Paris. Day one.

Sorry again folks. It's been busy!

What a weekend, sejour a Paris. I don't know where to start. We did so much stuff.

I'll commence with Friday. I had to wake up at around 5 am, bright and early. Marched over to a friend's house down the street to mooch off her prepaid taxi. Driver faire la bised (kissing the cheek thing the french do) us, which was weird on so many levels. One, he's a taxi driver and not familiar? Two, it was 5:45 in the morning. Ungodly hour. Three, we're americans. He knows we don't do that. After the incident and our confusion he remarked "It's very freeensh." Just like that. In english.

Train left around 6:15 am. Arrived at around 11:45 pm. Had free time until four pm. My roomie and I for the trip wandered around our little slice of Paris near the hotel. There was a fresh market literally right down the street from the hotel. We purchased baguette, cheese, cherries (my fave!!!) and cold, fresh white wine for lunch and picniced on a bench. The wine place there was so, so good. We bought a 5 euro wine from Nantes, and it was amazing.

After lunch and wandering around, we met up with USAC at four to tour around the latin quarter. Saw le Jardin de Luxembourg and the Sorbonne. Roomie and I had delicious sushi and it was moins cher. I tried bright red lipstick for the first time in awhile. Red is becoming my new favorite color. Need to get mehself some.

la fin de juin.

Sorry friends. It’s been awhile. Relationship with my internet here has been love/hate since my host brother has been home. While my host mom doesn’t use the computer much (which I think is a generational thing), the host brother can’t get enough of it. Unfortunately, if someone else uses the internet, I get booted. Host brother keeps adding reasons for him to be on poo poo list.

Anyway, last weekend was the trip to the Pyrenees mountains. Lazily, I decided to skip and slept in until noon instead. In my defense, it rained literally every day of last week and was pretty cold. Because I've just gotten over a bad bug, I figured it would be best to stay dry indoors and sleep in. I'm a little bummed about missing out on the experience. I have yet to see mountains in real life! There's another mountain trip excursion next month, so I'll get to go then.

Last week the USAC group here went to a cheese tasting. Amazing. One of my favorite cheeses here is definitely Brie. It's pretty mild and creamy. Also, french people don't understand my name. I figured Bree would be easier to say than Breona with their accents, ya know? I met a friend's host mom on Saturday night, and she had two drunken friends over. They were doing shots of vodka and drinking wine, and they were very, very amusing. One of the men couldn't remember my name, and at one point told me Bree sounded like Chinese. He then mumbled some chinese-related syllables: ming, ping, mei etc...

Tomorrow is my final for the month of June, and I can't believe how fast it has gone! I say goodbye to some good friends tomorrow because they aren't going on the Paris tour. Saying bye always sucks, but I knew this wouldn't last forever. Nothing does. I'm excited to meet new people. Always gotta look forward, ya know?

Speaking of the Paris tour, I leave bright and early Friday morning at 6 am. As in, I have to be at the train station and ready to go by 6 am. Yuck!! Paris was my first city choice for study abroad. Originally I wanted to study there for a whole semester, but I'm satisfied with where I am in little, quaint Pau. We'll see if the stereotypes are true: love in the streets, accordions, the eiffel tower (which can't be untrue but expectations will be questioned). I don't know where my expectations are. Excitement is mixed in there somewhere, but I've heard the city is smelly and dirty. If I go in with a meh attitude I'll be impressed, so that's the plan.

Wrap up of first session: I've realized and accepted I won't be fluent after two months in France, and now that I think about it, that expectation was unreal. Two months? That's nothing in the span of a lifetime. I am, however, less shy when speaking french. I'm still shy, but I'm at least willing to speak now. More than I can say for last semester in my french classes. Shyness in french is a work in progress. I'm trying to get confidence, so I'll be willing to make mistakes without caring. If I make the mistakes here, then I'll make less mistakes in classes at home. I've been studying french for 5 or 6ish years now. I know enough to speak and communicate. My host mom and I are getting a lot better at communicating. Less thought is required to form sentences. Sometimes I still have to stop and think about it when I'm using indirect and direct objects and where they go. Especially in the passe compose etc. Whew.

A friend and I discussed today how frustrating it is when you get a mental block. Flowing along in french and all of a sudden, you have this huge, nasty English word behind your eyelids and you can't look passed it. Seriously one of the most frustrating things that has happened here... Minus the alarm.

Oh! I know I'm being ADD, but my host brother set off the alarm at 2 am the other night!! Muaha. At least it wasn't me :).

Frustrating = taxis. I was too lazy to walk home Friday night after hanging out with some friends, so I called a taxi. When we arrived at my house, I asked him if he had change for a 50 euro. He said no. I froze, feeling all of the muscles in my legs tense. I had no idea what to do because I wasn't going to give him a 50 euro for a 12 euro cab ride, so I just sat there. Kinda felt like bawling, but I pretended to be firm in my decision and remained seated with the 50 in my hand. I wasn't joking. I had no other change on me. After a few minutes of awkwardness (and after realizing I wasn't a pansy American/woman who had money to blow), he threw two 40's at me and that was the end of it. Jerk.

2 of cheese tasting.
1 of the house

Brie (comme le fromage).

Today has been relaxing.

I adore the weather here. Last few days have been chilly (but not too cold) and rainy. When I return to the states in July, I'll be in weather shock from the hot humidity of Iowa.

I walked downtown after class today with a friend. I led the way, and we didn't get lost! As in I actually knew where I was going! My friend, Cassandra, wanted to visit one of her french friends who works at a salon, and she got turned around trying to find it. Grabbing the map from her, I figured out where we were and found the little hair salon. The women working there cracked me up. There were two middle aged women, and they reminded me so much of my mom and her friends: loud and giggly, like teenagers. One of them even told me "dans mon coeur, j'ai 20 ans!" (In my heart, I'm 20 years old!) Their accents are little difficult to understand. Southern and Parisian accents really are different, and I think my host mom's southern accent gave me difficulties in the beginning.

We hung out at the salon for awhile and drank coffee with the ladies. Cassandra's friend, Muriel, was super cute and tiny with a short bob hair cut. She's going to cut my hair next Tuesday! My first french haircut! The experience will be interesting because she doesn't know much english, her accent is a little different, and I don't know any vocab for haircuts. Hopefully I'll like it.

Tonight for dinner, I bought some fresh, yes fresh, smoked salmon and ate it with rice. I peppered the salmon a smidgen, and it was so yummy. Fresh here has an entirely different connotation for me than fresh in the states. How will I ever be able to go back to my land locked Iowa, which lacks all the fresh fruit and seafood I get to eat here? And bread. Still eating it with about every meal. Haven't gained any weight. People in the states are crazy for trying to cut carbs. Europeans know what they're doing: small breakfast, bigger lunch, and a large dinner. No snacks and exercise. Glass of red wine every night. Here, cheese, fruit, and yogurt are considered dessert. I'm eating raspberries as I write this with a glass of red wine from Bordeaux that I bought for 3 euros.

Cheese tasting tomorrow for the USAC kids. I'm pumped.

p.s. French people are so confused when I tell them my name. I've been going by Bree here because most french people really struggle with Breona. I'm assuming that name isn't one they hear everday, and I seriously think their first thought is cheese: why would anyone name their child after cheese? That would be like calling someone Roquefort.

Florence and Bologna (europe is good for the soul).

After a long, long class on Friday, two friends and I raced downtown to wait for an hour at the train station. We stopped for lunch on the way at Quick Burger, which is France's version of McDonald's with a touch better quality. Two hours later and our train stops at Bordeaux, our first stop out of three. We run out of the station with a little over an hour to make our flight, which we had already mapped out with an estimated 10 minutes travel time between train station and airport.

10 minute taxi cab ride became a 30 euros 35 min voyage. The freeway was backed up because rush hour happens in France on a Friday afternoon. Luckily, our driver was wise and drove through town, which took a lot longer. Laura and I flew out of the cab while Janet paid. The platform was number 61, and we got in line for security. We ran around the airport like idiots having near asthma/panic attacks. As we were waiting in line for security, we asked a man working there if we had enough time to go through and make the plane. He looked at our tickets and said we were fine.

Except we weren't.

When we got closer to the check station, the woman checking stuff through the x-ray machine noticed our tickets were through Ryanair, and she was kind enough to let us know that we were in the WRONG part of the airport. Have I mentioned we wasted about 10 or 15 precious minutes waiting in the wrong line?? So off we were, running frantically again without a destination or plan. We saw the unhelpful man who gave us the wrong information previously and asked him for directions to Ryanair. Now that I think about it, asking him probably wasn't the best idea, but we'd asked a few of the people working in the shops who responded to us with looks like we were crazy.

Anyway, Ryanair's security is in an entirely separate building, and we bolted for it. When we arrived the security people there laughed at us because we were panting from all the running and panicing (two of us are asthmatics, including myself). They let us go through with a scold to be at least 45 minutes early. Technically they are required to close the gate at this point. I still am in shock we made it. Nate missed his flight with Ryanair, and he got there 30 minutes early.

We had some direction issues when we arrived in Bologna as well. Nate booked the wrong hostel, so we had to stay with my two friends in a twin bed on the floor. Hurray for being unorganized in foreign countries!!

Everything worked out well, and I had an amazing time in Florence. The food and wine was so fresh, cheap, and delicious. I bought a new dress and two scarves.

When we arrived back in France from Italy, it felt a little like coming home. Odd sensation since, ya know, France is a foreign country too. At least I (somewhat) know the language here.

mon frere d'accueil.

Yesterday I met my host brother, Martin, for the first time. He opened the front door when I came home yesterday and introduced himself, in english. The exchange was as friendly as could be expected from the french. Dinner. Veronique made a rice pilaf, and after setting it on the table she commented "that it might not have turned out well." Sounds like my mom. I took a normal girl respectable serving and he took the rest in the serving bowl. Their conversation consisted of the world cup coming up blah blah blah. I didn't really listen much because I don't know any of the names of the french players. How can I be expected to know this stuff when I don't know anything about my nation's favorite athletic obsession (ahem, football)?

After the rice, Veronique made a soufle type thing with some vegetables. Martin refused to eat it because he wanted meat. She chided him, and he still wouldn't eat it. Her and I shared eye rolls, which made me had to stifle some giggles. I'm part of the family? Veronique told him that he couldn't have dessert, and he substituted with an apple. He asked me to give him one, and I hesitated while trying to explain in my broken french that I've been sick, did he really want me to touch the apple? He rudely responded, in english, "ONNNNNNNNE AAAAAPPPPLE." Excuse me? I may not be amazing at speaking french, but I can understand. I should have responded with "UUUUUUNNNNE POOOOOMMMME?" Gotta work on being more clever. Might be an issue since I'm not so great with cleverness in english. Add a foreign language = ? (I'm gonna guess some mushed up franglais that doesn't make any sense).

Did I mention he's 27?!?!? Mon dieu. Grow up.

I'm going to Italy tomorrow with two friends. We're meeting Nate, the boyfriend, there, and I'm way excited. Bologna is the first stop Friday night. Nate told me Bologna is known to have the best food in Italy = YES. Saturday meaning we're taking a train to Florence. Veronique loves Florence, and she was excited for me when I told her I was going there.

Another interesting fact about Veronique: she was in the states, and left about one week before hurricane Katrina hit. She was in the South too, around Louisiana. Crazy.

Chanson Francaise.

Here's a song we listened to in class today.
Jeanne Moreau - J'ai le Memoire qui Flanche.

French doctors. Bof!

I gave in and went to the doctor yesterday. My host mom, Veronique, is quite a stern woman. I could see her being scary when angry, but I guess being tough is a requirement for a nurse. She asked me yesterday when I got home from class if I'd gone to the doctor, which I hadn't, and she responded with something to the effect of "go upstairs, call and make an appoint right now. Or you'll be sick in Italy this weekend." Such a mom.

Even though Veronique knew how sick I was, she didn't offer to give me a ride. I was too exhausted to walk, so I had to call a cab. 12 Euros later, I was still a ways from my destination. Did I mention my cab driver had a super funny accent? He looked italian, and I couldn't understand any of his french. I pretended to follow and wished him a "bonne journee." Taking a taxi in Pau, and maybe all of Europe, sucks. Drivers start charging you as soon as they get the call, and they take the most roundabout way to where you are. Kinda makes me want to punch them in the face.

Found the doctor's office, and the receptionist lady spoke super FAST french. She slowed down a bit and threw in some english here and there, got all the paper work done. My doctor appears in a shirt with "Faith," in english, printed on the front. Hilarious because this woman knew even less english than Veronique, my host mom. Language barriers were abundant. My meds for asthma and allergies don't exist here. I said advair, and she looked at me like I was nuts. "Advil, advil?" she repeatedly responded. "No adVAIR." Mon dieu! After awhile, she gave up.

Then she told me to take my shirt off. Everything, the whole? Both layers? Is that really necessary? She looked at me like I was the crazy one and nodded her head each time. So, I had to take my shirt off. Apparently in France, one must take off their whole shirt, not just roll up their sleeves, even in a T SHIRT, in order to get their blood pressure checked. Unnecessary. She did some other normal doctor-y stuff, and told me what I already knew: I have an ear infection in both ears. I blame rafting last week and swimming in the Atlantic.

The doctor's room was completely different than in the states. Where I laid was just a normal looking elongated chair thing. Nothing fancy and bulky. She had a legit desk, which made the room feel like an office. There was nothing on the white walls. No decorations, or fancy instruments. Nothing.

When she wanted to take my blood pressure the squeezy-thing wasn't working. She opened the door to get a new one and left the door open. OPEN. While I was just chillaxing there, topless. No big deal. C'est normal?!?

After this mildly traumatic experience, I called my mom in the parking lot and started bawling. I felt sickly, had a fever, two ear infections, and a half an hour walk ahead of me. Did I mention while I was in the office, it had started to rain? Equipped with no umbrella (which I normally keep on me) or jacket, I walked home. On the way I stopped at my favorite bakery and bought a baguette. Cuz, ya know, I deserved it. Earlier that day I'd bought white chocolate with hazelnuts in it. I think I knew it was gonna be a rough day.

Don't swim in the Atlantic/ go rafting in the same week.

I've been battling with a sore throat and very sore ears since Friday, unsuccessfully. Ignoring method hasn't done much yet. Thursday the USAC kids went rafting, and the water was freezing! I also swam in the Atlantic on Saturday. Probably wasn't my best choice, but when am I going to swim in the Atlantic off of the coast of FRANCE again? Last night my ears were ringing so bad I could hardly hear Veronique at dinner. For dinner she made these mini baked egg and onion along with her speciality (basically home made ramen, no joke, she boils water with chicken bouillon cubes and adds cellophane noodles = homemade ramen = one step above ramen, and to think I came to France for home made ramen 2 days a week), salad, and yogurt for dessert.

Instead of seeing a doctor today, I went to the pharmacy because during orientation, the advisers told us that french pharmacies have a lot of good medications over the counter. I spent 16 euros on 3 medicines. One is a lozenge that numbs my throat, the other is a spray for the throat, and the last one are ear drops, which immediately made my ears feel a lot better. I might go to the doctor tomorrow if I'm not feeling any better. I need to be well for Florence ce week-end! The best part about going to the pharmacy was speaking french with the pharmacist because it was evident she didn't know any english. She would have switched to english if she knew it. Anyway, the woman was super nice and patient with me, and we communicated well.

And when I went home I decided not to pay the 1.10 euros for the bus and got a little lost. It wasn't as bad as my first week here. This time I actually understood the maps (no way!), and checked them every time I could when I crossed a bus stop. When I finally reached my house after an hour of walking, I set off the alarm AGAIN. Those people at the surveillance company must hate me : "Oh there's that stupid American setting off the freaking alarm again. Should we even bother calling this time?" I tried to set it for the main level and the upstairs, but I just don't have enough time to run up!! Especially with all the maladies I have currently. Asthmatic running up the stairs with lungs in relatively poor condition. Watch out.

It just started raining, and it sounds nice. Did I mention I was awoken today bright and early at 6:30 by the obnoxiously loud birds that make "hoo-hoo" noises? The one outside my window is a slightly slow one because its voice is really low and slow as compared with the other ones I've heard. More annoying too. Je n'ai pas de la chance..

Biarritz (faves).

Bayonne (faves).

Bayonne and Biarritz.

Yesterday the USAC group visited Bayonne and Biarritz, which are two old, historical and beautiful cities in the south of France and the Basque county. I thought Pau was apart of the Basque county, but I was informed yesterday from our tour guide that Pau is apart of the Bearn region. Origin is a touchy subject, and people get offended if you confuse the two.

First was Bayonne, and we had a guided tour for a few hours to hear about the history. I was only kind of half listening because the woman spoke very fast french, but she was very nice and patient with our group. We ate lunch in Bayonne with a traditional basque menu: basque chicken (whole chicken with bone and spiced chunks of tomatoes, bell peppers), a salad with beets (YUM), and my absolute favorite, gateau basque!! It sorta tasted like a dutch letter because the cake is made with almond paste.

Chocolate is popular in Bayonne because it was the first city in France to make chocolate. I tried a hot chocolate, and it was deliciously rich and creamy. You get to pick out which kind of chocolate you want in it, and a huge chunk of chocolate is placed in warm milk so it can melt. So, so good. I also bought a chocolate with coconut on the top and ganache in the middle. SO GOOD. Needless to say, I had aproximately 4 desserts that day, and may have gained 5 pounds. When in France... Eat chocolate and as many pastries as possible!

Next we went to Biarritz to play in the ocean on the beach. The scenery looks like a view from a postcard. This part of the ocean water is so clean! I could see my feet even when the water was up to my waste. The undertow was really strong in this area, and there were huge waves. People tried to surf, which was fun amusing to watch.

More on the alarm.. Set it off three times on Friday. Whoops. The company only called and checked once. I understood the man on the phone a lot better this time, which means my french is better! My host mom was a little frustrated with the whole situation, but it wasn't completely my fault.

p.s. There are lots of pictures on facebook of Bayonne and Biarritz. Check em out! :)

getting tan in france.

Today was my first laundry day. I asked Veronique if I could do laundry, and she put all of my clothes in the washer for a grand total of one load. These French people don't joke around when it comes to conserving energy. My host mom caught me keeping the light on all night once. The light was helping me sleep better that night because everything was so unfamiliar at that point (like the spiders in my kitchen..), but she told me that electricity and water are more expensive here in France than in the states. Personally, I think it's partially so people will try and conserve energy. Anyway, I had to put my clothes on a line to dry outside, and hopefully I won't get any surprises when I put them on tomorrow!

It's amazing how environmentally friendly the French are. My host mom rides her bike to work every day. At the university there are signs every where about keeping the lights off when one can, and there was even a sign in one of the bathrooms to only use 2 sheets of paper towels for drying hands.

For dinner tonight, my host mom made couscous with veggies with a little cilantro and a salad with vinaigrette. She made this super yummy pudding-like desert again even though we just had it on Tuesday. The point has been made that I LOVE desert. A comment may have been directed to me on Tuesday about conserving calories by not eating too many deserts.. But they're every where! How can I not devour them?

Two days ago I woke up to about twenty little spiders scurrying above my kitchen window. Needless to say I was completely horrified (I have a mild phobia). I couldn't eat and get food while my kitchen was in that state, which gave me the perfect excuse to visit a patisserie on the way to school! Chocolate croissants are amazing in the morning, and the one I had that morning was still warm!!! Yum.

Today, I had two alarms set to wake up on time, and neither of them went off. I don't think my host mom quite understands my "dans la lune tout le temps." I arose at 8:30 with a half an hour walk ahead of me, and I managed to make it to class on time.