Showing posts with label France. Show all posts
Showing posts with label France. Show all posts
6.26.2008
The END - - for France
I will no longer be adding journal like entries to the blog concerning France. You didn't get to hear any of my journey into Paris and for that I apologize, but I'm tired of recalling day by day what went down. If your interested in any further info. I will be getting all of my photos together and online soon and I'm here if you want any tourist-related advice.
6.14.2008
Tuesday, 03 June 2008
We met in the classroom at 10am and each student presented their research in a 10 minute presentation concerning a figure who was either born in Strasbourg or had a great affect on the region. After lunch we all decided to go to the Modern Art museum in Strasbourg which proved lame by my standards. Most of the work there was off-the wall stuff that I found it hard to respect because even I could put poop on a stick and place it in a orange room (it was just really weird stuff - like a see-through trash can with the artist's trash in it, not what I call art). Anyway here are some pics of the stuff that wasn't too terribly bad:
After we made it back to the classroom, Danny and I attempted to go the the Art Museum at Rohan that I discussed in a previous post - - it was closed for some re-modeling or something so we ended up pay about 4euro and hiking up to the top of the Cathedral in Strasbourg, which provided a great view of the city.
(Pic uploaded sideways - sorry)
That night - Beau, Ross and I stopped in a pizzeria I had eaten with Kara and Kathleen earlier in the trip. I had another great Hawaiian pizza for about 9 Euro.
After we made it back to the classroom, Danny and I attempted to go the the Art Museum at Rohan that I discussed in a previous post - - it was closed for some re-modeling or something so we ended up pay about 4euro and hiking up to the top of the Cathedral in Strasbourg, which provided a great view of the city.
(Pic uploaded sideways - sorry)That night - Beau, Ross and I stopped in a pizzeria I had eaten with Kara and Kathleen earlier in the trip. I had another great Hawaiian pizza for about 9 Euro.
Monday, 02 June 2008
We didn't have class until around 2:00pm so most everyone slept in and recovered from Munich. A lot of people spent time working on their papers and prepared their student reports for a 10 minute presentation on Tuesday. My report and paper are on Arsène Wenger.
Compliments Wikipedia:
Arsène Wenger OBE[2] (born October 22, 1949 in Strasbourg) is a French football manager, in charge of Arsenal Football Club since 1997. He is the most successful manager in the history of Arsenal in terms of trophies, but he is also the club's longest-serving manager in terms of matches played (exactly 650 as of 12th January 2008).[3] Wenger is the only non-British manager to win the Double in England, having done so in 1998 and 2002. In 2004, he became the only manager in FA Premier League history to go through the entire season without defeat. Wenger is widely regarded as one of the world's best managers after the success he has enjoyed at AS Monaco FC and Arsenal. Wenger has a degree in engineering and a Master's degree in economics [4] from Strasbourg University and is fluent in French, Alsatian, German and English; he also speaks some Italian, Spanish and Japanese.[5]
I also spent time studying for our test on Wednesday and quiz on Thursday. I'm not sure why they decided to group everything together, but it ended up working out.
Compliments Wikipedia:
Arsène Wenger OBE[2] (born October 22, 1949 in Strasbourg) is a French football manager, in charge of Arsenal Football Club since 1997. He is the most successful manager in the history of Arsenal in terms of trophies, but he is also the club's longest-serving manager in terms of matches played (exactly 650 as of 12th January 2008).[3] Wenger is the only non-British manager to win the Double in England, having done so in 1998 and 2002. In 2004, he became the only manager in FA Premier League history to go through the entire season without defeat. Wenger is widely regarded as one of the world's best managers after the success he has enjoyed at AS Monaco FC and Arsenal. Wenger has a degree in engineering and a Master's degree in economics [4] from Strasbourg University and is fluent in French, Alsatian, German and English; he also speaks some Italian, Spanish and Japanese.[5]
I also spent time studying for our test on Wednesday and quiz on Thursday. I'm not sure why they decided to group everything together, but it ended up working out.
6.13.2008
Saturday in Munich
Saturday we got a later start in the day - most everyone was tired from staying up and the train ride on Friday. We went to BMW Welt - it's more or less a place for BMW to show off how much money they have... it was pretty cool. I was hoping to go on a tour of the plant or museum but both were unavailable at the time we had got there. We then took a very short walk over to Olympic Park - the remains of the stadiums etc. that were used in the 1972 Olympics. Beau and I went up Olympic tower and could see as far away as the Alps, which was pretty sweet. Other highlights included the consumption of real German-roasted nuts which I got at the park and I witnessed an automatic ice cream machine that puts the perfect amount on a cone for a euro. And hopefully the upload will work - got to see some sweet inline skaters (Video). Later that night I ended up going on a beer or bar crawl with Danny and Beau - - 4 liters of the world's best beer, it was an interesting experience but I preferred the club the night before.
We headed back to Strasbourg early Sunday morning and I tried to get all the sleep in I could before we got back.
We headed back to Strasbourg early Sunday morning and I tried to get all the sleep in I could before we got back.
6.11.2008
Munich, Germany (updated)
Friday 30 May - Sunday 1 June 2008
The six guys on my the trip including myself went to Munich, Germany for our 4 day weekend - I was planning on going to Amsterdam but the TGV (train) ticket was 175 Euro. Munich ended up being nearly just as expensive by the time we got a room and ate and traveled there (via German trains) and back - and drank the world's best beer.
Friday morning...
before leaving for Munich, I got up - restless through the night and went on a run around 5am - attempting to see the sunrise, but to no avail as the morning proved cloudy. I picked a direction and ran - - turns out I went about 10 kilometers full trip - running out to the European Institutions and back.
Friday afternoon...
we spent most of the evening traveling via train through the German country-side.
Friday night...
We went out to Hofbräu - one of the largest brewers involved in the annual Oktoberfest in Munich and enjoyed a liter of the world's best beer. (Haircut compliments of TC a few days before) and then we made a never-ending walk to a large dance club where we spent a few hours before heading home.
The six guys on my the trip including myself went to Munich, Germany for our 4 day weekend - I was planning on going to Amsterdam but the TGV (train) ticket was 175 Euro. Munich ended up being nearly just as expensive by the time we got a room and ate and traveled there (via German trains) and back - and drank the world's best beer.
Friday morning...
before leaving for Munich, I got up - restless through the night and went on a run around 5am - attempting to see the sunrise, but to no avail as the morning proved cloudy. I picked a direction and ran - - turns out I went about 10 kilometers full trip - running out to the European Institutions and back.
Friday afternoon...
we spent most of the evening traveling via train through the German country-side.
Friday night...
We went out to Hofbräu - one of the largest brewers involved in the annual Oktoberfest in Munich and enjoyed a liter of the world's best beer. (Haircut compliments of TC a few days before) and then we made a never-ending walk to a large dance club where we spent a few hours before heading home.
Thursday, 29 May: Concentration Camp
We took a bus to Struthof concentration camp.
14h - 17h: Visit the site of the old Natzweiler concentration camp, the KL-Natzweiler museum, the European centre for deported resistance fighters and the Deportation Memorial.
Natzweiler is the only concentration camp in France. It was used predominantly for victims of Hitler's NN (night and fog) campaign which attempted to capture French revolutionary fighters opposing Germany in the night and fog to avoid making them into martyrs.
17 – 18h: We packed a group lunch which we shared in the woods a brief walk from Natzweiler.
18h: Outdoor concert at Deportation Memorial (American 200 member choir). The concert was less than par... I don't think anyone was a fan of the performance. The music was good but the lyrics and script of the singers and adult vocal performers was lacking.
We got back to Strasbourg around 9:30pm and everyone got ready for our free weekend.
Rob and I went to Pti Max for the second time... both of us ordered steaks. I ordered a New York Strip - Medium. It came out well cooked for the outside 1/4th of meat - the entire middle of the steak was raw but I manned-up and ate it - It was great! For dessert I had a fruit dessert that included a variety of local fruits with lemon, rasberry, and banana sherbet.
14h - 17h: Visit the site of the old Natzweiler concentration camp, the KL-Natzweiler museum, the European centre for deported resistance fighters and the Deportation Memorial.
Natzweiler is the only concentration camp in France. It was used predominantly for victims of Hitler's NN (night and fog) campaign which attempted to capture French revolutionary fighters opposing Germany in the night and fog to avoid making them into martyrs.
17 – 18h: We packed a group lunch which we shared in the woods a brief walk from Natzweiler.
18h: Outdoor concert at Deportation Memorial (American 200 member choir). The concert was less than par... I don't think anyone was a fan of the performance. The music was good but the lyrics and script of the singers and adult vocal performers was lacking.
We got back to Strasbourg around 9:30pm and everyone got ready for our free weekend.
Rob and I went to Pti Max for the second time... both of us ordered steaks. I ordered a New York Strip - Medium. It came out well cooked for the outside 1/4th of meat - the entire middle of the steak was raw but I manned-up and ate it - It was great! For dessert I had a fruit dessert that included a variety of local fruits with lemon, rasberry, and banana sherbet.
6.02.2008
Wednesday, 28 May: Wine Tasting
10:00: Centre Classroom, French/Alsatian History
Lunch in between.
2:45: Visit of Cave Historique for Wine Tasting
For lunch I ate some Wok-Thai, a popular spot for Centre students because it's right across the street from our classroom and then Rob and I ventured into a completely different atmosphere on the same street - dropping 8 Euro for some delicious chocolate moose - the best I've had... pic below:
Wednesday we stayed here in Strasbourg and did something pretty incredible. At a local hospital - where donations of vineyards and other possessions were once given as a way to pay for medical bills there is a basement housing the oldest wine in a barrel - in other words it is the oldest wine in the world that is not a thousand leagues under the sea. So I got to sniff wine from 1472, if I would have drank it it would have literally killed me or came close. Our kind and comedic guide, who is pictured below discussing one of the large under-ground barrels of wine, was Phillipe Junger.
Wednesday night the girls finally made their ever-promised meal for us. Chocolate pancakes and eggs that were good, but I was still starving so a few of us went over to the pizzeria near Boux I have mentioned before and I enjoyed a Calzone.
Lunch in between.
2:45: Visit of Cave Historique for Wine Tasting
For lunch I ate some Wok-Thai, a popular spot for Centre students because it's right across the street from our classroom and then Rob and I ventured into a completely different atmosphere on the same street - dropping 8 Euro for some delicious chocolate moose - the best I've had... pic below:
Wednesday we stayed here in Strasbourg and did something pretty incredible. At a local hospital - where donations of vineyards and other possessions were once given as a way to pay for medical bills there is a basement housing the oldest wine in a barrel - in other words it is the oldest wine in the world that is not a thousand leagues under the sea. So I got to sniff wine from 1472, if I would have drank it it would have literally killed me or came close. Our kind and comedic guide, who is pictured below discussing one of the large under-ground barrels of wine, was Phillipe Junger.
Wednesday night the girls finally made their ever-promised meal for us. Chocolate pancakes and eggs that were good, but I was still starving so a few of us went over to the pizzeria near Boux I have mentioned before and I enjoyed a Calzone.
France Photos and the first Music Post
I'm going to be adding photos as often as possible from now on for my trip to France and may try and go back and add to old posts.
Here is some music you need to hear from Lil' Wayne and Kanye - it's the Lollipop Remix
Here is some music you need to hear from Lil' Wayne and Kanye - it's the Lollipop Remix
Tuesday, 27 May: Bike to Kehl
Our class had a lecture on Alsace at 10am
We walked down to a bike rental place which exceeded my expectations as far as bikes go - and rented bikes for the day. Professor Hartmann with the help of her son who insisted on biking as fast as he could led us to Kehl, Germany which is just across the Rhine River from where I'm staying in France. We stopped at the pinnacle of the bridge and had a brief discussion on the importance of the river in accordance with the area. When we got into Germany we more or less played around in Kehl. Malik took us to a "children's" play area in a park down by the river. There was a climbing station that if meant for kids 8-12 years old out of every 5 children would produce 1 death and 4 gladiator-level-fitness kids. If that doesn't make sense -I'm just saying it was about 8ft off the ground at the lowest point and the only easy part about it was the 15ft tall slide down.
We walked down to a bike rental place which exceeded my expectations as far as bikes go - and rented bikes for the day. Professor Hartmann with the help of her son who insisted on biking as fast as he could led us to Kehl, Germany which is just across the Rhine River from where I'm staying in France. We stopped at the pinnacle of the bridge and had a brief discussion on the importance of the river in accordance with the area. When we got into Germany we more or less played around in Kehl. Malik took us to a "children's" play area in a park down by the river. There was a climbing station that if meant for kids 8-12 years old out of every 5 children would produce 1 death and 4 gladiator-level-fitness kids. If that doesn't make sense -I'm just saying it was about 8ft off the ground at the lowest point and the only easy part about it was the 15ft tall slide down.
Pr. Hartmann-Mahmud's son, Malik
Malik and some of the guys crossing the Rhine
Statue where we stopped in Kehl, Germany
After we got back from Kehl - Rob, TC and I kept our bikes and cruised Strasbourg for quite a while. I guess we ventured to a less-undesirable part of Strasbourg which is very hard to find, but got to see a short bum-fight which almost turned into a small riot.
Bum-fight in Strasbourg ended promptly by Police
After everyone was nice and tired we returned our bikes and called it a night.
5.28.2008
Monday, 26 May: EU and the Council of Europe
10:30 - 12:00 we met at the classroom and listened to a lecture about European institutions with a very colorful, Pr. Pierre Nuss. We ate lunch at a local Doner and at 2PM we paid a visit to Council of Europe with Professor Nuss.
Our group of nine students accompanied a group from West Virginia U. The architecture was very beautiful in all of the buildings in the area we visited but the tour we had at the Council of Europe was long winded and I might have dozed off a time or two in the hot room. All in all I was interested for about 8 minutes of the 2 hour trip.
Afterwards we took a walk through the Orangerie Park, very popular in Strasbourg. There was a small zoo with exotic animals and concrete ping-pong tables. I most enjoyed my talk with Nuss about his home town. He resides in Molsheim, home of the Bugatti Veyron - most expensive car in the world.
The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 is currently the most powerful, most expensive, and fastest street-legal production car in the world, with a proven top speed of over 400 km/h (408 km/h or 254 mph). It only costs about $1.6 million U.S.
Back to Monday... or early Tuesday morning - Beau, Danny, Ross and I headed out to Zanzibar again... I stopped for one of the best Doner's I've had since I've been here and then we poked our heads in Irish Times for a little bit.
Our group of nine students accompanied a group from West Virginia U. The architecture was very beautiful in all of the buildings in the area we visited but the tour we had at the Council of Europe was long winded and I might have dozed off a time or two in the hot room. All in all I was interested for about 8 minutes of the 2 hour trip.
Afterwards we took a walk through the Orangerie Park, very popular in Strasbourg. There was a small zoo with exotic animals and concrete ping-pong tables. I most enjoyed my talk with Nuss about his home town. He resides in Molsheim, home of the Bugatti Veyron - most expensive car in the world.
The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 is currently the most powerful, most expensive, and fastest street-legal production car in the world, with a proven top speed of over 400 km/h (408 km/h or 254 mph). It only costs about $1.6 million U.S.
Back to Monday... or early Tuesday morning - Beau, Danny, Ross and I headed out to Zanzibar again... I stopped for one of the best Doner's I've had since I've been here and then we poked our heads in Irish Times for a little bit.
5.27.2008
Sunday, 25 May: Colmar (updated)
Took a train to Colmar, a city rivaling Strasbourg. The highlight and purpose for the trip was to see Grunewald’s Eisenheim Altarpiece in Unterlinden Museum with Pr. Hartmann-Mahmud.
We sat down for a 'brief' lunch that ended up lasting over two hours, but the food was really good. I had a 'Vegetarian Menu' which consisted of a veggie soup, veggie lasagna that was amazing and a fruit salad for desert. The total price with water was 20 Euro.
At the museum I got to see some beautiful works. The majority of the former nunnery held religious works - - the Eisenheim Altarpiece was by far the most impressive and extensive set of works. Hopefully I will have plenty of photos which I will either add on here or on my new Flickr account. The creativity, detail and execution of the paintings is something I had yet to witness - It was truly a great experience. Modern works of note and personal favor included Jean Degottex, Pierre Soulages, Pablo Picasso, Otto Dix, George Grosz, and Claude Monet.
My attempts at contacting anyone in the states failed again today... I got about 8 voice mails - it's so frustrating because it costs a good deal of money and its very time consuming to connect.
Later that night we went to a pizzeria close to Bouxwiller Apts. with Kara, Kathleen, TC, Rob. I had shrimp pizza, coke and banana and chocolate ice cream with chunks. The food was really good... for the money a pizzeria is probably your best bet on eating well and getting full. I don't remember the price exactly but it was around 14 Euro.
We sat down for a 'brief' lunch that ended up lasting over two hours, but the food was really good. I had a 'Vegetarian Menu' which consisted of a veggie soup, veggie lasagna that was amazing and a fruit salad for desert. The total price with water was 20 Euro.
At the museum I got to see some beautiful works. The majority of the former nunnery held religious works - - the Eisenheim Altarpiece was by far the most impressive and extensive set of works. Hopefully I will have plenty of photos which I will either add on here or on my new Flickr account. The creativity, detail and execution of the paintings is something I had yet to witness - It was truly a great experience. Modern works of note and personal favor included Jean Degottex, Pierre Soulages, Pablo Picasso, Otto Dix, George Grosz, and Claude Monet.
My attempts at contacting anyone in the states failed again today... I got about 8 voice mails - it's so frustrating because it costs a good deal of money and its very time consuming to connect.
Later that night we went to a pizzeria close to Bouxwiller Apts. with Kara, Kathleen, TC, Rob. I had shrimp pizza, coke and banana and chocolate ice cream with chunks. The food was really good... for the money a pizzeria is probably your best bet on eating well and getting full. I don't remember the price exactly but it was around 14 Euro.
Saturday, 24 May 2008
Saturday morning most of the guys got up to meet Pr. Hartmann-Mahmud and her son Malik at an outdoor market. It was a pretty interesting experience... fish, meats, clothes, fruits, veggies, chocolates, and various other things.
I picked up 2 crab-rolls (egg-roll with crab in it) and a shrimp salad with great sauce for about 5 Euro which I ended up eating that night - It was delicious.
Around noon we visited the Musée Rohan archeology section and researched the history of Alsace and France. Later we studied Julias Caesar and his impact on the area with Pr. Bradshaw. (Rohan has an art museum upstairs that I plan on going back to visit, I buzzed through it and noticed some paintings I have studied at Centre in my humanities classes freshman year.
Later in the afternoon we did a boatride around Strasbourg and out to the European Institutions. Honestly it was pretty lame... just sight seeing stuff, nothing too special.
Saturday night was a blast... we played some games of poker in the room, had some drinks and went out to Zanzibar where we met Ben, a bartender who knew Mitch - a friend of mine from Centre and had a few shots on the house. Thanks Mitch!
I picked up 2 crab-rolls (egg-roll with crab in it) and a shrimp salad with great sauce for about 5 Euro which I ended up eating that night - It was delicious.
Around noon we visited the Musée Rohan archeology section and researched the history of Alsace and France. Later we studied Julias Caesar and his impact on the area with Pr. Bradshaw. (Rohan has an art museum upstairs that I plan on going back to visit, I buzzed through it and noticed some paintings I have studied at Centre in my humanities classes freshman year.
Later in the afternoon we did a boatride around Strasbourg and out to the European Institutions. Honestly it was pretty lame... just sight seeing stuff, nothing too special.
Saturday night was a blast... we played some games of poker in the room, had some drinks and went out to Zanzibar where we met Ben, a bartender who knew Mitch - a friend of mine from Centre and had a few shots on the house. Thanks Mitch!
5.24.2008
Friday, 23 May: Baden Baden
After a series of overcast days we finally got some nice sunshine.
We took a tour at the Cathedral with Dr. Bradshaw and the tour guide who accompanied us was great. There was a lot of intricate work throughout the Cathedral... must see if you head to Strasbourg.
Stopped for crepes afterwards, I had crepes banana nutella (delicious peanut butter like substance you can find in The States).
Checked out part of downtown before leaving for Baden Baden (Germany) with Pr. Hartmann-Mahmud.
On the way to Baden Baden we boarded the wrong connector train, but eventually made it to our destination. Baden Baden or bath bath is a modern version of the Roman Baths - another great experience. You go in and pay for 2 or 3 hours... and you have access to hot baths, cold baths, warm baths, saunas, and an aroma therapy steam room which completely healed all of my ailments from walking the streets of France. The upstairs of Baden Baden is for nudists.... let's just say it wasn't pretty but it was very freeing.
We grabbed some ice cream on the way out of Germany and didn't get back to Strasbourg until late. Rob, Ross, Kara, Kathleen, Carol and I all ate at Pti Max... a very good restaurant close to our apartments. I had salmon prepared with tyme, served with bernese sauce and noodles. The food was delicious. I also had a 'bwowwwni' for dessert which is probably the richest brownie I have ever eaten... which means I thoroughly enjoyed it. The meal plus a coke was around 25Euro.
Everyone walked back to their apts. TC and I decided to go back out on the town - revisiting the area we walked through earlier in the day. The nightlife was refreshing to see because most things here close so early it's hard to imagine that other people are even awake - - you can walk through some parts of town and see no-one. We basically canvased the entire SE portion of Strasbourg, stopping at La Mosquito for some drinks. This bar was packed! - guesstimation provided about 80 people were in a relatively tiny place. TC and I were shoulder to shoulder with a mix of students and locals the entire time we were in there.
On the way back met a girl from Philadelphia who was teaching here is Strasbourg and two of her guy friends from France. We got to discuss the club scene and must-see tourism spots which hopefully I will get to see while here.
We took a tour at the Cathedral with Dr. Bradshaw and the tour guide who accompanied us was great. There was a lot of intricate work throughout the Cathedral... must see if you head to Strasbourg.
Stopped for crepes afterwards, I had crepes banana nutella (delicious peanut butter like substance you can find in The States).
Checked out part of downtown before leaving for Baden Baden (Germany) with Pr. Hartmann-Mahmud.
On the way to Baden Baden we boarded the wrong connector train, but eventually made it to our destination. Baden Baden or bath bath is a modern version of the Roman Baths - another great experience. You go in and pay for 2 or 3 hours... and you have access to hot baths, cold baths, warm baths, saunas, and an aroma therapy steam room which completely healed all of my ailments from walking the streets of France. The upstairs of Baden Baden is for nudists.... let's just say it wasn't pretty but it was very freeing.
We grabbed some ice cream on the way out of Germany and didn't get back to Strasbourg until late. Rob, Ross, Kara, Kathleen, Carol and I all ate at Pti Max... a very good restaurant close to our apartments. I had salmon prepared with tyme, served with bernese sauce and noodles. The food was delicious. I also had a 'bwowwwni' for dessert which is probably the richest brownie I have ever eaten... which means I thoroughly enjoyed it. The meal plus a coke was around 25Euro.
Everyone walked back to their apts. TC and I decided to go back out on the town - revisiting the area we walked through earlier in the day. The nightlife was refreshing to see because most things here close so early it's hard to imagine that other people are even awake - - you can walk through some parts of town and see no-one. We basically canvased the entire SE portion of Strasbourg, stopping at La Mosquito for some drinks. This bar was packed! - guesstimation provided about 80 people were in a relatively tiny place. TC and I were shoulder to shoulder with a mix of students and locals the entire time we were in there.
On the way back met a girl from Philadelphia who was teaching here is Strasbourg and two of her guy friends from France. We got to discuss the club scene and must-see tourism spots which hopefully I will get to see while here.
Thursday, 22 May 2008
I'm still having some issues with the daily electronics I rely on. Internet can be purchased at my apartment but it is not user-friendly nor is it in English. International calls back to The States are also causing me some problems. Phone Cards often give a busy signal when calling out... I'd say 1 in 3 calls works, operators are automated and only speak French, 6 guys are sharing a phone and there are only certain hours we can call home (when we aren't in class and since the 6 hour difference it's early in the AM if I call home before noon here). We are also having a lot of trouble with shavers / clippers and other items because the adapters are not full-proof. I may have fried my beard and mustache trimmer today : (
After class, we took a trip to the local mall and ate at the Quick (similar to McDonald's). Made the 70meter trek back to the room and everyone seemed to pass out. I woke up around 8:15pm thinking everyone else had been up or went out. When I got up and looked around- everyone was knocked out. I headed over to Vosges, where the girls are staying. (I'm at Bouxwiller).
Kara, Kathleen, and I went to eat at a near pizzeria that was open late... which is rare because most places seem to close here before 8pm .I had a wonderful Hawaiian pizza. Chicken, creme sauce, pineapple, and ham for about 10Euro with water.
Stayed up a little while back at Boux, the other guys played some poker and I worked on my laptop. Tried to call home twice but didn't get an answer.
I will try to go back and begin posting pictures with their respective days as my camera charger does work with an adapter here.... thank goodness.
5.22.2008
Wednesday, 21 May: Strasbourg, Settling In
10:30: Meet at Classroom – airplane articles; Centre library, computer use, classroom keys, Strasbourg geography, food (with Bradshaw) - - covered a large amount of the need to know items
11:30: Guided shopping excursion in French grocery [the guys pooled money and purchased about 80E in food] shops and markets + lunch (with Bradshaw) = my first Doner Kabob [for lunch] experience.... very tasty
14:00: Survival French I with Centre-in-Strasbourg Coordinator, Mme. Heidi Cahen
15:30: Meet afterwards at Director’s Apartment, 6, rue de l’Ail = wines and cheeses with prof. Bradshaw
After the regularly scheduled items we did a little bit of shopping, made chicken, noodles and sauce for ourselves and the girls and watched the Manchester United, Chelsea soccer match which was very exciting. We later stopped back by Irish Times again for a brief drink and then returned home.
11:30: Guided shopping excursion in French grocery [the guys pooled money and purchased about 80E in food] shops and markets + lunch (with Bradshaw) = my first Doner Kabob [for lunch] experience.... very tasty
14:00: Survival French I with Centre-in-Strasbourg Coordinator, Mme. Heidi Cahen
15:30: Meet afterwards at Director’s Apartment, 6, rue de l’Ail = wines and cheeses with prof. Bradshaw
After the regularly scheduled items we did a little bit of shopping, made chicken, noodles and sauce for ourselves and the girls and watched the Manchester United, Chelsea soccer match which was very exciting. We later stopped back by Irish Times again for a brief drink and then returned home.
5.21.2008
Tuesday 20 May 2008
11:35 a.m.: arrive Charles de Gaulle airport
RER train to Gare du Nord, Paris / eat lunch / walk to nearby Gare de l’Est
16h24 : TGV train 2443 (Voit 15; places 13-18, Voiture 18, places 91-95) to Strasbourg
18h43 : Arrival in Strasbourg
Pr. Bradshaw will accompany men to Bouxwiller apartment (bus N° 2, arrêt “Travail”)
Pr. Hartmann will accompany women to Vosges apartment (bus N° 10)
Arrived in Paris at 11:35 realizing that:
1) I didn't get enough sleep on the flight - I watched 3 new movies
2) my left ear will only pop if I make it aka if I fall asleep its locking in some pressure
3) Graffitti is everywhere in Paris and it's beautiful
made first attempts at speaking and communicating in French including the successful order of a sandwich and coke, which is no big feat.
We rode the TGV from Paris to Strasbourg where I will be staying the majority of the trip. The TGV is small in comparison to anything that you would see in the US. And the French are not very patient with US students who can't communicate outside of hello and I'm doing well - - which is very understandable - - more or less I felt like an idiot for a while.
After almost 24 hrs of traveling I was ready to hit the sack, but we washed up a little and walked down to a local eatery where I enjoyed kus kus and lamb with veggies. On the way we got to see where our classroom is located as well as the market/grocery and mall. Followed that up with a brief walk to The Cathedral, ice cream - amazing btw, back to the room (about a 10 min. walk) and over to Irish Times, a local pub where we all had a celebritory drink and Ross arm wrestled a guy for a beer. He lost ofcourse - - so we chipped in and bought the guy a Guiness for 5,50 euro.
Our apt. is a little run down, but comparably nice to the dorm's back at Centre. I'm rooming with Danny -rising Junior basketball player for Centre College who only snores on occasion. There is no internet at the Apt. so I might not get to update this often, but there will be updates.
RER train to Gare du Nord, Paris / eat lunch / walk to nearby Gare de l’Est
16h24 : TGV train 2443 (Voit 15; places 13-18, Voiture 18, places 91-95) to Strasbourg
18h43 : Arrival in Strasbourg
Pr. Bradshaw will accompany men to Bouxwiller apartment (bus N° 2, arrêt “Travail”)
Pr. Hartmann will accompany women to Vosges apartment (bus N° 10)
Arrived in Paris at 11:35 realizing that:
1) I didn't get enough sleep on the flight - I watched 3 new movies
2) my left ear will only pop if I make it aka if I fall asleep its locking in some pressure
3) Graffitti is everywhere in Paris and it's beautiful
made first attempts at speaking and communicating in French including the successful order of a sandwich and coke, which is no big feat.
We rode the TGV from Paris to Strasbourg where I will be staying the majority of the trip. The TGV is small in comparison to anything that you would see in the US. And the French are not very patient with US students who can't communicate outside of hello and I'm doing well - - which is very understandable - - more or less I felt like an idiot for a while.
After almost 24 hrs of traveling I was ready to hit the sack, but we washed up a little and walked down to a local eatery where I enjoyed kus kus and lamb with veggies. On the way we got to see where our classroom is located as well as the market/grocery and mall. Followed that up with a brief walk to The Cathedral, ice cream - amazing btw, back to the room (about a 10 min. walk) and over to Irish Times, a local pub where we all had a celebritory drink and Ross arm wrestled a guy for a beer. He lost ofcourse - - so we chipped in and bought the guy a Guiness for 5,50 euro.
Our apt. is a little run down, but comparably nice to the dorm's back at Centre. I'm rooming with Danny -rising Junior basketball player for Centre College who only snores on occasion. There is no internet at the Apt. so I might not get to update this often, but there will be updates.
5.19.2008
In the D, departing for France in 4 hrs
Basic Notes: I will be adding more or less a daily journal of my trip to France here on my blog. I would appreciate any comments and will try to answer any questions. If you have any suggestions on places to go or see or eat etc. - leave a note!
I'm in Detroit, MI sitting at the airport watching the battery on my laptop die. One of our profs./directors guided us through some basic facts on France here in the lobby at Gate A24 and we will be boarding for our Paris flight around 8:30pm - - the flight from Louisville here was decent but short. Hopefully I will get some grub in a little while and be ready for some ZZZZzzzzs on the 8 hour trip to Paris.
I'm in Detroit, MI sitting at the airport watching the battery on my laptop die. One of our profs./directors guided us through some basic facts on France here in the lobby at Gate A24 and we will be boarding for our Paris flight around 8:30pm - - the flight from Louisville here was decent but short. Hopefully I will get some grub in a little while and be ready for some ZZZZzzzzs on the 8 hour trip to Paris.
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