Logistical Stuff

I’ve decided to share my vast knowledge concerning French traveling since I’ve been doing research like a mad man the past few weeks.  In preparation for open trips, which I’ve now decided to opt out on, I’ve been looking up hostels, rentable apartments, plane/bus/train tickets and travel tips!  I’m frustrated that I spent so much time researching and have no outlet for all my new gained information! Luckily, some day I want to backpack Europe and everything will be quite useful then.

**I can recommended that if you are planning on traveling by train for 4 or more days in France than you should buy a France Rail pass.  It’s only good within the borders of France, but you can take as many trains as you want in one day.  It counts the amount of time you travel by the days and not by trains!  The youth pass is $118 for four days of travel plus $11 for each train reservation.  This verses the $250 round trips that you find is an amazing steal!

My favorite websites

Trains: raileurope.com

Planes: easyjet.com

Hostels: hostelworld.com/hihostel.com/airbnb.com (not hostels but peoples apartments) the only problem with airbnb is that they require a deposit…which you get back but still I’m not wanting to be out $600 even for a couple days.

For our trips we were deciding between Provence, The French Riviera, and Lyon. I also started researching Colmar, Strasbourg and Champagne.  Each of these places is unique and beautiful. When we presented our original trip itinerary to our Professor with plans to go to Marseille, he told us it was a bad idea. His council was “not the prettiest place and definitely not the safest.”  If you don’t know much about Marseille, it was dubbed the cultural capital of Europe in 2013.  It’s a huge ship port and center for commercial production in France. Its known for this beautiful port:

And is the place where Count of Monte Cristo takes place!  (Home of his Alcatraz-like prison).  

I’m going to Nice with my family so when we changed the trip to Nice, Monaco and Cannes I decided to sit out. 

Other great places I found during my research: I’m really in love with this Gorge du Verdon: 

Since I’m no longer traveling on my own, I’m excited to visit the sites near Paris. 

Such as Giverny!

My Mother passed on her love of impressionistic art to me.  I’m so excited to experience the beautiful Monet gardens!  With our group we are already going to Normandy, Loire Valley, and Versailles.  I just want to spend as much time as I can learning the language, being immersed in the culture and learning the streets of Paris.  I want to be familiar with every street, arrondissment and building!

Le Lapin

 People always judge the French people as too cold and arrogant or lazy. But I LOVE them (hopefully this doesn't change when I actually start living in France)!  They are trendy, private, cultured, witty, and different then Americans which makes them great!  I'm ready to embrace the beautiful uniqueness, and at times uncomfortable, differences of the culture! Also, my friend got me a really amazing bunny journal that says "le lapin". Which is why the title of the post is le lapin. I can't wait to be friends with cute cuddly french bunnies.

Paris, Je T'aime 14th arrondissement

We watched this video in French class this week (I found it with English subtitles for those of you aka my whole family who don't speak french :)).  I cry every time I watch this and it reminds me of that nostalgic/melancholy feeling I get every time I travel. Most the time it's a feeling like I've been there before.  Like I've lived many lives and traveled many places. Maybe I have as a guardian angel or just looking down from heaven. Last time I went to Paris and Europe with my parents, I felt this strange reflective feeling. Everything in my life felt very far away. It was an envelope of anonymity where I realized that no one knew my story, my name, my life. I could be anything I wanted to be! You lose yourself in the world but at the same time you find yourself. Thats why I like this video so much.
Paris Je T'aime 14 arrondissement video

Avec La Musique

Pendentif-Les Villes

I've been preparing for my study abroad in three ways:
1. learning about the culture. I can thank my mandatory cultural class for this. Luckily it proved to be two hours of captivating excitement every Wednesday! I love learning about our cultural differences. I'm so ready to try and fit in. Wouldn't want to step on anyones toes! The hardest part will be avoiding asking for peoples names or their personal information when we first meet. I should be pretty good at not smiling. I'm not normally too smiley with strangers anyway it always takes an effort!
2. French music and movies. Hence the above link. This is the best French song i've EVER listened to. I love it way too much. I've also watched Tangled, Peter Pan, Lady and the Tramp and the Incredibles in French. Animated Pixar/Disney films have the best translations including great renditions of the songs and good voice choices.  I've learned to turn on the french subtitles as well and I understand about 90% of the movie.
3. trying to plan my trip. Packing is giving me an anxiety attack.  I found the coolest map showing paris's arrondissements and giving landmarks to help me figure out where everything is situated.  Our study abroad  professors also gave us a metro map to start learning from... oh boy. Getting lost is part of the fun!