How not to get La Grippe A

So the title doesn't really mean anything other than that we've been inundated with info at school on staying healthy, and not getting the swine flu. (Grippe A) As you will read, I am perfectly well, and have 0 symptoms- so you can stop worrying now Papaw! Wow, it hasn't been that long since I last posted, but it feels like forever! I've been keeping pretty busy with everything here. I guess I'll just start from where I left off last time.

Last Friday, our API group took an excursion to the chateau Vizille. It's about 30 minutes from Grenoble, and played an important role in the French Revolution. Vizille was cool, smaller than I expected, but still big :) There was a museum all about the Revolution, which was very cool. I learned all about the assassin of Marat by Charlotte Corday. Apparently Marat was a big player in the Reign of Terror, and Corday was against him. She killed him, and three days later died by the guillotine. At the time, all of France hated her. It's funny though, because 50 years later, she began to be portrayed as the new Joan of Arc, a martyr for the French Revolution. I find it odd how history can change, and how someone who is hated in their life, can later be revered.

Then, last Saturday, I got a french bank account. It was super easy to do, but I didn't really understand everything the lady was telling me. I should get out of the habit of acting like I know what's going on when I really don't.... Anyways, I think at one point she tried to offer me mutual benefits, but I don't even know what those really are in English, so I just said no. My french credit card should be arriving soon! After that, I hiked up the Bastille with my friends Katie and Catherine. I was sad that it was cloudy, because apparently on clear days, you can see Mont Blanc. It was really cool though, and a great workout!

This week, I had classes, which have been going pretty good. History of Art was boring, but I think that was just because the prof wasn't talking much about actual works of art, he was introducing the subject of Impressionism by giving us a long history of the movement. Once we get to the Art itself, I think I'll enjoy it better. Literature was fantastic, we're going to be covering 20th century writers, and the teacher seemed really intelligent and passionate about the subject. Translation is going to kick my butt. The prof is really nice, but she moves so quickly! I think I'm going to learn a lot from her though. History is still good, this past week we covered the year 1789 (The Revolution). My language classes are challenging, but I really like the prof, and I love the fact that there's only 14 people in my class. So all in all, good.

Yesterday, I went camping with the group from FEU (the christian student organization). We went hiking in the Belledonne, and stayed in a little refuge in the mountains. There were even mattresses! (They were old, but comfortable) This morning, we continued hiking to a lake, where we had a great view of the Ecrens Mountains. It was so beautiful, but very very cold! Also, the clouds came in and spoiled the view after awhile. I really loved the whole experience. It's great, because FEU has introduced me to so many french kids my age, and they are all super nice. I get to practice my french a lot, though it is exhausting. Sometimes I just have to tune out the conversation, if it's too hard to follow :)

I think my english is getting worse, living here. I have trouble finding the right word a lot of times, and often what I want to say, I can only think of it in french! I suppose that's a good thing, until I get back! Anyways, some pictures to amuse you:
The Stairs to the Bastille (only some of them!)

duh.

Catherine, Me and Katie

Grenoble, seen from the Bastille

Vizille

Me and the mountains!

More pretty mountains, in the Belledonne

our little refuge

Some things never change

For one- the fact that I still get nervous before a test, and have this crazy driving desire to succeed. The test I'm speaking of is the one I took yesterday for my placement exam for school. I know it doesn't really matter, they're just trying to put us into proper levels so we can learn the most, but sometimes I just can't help the perfectionist in me. I'll find out later today how I did, so we'll see...

Moving on to other subjects, I LOVE IT HERE!!!!

Seriously. It's great. Everybody speaks french! (Imagine that!) Actually, the french part can be quite overwhelming, especially when they start speaking really fast, and slurring their words together. But it's all part of the experience!

After the API group arrived in Grenoble, we settled in with our families, and the next day, we got a tour of the city. The historic downtown is so nice. There are lots of cute patisseries and librairies (book stores) and cafés galore. Also, many of the streets are pedestrian only. They have a great public transport system here, which is proof that cities like Fort Worth could too! To get pretty much anywhere, I take a bus for 5 minutes or so, and then get on the tram. During the day, the trams come every 3-4 minutes, which is very nice.

After our tour of downtown, we checked out the University campus, which is very large and spread out. I'm used to a large campus, but not used to so much space in between buildings. It's kinda nice, but can also make it harder for me to recognize where I am, because there are fewer buildings to use as landmarks. The campus mostly looks like it was constructed during the 60's and 70's, but it has a friendly feel to it.

This past weekend, I went on a bike ride, and a very long hike. I enjoyed both so much, and was able to get some incredible views of the mountains. There are 3 ranges that surround Grenoble. My family lives at the base of the Chartreuse, looking toward the Belledone, and to the west are the Vercors. The mountains are so so so pretty, and I can even see the Belledone from my bedroom window!

Sunday night, Priscilla, my host sister, took me with her to this thing called feu. It's kind of like a Baptist Student Union, only for Evangelicals. There were probably 20 people there, and I got to meet a bunch of kids my own age. Everyone spoke so fast! I sort of understood some of it, but mostly not. I really enjoyed it though! It was also nice to connect with students my own age.

Anyways, today is the start of classes, which I am very excited for. I bought my cahiers and stylos, and am ready to start being fluent in french. Then, on Friday we'll take an excursion to Vizille, so I'll probably post again next week.

some pictures of Grenoble:
The Jardin de Ville

The Bastille, an old fortress situated in the Chartreuse

a pretty bridge looking back over the river Isère towards the centre-ville

Paris, Je t'aime

The title of this blog post is absolutely true, though I did hate that movie....

Today I arrived in Grenoble from Paris, and I love it! I really like my family, and everything! But since I'm behind in posting, I figured I'll do the Paris part today, and after a few days here in Grenoble, I'll post again.

So I arrived in Paris after possibly the worst flight of my life. Seriously. Note to self: don't fly at 6 am ever again! I got up at 3 to get ready, and caught a taxi and was at the airport by 4. When I arrived in Paris (Charles de Gaulle), customs was a complete joke. I don't think the guy hardly looked at my passport, let alone my visa! There was no landing card, and for all they know, I could be staying here indefinitely, bumming off of locals! It's funny, because in London, the lady was like: "Where are you going? What are you doing? You've been her before? What were you doing then?" and the list goes on.... Mais pas en France!

I met up with our study abroad group, and we took shuttles to the hotel. Other note: avoid driving in Paris whenever possible. They are CRAZY drivers! I was so sure we would hit somebody, and it's like they don't get the concept of lanes. They just whiz quickly in and out however they please. They even go into oncoming traffic on the wrong side of the road! Also, the fact that the spedometer is in km/h doesn't help you to calm down. I'm pretty sure going 130 in a 90 is way too fast!

Moving on, We did so much in Paris, so I'll just give some highlights. The first night at dinner, I had a typical french meal: Six escargots for l'entrée, boeuf bourgignon for the main course, and creme brulée for dessert. I was quite nervous about the snails, but I figure you have to try them at least once, so why not your first meal?! They were actually quite good. Kaycee, another girl in the program, says that it's all about the sauce. I have to agree with her.

We went to Versailles, which was really just too lavish for me. Almost disgusting how incredibly ornate everything was. The French spare nothing on decorating the royal palaces. I mean really, the Louvre wasn't enough for Louis XIV? (A side note- as an apology for spending all the taxpayers' money on Versailles, the sun king built the Parisians a bridge- with more of their money!)

We went to the Musée d'Orsay, le Louvre, Sainte Chappelle, Notre Dame, and le tour Eiffel. I enjoyed all, especially the Orsay. They have some excellent impressionist works. I was bummed that it was so very packed with tourists though. At the Louvre, we had a guide, and I kind of felt jipped, because we only saw 6 pieces in an hour and a half! I really liked winged victory though.

After the Louvre, I talked a group into going to Angelina's with me, and we had the best hot chocolate in the world! It completely deserves that title, I must say.

I think I have climbed well over 1000 stairs these past few days, and let me tell you- it is exhausting! I feel like with all of the walking around we did (One day another girl and I walked from Montmartre all the way back to the other side of the river where our hotel was), I will be in such good shape!

Anyways, I'm going to hang out with my family, and I'll post more later.

Some pictures:
Eiffel tower:

des escargots:

Awesome street performers near Sacré Coeur. They were singing, and playing with a soccer ball.

Me at Point Zero. I will be returning to Paris!

Angelina's chocolat chaud.