Happy Bastille Day!
I thought today would be a fitting day to close out my blogging about France. I'll probably keep this blog going about my personal life, but this will be the last France-centered entry. I've been home since about 8:30pm on Friday. Being in America has never felt better! It's so nice being around familiar things again, and having friendly people around. I thought it would take awhile to readjust, but it kind of felt like it all just fell right back into place.
That's not to say that I didn't have a great experience in France. I miss the people I met in Paris. I miss being able to look out my window and see the Eiffel Tower at night. I miss being able to switch back and forth between English and French depending on what I felt like at the time. I learned so much about culture and how to understand and appreciate the differences between various cultures. The things I learned in Paris are things I never could have learned without stepping outside of my comfort zone and living like a Parisian for seven weeks. There is absolutely no way to explain this kind of experience to someone who hasn't actually done it. It's experiential learning in the highest sense. Hopefully, through my entries, you all have gotten to understand a little bit more about a culture that was a little bit foreign to you.
One of the things that everyone keeps asking me is, "So, is the USA better than France?" The thing is, we're talking about culture here. There's no such thing as a "better" culture. France is different, but it's not better and it's not worse. It's just different. The same thing goes for any culture, whether it be German or Japanese or Egyptian or Iranian or Thai. No culture is inherently better or worse than another. They are just different.
So, time for me to get off of my soapbox. I could talk all night, but really, the only way for you to understand what I'm talking about is for you to go out and do it yourself. If you find yourself with a couple of weeks to spare, seize the opportunity and move to another country. It doesn't have to be forever, and it doesn't have to be a study abroad thing. Just living like a native of that country will change your views, most likely. It won't be easy, but it'll be worth it.
Happy traveling!
Riley =)
Monday, July 14, 2008
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Riley's Rules for International Flights
1.) Be nice. Chances are, you're all in the same boat, anyways. Delayed plane? Yeah, it sucks, but it sucks just as badly for the other dozens of people on the plane, too. Just remember that sometimes being that person with the friendly attitude or the ability to crack a joke in those situations may sometimes play in your favor later on.
2.) Fly direct if at all possible. This is especially true on the way home, because it is not fun claiming and rechecking your bags after Customs! It also eats up a lot of layover time and, before you know it, your two-hour layover that seemed perfect is now pushing it. Sure, direct flights can end up being a couple hundred dollars more, but it may be worth it, especially if the alternative includes a short layover.
3.) Dress comfortably. Don't wrry about looking chic to go to Paris or Rome because no one looks chic after lugging a 55lb. bag and carry-ons through Customs. Planes are unpredictable things when it comes to temperature, so dress accordingly. My usual airplane uniform: sweatpants, a tank top, a cardigan, a jacket, and my black Chuck Taylors. I will throw a pair of khakis or something in my carry on, too, so I can change at the airport if I don't want to look too much like I just got out of bed. Comfortable shoes are definitely a must.
4.) Wear glasses. Yes, even if you're a die-hard contact lens-wearer like me, after 8 hours in recirculating air, everyone is dehydrated and that includes their eyes. Just remember your 3oz or smaller bottle of saline solution and a baggie if you want to take your contacts with you on the plane.
5.) Pack lightly. You don't get much room and chances are, on an international flight, you'll get some form of in-flight entertainment. Limit your carry-on to the essentials. For me, that means my carry-on includes my iPod Touch, my laptop, a journal, a book, some gum, and all of my various chargers).
2.) Fly direct if at all possible. This is especially true on the way home, because it is not fun claiming and rechecking your bags after Customs! It also eats up a lot of layover time and, before you know it, your two-hour layover that seemed perfect is now pushing it. Sure, direct flights can end up being a couple hundred dollars more, but it may be worth it, especially if the alternative includes a short layover.
3.) Dress comfortably. Don't wrry about looking chic to go to Paris or Rome because no one looks chic after lugging a 55lb. bag and carry-ons through Customs. Planes are unpredictable things when it comes to temperature, so dress accordingly. My usual airplane uniform: sweatpants, a tank top, a cardigan, a jacket, and my black Chuck Taylors. I will throw a pair of khakis or something in my carry on, too, so I can change at the airport if I don't want to look too much like I just got out of bed. Comfortable shoes are definitely a must.
4.) Wear glasses. Yes, even if you're a die-hard contact lens-wearer like me, after 8 hours in recirculating air, everyone is dehydrated and that includes their eyes. Just remember your 3oz or smaller bottle of saline solution and a baggie if you want to take your contacts with you on the plane.
5.) Pack lightly. You don't get much room and chances are, on an international flight, you'll get some form of in-flight entertainment. Limit your carry-on to the essentials. For me, that means my carry-on includes my iPod Touch, my laptop, a journal, a book, some gum, and all of my various chargers).
Thursday, July 10, 2008
C'est Fini
I'm finished with finals! I just finished my French Grammar final exam, and, although it was difficult, at least I am finished! Now, I have about 40 minutes until the IES lunch fete, then an afternoon of sightseeing (the Catacombs, Arc de Triomphe, and La Defense). I need to call and reserve a cab to take me to the airport tomorrow. My flight leaves at 1:30pm Paris time (that's 7:30am Indiana time), so I'm planning on leaving my homestay at 10:30am. I arrive in Philadelphia at 3:55pm Indiana time, have a two hour layover, then I'll be back home again in Indiana at 8:18pm! I am very excited to get home, even though it feels like there's no way seven weeks could've passed already.
It's been fun. I've gotten a lot better with my French. I've made some friends. But I'm glad to be coming back.
Riley =)
It's been fun. I've gotten a lot better with my French. I've made some friends. But I'm glad to be coming back.
Riley =)
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Final Stretch
Finals start today...that means I only have two days of finals, a fete (party/lunch thing) at IES, and a very long flight standing between me and America! I've had a great time in France, but I am very ready to go home. Paris is an excellent city for a vacation, I've decided, but I do not think I could ever live here (maybe in Montmartre, but that's it).
Two more days of Metro faces, boulangeries, euros (and the evil exchange rate), the Eiffel Tower sparkling outside my window, Le M, Le Refuge des Fondus, nouilles sautees, homestays, the Metro, Muji, rue Daguerre, hearing French everywhere, natural yogurt, Amorino gelato, Pimkie, skinny jeans everywhere, unpredictable (way more unpredictable than Indiana) weather, parapluies, less than 5 minute showers, UHT milk, espresso dispensers at school, four-channel TVs, musees, jardins, sightseeing, the Champs-Elysees, rude French people, Malibu et jus d'ananas at the apartment, Indiana Club, walking everywhere, Hollywood Smile gum, Franprix, Carrefour, Monoprix, fruiteries, the 16th, trains, scarfs...
I'm coming home =)
Riley
Two more days of Metro faces, boulangeries, euros (and the evil exchange rate), the Eiffel Tower sparkling outside my window, Le M, Le Refuge des Fondus, nouilles sautees, homestays, the Metro, Muji, rue Daguerre, hearing French everywhere, natural yogurt, Amorino gelato, Pimkie, skinny jeans everywhere, unpredictable (way more unpredictable than Indiana) weather, parapluies, less than 5 minute showers, UHT milk, espresso dispensers at school, four-channel TVs, musees, jardins, sightseeing, the Champs-Elysees, rude French people, Malibu et jus d'ananas at the apartment, Indiana Club, walking everywhere, Hollywood Smile gum, Franprix, Carrefour, Monoprix, fruiteries, the 16th, trains, scarfs...
I'm coming home =)
Riley
Monday, July 7, 2008
Four Days
I only have 4 days left in Paris! I've made a list of the things I've been putting off that I need to go in the next couple of days...they include going to the top of the Arc de Triomphe, visiting La Defense, visiting Jim Morrison's grave at Pere Lachaise cemetary, and going to Les Invalides and Jardin du Luxembourg. I think me and some people are planning on La Defense and Arc de Triomphe tomorrow since they're both on the same Metro line.
This weekend was pretty low-key, like my usual Paris weekends. Friday was the 4th of July...but it was weird because here it's just like any other day. I just went shopping along rue de Passy, which is not far from my apartment. Katrina eventually met up with me and we had lunch at a Chinese place (I've fallen in love with these sauteed noodle things they have here). We went to Gallerie Gaite over by IES for quite awhile. On the way there, I sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" because I was sad that no one was acknowledging the USA on our birthday. Since the French act like no one else exists in the world when they're walking down the streets, I didn't get any weird looks or anything, which was funny to me. At the Gallerie, Katrina bought a bunch of stuff at Mim and I made some incredible (and excellently priced) purchases at Tati. After shopping, we went to a bar and restaurant called The Indiana Club to celebrate the 4th with a taste of home. It was funny because this place didn't seem to have ANY idea what Indiana is like...there were Native Americans all over the walls, then all of the "Indiana Specialties" were Mexican dishes, like enchiladas and chimichangas. I got a good old cheeseburger and fries...after all, what else says "American" quite like a burger and fries? It was happy hour, too, so we got some (somewhat) affordable drinks...I had a Screaming Orgasm (which is just fun to say...but it was also delicious) and a strawberry margarita (which actually tasted like a margarita, which is weird cause the other margarita I had in France was essentially lemon juice with a hint of tequila in it). After dinner, we just hung out at my apartment. It was weird not seeing any fireworks!
I had quite a late night/early morning talking online, so I slept in quite a bit on Saturday. After finally getting out of bed, I went to Carrefour and had the incident on the Metro that I shared the other day. I again had Chinese noodles for dinner, and that was about all that went on that day.
Sunday was my final Eiffel Tower picnic. As usual, we brought bread and cheese, then some other random foods. Me, Ashley, Emily, Heather, and Katrina all just sat around talking for several hours. Our favorite topic of conversation seems to be the lack of attractive men in France. Ashley has coined the term "French googles" for when one of us says we see a cute French guy...because if you want to find a cute French boy, you have to lower your standards of what is cute. American guys definitely trump the French, for sure, for many reasons that we discussed. One of those is that French guys will never make the first movie (not that I have any experience with this, but some of the others do). And, of course, there's the fact that attractive French guys are pretty much extinct. A funny Polish artist came over and drew a portrait for Katrina and commiserated with us on our complaints about the French. It was fun. My chocolate and pistachio ice cream cone was amazing, too!
Now, I have one more day of regular class, followed by two days of finals...then, at 1:30pm on Friday, my plane will be leaving! It's been an interesting, once-in-a-lifetime experience here...it's crazy that it's already almost over! And I know I've said that like 10 times now, but it's true!
Riley =)
This weekend was pretty low-key, like my usual Paris weekends. Friday was the 4th of July...but it was weird because here it's just like any other day. I just went shopping along rue de Passy, which is not far from my apartment. Katrina eventually met up with me and we had lunch at a Chinese place (I've fallen in love with these sauteed noodle things they have here). We went to Gallerie Gaite over by IES for quite awhile. On the way there, I sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" because I was sad that no one was acknowledging the USA on our birthday. Since the French act like no one else exists in the world when they're walking down the streets, I didn't get any weird looks or anything, which was funny to me. At the Gallerie, Katrina bought a bunch of stuff at Mim and I made some incredible (and excellently priced) purchases at Tati. After shopping, we went to a bar and restaurant called The Indiana Club to celebrate the 4th with a taste of home. It was funny because this place didn't seem to have ANY idea what Indiana is like...there were Native Americans all over the walls, then all of the "Indiana Specialties" were Mexican dishes, like enchiladas and chimichangas. I got a good old cheeseburger and fries...after all, what else says "American" quite like a burger and fries? It was happy hour, too, so we got some (somewhat) affordable drinks...I had a Screaming Orgasm (which is just fun to say...but it was also delicious) and a strawberry margarita (which actually tasted like a margarita, which is weird cause the other margarita I had in France was essentially lemon juice with a hint of tequila in it). After dinner, we just hung out at my apartment. It was weird not seeing any fireworks!
I had quite a late night/early morning talking online, so I slept in quite a bit on Saturday. After finally getting out of bed, I went to Carrefour and had the incident on the Metro that I shared the other day. I again had Chinese noodles for dinner, and that was about all that went on that day.
Sunday was my final Eiffel Tower picnic. As usual, we brought bread and cheese, then some other random foods. Me, Ashley, Emily, Heather, and Katrina all just sat around talking for several hours. Our favorite topic of conversation seems to be the lack of attractive men in France. Ashley has coined the term "French googles" for when one of us says we see a cute French guy...because if you want to find a cute French boy, you have to lower your standards of what is cute. American guys definitely trump the French, for sure, for many reasons that we discussed. One of those is that French guys will never make the first movie (not that I have any experience with this, but some of the others do). And, of course, there's the fact that attractive French guys are pretty much extinct. A funny Polish artist came over and drew a portrait for Katrina and commiserated with us on our complaints about the French. It was fun. My chocolate and pistachio ice cream cone was amazing, too!
Now, I have one more day of regular class, followed by two days of finals...then, at 1:30pm on Friday, my plane will be leaving! It's been an interesting, once-in-a-lifetime experience here...it's crazy that it's already almost over! And I know I've said that like 10 times now, but it's true!
Riley =)
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Un Peu Soif?
So, I just had a funny incident on the Metro. Katrina and I went to Carrefour to get some groceries and souvenirs of the consumable variety (aka chocolate and wine), then we had to take the Metro back to my apartment so I could drop all of my purchases off. In order to prevent the wine bottles from breaking, I put them in my purse...so I had four little wine bottle tops sticking just out of it. I didn't really think anything of it...until a man got on the Metro and was standing next to me. His eyes got all wide and he goes, "Oh mon Dieu! Un peu soif?" (translation: Oh, my God! A little thirsty?). I laughed and responded, "Un peu" (a little). He kept staring at my bag for the two more stops I was on the train then, as I was stepping off, he said something I didn't hear, then, "Lendemains!" (Consquences). Katrina and I were cracking up the whole way to my apartment.
Riley =)
Riley =)
Friday, July 4, 2008
Happy 4th!
Happy 4th of July! Even if I am in a country where they don't care about the holiday! I hope you all have a great time celebrating Independence Day...I can't wait to see you all in a week!
Riley =)
Riley =)
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