Sorry I haven't finished updating this week! Because most of the assistants leave this week, they cancelled their internet contracts before vacation... and because none of them have internet, our appartment has become the internet cafe/student union/epicenter of English life in Valenciennes. Consequently, I haven't been online as much. We cooked up chicken enchiladas, curry, and a picnic in the park.
Yesterday, the weather felt actually warm! I started a new tutoring job with a 7-year old Japanese girl named Hinata, and almost broke a sweat walking over to their house. She already has killer English, it will be a challenge creating lessons on her level. Their next door neighbors (6-year old twins!) want to start English lessons as well.
One of my favorite classes has a blog, and they are working on an article about me! In case any of you are interested, click here.
Did I ever mention that French students bring birthday cake to school on their birthdays? And they give a piece to each student in their class plus all the teachers! I find this to be a marvelous tradition.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Shopping Aisles of Olive Oil
My favorite thing we did in Geneva was take Missy (aforementioned black puppy) for a walk along the banks of the river. I found the idyllic Swiss Spring water allusions to be absolutely true. However, skipping rocks in clear, sparkling water is just as difficult in its more murky counterpart. While we walked, Missy tried to drag a 12 foot limb along (roughly the diameter of a flag pole). Very ambitious. It's funny being in that city because people speak so many languages, it's hard to choose one in casual conversation.
The first two nights, we went out to eat at lovely Italian restaurants where Peppe, Hillary's fiance, used to work. His waiter friends brought out amazing appetizers! We sat down, and two minutes later, voila a pizza is served! Then some fancy mushrooms with two kinds of olive oil to try...one from the North and one from Sicily. Variations in the soil and sunlight produce different flavors. People around the Mediterranean seem to have an extensive olive oil knowledge base and talk about them like fine wines. We went in one shop in Nice where the owner only grinds them by hand with a stone mortar and pestle, swearing it makes a difference. Some olive oils go with meat, others are cooked with, and the most delicately-flavored ones are put as the final dressing on dishes. In Texas, I bought the cheapest one at HEB.
The first two nights, we went out to eat at lovely Italian restaurants where Peppe, Hillary's fiance, used to work. His waiter friends brought out amazing appetizers! We sat down, and two minutes later, voila a pizza is served! Then some fancy mushrooms with two kinds of olive oil to try...one from the North and one from Sicily. Variations in the soil and sunlight produce different flavors. People around the Mediterranean seem to have an extensive olive oil knowledge base and talk about them like fine wines. We went in one shop in Nice where the owner only grinds them by hand with a stone mortar and pestle, swearing it makes a difference. Some olive oils go with meat, others are cooked with, and the most delicately-flavored ones are put as the final dressing on dishes. In Texas, I bought the cheapest one at HEB.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Geneva
What a beautiful city! Hillary, Sarah's cousin lives here so we've had a blast staying. Things are great here--tons of TV channels in English, cold, moutain spring water comes from the water faucet, and there's a black puppy named Missy and a black kitty named Maeve. This afternoon, we leave for Paris... it will be hard going back.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Lucky 100
The screen says this is post #100. Wow. I never thought the total would grow so high. If anyone still reads this, thank you!
We're still enjoying Lyon. Tomorrow we'll trek to Geneva!
Yesterday, I had a revelation whilst relaxing in Starbucks. A Tall Coffee of the Week here is 2.60 euros (approximately $4). At home it costs $1.81. Up until yesterday, I considered Starbucks here expensive because of this price comparison. Suddenly, I realized tiny coffees here can cost more than that. They actually offer a great value! In an average French cafe, the price of a cafe creme ranges between 2.40-3.50 euros. And a Starbucks Tall is atleast thrice its size. This probably sounds dumb, but it made me feel free, calm, and happy to enjoy sitting there with my hot American-sized beverage.
On a sadder note, I just read the "Averages" pages of www.weather.com for Valenciennes. The average temperature will never be warm. The dead heat of August, there, is 72 degrees. Coincidentally, this equals Austin's average March temperature. I grow despondent thinking of this.
Why do they even sell short-sleeved shirts?
We're still enjoying Lyon. Tomorrow we'll trek to Geneva!
Yesterday, I had a revelation whilst relaxing in Starbucks. A Tall Coffee of the Week here is 2.60 euros (approximately $4). At home it costs $1.81. Up until yesterday, I considered Starbucks here expensive because of this price comparison. Suddenly, I realized tiny coffees here can cost more than that. They actually offer a great value! In an average French cafe, the price of a cafe creme ranges between 2.40-3.50 euros. And a Starbucks Tall is atleast thrice its size. This probably sounds dumb, but it made me feel free, calm, and happy to enjoy sitting there with my hot American-sized beverage.
On a sadder note, I just read the "Averages" pages of www.weather.com for Valenciennes. The average temperature will never be warm. The dead heat of August, there, is 72 degrees. Coincidentally, this equals Austin's average March temperature. I grow despondent thinking of this.
Why do they even sell short-sleeved shirts?
Monday, April 14, 2008
Saw a Lion in Lyon
Okay we're here in Lyon. It's the 3rd largest city in France, but seems like a hybrid of Paris and Geneva. In some ways, it seems like they copied Paris-- for example, a giant white church tops a hill that funiculars ascend, arrondissements number neighborhoods, the Presqu'ile island is in the center... But in other ways, it's distinct and wonderful. Much more relaxed. Riding a bicycle here is contemplatable.
Last night, we ordered fondue! Three types of melted cheese! Now I understand the fondue pot craze--it's fantastically delicious. Here, they serve it with a plate of different meats and a basket of croutons. Interestingly, the word crouton transends the language barrier.
Right now they are having an arts festival in the city an almost 70 different lion and polar bear statues hide on city corners. But those aren't the only lions we saw today. Additionally, Sarah and I took a promenade in the Parc de Tete d'Or (the park of the Golden Head), which houses a zoo. This was a magnificent plus, because I didn't know there was a zoo there! They had lions, tigers and 8 different types of monkey. These animals lived behind shockingly minute, easily surmountable fences. So, if you have time, try googling "Lyon" "Zoo" and "Escaped Animals." Results may appear.
Backtracking un petit peu-- Arles had sun, sun, sun our last day there! Sarah and I finished up our Arles Museum Pass. My favorite thing was Les Alyscamps, an ancient Roman necropolis. Dante immoralized it. Van Gogh painted it. And it's so tranquille today. We went in the chapel at the end (a Christian one from the 12th century) and only had to share it with 3 cooing pigeons. Too often, sites are over-run with tourists. It makes the quiet ones shine in comparison! This made our night in Carcassonne special as well, most everyone left around 7pm, and we could see the illuminated medival city without disruption.
Anyway, all that to say, the trip's going well. I can't believe the one-week mark passed on Saturday! What day is it anyway? I tend to only remember how many days in a row I've worn this pair of blue jeans. And when did we make that PBJ?
Last night, we ordered fondue! Three types of melted cheese! Now I understand the fondue pot craze--it's fantastically delicious. Here, they serve it with a plate of different meats and a basket of croutons. Interestingly, the word crouton transends the language barrier.
Right now they are having an arts festival in the city an almost 70 different lion and polar bear statues hide on city corners. But those aren't the only lions we saw today. Additionally, Sarah and I took a promenade in the Parc de Tete d'Or (the park of the Golden Head), which houses a zoo. This was a magnificent plus, because I didn't know there was a zoo there! They had lions, tigers and 8 different types of monkey. These animals lived behind shockingly minute, easily surmountable fences. So, if you have time, try googling "Lyon" "Zoo" and "Escaped Animals." Results may appear.
Backtracking un petit peu-- Arles had sun, sun, sun our last day there! Sarah and I finished up our Arles Museum Pass. My favorite thing was Les Alyscamps, an ancient Roman necropolis. Dante immoralized it. Van Gogh painted it. And it's so tranquille today. We went in the chapel at the end (a Christian one from the 12th century) and only had to share it with 3 cooing pigeons. Too often, sites are over-run with tourists. It makes the quiet ones shine in comparison! This made our night in Carcassonne special as well, most everyone left around 7pm, and we could see the illuminated medival city without disruption.
Anyway, all that to say, the trip's going well. I can't believe the one-week mark passed on Saturday! What day is it anyway? I tend to only remember how many days in a row I've worn this pair of blue jeans. And when did we make that PBJ?
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Antiquite
This post comes to you from a 12th century fortress. We're in Carcassonne! See photo and video below. Last night we wandered the ancient walls. We ate at a really atmospheric old restaurant. Even the food seemed medieval. The specialty here is Cassoulet, one of France's National Dishes. It consists of beans simmered with pork, mutton, goose or duck, large sausages, shallots and tomatoes. They serve it bubbling.
Arles and Avignon were great, too. The city set up easels where Van Gogh painted specific canvases. We found 6 so far. Some are sad because the building doesn't exist anymore. This is also the town where he went crazy, threatened to cut of Gaughin's ear, then cut off his own instead. The photo below shows the courtyard of the mental institution he went to after this incident.
Have had several near-misses with train travel. Yesterday the car my ticket was for-16-wasnt there. Only 15 and 17. What are the chances? Off to Lyon we go we go...
Arles and Avignon were great, too. The city set up easels where Van Gogh painted specific canvases. We found 6 so far. Some are sad because the building doesn't exist anymore. This is also the town where he went crazy, threatened to cut of Gaughin's ear, then cut off his own instead. The photo below shows the courtyard of the mental institution he went to after this incident.
Have had several near-misses with train travel. Yesterday the car my ticket was for-16-wasnt there. Only 15 and 17. What are the chances? Off to Lyon we go we go...
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Nice really is... nice!
Well our holiday has a promising start!
Torino treated us right, and so has Nice. Walking to the Agnelli Art Museum Sunday morning, we passed a marathon running down the opposite river bank! They had pop music playing. The city is so lovely--miles and miles of tall arcaded streets. So if it's raining, no one gets wet. We went on an expedition to find the foccacia bread pizza from Toussaint vacation. Couldn't remember the name of the place or the street. Imagine how helpful this conversation starter could be: "Hi, we're looking for a pizza place. It's on the street corner."
My suitcase's pull handle quit working. This isn't fun. Luckily, our train was cruising along the Cote d'Azur when I realized it. The views! The train ran right along the water's edge. I felt like Mr. Bean (from Mr. Bean's Holiday) when we finally made it to the seaside on the Promenade des Anglais. Apparently, the rich English folk who began vacationing there in the belle epoque had it paved in marble because they couldn't be bothered getting their shoes sandy! We went in the Negresco to see the chandelier of 16,000 crystals. We ate socca (a crepe of chickpeas) and delicious veggie tapenade. These are highlights--have to get off computer now! Stay tuned.
Torino treated us right, and so has Nice. Walking to the Agnelli Art Museum Sunday morning, we passed a marathon running down the opposite river bank! They had pop music playing. The city is so lovely--miles and miles of tall arcaded streets. So if it's raining, no one gets wet. We went on an expedition to find the foccacia bread pizza from Toussaint vacation. Couldn't remember the name of the place or the street. Imagine how helpful this conversation starter could be: "Hi, we're looking for a pizza place. It's on the street corner."
My suitcase's pull handle quit working. This isn't fun. Luckily, our train was cruising along the Cote d'Azur when I realized it. The views! The train ran right along the water's edge. I felt like Mr. Bean (from Mr. Bean's Holiday) when we finally made it to the seaside on the Promenade des Anglais. Apparently, the rich English folk who began vacationing there in the belle epoque had it paved in marble because they couldn't be bothered getting their shoes sandy! We went in the Negresco to see the chandelier of 16,000 crystals. We ate socca (a crepe of chickpeas) and delicious veggie tapenade. These are highlights--have to get off computer now! Stay tuned.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
And we're off...
As I'm typing this, the sun isn't shining. It's time to find someplace that it does... I'll try to update as we go along.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Mr. Blue Sky
I've been singing that song by ELO all day. Today has been lovely!
The cafe owners returned the tables and chairs outside after the long winter. Lots of new tulips and daffodils are blooming. I've never seen so many people walking around before--they've come out of hibernation.
On a pedagogical note, today I had a class normally taught with another teacher all by myself... And it went great! Surprisingly great. They really liked the egg hunt, but sat quietly through a rhyming worksheet, too.
Yesterday in one class we watched The Jungle Book. I love the week right before holidays when elementary school teachers don't expect to accomplish much. Wish that could be every job.
The cafe owners returned the tables and chairs outside after the long winter. Lots of new tulips and daffodils are blooming. I've never seen so many people walking around before--they've come out of hibernation.
On a pedagogical note, today I had a class normally taught with another teacher all by myself... And it went great! Surprisingly great. They really liked the egg hunt, but sat quietly through a rhyming worksheet, too.
Yesterday in one class we watched The Jungle Book. I love the week right before holidays when elementary school teachers don't expect to accomplish much. Wish that could be every job.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
New pets
Yesterday, Jen moved in her Japanese goldfish! It's name is funny and french, but I'll let you know exactly... it sounds similar to Saturnius. It's nice having a pet.
Soon, we will have two more--avocado pits named Toby and Angela that Drew and Jen have been growing. In about 14 years, we'll have an abundance of fresh guacamole.
You may be wondering--why all the moving? Most of the assistants have 7 month contracts and will leave at the end of April, and with vacation this weekend, are tying up loose ends. Caroline, Jen, Drew and I will be the only ones left to finish up 9 month contracts. We're the final four.
Soon, we will have two more--avocado pits named Toby and Angela that Drew and Jen have been growing. In about 14 years, we'll have an abundance of fresh guacamole.
You may be wondering--why all the moving? Most of the assistants have 7 month contracts and will leave at the end of April, and with vacation this weekend, are tying up loose ends. Caroline, Jen, Drew and I will be the only ones left to finish up 9 month contracts. We're the final four.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Poisson d'Avril
Happy Fish of April Everyone. Or April Fool's Day.
France's favorite prank today, or so I'm told, is to draw a fish on a piece of paper, attach it to an unwitting victim's back, and say poisson d'avril. This seems to be a much more gentle version of "Kick Me".
This weekend, plans for April Vacation (officially, our Easter holiday) settled into order. Unfortunately after these two weeks, the French school system only grants the occassional long weekend until June 30th. It's going to be a long two months. Don't feel too sorry for me.
Here is the plan:
Torino, Nice, Arles, Avignon, Carcassonne, Lyon and Geneva.
While we're in Geneva, I'm hoping to see some Swiss Spaghetti Farmers. If things go well, we will return to Paris in time for Aggie Muster.
Hopefully this week, the lessons on Easter stop. My teachers encourage me to teach the kids about holiday practices, including egg rolling. This is a comical myth, perpetuated by Oxford University Press and the French Education system, that British families dye eggs, then head for the hills to see who can roll their egg downhill fastest and farthest. After extensive polling, I've found no English person has ever heard of this, but 6 out of 6 French English teachers have.
France's favorite prank today, or so I'm told, is to draw a fish on a piece of paper, attach it to an unwitting victim's back, and say poisson d'avril. This seems to be a much more gentle version of "Kick Me".
This weekend, plans for April Vacation (officially, our Easter holiday) settled into order. Unfortunately after these two weeks, the French school system only grants the occassional long weekend until June 30th. It's going to be a long two months. Don't feel too sorry for me.
Here is the plan:
Torino, Nice, Arles, Avignon, Carcassonne, Lyon and Geneva.
While we're in Geneva, I'm hoping to see some Swiss Spaghetti Farmers. If things go well, we will return to Paris in time for Aggie Muster.
Hopefully this week, the lessons on Easter stop. My teachers encourage me to teach the kids about holiday practices, including egg rolling. This is a comical myth, perpetuated by Oxford University Press and the French Education system, that British families dye eggs, then head for the hills to see who can roll their egg downhill fastest and farthest. After extensive polling, I've found no English person has ever heard of this, but 6 out of 6 French English teachers have.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
