Filed under: surroundings
Big news – yesterday I acquired a bicycle. Not just any bicycle though; an old, rickety, brakes don’t really work, pink Cycles Citane, for FREE. I know, I am as excited as you are about this fortunate turn of events. Another student at the school just gave it to me. It was passed down to her at Christmas from another departing student and she had yet to use it once, so she just gave it to me.
I rode it to school today and it was amazing to ride through the streets and arrive in less than 15 mins. My life is exponentially better with this bike. I cannot wait for springtime and rides along the river!
A beaut! I know.
Last night – anxiously awaiting to ride it to school
Last week my 22.5 hours of class was reduced to 1.5 hours…I am here for school, right? The schedule arranging here in France is quite strange compared to what I am used to in Canada. 6 weeks in and I have spent much more time sightseeing and shopping at the market than I have in class. A wonderful life, no? Unfortunately though, what this means is that the mandatory 36 in-class-hours per class (I have 6 classes) will be completed mostly in the last 2 months of the semester. Ergo – I had better enjoy the free time I have now because it will be vanishing soon!
So on Monday, when I went to school only to find out class was canceled, I was disappointed. On the walk home, I was determined to find something to do. As I was making my way back home, I strolled past a coiffure, and thought, “why not?” My hair has been unruly for almost a month so I waltzed into the shop for a haircut. I still speak basically no French and the hairdresser spoke no English, but it turned out marvelously. I guess my gesturing explains a lot more than I thought.
Yea to new hairdos!
Once a year, GEM (Grenoble Ecole de Management) organizes a HUGE Gala for that year’s graduating classes. 28 Euros covered your admission, champagne for the evening and an excuse to dress up. How could the roommates and I not go?
I was astounded at the level of preparation and decoration that the organizing committee undertook. They seemed to transform the school overnight. The theme was Last Night in the 1900s, and everything was covered in either red, black or deep purple. It was the most lavish party I have ever attended; not only did everyone look amazing in their suits and evening gowns, but the school was quite glamorous as well.
Francesco, Nicole and I spent the night people watching, sipping champagne, and dancing. We did not get home until almost 4am; more than ready to take the stilettos off and get to bed! It was quite fabulous indeed.
All dolled up
The stage and lights erected in the school’s foyer
View from the second floor
Champagne anyone?
Plastic champagne glass ruins and heels – the theme of the evening
Rich red carpet everywhere – so glamorous!
Midnight snack – only in France do you have champagne and quiche at a student party
It’s been a good night…
oo la la
Time to dance
Time to pose
Oh! Lights
Too cool
Filed under: excursion
On the first weekend in February I went to Paris, to see the City of Love for myself. It was much more stunning than I had expected. The city seemed to exude romance and beauty. At every turn, I think I had my camera out and was taking a photo of something. I was skeptical before arriving too, “How can a city be beautiful?” But it really was. Maybe all of my previously conceived notions and pop culture connotations influenced this perspective; whatever it was though, I was in awe of the city.
I arrived early Saturday morning to find myself in brilliant sunshine. I found my Hostel, which is located in the Latin Quarter of the City about a 20min walk from the train station, without getting lost. Once I had dropped off my bag I started walking through the City. I walked so much this first day, my legs are still hurting today. Serves me right though for obeying fashion over practicality!
First I visited the Notre Dame Cathedral. The Cathedral is located on a little island in the middle of the Seine River called the Île de la Cité and is the middle of Paris.
Photo from the bridge I am crossing to get to Notre Dame.
The Cathedral
Sightseers everywhere
Stunning blue statues against the dark Gothic exterior
Christmas in February? Tree in the courtyard in front of the Cathedral
I think only children love pigeons
What an entrance!
I didn’t go into the Cathedral because I wanted to see as much of Paris as I could in the sunshine. From Notre Dame I wandered through the streets in the general direction of the Eiffel Tower.
Now this woman knows how to kick butt. Statue and fountain across the Seine from Notre Dame.
How many feet have walked along these cobblestones?
I can think of no street in Vancouver that ends with a view like that
I stopped for lunch with the tip of the Eiffel Tower in view. I dined in the typical Parisian style: small table faced towards the street, red wine, and sunglasses, fur coats and cigarette smoke everywhere. What a wonderful context for lunch, no? It felt as if I was dining in heaven.
Afterwards, I headed to “the” Paris landmark: The Eiffel Tower. I was astounded by it’s elegance and presence. For a structure composed solely of iron, it was breathtaking.
My first look
Would you take a photo for me?
Amazing, I know
The intricacy
The people look like ants
Une Canadienne en Paris
After plenty of staring at the Eiffel Tower, I started towards the Champs Élysées.
Crossing the Seine
Look, a tribute!
Gold statues?! No…
Can you imagine walking by this everyday?
Or driving across a bridge to this every morning?
I know, stunning
Le Grand Palais
Le Petit Palais
Oh, Champs Élysées!
Another look back
Huge Plaza between the Champs Élysées and the Jardin Tuileries
At the end of the Champs Élysées, the Jardin Tuileries begins. This is the large garden behind the Louvre. I stopped for a crêpe and then wandered through the garden. It’s winter starkness was quite striking in it’s minimalism.
One of two ponds in the garden
Pond No. Two with sailboats, mallards and all
One wing of the Louvre
My close-up
Through here, the Louvre
The famed museum
I did not go into the Louvre on this day, as with Notre Dame, I wanted to see as much of Paris in the sunshine as I could.
The outside wall of one of the entrances to the Louvre courtyard
The Louvre to the left
The Seine to the right
One of the many fabulous bridges
Walking across the fabulous bridge. Eiffel Tower to my right
Notre Dame and the Île de la Cité to my left
The Louvre to my back
And the Bastille to my front
Only in Paris would you find yourself with four landmarks, one to each side
After a long day of sightseeing, I headed back to my hostel and took an hour or two to relax. Before I knew it, it was dark outside and time to head out again. Even though my legs were hurting a little bit from the day of walking, I wanted to go see Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower at night.
Here is the street that my hostel was located on.
The Cathedral
It felt much more Gothic at night
I decided to venture inside , now that the day’s crowds were gone
Light from above…
It is no wonder that the church inspired worship 100s of years ago; I was completely marveled
Awe-inspiring
I returned to the same bridge as earlier, with each of the four points offering a landmark of a view.
The Eiffel Tower to my right
Notre Dame and the Île de la Cité to my left
The Louvre to my back
The Bastille to the front
Self-portrait No. 15
I then headed for the tall light in the distance – the Eiffel Tower. It felt like it was always within “the next block.” Paris is deceptively large and it took me over a half an hour to walk from the Louvre to the Eiffel Tower at a fair pace. The chilly winter air helped keep me moving.
I can’t decide if it is more breath-taking in the day or night
On the hour, lights placed all over the tower flicker. It is dazzling – it looks like it is sparkling
After this, I had to taxi back to the hostel because my legs were in so much pain. It didn’t help that I was wearing shoes for their beauty not for their practicality. I had a gegret at dinner of mussels, lamb and potatoe gratin with a group of Scottish University students. We ate and drank until well past midnight. I was so tired from my day of walking (and my legs were aching) that I went right to bed upon returning to the hostel.
The next day I was relegated to my runners and I set off for the Louvre. I was reading for some serious art viewing!
French houseboats
Another sunny day, thank goodness
The Louvre. It is difficult to appreciative the enormity of the museum from only photos
Just massive, so massive
Can you take a photo for me?
Once inside the Louvre I was met with chaos. On the first Sunday of the month it is free to get into any museum in Paris so there were hundreds of people there. I was only there for about an hour and a half before the crowds were too much. I resolved on going back the next day so that I would actually being able to enjoy the art. There were so many people milling everywhere, talking loudly to their companions, on their cell phones, taking photos with their cell phones…I know, how ridiculous. I think that the people that go to museums on free days are people that would never consider paying admission to go to a museum. Ergo – no real appreciation.
Here are a few photos that I took while I was there though:
I really loved the juxtaposition of modern architecture and ancient history
This sculpture reminded my of mom – it is a group of children playing with a goat. It made me smile with thoughts of Purdy
The Mona Lisa. This is as close as I got on Sunday. Can you believe how many people are in this room? How can they see anything?
After the Louvre, I just shuffled down the Seine and bought a few postcards and two little posters/prints. It was sunny again today and just gorgeous outside so I had no complaints about spending the afternoon outside.
Roller skaters/bladers performing for the tourists
Their footwork was astounding
That night I bought a few things from a sidewalk market and had dinner hunched over my book. It is getting so good, that I just can’t put it down. That night I found a cool little bar where I enjoyed Strongbow and some Norah Jones. It was awesome. With all of the sightseeing done alone, it was so nice to be with people. Even though I was technically by myself, just to be in a social atmosphere was nice. And no football, thank goodness, even though I was propositioned numerous times by the American’s staying at the hostel.
The next day, my last day in Paris, was dreary and wet. But (as Dana pointed out) there is something striking about the city when it is shrouded in grey. It almost seems more appropriate. My train left at 7pm so I spent the day wandering down streets I hadn’t been before, eating street vendor crêpes (crêpe avec sucre and citron = heaven) and tried to brave the Louvre again.
As I approached the Louvre I was happy to see no line-up curved around the pyramid, but once I got inside I was met by massive crowds again. My legs were in too much pain to spend the day dodging people, so I didn’t pay to get into the museum wings. I know that I will go back to Paris, it has too much too offer not to, so I will try the Louvre again. Next time I will try for mid-week, or perhaps later at night…
Here is Paris in the fitting grey:
The Louvre
Self-portrait No. 21
View from the Jardin Tuileries looking towards the Champs Élysées
The Île de la Cité
One of the few occasions in which I have needed to use an umbrella in France
I ended my trip to Paris with tapas in a Spanish restaurant. The Gare de Lyon is a short metro ride from downtown Paris and before I knew it I was back on the train headed for Grenoble. Ahh, Paris; you won over a little part of my heart.
Filed under: school
The school has finally scheduled the majority of my classes for the semester. I was looking ahead in the semester to see how many days per week I was going to be in school and you will never believed what I discovered. They have scheduled classes on Saturdays. Not 1, not 2…but 5. Yes, 5 Saturdays in March and April I have class. Are they even allowed to do that? To boot, it is not as if I have Monday’s off instead. I either have class Monday to Saturday or have a Wednesday off. As you can surmise, I am not impressed – seriously agitated actually.
Filed under: surroundings
Last night Francesco and I went to a Jazz concert and it was awesome. I happened to pick up a pamphlet for le Jazz Club de Grenoble and was excited to learn that there are concerts every Thursday. Francesco’s eyes lit up as well when I told him. I was surprised at this reaction though because in his spare time he sings in a Heavy Metal Band. What I didn’t know (and he later told me) is that his vocal training is in Jazz – go figure.
The concert was in a very old theatre with about 60 fold-out chairs. There was no stage, the band was just at the front of a the room. There were two bands that played. The first, I did not catch their name (my French is still very weak) and the second, headlining band was called Bakel (http://www.myspace.com/bakelmusic). The stage was set up in a interesting manner; the drummer sat perpendicular to the audience, on the right hand side, rather than at the back. It was quite mesmerizing to watch the percussionists play, unobstructed by their drums.
The first band had some songs that were very innate sounding because they played their instruments in unexpected ways. There group was made up of a drummer, bassist, piano player, soprano saxophonist and flutist. The combination of the sax and flute were exquisite. One minute, so sweet sounding, and the next, so sharp.
Bakel mixes hip hop rhythms with jazz. One couldn’t help but move their head in accompaniment to the beat. There was a piano player, drummer, bassist and alto saxophonist. There was a real intensity to their music. They filled the small theatre with their powerful rhythms and passionate playing.
I love how jazz is so improvisational, with the members exchanging knowing glances and subtle, almost indiscernible, movements and cues. The solos are so natural and flowing and somehow the group always comes back together seamlessly. They build on one another’s player, constantly synthesizing and answering back.
It was a great Thursday night.
