I was (not) down at the New Amsterdam.

I was at the old. And what a marvelous marvelous city it was. I fell in love IMMEDIATELY. You walk around in a real-life fairytale. The architecture and beautiful canals of this city was absolutely perfect in my opinion. Not that I know much about it, but regardless.

I'm seriously considering moving.

I got to see KIM! Finally. It was so nice to see someone familiar. Someone I love and miss. The group got on well. Everyone was funny, my favorite thing.

The first day there we discovered we played our roles of tourists perfectly and signed up for the "Amsterdam at Night" guided walking tour. Baslio, our guide, walked us through the various places throughout the Red Light District. It was such a surreal experience. Definitely the most shocking of the weekend. Prostitutes sitting in perfectly lit shiny red windows, boxes essentially, just waiting for someone to buy their 15-minutes with them. While they wait they talk to the others just like them in the windows next door, upstairs. Many put on lip gloss. Many text message. I have never been so disgusted and intrigued at the same time. What a sad sad life. But perhaps some of them enjoy it? We contemplated paying one of them and just sitting and talking with her about life. But ultimately, decided it was probably not a good idea. Most of ours are not. Basilio takes us all back to St. Christopher's Christian hostel for shots of Jägermeister.

The next day we embark on yet another guided tour, this one much more wholesome. We eat everything in sight. Pancakes, apple pie. WAFFLES. Our eyes remained much bigger than our stomaches but we still managed to make it all fit. It was really kind of gross.

We walk it off a bit and then head off to sample some some more local specialties at Baba, one of many coffeeshops. Immediately after, we ventured to the Van Gogh Museum. It was very very interesting. It was an experience.

Later that evening we walked around in circles searching for the Anne Frank House, where she hid from the Nazis during their occupation of The Netherlands before being captured. This too is where she wrote her infamous diary. It was the most incredible thing I've ever seen. Everything remains in tact perfectly. It was amazing.

Hans met us! If you remember him from one of my first posts, you already know that this added to the craziness of the weekend and in what manner.

OF COURSE we did a canal cruise too. It was sweet. Overall perfect perfect perfect weekend. Back to reality. Not really though.

Today was my last day of "school". I've taken some finals. They're surprisingly difficult. I don't really understand how they don't teach but test you on things. A few more ahead, but will be totally done in the next week. It's quite weird actually and we are all beginning to realize that this is all coming to an end. Emotions are running high these days for reasons unexplainable. We will miss each other. But we also miss our friends back home. We miss our families. We are told everything will change once we get back. We are more warned than told. I think we are nervous to find out. What exactly will change? Will we have changed? Will you? We shall see.

And the Weather's So Breezy, Why Can't Life Always Be This Easy?

HEY! Long time no see. My bad. I suppose it doesn't need to be pointed out that my enthusiasm for blogging is dwindling. Meh. But I'm getting yelled at by Kim pretty regularly and I'm determined to not portray myself as fickle as I know I truly am, so I'm back... with a vengeance. Look forward to multiple entries on a weekly basis!!! Time is literally flying. Well not literally, but you know. Today we had our "Goodbye Party" for the all the foreign kids at school. We got certificates and everything. It was so official. It was really quite sad though. I was just getting settled in.

all us exchange students.

The past weeks have been unbelievable. That's really the only world I can come up with. Everything I see and feel and love, that is all pretty tough to put in words. The weather has been (for the most part) a perfect 20 Degrees. Celcius that is. Got to love that metric system. Perfect beach weather. It would be a shame to let that go to waste. I think of all you boys back at home each time I walk around looking for my place in the sand. You would love you some lovely french beaches because in France, only bottoms are necessary. And only bottoms are worn.

So we sunbathe all day and our bodies overheat and so we think we can buck up and brave the Mediterranean, but its still just shy of swimmable so we go back and enjoy a few mores hours of sun; maybe cocktails and dinner follow. It's a hard life. Somebody's got to live it.

We went sailing a couple weeks ago, which was absolutely AMAZING. Of course we thought we were going to die, but whatevs. It was focing awesome.

Other than that, just been exploring. Everyday is a new adventure. Their is no routine. Except of course for Wednesday evenings at my favorite favorite favorite nightspot, La Gaffe. The Blah Blahs never do me wrong, with a perfect 3-set lineup each night. My absolute FAVORITE part of the week. Hands down.

Life is going to be like a slap in the face once we all get back. A straight beating actually. I don't even know what school is. I get pissed if they make me do anything here. Papers? Projects? Homework? We've actually been getting some recently...I don't even understand...Totally cramping my style.

In other news, I'm staying a bit longer than expected. May 12th has turned into May 28th!!

Oh and about March. It was wayyyyyy fun. Full of everyone and everything I adore. Especially this adorable little man.
That's all for now!

I'm off to Amsterdam on Thursday. Be back Monday. Report back then.

Peace in babies.

"It's cool, it's cool to love your family"

I haven't had internet. Kind of. It's all a combination of me not knowing anything about computers matched with the fact that to get anything fixed or even set up in France takes like 6,000 years. Long story short is I have wifi in the apartment except only one person can use it at a time. Really. How does that even make sense? If you know how to fix this problem, do not hesitate to leave very detailed directions. It would be much appreciated.

I think that's the one thing I've really learned about France, maybe Europe in general is that unlike America, it is the land of delayed gratification. You can get whatever you want. But you're going to have to wait. In America, at any odd hour of the night, I can essentially attain any service, product, whatever. Here, not so much. Nobody gives a shit about staying open. They don't care. People work like they don't need the money. Some days I love that. Some days it gets old quickly.

Next. Um, let me tell you about my school. Its like apparently one of the most prestigious schools in France. Its all French students that study two years in France and then go abroad for the remaining two. They are supposed to be getting prepped for the American system of education. Let me tell you my friends, they are in for a rude awakening. I mean the school is legit, but at the same time, not really. They can talk their way out of anything. Seriously. Last week in class, in the middle of lecture, about 40 minutes to go, a girl raises her hand and simply asks, "Can we go home now?" Like seriously in the middle of lecture. The professor is talking. He looks at her, looks at us, and says, "OK. Go Home. See you next week!" This is pretty standard. Every class has a break that is supposed to be 10 minutes. I have never, not once, gone back before 30-35 minutes. I'm not joking. Even so, I'm one of the first back in the classroom. I don't know what they're going to do at universities in the states.

So that's the laydown on school and stuff. Which is really not a big part of life here. Sometimes you forget you even are here for it.

Everyone in our program has been getting really really close, and I am basically in love with everyone. With the exception of a select few. We call ourselves a family and are always trying to find more places to enjoy "family time." Everyday we are together. Doing something wonderful. About to all head of to the beach now for bbq/bonfire day.

REAL FAMILY ARRIVES WEDNESDAY! I cannot wait. Seriously. So excited. Mama, Papa, ANKIT!! Yessssssssssssssssssssss.
Then MORE VISITORS!!! Neal + Friends!! I can't wait to meet them and show them around. Quite exciting weeks up ahead!

In other news, I'm getting a bicycle!

"Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?"

Well I was extremely intimidated to write this entry as so much has happened since my last few weeks have truly been extraordinary. I have traveled so much and have seen things that were simply magical. We have been on our "spring break" here and with nothing but a strong spirit of adventure we made the decision that it would be best to go to Morocco. Naturally. Spring break wooo!!

I can't even attempt to document my journey and travels there as I don't even know where to start. Sometimes even I am at a loss for words. But I hear that a picture is worth a thousand words so I think these are enough to make me rich.


February 14th-16th: Fez

Beautiful mosques in Fez that date back to the 12th century.

Labyrinthstreets circled through the Medina.

Moroccan handicrafts.

Moroccan rugs. Sell for about $5,000 in the states.

The ancient Medina. Never mind the satellites.

First meal in Fez. Below is just the appetizers.

In the spirit of St. Valentine.

The tannery where leather is made. Animals skins hang EVERYWHERE.
Grossest thing I've ever seen in my life.

February 16th: Rabat

The Casbah walls outside Rabat.

Rabat Mosque.

February 17th-19th: The Sahara Desert. I know, pretty badass.

Sunrise from our hotel.

Domestic pets.

Our guide, Ahmed, who lead us deep into the Sahara.

On the way to the campsite via camel. We were singing Bohemian Rhapsody.

Camping!

Desert food. DELICIOUS.

Sunrise.

After Morocco, we spent a few days in Spain partying it up in true spring break style. I got to see Fi and Bri and Rachel which was so nice. They definitely showed me an amazing time. So nice to see a familiar face.


That's all folks!

Oh geography is going to get the best of me.

Please pardon this sad sad excuse for an entry, but I've been super busy and there seems to be no signs of slowing down. In the past three weeks, I've been to three countries and will have three more under my belt before I write again. It's a bit ridiculous but I'm not complaining. Last last weekend I enjoyed the comforts of being in my home away from home in Galway again. I spent the weekend doing the things I enjoy most- sharing a glass of wine (or two, three, or four, or maybe even a bottle each) and good company. In my book, nothing in life is better. Esther and I watched our usual trash television with a warm fire while outside a blanket of picture perfect snow covered the country. I was pretty sick the whole weekend, for reasons that would be obvious to some, so it was nice to have a quiet weekend. We even managed a game or two of bowling at City Limits. weekend passed quickly, and I was back in good old Antibes before I knew it.

she comes in colors.

Two days later Felicia and I left for a Parisienne weekend getaway. We were hosted by Pierre and Monique, two of my papa’s friends that he met in Poland a few years back. They were kind enough to let us stay with them and were probably the cutest little old couple I’ve ever seen in my life. Every morning, Pierre, a notable scienist by day and culinary connoisseur by night, made us fresh squeezed jus d’orange. I was worried that I wouldn’t get my strict two-oranges-a-day fix while gone, but this put my worries at ease. As we sat each morning drinking our juice, Pierre shared memories of him and my father enjoying, what seemed to be rather frequently, various types of Polish beer. After our petit dejeuner we maneuvered through the maze of a city in two days flat to frequent every major Parisian tourist attraction known to mankind. Eiffel Tower: check! Arc de Triomphe et Champs Elysées: check and check. Île de la Cité (wine and cheese picnic in hand): check. We did it in style. Notre Dame, Jardins du Luxembourg, Le Louvre: check check check check check check check. Et cetera. My camera died approximately twelve minutes after my arrival in Paris, which really hindered me from taking the 2394830583 pictures I was hoping for. It was all good though. I actually got a chance to see, not worried about whether or not I got a good photograph. I did manage a few of Latin Quartier street art, which was good enough.

The only photos I have of Paris.

So in two days, we covered massive ground space, thanks to the Paris metro system which I definitely had a mad affair with, using and abusing it through all hours of the day and night.

what a beaut.

The metro map now graces my barren white walls next to my bed. Its really really beautiful. Tomorrow marks the start of spring break and our flight to Morocco. We will be there for 5 days. Spain for 4. And then everything else is a big question mark. We don't really have a way home yet, but its cool. We'll see what happens. I won't get to write for a long time, which you are all probably used to so no big deal.

Until next time my friends.

Oh P.S. Happy Valentine's day.

Oh and Natalia if you read this, I can't stop listening to Thao!

A whole generation with a new explanation; people in motion, people in motion.

I've been checking Kim's blog daily to see exactly how much I suck at doing this. And I've reached my limit and am feeling sufficiently awful about myself so its time for an update! January basically passed me by before I even got a chance to get used to writing 08 on my homework, which granted, I am not doing a lot of, but still. School is no joke though. Classes are minimum three hours long and I have basically two a day so that means I'm in school quite a lot. And you're only allowed two absences a semester so that means I actually AM in school a lot. I only have classes Monday-Wednesday though, which is very very conducive for travel. When I'm not hitting the books, exploration is my top most priority.

Since my last post, my travels have closely resembled those of Miss Luong's. Friday a few of us braved what was quite possibly the scariest bus ride of our lives to the small medieval village of Eze for no real reason at all. What happens here is you just plan to meet at the train staions or bus depot and just get on see where it takes you. After a rather lengthy and awkward encounter with the bus driver we discovered we were in for a real treat. Eze was home to an amazing medieval fort and also "Les Jardins Exotiques." I had heard about these gardens in passing and how they are just absolutely beautiful and the plants are amazing and whatnot. The gardens were in fact, absolutely beautiful. But exotic? Meh. The only plants I saw were cacti. I come from the desert, you know? I was more impressed with the sculptures. Absolutely brilliant. The view (as always) was magical.


Saturday we spend the day living the high life in Monaco. Bus driver said to me in very broken English, "Monaco is bling bling!" How could we resist? With the weather on our side, we hurried there the very next morning. We visited the original Monte Carlo casino and enjoyed the real deal while the one across the ocean was aflame.
The place is ridiculous. Monaco in its entirety is 2 square kilometers. The WHOLE country. 2 kilometers. Its super clean and really fancy and absolutely beautiful. Our friend was right; Monaco just screams money. See examples below.


We also saw La Musee de l'Oceanographie which is pretty self explanatory, but it was extremely gnarly and probably one of the coolest things I've ever seen in my life. So cool in fact, that it was under the direction of Jacques Cousteau for like 20 years!

What followed was a nice leisurely and sophisticated lunch at Fredy's. All in all it was a fabulous day and a really great place, but to be completely honest it kind of creeps me out. It's fabulous for vacationing and indulging, but otherwise its really something else. Monaco has a 0% crime rate and a bajillion surveillance cameras EVERYWHERE. Every corner of the country. That's a bit strange, no? I don't know. I suppose I'm just not one for safety.

Other than that, busyness as usual. Hope all is wonderful.

XOXO

Living, virtual insanity

I’m not sure you can call it settling down, but things have definitely become more understandable here. I can’t believe how quickly a month has passed. At this rate it feels like my program is nearly finished. I think I’ve pretty much figured out how to get by here, with the exception of the public transportation system, which is quite possibly the most unreliable thing I have ever had to count on. When they are not engaged in the national pastime of striking, the French enjoy a life characterized by pure leisure. Which is all good and wonderful until god forbid we actually have to get something to do, somewhere to be, et cetera.

Last week we went intense mountain hiking in the Esterel Mountains. “Hill walking” as our adviser called it. Those definitely were NOT hills. This shit was higghhh.

Crosby came to visit me, bless his heart, after something around a 35+ hour journey. His buses were late. Surprise, surprise. My transportation luck did not fair any better. I left hiking early to go to the mountain train station and catch the 12:30 train back to Antibes. After two and a half long and unsuccessful hours of waiting for trains and buses, the situation was basically hopeless. I was going to be stuck in the mountains forrrreverrr. Thankfully, an elderly Italian couple who saw me hysterical by the side of the road took pity on me and came to the rescue. They tried to pawn me off to many of the spectators standing by asking them, “Can you take this girl with you?” But eventually they just packed me into their tiny little European car and helped me get back to Antibes and Crosby.

After a quiet night of dinner and drinks, we headed off to bed and headed out to Cannes the next morning. It is quite possibly my favorite place that I’ve seen thus far. It’s littered with tiny bustling alleyways full of boutiques and cafes and art galleries. I showed him what I knew, which wasn’t much, but it was an all around good time. The next night we enjoyed a little absinthe with the boys (sorry Mama) and I fell asleep almost immediately, as anticipated. Saturday morning a few of us ventured to Grasse, which houses the biggest perfumeries in the world. We visited Fragonard, which I LOVED obviously, being the perfume fiend that I am. I won’t bore you with the details but I think you should know that every perfume that is sold is the creation of one of fifty people in the world called “Noses.” It’s their job title. have to go to school and you’re like a genius if you can create these fragrances and whatnot but there are only fifty people in the world who do this. How sick would that be? Do you know who I am? I am a Nose- in fact, I am the Nose to be.

Saturday night then was my first real European clubbing experience and it was crazy and amazing. I didn’t hear anything but techno, house and trance. Strobe lights were going, drinks were a flowing. We got back to the apartment at 5:12 AM. I was so proud of myself. More to come later. Love love.

And oh my god, I can't believe it. I've never been this far away from homeee!

Bah, I’m such a bad blogger!! But rainy days present a perfect opportunity for an update. Things have been basically insane here for the past ten days. France is amazing and I’m having a ball. I had a somewhat (extremely) rocky start but now I feel really good about everything. I really don’t know what, or even if I was thinking before I got here, but as soon as I unpacked my bags and everything went in its place, I started to panic and cry et cetera. It was as thought it hadn’t really hit me until then that I was in a major change. The jetlag, culture shock, and the whole not knowing anybody in the whole effing country situation didn’t help. After a good seventy-two hour fit of hysteria and simultaneous scheming of plans to get me back home, I realized I needed to stop being a baby and get with it. Opportunities like this are few and far between and being nervous is hardly an excusable reason to throw that away.

The people are all so interesting and beautiful and crazy and different and wonderful in their own way. Eveyone dresses their best here. All the time. Everywhere. School, work, market, its all done in your finest. For those of you who know me well, you are very well aware that this presents itself as a particualary interesting challenge to me, as I basically live in my bathrobe or Cal sweats, with the exception of exam days when I always dress for success. But here, you gots to look good son.

I've met some people and made some friends that are have really become very important to me. It’s funny how in situations like this your whole life changes so quickly- your circle of friends is immediately altered. The people you are used to seeing when you wake up, the ones with whom you share your meals and drinks, your classmates, your teachers, everything. I’ve been lucky to meet people that have really made that a good experience. Special thanks to the boys next door that have basically adopted me and helped me already have so much fun in such a short amount of time.

Antibes, the town where I live is stunning. Its filled with cobblestone streets, old French men playing the accordion, outdoor provincial markets selling fish and flowers and everything in between. It’s so…French. It looks completely staged to me because it’s all so very perfect. The view is basically ridiculous and I’ll put some photos up to show you but it really doesn’t do it any justice at all so I recommend you come see it one day for yourself. The Côte D’Azur in all its glory.


School will be quite an interesting experience, too. My Monday morning class began with professor Hans van Lienn. He came in and stated, in probably the cutest Dutch accent I’ve ever heard, “Hello! I am Hans. I am sixty-one years old. Yes, I like to smoke pot.” It made me miss Berkeley. He then proceeded to take roll and then started to draw some random shit on the board. A few others and I didn’t hear our name called though, so we said, “Hey Hans! You didn’t say our name. Are we on your list?” And he just looks at us and says, “Don’t worry! I only called half the roll sheet.” No questions asked. It is going to be an interesting semester. I’ll keep you posted.

Bises babies.

If the sea was beer instead of salty water, she would live and die in Galway Bay.

I'm already behind on my blog! I arrived in Galway on the 30th of December after what seemed like days but actually totaled about 20ish hours of travel. The flight from LA to Paris was pretty excellent I got to practice a lot of French with the people sitting around me. But more importantly, I discovered my LOVE for earplugs. I never really took them seriously until now, which I really regret. About an hour before landing, I noticed everyone becoming very very irritable and antsy, understandably so, as they were all French and were being subjected to 10 hours sans les cigarettes. The stopover in Paris is hardly mentioning, except the fact that I decided to keep the earplugs in for the remainder of the day, just to sort of test them out. No complaints here!

Finally I arrived in Ireland where Pat, Esther, and Little Lauren collected me from the airport and we drove back to Galway. Since then, I have really lost track of the days. They have all been very enjoyable, full of food, drink, & leisure.

New Year's Eve was quiet and perfect. We enjoyed a feast, great conversation, Christmas pudding, and wine. (and Coronas, and Guinness, and Bailey's, and of course champagne with some neighbors while standing out in the middle of the street in socks as the rain came down). Our bellies were full and our mouths were stained purple. It was an all around success.

Today I relaxed (surprise) and we went to dinner and drinks at The Huntsman. Cool looking place. Food was to die for. If you go, try the seafood chowder. Scrumptious.

I ought to try to get some sleep. I thought I was over my jet lag, which is not true at all. It's currently 3:36 AM. Yesterday I woke at 2:45 PM. It is shameful.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! I'M GOING TO LEARN HOW TO PUT PICTURES SOON. SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO ANKIT. MISS YOU DUDE.

Seas between us braid hae roared, sin' old lang syne

Well, welcome to my blog. This is a first for me, so please excuse any poor blogger etiquette. In twenty odd hours, I leave for Europe. I'm very very exited, nervous, etc. Here's my flight information. You can watch me inch across the world: http://flightaware.com/live/flight/AFR73

Air France 73

Los Angeles, CA (LAX) Gate: N/A

9:15pm 29 Dec 2007

Paris-De Gaulle, France (CDG) Gate: N/A

4:45pm 30 Dec 2007

(X)

Confirmed

Just a few more things to pack, and I'm set. There's a lot of stuff kind of lying around and multiple articles of clothing still in the wash so I'm not sure what to do about that considered my bags are essentially bursting at the seams. I have a plan though; I'm just going to try to physically wear as many clothes as humanly possible.

Have the happiest of New Years my friends.