags of shopping. The mall stays busy, with people just walking and chatting, but seriously I think we can borrow a leaf from the French. Most of their cars are sedans, and some are really small, which I see moving along side the traffic without any problems. Occasionally, I have seen an SUV mainly Jeeps or the BMWs, nothing really like we have at home. How about, I have not seen a single car wash place!
To know the French are serious about saving the environment, there are no plastic bags at the supermarkets. You have to purchase your own bug to carry your groceries in, or simply carry them on your hands. I do not know, there might be other things among the French which might not be as good as the ones I have mentioned above, but if you think how much we are hurting back home financially, we could change our ways some and perhaps live better lives without the daily struggles we go through, do not get me wrong, I do not say we start riding bicycles, that is not in our culture, and I do not say we start walking and putting our children in public transportation to go to school, all I am saying is, we can cut down on some expenses and save our money, after all it is our money, we work hard for it, and it should not be used on shopping sprees to enrich the shop owners while we live from pay check to pay check, or buy food we do not need. Everyday as I walk to the bus-stop, I ask myself, what is it about the French that is fascinating? I have not seen a lot of French taking a bunch of children to the McDonald's, I see old women and men walking, I see people everywhere carrying a single French bread, without many bugs full of groceries, does it mean the French do not like to eat like we do? I am yet to see a liquor store in Strasbourg, do these people drink anything else besides wine?
Americans save your money, and take time for real vacations. It is simply beautiful to travel to other parts of the world and see first hand how other people live, they are just like us, so why don't we make some changes? I know the experience I am getting out of this trip will definitely impact my whole life, and even if I do not buy me a bicycle once we return home, I am definitely going to save my money from now on, and try and see the world. - Caroline
Close to the Chateau, I met yet another mother with her two little children, one looked like six months old and the other about a year and half. She was riding her bicycle and the children were in a carrier at the back with the front covered with mesh net all the way round. This here made me to stop and look at them until they disappeared out of my eyesight, I thought to myself, what a way to save money and have fun with your children, not going to the movies, but enjoying nature and fresh air.
Even with the down-spiral of the world economy, I have not seen one home here in Strasbourg, with a sale sign or foreclosure screaming at my face, I have not seen any boarded homes. Does it mean the bad economy is not affecting the French, and if it is is not, it must be because of the way they do not waste their money on unnecessary clothing or big cars or women spending all their money on nail spas, come to think of it, I have not seen one nail shop this far, I have been to the mall and I do not remember seeing anybody with bags and bags of shopping. The mall stays busy, with people just walking and chatting, but seriously I think we can borrow a leaf from the French. Most of their cars are sedans, and some are really small, which I see moving along side the traffic without any problems. Occasionally, I have seen an SUV mainly Jeeps or the BMWs, nothing really like we have at home. How about, I have not seen a single car wash place!
To know the French are serious about saving the environment, there are no plastic bags at the supermarkets. You have to purchase your own bug to carry your groceries in, or simply carry them on your hands. I do not know, there might be other things among the French which might not be as good as the ones I have mentioned above, but if you think how much we are hurting back home financially, we could change our ways some and perhaps live better lives without the daily struggles we go through, do not get me wrong, I do not say we start riding bicycles, that is not in our culture, and I do not say we start walking and putting our children in public transportation to go to school, all I am saying is, we can cut down on some expenses and save our money, after all it is our money, we work hard for it, and it should not be used on shopping sprees to enrich the shop owners while we live from pay check to pay check, or buy food we do not need. Everyday as I walk to the bus-stop, I ask myself, what is it about the French that is fascinating? I have not seen a lot of French taking a bunch of children to the McDonald's, I see old women and men walking, I see people everywhere carrying a single French bread, without many bugs full of groceries, does it mean the French do not like to eat like we do? I am yet to see a liquor store in Strasbourg, do these people drink anything else besides wine?
Americans save your money, and take time for real vacations. It is simply beautiful to travel to other parts of the world and see first hand how other people live, they are just like us, so why don't we make some changes? I know the experience I am getting out of this trip will definitely impact my whole life, and even if I do not buy me a bicycle once we return home, I am definitely going to save my money from now on, and try and see the world. - Caroline
The city of [what] love?
The City of [What] Love?
Paris! Paris! Paris! Growing up I had dreams of travelling the world, visiting the places where history took place and being another person in the crowd of billions. Having travelled to all of the major cities and many other smaller cities in America, I thought seeing Paris would top them all. So I thought.
Seeing and learning about all of the tourist attractions in Paris was amazing. All of the stories I had heard were true, but one major detail was hidden from me and neglected from the wonderful stories I had heard about the city, which prevented me from loving this city. Paris, France was dirty. There were old clothes on the street, trash overflowing the cans, drug dealers in the parks, homeless people in the alleys, smells of the sewer in the stores, and animal feces covering the sidewalks. However, the feces did not surprise me too much because Strasbourg had the same problem. But, the other unsanitary items were shocking!
As previously mentioned, I have travelled to dozens of cities and I had seen that aspect of them before but I didnt expect them in Paris, the fashion capital. Not only was it the capital of France but it was a place where many historical scenes took places and where tourists from all over the world came to visit. I know I can sometimes live in a fairytale land but I honestly did not expect this major capital to have the same issues a small city such as Baltimore would have.
Maybe it is just me but I expected the city to be more loving and the people to be more caring to not let these things take control of the city. Of course people were full of emotions and rivers full of love keys but I thought people would have more love for the city, being the city of love. After travelling back to Strasbourg and thinking about this experience, in Paris, I can at least say that I have been to Paris, France and I'll always keep the images (positive and negative) with me.
Paris! Paris! Paris! Growing up I had dreams of travelling the world, visiting the places where history took place and being another person in the crowd of billions. Having travelled to all of the major cities and many other smaller cities in America, I thought seeing Paris would top them all. So I thought.
Seeing and learning about all of the tourist attractions in Paris was amazing. All of the stories I had heard were true, but one major detail was hidden from me and neglected from the wonderful stories I had heard about the city, which prevented me from loving this city. Paris, France was dirty. There were old clothes on the street, trash overflowing the cans, drug dealers in the parks, homeless people in the alleys, smells of the sewer in the stores, and animal feces covering the sidewalks. However, the feces did not surprise me too much because Strasbourg had the same problem. But, the other unsanitary items were shocking!
As previously mentioned, I have travelled to dozens of cities and I had seen that aspect of them before but I didnt expect them in Paris, the fashion capital. Not only was it the capital of France but it was a place where many historical scenes took places and where tourists from all over the world came to visit. I know I can sometimes live in a fairytale land but I honestly did not expect this major capital to have the same issues a small city such as Baltimore would have.
Maybe it is just me but I expected the city to be more loving and the people to be more caring to not let these things take control of the city. Of course people were full of emotions and rivers full of love keys but I thought people would have more love for the city, being the city of love. After travelling back to Strasbourg and thinking about this experience, in Paris, I can at least say that I have been to Paris, France and I'll always keep the images (positive and negative) with me.
9/21/2011
feeling judged?
A couple of weeks ago me and a few others were at the mall in downtown Strasbourg doing some shopping, which ended up being a success. So I went into Sephora (for those of you who don't know what a Sephora is, it is a huge make up company that has their own brand as well as selling products from other luxury brands) with other bags in my hand and the buzzer at the door that alerts security to thefts went off. This is a common thing because a previous store will have left a sensor tag on one of your items and it's typically no big deal. However, the security guy working the store proceeds to check each of my bags and when he finds that there is nothing suspicious about any of them and gives them back. Then the kicker is he continues to follow me around the store, as if he knows that I am up to no good. My question is at what point did I ever indicate to him that I may be suspicious of stealing something? Was it when my bags went off but after thorough checking he figured out that there was nothing wrong, or was it the fact that I was a non-French speaking person and that makes me fishy? Is this what all French people think of those that don't speak their language? If so then I find some similarities between them and Americans, because are we not sometimes suspicious of people speaking another language that we can't understand? We kind of have that worried, what if they're talking about us moment when that happens. Maybe I'm just used to thinking about what other people are saying in different languages it never occurred to me that they might be thinking the same thing about me. It kinda places a stereotype on someone when that happens. Although, when everyone is suspicious of everyone speaking a different language, then is everyone typified under that same stereotype? Or is it just me?
My First Day in France
We touched down at CDG airport, Paris at 5:15 a.m. local time. At the Immigration window, I greeted the officer with the little french I know so far, bonjour...he responded I think, and went on blablablabla. I excused myself and said in French, I speak little french. He said something else and went on, and on and on, I shrugged my shoulders, then he said "are you coming to Paris?", I said no, then he asked to see my school papers, I gave him my file, he said no, no, no, I looked at him blank and completely dumpfounded wondering what in the world, I have my visa, my boarding pass and by this time, my head is beginning to spin, then he said in perfect English...one paper please. Phew, I handed him my school itinerary, then he stamped my passport. Is that how they scare people?- Caroline
On the Bicycle and on the Trail, a first in my entire life!
Originally posted: Friday, September 9, 2011
Today, was the most peculiar day, since coming to Strasbourg, France. Christina, our group leader informed us that we were going on a scavenger hunt, riding bicycles on a trail in the woods. I do not know about other students, but it was my first time in my entire life to ride a bicycle, I mean literally ride on it and trail other people. I was a little scared at first, but everybody got on their bikes and started riding, out of sheer curiosity, I braved myself and said inwardly, "I know I can do this." I got on the bike, zig zagged for a little while, then I got the bike into motion, and Viola, there I was riding behind other students, I did not fall even once, I did not hit a tree or another bike rider or a walker. One can never know what they can do unless they try it. Ok? Inside the forest, the trail was very wet, narrow and slippery, but I braved it on, mosquitoes had a field day on us, they were just buzzing, like we were in their territory, so to proof it, they stung us real bad. Once we reached the lake, I could not go any further, I was thirsty and sweating like a pro, so the scavenger instructor excused from continuing one, but told me I had to return to the Chateau all by myself. Well, I had a bike and I had to return to where we started, out of fear, I kicked that bike in gear, and off I went enjoying the breeze in the process. I did no stop until I got to the Chateau, parked my bike and jumped up in joy and said "Feliciticion Caroline, you did it." Is this the ultimate French experience or what? Time will tell.- Caroline
Today, was the most peculiar day, since coming to Strasbourg, France. Christina, our group leader informed us that we were going on a scavenger hunt, riding bicycles on a trail in the woods. I do not know about other students, but it was my first time in my entire life to ride a bicycle, I mean literally ride on it and trail other people. I was a little scared at first, but everybody got on their bikes and started riding, out of sheer curiosity, I braved myself and said inwardly, "I know I can do this." I got on the bike, zig zagged for a little while, then I got the bike into motion, and Viola, there I was riding behind other students, I did not fall even once, I did not hit a tree or another bike rider or a walker. One can never know what they can do unless they try it. Ok? Inside the forest, the trail was very wet, narrow and slippery, but I braved it on, mosquitoes had a field day on us, they were just buzzing, like we were in their territory, so to proof it, they stung us real bad. Once we reached the lake, I could not go any further, I was thirsty and sweating like a pro, so the scavenger instructor excused from continuing one, but told me I had to return to the Chateau all by myself. Well, I had a bike and I had to return to where we started, out of fear, I kicked that bike in gear, and off I went enjoying the breeze in the process. I did no stop until I got to the Chateau, parked my bike and jumped up in joy and said "Feliciticion Caroline, you did it." Is this the ultimate French experience or what? Time will tell.- Caroline
Visit to the European Parliament
Today we visited the European Parliament, and by far this was the most fascinating visit of all the visits we have so far taken. From the minute we entered the breathtaking open Louis Weiss circular entrance to the minute we walked up the Helix shaped stairway, made of white Italian marble and black slade, I was in awe. The design of the entire building is a sheer piece of art. I could not imagine how the architects sat down and created such an awesome piece of work that would form a storybook story to be told from generation to generation. The fact that the building housing the EU Parliament is still under construction and that according the narrator, the construction is a continuous process that will never end based on the fact that constructing the European Union is in itself a continuous construction process that will never end, is awesome. This belief, is in itself a master piece of thought process. The "icing on top of the cake" was the assembly dome, simply it is out of this world, I cannot possibly think of words that can describe the art and beauty of the Dome. From the blue seats that create such a magnificent arrangement to the roof dorned with thousands of shinny light bulbs to the center piece flag bearing the twelve yellow stars on blue background, no words can describe the whole visit, except to say that this visit will live in me for the rest of my life.- Caroline
Homme de Fer
Since coming to Strasbourg, France, I thought Strasbourg was where EM is, but alas to my surprise, I decided to venture a little further, took the tram to Homme de Fer, when I got there, I was in utter shock. There were lots of people, moving along side the tram lines, on bikes, and literally all over the place, eating out in the open air restaurants, going in and out of stores, I said to myself, huh, this is where it happens! I started going from store to store, and if I tell you, this city has everything one needs, then you better believe me, it has, but it will break your bank account, be warned!
Every store I visited, it was different from the previous one, nice little keepsakes, pastries, ice-cream, pretzels, doughnuts, etc., there was even a Fantastic Market ("the devil market"), where you can get any type of tattoo, there was a man made up in makeup, with a hump on his back, with blood streaming out of his eyes, at first he he really looked real, and really scared the women, including myself, I thought, it is not Halloween yet? but at a closer looker, it was just makeup that made him look strange, and part of the attraction to the "devil market!".
There is even a "Victoria Secrets" for those who care to shop Victoria Secrets. It is more pricier though. If you have little babies in your family, there is a must see store for all types of kiddie stuff, really nice and I will be going back here for my granddaughter's gifts. Now, I would advise those who like sports shoes, (the Nikes, Jordans, Fila, etc) to reconsider, when thinking of buying these type of shoes from this city. They are really pricey, but if you want some colors that you have not seen at home, then I would suggest you treat yourself, they did have some beautiful standout colors, I have not yet seen at home.
Oh my, how can I forget my favorite store, if I lived in France, this would be my store of choice to shop at. The Lafayette Enfant, http://www.galerieslafayette.com/, is where ladies of class can fit and spend their money. The purses are beautiful, but they are of course out of reach for students like us, talking about me now, I do not know about y'all, but if you can afford to spend 179€ for a purse, more power to you.
For those who like American Chinese, I would suggest you try the Wazawok Restaurant, and of course, you might never eat American Chinese again. It is that good!
Louis Voitton, http://www.louisvuitton.com/fr/flash/index.jsp?direct1=stor&direct2=114 was around the corner, beautiful real Louis, ok ladies, treat yourselves, at least to one real purse before you leave France.- Caroline
9/20/2011
Trip to PARIS!
My mom always told me that you don't really know someone until you live with them or travel with them. However...she never told me what to expect when moving to another country with about fifteen people that I'd never even talk to except through Facebook. I came in expecting the worse. I mean what was I supposed to do, fifteen random people?! This was like the ultimate MTV Real World.
Meeting up with a few people in the airport on the way, we all seemed to get along perfectly & it seemed like everything would be okay. And it was! We came and all were excited for our trip to Europe! Once the entire group came together, I figured everything would be perfect. But I'm not dumb, I knew we wouldn't ALL get along and everyone wouldn't be the best of friends singing Kumbaya in a circle. Slowly, but surely, little things about just about everyone started to stand out to me. Little pet peeves of mine happened to be in everyone, some more annoying to me than others. Then the homesickness set in. I missed my friends and family. They understand me sometimes better than I understand myself. Skype tried to heal the distance, but it just wasn't good enough. I kind of felt like I wanted to be home. Until my friend Justin, who's also studying abroad in France, reminded me of how great an opportunity this was and how I'd make memories to last a lifetime. I decided I was going to tough it out and finally made it to the point of my own personal excursion, PARIS! I'd always dreamt of going to Paris. What girl hasn't? I had everything planned out that I wanted to do. Obviously, I knew that everyone wouldn't have the same plans, but I thought the general idea was the same: Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, Versailles, Champs Elyeeses.. you know the normal.
After an seven hour bus ride, I was finally in Paris and ready to see! Once I got off the bus I realized I was the only person who had a slightly pleasant ride. Everyone wanted to take a nap to recooperate and then go out, but I was ready now!!! You see, I know that I'm a very bossy girl. It's one of my few bad traits. Luckily, for me, we couldn't check into our hostel for a few more hours so the group was forced to go out. Finding our way through the city with a group of six people was another task within itself. And, to add to the trouble, I couldn't get on Facebook for an entire weekend?! The trip was a great time though, heads clashed and there were differences of opinion, but I think overall everyone had a good time. And hopefully, I have no more desires until December!
Meeting up with a few people in the airport on the way, we all seemed to get along perfectly & it seemed like everything would be okay. And it was! We came and all were excited for our trip to Europe! Once the entire group came together, I figured everything would be perfect. But I'm not dumb, I knew we wouldn't ALL get along and everyone wouldn't be the best of friends singing Kumbaya in a circle. Slowly, but surely, little things about just about everyone started to stand out to me. Little pet peeves of mine happened to be in everyone, some more annoying to me than others. Then the homesickness set in. I missed my friends and family. They understand me sometimes better than I understand myself. Skype tried to heal the distance, but it just wasn't good enough. I kind of felt like I wanted to be home. Until my friend Justin, who's also studying abroad in France, reminded me of how great an opportunity this was and how I'd make memories to last a lifetime. I decided I was going to tough it out and finally made it to the point of my own personal excursion, PARIS! I'd always dreamt of going to Paris. What girl hasn't? I had everything planned out that I wanted to do. Obviously, I knew that everyone wouldn't have the same plans, but I thought the general idea was the same: Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, Versailles, Champs Elyeeses.. you know the normal.
After an seven hour bus ride, I was finally in Paris and ready to see! Once I got off the bus I realized I was the only person who had a slightly pleasant ride. Everyone wanted to take a nap to recooperate and then go out, but I was ready now!!! You see, I know that I'm a very bossy girl. It's one of my few bad traits. Luckily, for me, we couldn't check into our hostel for a few more hours so the group was forced to go out. Finding our way through the city with a group of six people was another task within itself. And, to add to the trouble, I couldn't get on Facebook for an entire weekend?! The trip was a great time though, heads clashed and there were differences of opinion, but I think overall everyone had a good time. And hopefully, I have no more desires until December!
9/19/2011
If I Had a Dime for Every Time I Heard "Everything Should Work Fine Abroad". . .
This is ambiguous, but for right now it is concentrated on one thing. Money. The traditional roadblock to smooth travels is exchanging currency. This is completely understandable, considering the volatility of exchange rates and such, but still a hassel. However, this was 100% expected, and really hasn't been an issue. What has been an issue is something I was assured numerous times would work in France. My debit card.
I live in the good ol' US of A, where we are on top of things technologically, right? Nope, I guess not. I bet if I were to ask my bank back home about "smart-cards," they would have no idea what I was talking about. All we have is our outdated magnetic strip cards. So cash it is at most places, which is completely foreign to me. It's foreign to me in the US to carry cash, I ALWAYS pay with a card, and that makes it even stranger to not use a card over here.
Tonight I planned on recharging my French cell phone, but guess what? You can only do it online with a French-issued card. This wouldn't frustrate me if I wasn't assured by everyone that "A Visa card is as good as cash anywhere!"
Though, after thought, this can be good for me. I need to learn to budget cash. In the US, I use a card because it makes me more reluctant to buy something (backwards, I know. . .) whereas if I have cash, I tend to spend it. Spending 3 months using cash will be a good chance for me to learn how to avoid cash burning a hole in my pocket. Why let something be an inconvenience when it can be a chance to get used to a new way of doing things.
-Zak
I live in the good ol' US of A, where we are on top of things technologically, right? Nope, I guess not. I bet if I were to ask my bank back home about "smart-cards," they would have no idea what I was talking about. All we have is our outdated magnetic strip cards. So cash it is at most places, which is completely foreign to me. It's foreign to me in the US to carry cash, I ALWAYS pay with a card, and that makes it even stranger to not use a card over here.
Tonight I planned on recharging my French cell phone, but guess what? You can only do it online with a French-issued card. This wouldn't frustrate me if I wasn't assured by everyone that "A Visa card is as good as cash anywhere!"
Though, after thought, this can be good for me. I need to learn to budget cash. In the US, I use a card because it makes me more reluctant to buy something (backwards, I know. . .) whereas if I have cash, I tend to spend it. Spending 3 months using cash will be a good chance for me to learn how to avoid cash burning a hole in my pocket. Why let something be an inconvenience when it can be a chance to get used to a new way of doing things.
-Zak
9/18/2011
Switzerland
Well, this weekend consisted of a lot of "firsts" for me, which were both good and bad. This was the first trip I have taken here in Europe on my own (with friends and no tour guide, that is) and it actually turned out to be very successful! We made both trains on time and found our hostel without any trouble. The only difficult part was finding an inexpensive place to eat and inexpensive bars, which is nearly impossible in Switzerland. The average meal was between 20 and 30 francs and the average cocktail was around 10 to 15 francs. Because of such high prices we chose a small sandwich shop that served delicious food and had a very friendly staff who had no problem speaking English to us. In fact, everyone we spoke with was eager to speak English with us and very helpful. It is not like the French are impolite, but the Swiss were just more outwardly friendly.
As friendly as they were, there were still many cultural differences that we had to pick up on. For instance, I was very surprised to see dozens of people walking down the street at night with bottles of vodka and whiskey like it was no big deal. It became apparent why they did this when we reached the bars and saw such insane prices for drinks. One pleasant surprise was walking around early in the afternoon and being handed a free beer while old people sang and played instruments. It seemed like there were people on every corner playing instruments and singing.
One thing I didn't really expect was to be put in a room at our hostel with two older men. I knew that it was a possibility but it was a little more uncomfortable than I thought it would be. They were nice and quiet the snoring was almost unbearable. This is something that I am definitely going to have to get used to if I want to continue traveling on a budget. On the plus side, the room was cheap and we got free public transportation passes which let us ride all the trains and the Mercedes Benz public buses for free. This was a great trip and I hope to have many more like it while I am in Europe and for the rest of my life.
-Rachel Cooper
As friendly as they were, there were still many cultural differences that we had to pick up on. For instance, I was very surprised to see dozens of people walking down the street at night with bottles of vodka and whiskey like it was no big deal. It became apparent why they did this when we reached the bars and saw such insane prices for drinks. One pleasant surprise was walking around early in the afternoon and being handed a free beer while old people sang and played instruments. It seemed like there were people on every corner playing instruments and singing.
One thing I didn't really expect was to be put in a room at our hostel with two older men. I knew that it was a possibility but it was a little more uncomfortable than I thought it would be. They were nice and quiet the snoring was almost unbearable. This is something that I am definitely going to have to get used to if I want to continue traveling on a budget. On the plus side, the room was cheap and we got free public transportation passes which let us ride all the trains and the Mercedes Benz public buses for free. This was a great trip and I hope to have many more like it while I am in Europe and for the rest of my life.
-Rachel Cooper
all the small things
I'm finally starting to feel more settled in to my life here in Strasbourg and have more of a feeling for what the next 3 months will be like. I've gotten over the initial shocks of moving and adapting to a new place. However, despite this, I still feel like whatever's to come isn't clear. Of course, there are classes to go to and a few small responsibilities here and there, but I'm more curious about what else I'll be experiencing and what I'll be gaining from my time here.
I started reading The Art of Travel by Alain de Botton this past week. I feel like there were a few things that he said to which I could relate. In one part he talks about minute observations that he makes in the Netherlands, watching people and observing homes from the outside. He speaks of "anchoring our emotions" to small details that we find unlike what we're familiar with and that we become fond of.
Just this past weekend I discovered that I have attachments to places that I've been previously. A few of us from the Chateau went to Basel for the weekend. This is one Swiss city that I had not been to after living and working in CH for 3 months a couple years ago. Immediately when I arrived, I felt a wave of emotions. Even just seeing the station, with paintings of the famous mountains (some of which I saw on a weekly basis), left me with a stupid big smile. I stared at the departure board and found the train routes with which I am so familiar. Even though I'd never been to Basel, it just felt strangely familiar. At one point in the day, we found a tent in the street giving out free Swiss cheese and Swiss beer. There were people in traditional costume singing. Afterwards one of the men started playing an instrument which looked like a dulcimer (I don't have the greatest ability to identify musical instruments). I listened and suddenly felt sick with myself. I knew that he was playing the Swiss national anthem and for some reason this was stirring emotions. How can such a short time in one place leave me with such significant emotional impressions? I can't imagine what will happen if I go somewhere to which I've been before, let alone where I've lived! I can understand having emotions towards my home in the US, but for somewhere abroad or "exotic" (as de Botton would say)?
I'm starting to wonder what I'll be sentimental about here in France. I'm going to try to appreciate the details of living here and the daily routines. De Botton goes on to say in the passage that to "condemn ourselves for minute concerns is the ignore how rich in meaning details may be." I surely look forward to the day that I can return to Strasbourg in the future and discover what I'm "anchored" to here.
-Maria
I started reading The Art of Travel by Alain de Botton this past week. I feel like there were a few things that he said to which I could relate. In one part he talks about minute observations that he makes in the Netherlands, watching people and observing homes from the outside. He speaks of "anchoring our emotions" to small details that we find unlike what we're familiar with and that we become fond of.
Just this past weekend I discovered that I have attachments to places that I've been previously. A few of us from the Chateau went to Basel for the weekend. This is one Swiss city that I had not been to after living and working in CH for 3 months a couple years ago. Immediately when I arrived, I felt a wave of emotions. Even just seeing the station, with paintings of the famous mountains (some of which I saw on a weekly basis), left me with a stupid big smile. I stared at the departure board and found the train routes with which I am so familiar. Even though I'd never been to Basel, it just felt strangely familiar. At one point in the day, we found a tent in the street giving out free Swiss cheese and Swiss beer. There were people in traditional costume singing. Afterwards one of the men started playing an instrument which looked like a dulcimer (I don't have the greatest ability to identify musical instruments). I listened and suddenly felt sick with myself. I knew that he was playing the Swiss national anthem and for some reason this was stirring emotions. How can such a short time in one place leave me with such significant emotional impressions? I can't imagine what will happen if I go somewhere to which I've been before, let alone where I've lived! I can understand having emotions towards my home in the US, but for somewhere abroad or "exotic" (as de Botton would say)?
I'm starting to wonder what I'll be sentimental about here in France. I'm going to try to appreciate the details of living here and the daily routines. De Botton goes on to say in the passage that to "condemn ourselves for minute concerns is the ignore how rich in meaning details may be." I surely look forward to the day that I can return to Strasbourg in the future and discover what I'm "anchored" to here.
-Maria
When Worlds Collide
What will I fill you in about this week?
Will it be registering for courses? Nah, that was uneventful.
How about talking about my week with only one day of class? Nope, that would just be me telling you how I've gotten lost in the city via bicycle...
What about my overnight trip to Basel, Switzerland where I've learned to love the Swiss? No, I'll let one of the other 6 students recount those events.
I know, how about the time where I went to a CouchSurfing meet-up and ran into Willi one of the Study Abroad coordinators here at the Chateau.
So to start off I'll explain that before I came to France this Fall I had always thrown around the idea of going off and traveling the world, being a nomad if you will. Living on very little, but seeing everything. A few things I've been inspired by are bloggers that I subscribe to (notable mentions: Nomadic Matt ; Twenty-Something Travel ; Follow Me Everywhere), these people have given up the idea of your "typical" lifestyle and done everything they can to work and live and travel abroad. They'll be somewhere for 6 months and then move on to the next location. It's a bold step, one step that I hope I'll be able to do.
Anyways, these blogs have led me to other travel resources and more specifically a website called CouchSurfing. This online community is comprised of people across the world opening their couches for any passerby in their city. I think it's one of the greatest ideas, being able to bring the traveler directly into the community, rather than being lose in the tourism. I have never had the chance to do this, but I've been a part of CS for 2 years now and I decided that once I am in Europe, I'm going to jump right in. And that started with the weekly Wednesday Strasbourg Group meet-up at La Lanterne.
Of course, I didn't arrive solo, had it not have been in a country where I don't know the language very well, then sure! But that was not the case, so I dragged along Alexandre and Rachel where we were annoyingly punctual...(I don't know how these things go! Don't worry, it will not happen again.) We met them and caved, got them to speak english to us, had tart flambee, happy hour beers...and maybe a few shots. And by 22:00 we were happy people, chatting with people from Strasbourg, people passing thru and even people who had just moved here like us. Rachel and I look up from the table and see David, the guy who is starting the bar at the Chateau and Willi! After our few beers, we took a double take, but it was them for sure.
I soon was informed that Willi comes to these meetings every week, and then she also told me "Yeah, I knew you were coming here. I was just going to let you figure it out on your own..." Thanks for that! It's fun to mingle with the natives and run into your coordinators. It makes this whole world that much smaller!
A Day in my Life!
The lighting inside the Cathedral is deemed with many candles are lite on tables, where one can stop and proclaim in silence their love to each other or simply say a silent devotion. The deemed lighting gave it that feeling of a holy place. The Alter is unique like no other I have ever seen. This Cathedral I must say must have taken years to build, it has corners and corners, entrance after entrance, small original chairs, not the traditional church pews, just simply little chairs that have darkened over time, but still carries the originality in them sit in place, maybe just like they did three hundred years ago..
Finally, I asked one of the attendants, if I could fetch "holy water" he told me he would call somebody to help me with that request, when the person came, he asked me to follow him, we sent to this old, I guess a stone urn, I believe must be as old as the Cathedral, he opened the top, I was almost expecting the "hand of Jesus" to take my bottle and fill it with the holy water. As he filled my bottle, I was wondering where I had seen an urn of that shape, then it occurred to my mind that such urns are the type you only read about in the bible.
As we finalized our trip with my classmate inside the Cathedral, I saw the place for repentance, and a stool where you could kneel and pray, I knelt on that stool and said a prayer to St. Joseph or it might as well be St. John, bottom line, I felt really good about the whole visit and this will be a day to remember in my life. - Caroline
Go Ahead and Smile
This weekend, I and 6 others of the group spent a day and a night in Basel, Switzerland. Other than the extreme overpricing of everything, it was a very pleasant mini trip. The sights around the city were gorgeous, we encountered a great deal of random musical performances, and we even got free beer from what appeared to be a Swiss cultural society while wandering the streets. Another great aspect was the friendliness of the people.
This, strangely enough, caught me off guard. Being caught off guard by the Swiss friendliness made me realize that I’ve already quickly adjusted to one aspect of my life in France. I had already accepted the fact that French culture has a different way of dealing with individuals than American culture. I was surprised to find that I was already changing to accommodate myself to the French way of life. For instance, at one point a stranger on the tram gave me a small smile and I stared at him, wondering why in the world anyone would smile at someone for no reason. I then remembered that even though Basel was just one cheap train ticket away, culture changes from area to area quite quickly.
Even though I want to embrace the French way of life, I’m not sure I’m exactly pleased with how quickly I’ve adapted to this particular cultural aspect of it. I also can’t forget that what’s frowned upon in one area of Europe may be totally socially acceptable in another. Since I plan on doing a lot of traveling this semester, this is an essential thing to remember. I don’t want to totally change myself just to fit into another culture, just as it’s equally important not to be resistant to new cultural aspects I might encounter. I’m glad going to Basel was able to teach me this.
All of France is Alsace
As an American, I am supposed to champion the view our compatriots hold of the French: rude, aloof, cold. However, given my immersion in French society and the good fortunes I've had to meet and mingle with the natives, I can attest that the stereotype that many Americans hold of the French is anything but the truth. Indeed, even the most basic of observations would serve to disprove the malformed opinions deeply entrenched in the American psyche.
The French are a very purposeful people in many respects. They don't haphazardly toss around pleasantries or pry their noses into the affairs of others. They tend to dwell in little bubbles wherein resides their intimates - family and friends. Just as they would shun interference from a stranger, they usually refuse to involve themselves in situations of which they are not apart. But when it comes to their closest family and friends, the French can be just as passionate, devoted and loving as the warmest American sitcom family.
In this respect, all of France is Alsace. Bombarded by the siren songs of Germany and France, this island of independence labors to maintain its unique identity. Furthermore, Alsace has sought to maintain its traditions and continue its way of life without being impressed upon by outsiders. Of course, once you enter Alsace and acclimate yourself to their tendencies, you are treated as one of their own and appreciated.
This rugged sense of independence can be seen throughout France's and Alsace's pasts. Each as evolved to respect the privacy and situation of their neighbors while endeavoring to protect their own interests.
Adorable.
Basel is the first trip I’ve made while here, using Strasbourg as a sort of “home base.” In addition, this happens to be my first train ride. It’s fascinating, the trains. They were spacious, smooth, and calm. There was no confusion or adventure to the regional train, but merely an institutional blandness. However, due to this being my first train ride, I found myself enamored by the entire process. Anytime I’m in something that moves me, the scenery outside forces me to watch as though I’ve never seen the view, even if I’m riding with my parents to a restaurant we’d been to a hundred times. This time, on the way to Basel, it was new scenery. The speed could not have been great, but I saw so many different views. I loved it.
Not to mention, getting to Basel and exploring the city was a new experience. Though not the crashing tumult of what I imagine a row of Indian market stalls to be, the simple age of Basel floored me. How could some town which had never crossed my mind until the week before have so much history and importance?
I enjoyed the little excursion to Basel, and how adorable everything was that Saturday. However, in retrospect, I should not have spent Saturday night there. A day trip would have sufficed.
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