It's not every day you're harassed by a crazy old woman who resembles, just a little too closely, the ugly witch from "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." (For the record, this isn't an exaggeration...6 people thought the same thing without even discussing it.) I think it mostly had to do with the folded wrinkles on her face, perfectly indented on each side where she's been sucking in cigarettes for the past 100 years. She approached our table on a sidewalk in Paris and, after saying something that resembled no language I've ever heard, we assumed that the cigarette hanging from her mouth, broken in half and therefore of questionable usefulness, meant she was asking us for a light. John attempted to light it but failed due to the fact that he was trying to stay as far away from the woman as possible, and also because she didn't have the strength in her lips to suck in when the light was finally close enough. He kept saying (in English, which I'm sure she understood), "Dude, you're gonna have to do it yourself! Dude, it's not catching!" Finally, the cigarette caught some fire...however, as soon as it did, it fell from her muscle-less mouth and hardly missed hitting her claw-shaped hand before falling to the ground. A look of despair came over her face. Then, in what seemed to be slow-motion, she took her claw-like hand and stretched it toward the sandwich on John's tray. He slapped her hand away as he exclaimed, "Dude! Whoa, what are you doing?! You're gonna have to get out of here...go away, dude." Again, a look of despair and defeat came over her face. It might have been sad if I wasn't laughing so hard. Just as I was getting over the claw-grab, I looked up to see a perfectly tear-shaped drop of snot fall from her nose to the table, without her even noticing. After this, I completely lost it...I was laughing so hard I was crying, and so were the other 5 people at the table. She began to walk away but, just when we thought we were done with her, she took a seat at the other end of the table, just next to Even (pronounced Evan...don't ask, he's Norwegian). The comments were flying: "Even, hide your wallet, " "Everyone hold onto their food," etc. Then, out of nowhere, she began to cackle...no, she wasn't laughing...she was CACKLING. After sufficiently scaring the crap out of us, she stood up and walked away, floppy baby pink stocking cap and all, and it wasn't more than 10 steps before she was harassing another innocent table at the next café. We spent the next hour trying to figure out what kind of curse she most likely put on us with that evil laugh.
The crazy people in France just seem to be crazier than the crazy Americans...well, either that or they just go out more. Who knows.
Okay, so to backtrack and explain who we were eating breakfast with. Last weekend, I went to Paris with Grace, Margo and Rachel. On Saturday night, we went out and met a group of 2 American guys and a Norwegian who are living and working in Belgium this year (John, Karmac, and Even). It was really fun to hang out with American guys again (aka, guys that would refer to an old crazy woman as "dude"), and it was fun to talk to Even and compare my experiences with Norwegian culture to his life in "real" Norway. The first words I spoke to him were "Kan du snakke norsk?", which means "Can you speak Norwegian?" I know, convenient phrase as I would have no idea what to respond back. The good news is that he was so surprised I could even say that phrase that we immediately began discussing all things Norwegian! The other good news is that he offered to be my tour guide anytime I go to Norway...so, Mom, maybe we need to start planning that trip!
I'm now finishing up with my classes...due to the 2 week vacation that starts this Friday, I will only see each of my classes one more time. It's a strange feeling to be so close to the end...the time after Christmas has really flown by. I will be spending the break on the east coast of Spain (Barcelona, Valencia and Alicante) with some friends, so I'll have a good opportunity to practice my basic Spanish! (Actually, I don't even think I'm at a level that could be called basic...whatever's below that.)
Well, I'm sure there's a lot more to update on, but this will have to do for now :). Miss you all and can't wait to see most of you in May!
31 March, 2009
16 March, 2009
Spring has Sprung!
Apparently people actually read my blog, because I've gotten requests lately to write something...glad people are reading, but turns out it's not very convenient to write a lot when you're computer-less and French teachers stand over your shoulder everytime you're on a computer. Seriously, they're annoying and they make it hard to get anything done. I'm looking forward to going back to a culture where people respect personal space.
Other than that, France has been incredible lately. The past few weeks have flown by and been packed with exciting events that I'll try to do justice to...hopefully pictures will be up soon.
The first weekend back from vacation was Carnaval in Romans, so Rachel, Margo and Stephanie (friends from Puget Sound) came down from Dijon for the weekend, as did Grace from Chambéry. We all went to Valence on Friday night for a party at Becca's that ended up being the most entertaining party of my life. It was a costume party (I didn't dress up...I hate costumes)...basically, the presence of two dudes in dresses and one crazy Irish guy made the night unforgettable. Plus, having all the girls visiting was a blast.
The next day, all of the Valence and Romans assistants, plus our visitors, went to Carnaval. I have NEVER seen this much action in my little town. The streets were packed, people were dressed up, confetti and silly string were everywhere, and there were bands and floats all over the place. There was a huge parade, impressive even to people who haven't been living in a town of 30,000 for the past 6 months. At the end of the parade, they actually lit a huge wooden face float on fire and had fireworks going off behind him. Amazing...if you don't believe me, I have photographic evidence. After the parade, there was a concert in a tent that we went into with very low expectations and, once again, were blown away. It was this awesome Vaudeville-style band, and all of the guys were so entertaining to watch. They reminded me a lot of Kay Kay, for those of you who from UPS. One guy was wearing glasses with no lenses and a tux jacket, the drummer was wearing aviators and a long, fur-lined coat (plus, he had the same expression on his face for the entire show), and another guy had on a purple suit that was about 4 inches too short for him, accented by his fro. To top it all off, they all had little miniature cone hats on (I'm sure there's a real name for them...I am unaware of it, though). The music was fantastic, and the entertainment factor even better. I finished the weekend off by having a relaxing Sunday in Romans with Grace, Stephanie, Rachel and Margo...altogether, 3 awesome days.
The next week, I took a little 'weekend in the middle of the week' with Becca since neither of us teach on Wednesdays. We headed to Die (pronounced 'Dee') on Tuesday night and stayed with Patrick, an American assistant there. The town only has about 5000 people, and it's surrounded by mountains on all sides. GEORGEOUS. We had an awesome night at a local bar where we did readings in accents of the French books available there, then proceeded to talk to the bartender (an awesome older man) and the other two guys in the bar. We ended the night by checking out the stars, one of the many reasons to love small towns in France that have very few lights on at night. The next day we went to the market, got food for a picnic, and went for a hike. It was so great to be in the mountains...reminded me so much of home. We finished the day with hot chocolate, then headed back to Valence.
THEN...That Friday night was spent in Valence, hanging out with all of the assistants. We got up Saturday morning and got on a train to Arles, in the south, where there was a wine festival. We tasted some wine, saw the city (which I will definitely be going back to before I leave), and fighting against the wind (le Mistral...the most famous wind in France that comes from the sea and continues way too far north). It was a beautiful, sunny weekend, so after staying with Abi and enjoying "Into the Wild" for a relaxing Saturday night, I headed back to Romans on Sunday, read outside for awhile, then did a 9 mile run that was probably the most beautiful run I've ever been on. The sun was setting, glowing on the mountains, and I was running on country roads past vineyards and farms.
Last week, another 'weekend in the middle of the week' (have I mentioned that we work really hard here?) Becca and Abi came to Romans to join the Romans assistants (Demos, Jess and me) for dinner at Demos' apartment. The next was spent relaxing around Romans and checking out some of the cute local cafés.
Finally, we get to last weekend...I went to Grenoble on Friday with Abi, and we spent the sunny, warm day hiking up 'Le Bastille'...an old ruin, not really sure what it's from.
The rest of last weekend was spent in Brussels eating waffles, walking around in the rain, visiting an art museum, and just chilling with Becca, Abi, and my friend John from my study abroad program in Paris. I have MUCH more to elaborate on about this trip, but I am getting kicked off of the internet in 2 minutes and wanted to at least get a partial update posted tonight. More to come...I'll edit this post in the next couple of days.
A+ (meaning, 'a plus', or 'until next time').
Other than that, France has been incredible lately. The past few weeks have flown by and been packed with exciting events that I'll try to do justice to...hopefully pictures will be up soon.
The first weekend back from vacation was Carnaval in Romans, so Rachel, Margo and Stephanie (friends from Puget Sound) came down from Dijon for the weekend, as did Grace from Chambéry. We all went to Valence on Friday night for a party at Becca's that ended up being the most entertaining party of my life. It was a costume party (I didn't dress up...I hate costumes)...basically, the presence of two dudes in dresses and one crazy Irish guy made the night unforgettable. Plus, having all the girls visiting was a blast.
The next day, all of the Valence and Romans assistants, plus our visitors, went to Carnaval. I have NEVER seen this much action in my little town. The streets were packed, people were dressed up, confetti and silly string were everywhere, and there were bands and floats all over the place. There was a huge parade, impressive even to people who haven't been living in a town of 30,000 for the past 6 months. At the end of the parade, they actually lit a huge wooden face float on fire and had fireworks going off behind him. Amazing...if you don't believe me, I have photographic evidence. After the parade, there was a concert in a tent that we went into with very low expectations and, once again, were blown away. It was this awesome Vaudeville-style band, and all of the guys were so entertaining to watch. They reminded me a lot of Kay Kay, for those of you who from UPS. One guy was wearing glasses with no lenses and a tux jacket, the drummer was wearing aviators and a long, fur-lined coat (plus, he had the same expression on his face for the entire show), and another guy had on a purple suit that was about 4 inches too short for him, accented by his fro. To top it all off, they all had little miniature cone hats on (I'm sure there's a real name for them...I am unaware of it, though). The music was fantastic, and the entertainment factor even better. I finished the weekend off by having a relaxing Sunday in Romans with Grace, Stephanie, Rachel and Margo...altogether, 3 awesome days.
The next week, I took a little 'weekend in the middle of the week' with Becca since neither of us teach on Wednesdays. We headed to Die (pronounced 'Dee') on Tuesday night and stayed with Patrick, an American assistant there. The town only has about 5000 people, and it's surrounded by mountains on all sides. GEORGEOUS. We had an awesome night at a local bar where we did readings in accents of the French books available there, then proceeded to talk to the bartender (an awesome older man) and the other two guys in the bar. We ended the night by checking out the stars, one of the many reasons to love small towns in France that have very few lights on at night. The next day we went to the market, got food for a picnic, and went for a hike. It was so great to be in the mountains...reminded me so much of home. We finished the day with hot chocolate, then headed back to Valence.
THEN...That Friday night was spent in Valence, hanging out with all of the assistants. We got up Saturday morning and got on a train to Arles, in the south, where there was a wine festival. We tasted some wine, saw the city (which I will definitely be going back to before I leave), and fighting against the wind (le Mistral...the most famous wind in France that comes from the sea and continues way too far north). It was a beautiful, sunny weekend, so after staying with Abi and enjoying "Into the Wild" for a relaxing Saturday night, I headed back to Romans on Sunday, read outside for awhile, then did a 9 mile run that was probably the most beautiful run I've ever been on. The sun was setting, glowing on the mountains, and I was running on country roads past vineyards and farms.
Last week, another 'weekend in the middle of the week' (have I mentioned that we work really hard here?) Becca and Abi came to Romans to join the Romans assistants (Demos, Jess and me) for dinner at Demos' apartment. The next was spent relaxing around Romans and checking out some of the cute local cafés.
Finally, we get to last weekend...I went to Grenoble on Friday with Abi, and we spent the sunny, warm day hiking up 'Le Bastille'...an old ruin, not really sure what it's from.
The rest of last weekend was spent in Brussels eating waffles, walking around in the rain, visiting an art museum, and just chilling with Becca, Abi, and my friend John from my study abroad program in Paris. I have MUCH more to elaborate on about this trip, but I am getting kicked off of the internet in 2 minutes and wanted to at least get a partial update posted tonight. More to come...I'll edit this post in the next couple of days.
A+ (meaning, 'a plus', or 'until next time').
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