Prague and Budapest for Spring Break!

This year I decided that doing some traveling on Spring Break was in order! A group of us decided that Prague and Budapest would be two really interesting places to visit during our break from classes and life in France.

Prague was our first stop and we entered the city with high expectations that were definitely met. We spent the first night exploring a bit of the city center by foot and getting a feel for it. The next day, we decided to get a guided tour through the city. We started at the ancient Astrological Clock in the city center. The clock had several dials and four figurines symbolizing things like death and vanity and has been standing for over 600 years! All around us were gorgeous buildings from many different eras like Baroque, Gothic, Renaissance, and many more! It was clear that throughout all the invasions of Czech Republic, that the preservation of history was very important.

We even visited a “haunted” church where a mummified arm hangs as a warning to any thieves thinking of taking the churches treasures! Our tour guide was extremely accommodating and even took us to one of his favorite local pubs for lunch. My friends had goulash, pork, or beef, and I enjoyed the only vegetarian option: a garlic-y potato pancake! We explored more of the city the following day including the castle where we watched the changing of guards. We also made our mark on John Lennon’s wall, in a part of the city that seems to be hidden.

Authentic Czech Lunch!

The next stop was Budapest where we stayed in a neat hostel with a very relaxed atmosphere! We went to a hummus bar for dinner (I was on cloud nine) and then went to a bar in old city ruins! The bar was really large and old and the quirky atmosphere allowed us to take a little rest from the constant tourist site seeing. We only had one day after that to explore the two cities (Buda and Pest) and we sure made the most of it. We climbed high to see great views, we visited a large market, and we visited another castle. Near there we found an old Hospital Bunker that was top secret until 2008. It was neat to tour the only hospital ever designed to survive a nuclear war!

Exploring Budapest

We finished off our trip in the baths of Budapest and relaxed our aching feet! Although it was a lovely trip, we were tired out from all of the exploring and were thankful to get back to Rennes.

What unexpected treasures have you found in cities you have explored?

My Mom and Chris Come to Visit!

My study abroad experience has been incredible and I have been so fortunate to make such close friends that can be considered family. I must say, though, that after seven months of not seeing any of my family members in person, I was ecstatic to see my mom and her boyfriend Chris when they came to visit me!

I felt so excited to give them a tour of my life in France and show them how wonderful it is here. We were able to see a lot of interesting parts of Rennes, including the Mairie (town hall) where we were given a private tour! We also got to explore Mont St. Michel, which I have posted about before. We had a picnic with a gorgeous view of the Abbey in the background and cute sheep in the forefront.

My favorite part of their stay was journeying to the beaches of Normandy and visiting American Memorial and Cemetery.  The museum and grounds were so well done and an excellent tribute to those who gave their lives for a more peaceful world. Going through the museum, you could read a war timeline as well as learn about the everyday items soldiers used and personal stories from certain families. The Cemetery was also very well presented, looking out over the sea.

After an emotional tour, we took a walk down to Omaha beach and reflected on what we had just reexamined. The impact this experience had on me highlights the idea that all of us are citizens of the world and we rely on each other. A lot can be learned from history and the individual stories of our ancestors.

My parents and I enjoyed being reunited and taking in so much history together. A weekend was too short but I know they enjoyed the remainder of their Eurotrip!

Mont St. Michel

American Memorial and CemeteryNormandy American Memorial

Les Chateaux de la Loire

There are so many interesting discoveries you can make on day trips. I had the opportunity to go on a school tour to Les Chateaux de la Loire, about 3 hours away from Rennes. Not only did I get to look through an ancient castle where kings have lived, but I also got to explore Leonardo Da Vinci’s last home and see his tomb!

The first stop was Chateau D’Amboise, a large and gorgeous castle with grounds of neatly groomed gardens and a lovely view of the river. On the grounds of the Chateau is a small chapel with ornate detail inside. Besides the amazing architecture lies one of the most famous artists in history, Leonardo Da Vinci! It was in this small town where the genius spent his last few years.

Before we discovered the story of Da Vinci’s last years, we had a tour through the Chateau D'Amboise.Tapestries dating back to the 1600s adorned the walls and authentic décor helped us understand what life for a king might have been like. It was interesting to find out that the Kings would travel from chateau to chateau in order to keep an eye on politics throughout the land. Every month or so, the entire convoy of the Royal Family and their servants would pack up everything within the castle and cart it to the next destination, a trip that often took 10 days!

After exploring the chateau and ground we went to a small restaurant, Au Coeur Vaillant, for the best French meal I have had! I can still remember the delicious potato and cheese casserole! With full tummies, we set off for Leonardo Da Vinci’s last house. The house was very neat to see but the models of his inventions were the best part! Not only were there small models of the inventions set up within the house, there were a few of the inventions made to scale on the grounds of the petit chateau! The most noteworthy was the medieval tank that you could get inside!

There are so many things to discover if you take the time to look around. What are your favorite day trip spots?

Da Vinci's Tank

Chataeu D'Amboise

Pom Pom Girls 4L Trophy

It is absolutely unbelievable how many wonderful opportunities this year has presented. I have been able to meet so many wonderful people, see gorgeous places, and create memories that will last forever. One of the coolest opportunities I have received this semester is becoming a part of the ESC Rennes Pom Pom Girl team! It is such a privilege to spend time with these wonderful girls and really try to integrate myself with them.

Our first performance was south of Rennes for the 4L Trophy previllage. The 4L Trophy is a fundraiser in which students from ESC journey across the Moroccan desert to deliver school supplies to children in need. To understand more about 4L, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4L_Trophy

We spent the day at the kick off and got to perform three times. It was so much fun to speak with all of the French students, play games with them, and indulge in my love for dance. I have danced my entire life and had started to really miss it after not being able to do anything during the fall semester! I love the way the Pom Pom Girls handle themselves and act as a team. It is so much different from my previous experiences and I feel truly blessed to be a member of such an amazing group of girls.

I feel like this opportunity is allowing me to get a more authentic experience of what it is like to be a French student and has popped the “Erasmus bubble” that many foreign exchange students experience. Merci beaucoup les filles!

Dance with your heart!

Bordeaux avec les Filles

As I am studying in France, I want to become familiar with the country and its different regions. Several weeks ago, a few of my friends and I decided to have a cultural weekend in Bordeaux. Five of us girls went to indulge in wine and beautiful country side.

We left on Friday and took the train to Bordeaux which is a 5 hour trip. We bought yummy snacks, met a cat on the train, and prepared ourselves for a great weekend together. Once we arrived, we found our way to the youth hostel to get ready for a girls’ night out. I love how Europe treats their younger citizens; there are discounts for almost every museum, hostels designed for young people, and different reductions for transportation all for being a student. This differs greatly from the U.S. where you can hardly ask for your free student drink at Chipotle without getting dirty looks.

Bordeaux was absolutely gorgeous even in the winter. The first night, we went out on the town and enjoyed a nice meal at a restaurant our friends had recommended. There were three things on the menu and all were meat based so I got to eat fries, salad, and plenty of red wine (a Bordeaux of course). After a long day of traveling and a nice meal together, we returned to the hostel to rest up for the next day.

Saturday, we enjoyed walking around the city and seeing a few sites in the morning before going on a wine tour. With history all around us, it wasn’t hard to find interesting sites and points of interest. After a quick lunch, we hurried to the office of tourism to head off on our wine tour! We drove through beautiful French countryside, journeyed into the Medoc region, and saw fields upon fields of vineyards and a few chateaus as well. The first winery we stopped at, Chateau Kirwan, was a gorgeous estate with well-kept grounds and plenty of scenery to take in and enjoy. We learned how the wine was made and stored and got to try two different wines. One was a younger, fruity wine and the other was more mature and had a richer taste. To learn more about Kirwan wines and how they are produced, visit http://www.chateau-kirwan.com/

The second winery we visited had a lot of history. It was built by monks in the 16^th century and who decided to settle in France and make wine. The wine is still made in the same building that the monks made it and there are laws protecting the building and the land used in the production. We got to try two wines here as well, one red and one white. The white, interestingly enough, is not allowed to be called Bordeaux even though it is produced in this area. All Bordeaux wine is red and the other types of wine fall under a different name and classification.

We returned to the city of Bordeaux and did a bit more sight-seeing and walked along the river before we returned to the hostel to prepare a picnic dinner in our room. Sunday, we ventured to the Notre Dame and the public park where we played on the playground and wandered around. The rain began to pour so we decided to get some lunch before heading to the train station. It was a short trip, but we definitely made the most of our time and really enjoyed ourselves! 

Chateau Kirwan

Reims and Paris

After spending five days in Strasbourg, I packed up and set off for Reims in the Champagne region of France! I am lucky enough to have a friend, Tiphaine, who lives in Reims and was able to spend time with her and her friends and family! The first night in town, Tiphaine introduced me to her many great friends. Everyone was so welcoming and patient with me when I spoke French and that was a relief. I was so happy that I could spend time with a group of French people, like I’ve always wanted. This especially means Tiphaine as she is leaving for China very soon for her semester abroad!

 After learning that I was not doing anything for New Year’s Eve, she invited me to stay with her and her friends in Paris! I was so excited and immediately accepted the invite. The next day, Tiphaine and her family showed me around Reims, shared a hot chocolate with me, and invited me home for dinner. I got to enjoy the luxuries of a home: decorations, a Christmas tree, television, homemade food, and family! Tiphaine even taught me how to make a crêpe!

The next afternoon, we set out for Paris where we would meet Alice,another friend of ours from school, and Laurie with whom we would stay. When we arrived I found a Starbucks and took full advantage. After some walking and grocery shopping, we got to Laurie’s and talked for the night (I mostly listened). On New Year’s Eve Day, Tiphaine, Alice, and I discovered Pont de l'Archevêché where people lock locks together to symbolize their love. Bff’s Alice and Tiphaine locked a pink one! We also went to see La Louvre’s pyramid and we climbed L’ard de Triumph! What a lovely day in Paris.

That night, we prepared for the other guests and I experienced a very French holiday, like I have always wanted. The repas for the evening included fois gras, salmon, and magret de canard. I, of course, ate quinoa atop toast which isn't very French but a worthy vegetarian substitute for me. We shared champagne and I listened, or at least tried, to all of the wonderful French conversations going on. As midnight approached and we counted down in French, I realized just how special this experience was.

Before I left the next day, I got to see my beloved Eiffel Tower with my friends. Starting 2014 in Paris was incredible! I am so thankful to have friends like Tiphaine and Alice and I will be forever grateful for the wonderful experience these girls and our friends gave me! I hope to see them both again in the near future and hope that their time abroad gives them the time of their life like mine has. Have fun and enjoy your time in Norway, Alice and China, Tiphaine! Bisous!

The crêpe I created

Alice and I at Pont de l'Archevêché

Tiphaine and I on top of L'Arc de Triumph

Repas NYE

Noël à Strasbourg!

Upon my arrival, I surprised myself by how fearlessly I handled things. Ever since I’ve come to France, I have gone and done. No thinking, no nervousness, I just go and enjoy life. I met Philippe and he welcomed me and offered me plenty of advice on what to do and where to go. The apartment is nestled just outside of la centre-ville and has a gorgeous view of the Notre Dame.  After he explained different things about the apartment, he left to finish his Christmas shopping and I went to explore.

I decided to start first at the Notre Dame. Christmas markets lined the streets and millions of people were out enjoying the holiday décor and festivities. It is absolutely amazing how many people travel here for Christmas (2 million). I heard French, German, English, and many other unidentifiable languages. I entered the cathedral and enjoyed a little program put on by local children and lit a prayer candle. I enjoyed seeing the nativity, tapestries, and Napolean figurines displayed at the church. After, I decided to people watch and have the traditional vin chaud! Mmm.

 After speaking with a few locals

who were very welcoming and friendly, I went to a traditional Alsacienne restaurant called a Win Stub and had the only thing a vegetarian could have: soup a l’oignon et une salade avec fromage Alsacienne. I had a cozy little table to myself and really enjoyed the meals.It was the perfect atmosphere for the season and it paired nicely with my Christmas beer.

I easily found my way back to the apartment where Philippe had prepared a degustation of wine. I got to try a Pinot Noir from the region as well as a sweet white wine. It was nice to speak with a native about his culture and the history of Strasbourg. It is incredible how the different regions in France have a strong personal identity with different traditions, food, and ways of life.

The next day (Xmas Eve), Philippe toured me around the city a bit before leaving for Christmas Eve dinner with his family. I also decided to take a boat tour around the city and learned a lot about the city and different buildings that surrounded me. I had no idea how old this area is! I became familiar enough with the city to seek out an Italian specialty store where I bought tortellini that I would prepare for my meal. I decided that shopping in the specialty stores would be the best way to experience my very own French Christmas. I stopped at a Wine Cellar and chose a local brew and went to the patisserie next door for my crème brûlée cake! 

 I was lucky enough to speak to a lot of my family on the phone and wish them a Merry Christmas. On Christmas Day, I was able to Skype with my Dad, Alison, Brooklyn, and family! Brooklyn loved all of her gifts, including a trampoline from Santa!

 I think that this Christmas taught me what the season is really about. I learned what it is like to be separated from those whom you love and share memories with, and I believe it is an important and unique lesson learned. I was lucky not to feel lonely, only grateful that God was allowing me to experience a Christmas unlike any other!

Joyeux Noël!