This weekend wasn't too bad. On Saturday I visited Geneva. I met a few more people and we toured around the city for a bit. Pretty much spent a lot of the time just wandering and talking. I was able to visit the United Nations Building and was a little overwhelmed by trying to maintain focus on hours a rapid tour guide frenchness. One amusing part is when a Italian guy living in Geneva convinced us to visit his, "chocolate shop." We took an entire bus-load of people and the shop turned out to be a little gift shop, maybe a little bigger than my bedroom. So there were about 30 of us in there and I won't up buying some overpriced chocolate. I added some pictures of the adventure to the pile o' pictures I started.
Today, aka Sunday there was a big market in the street; and when I say big I mean BIG. At first I thought OK, cool there is a big flea market today I should definitely check it out. Well this market turned out to take up a good chunk of the entire city. It was just never ending. There were many streets that were closed off and just had vendor after vendor after vendor...
Unfortunately forgot to bring my camera the two rounds that I went out into the chaos.
To try to put it into perspective (for at least some people) imagine Boulder, and the entirety of downtown Pearl Street is filled with people taking up the street selling junk. Now, you realize that Walnut is the very same way. Oh and what do you know, they shut off Broadway and there are people selling stuff all they way down to campus. Once you you make it to campus you realize that it is filled with vendors in every corner and soon realize that there is just too much junk, and most of it was indeed junk, to look at.
Anyway, I spent maybe three hours or more just taking in the chaos. I wound up getting a guitar in pretty bad condition, 8 euros, but it will work. All I need to do now is buy some new strings and it should sound just like new (well, we'll see).
I'll see if I can remember from now on to bring my camera with me wherever I go; see if I can fit it in along with all the other stuff in my pockets...
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Friday, September 28, 2007
Recently
So as far as what I have been up to for the past few days. The short and obvious answer is French, but there has been a little more.
For those of you that have not all ready noticed:
flickr.com/photos/eatw
I'll try to get some more pictures up soon. I'll also will see what I can do about some of the requests that were on the petition.... I actually really appreciate to see that some people have some interest, thanks you guys!
Besides French it has been really rainy, raining on and off since Tuesday. So on my day of I decided to just take the day to relax at home. It was really nice to just devoting a day to reflecting. Even though I do that a lot anyway, it was nice to just take the time to do so.
I also got to further practice some meditation. It has been a current interest of mine that I would say that most people don't actually know about but I have always wanted to try it out. So I started about a month ago and so far I can't see a reason why to stop trying so I'm still at it.
Other then that I have also spend some time online and running into some interesting articles. Recently I been interested in the writings of Steve Pavlina. His articles are interesting and insightful and usually thought provoking. Tonight after reading one of his articles I think I did what was one of the most profound things I have done in awhile. If anyone is interested just drop me a line.
Anyway It is time for bed. I am taking a bus to Geneva tomorrow with about 50 other students and I have no Idea what will happen from there. Perhaps a good story.
For those of you that have not all ready noticed:
flickr.com/photos/eatw
I'll try to get some more pictures up soon. I'll also will see what I can do about some of the requests that were on the petition.... I actually really appreciate to see that some people have some interest, thanks you guys!
Besides French it has been really rainy, raining on and off since Tuesday. So on my day of I decided to just take the day to relax at home. It was really nice to just devoting a day to reflecting. Even though I do that a lot anyway, it was nice to just take the time to do so.
I also got to further practice some meditation. It has been a current interest of mine that I would say that most people don't actually know about but I have always wanted to try it out. So I started about a month ago and so far I can't see a reason why to stop trying so I'm still at it.
Other then that I have also spend some time online and running into some interesting articles. Recently I been interested in the writings of Steve Pavlina. His articles are interesting and insightful and usually thought provoking. Tonight after reading one of his articles I think I did what was one of the most profound things I have done in awhile. If anyone is interested just drop me a line.
Anyway It is time for bed. I am taking a bus to Geneva tomorrow with about 50 other students and I have no Idea what will happen from there. Perhaps a good story.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Lunch and Rain
So last night I didn't go out, but I think I talked with Ven for over two hours so I did get a lot of French practice in. Today is another rainy day. It rains in spurts and then stops, clears up a little and then starts all over again.
One thing that is a shame is the lunch line for the cafeteria keeps on getting longer every day. Yet the price is right so that's were we go to eat. It costs 2.80 euros for a meal with a main dish with two sides, your choice of a salad or pasta salad or something similar, a desert or fruit or yogurt, and a little bit of pain (bread). Today the line was was so long that we only had 5 minutes to eat before going to class. Yet I was able to pull it off, I you know me I tend to take forever to eat but today it was not possible.
Culture class today was amusing I did all of my exercises with a girl named Boy (well close enough). She has a playful, flirty personality and is really easy to get a long with. We pretty much just joked around all class which made the time fly by.
It is really different being a minority in a class it is nice in that the classmates pseudo (or no so pseudo) idolize you for being American. Everyone is really friendly. I'm starting to learn a little Chinese and hope to learn some Korean as well, shouldn't be too hard.
One thing that is a shame is the lunch line for the cafeteria keeps on getting longer every day. Yet the price is right so that's were we go to eat. It costs 2.80 euros for a meal with a main dish with two sides, your choice of a salad or pasta salad or something similar, a desert or fruit or yogurt, and a little bit of pain (bread). Today the line was was so long that we only had 5 minutes to eat before going to class. Yet I was able to pull it off, I you know me I tend to take forever to eat but today it was not possible.
Culture class today was amusing I did all of my exercises with a girl named Boy (well close enough). She has a playful, flirty personality and is really easy to get a long with. We pretty much just joked around all class which made the time fly by.
It is really different being a minority in a class it is nice in that the classmates pseudo (or no so pseudo) idolize you for being American. Everyone is really friendly. I'm starting to learn a little Chinese and hope to learn some Korean as well, shouldn't be too hard.
Schedule
I thought I would give a breakdown on my classes since people might be wondering what exactly I am doing. So here it goes. Monday, Tuesday and Friday I have what I guess you would call a general language class. It is were we practice French, speak French, think French, and try to act French. I the mean time we joke around and have discussions about various things.
On Wednesday Morning reading class, were we read French things and discuss what we did and didn't understand. Mme Paget teaches this class, and if it wasn't for her, the class would be a little more unbearable. Mme Paget has the qualities that would expect from an adorable French woman. She is very nice (like all the professors) very patient, she has a good sense of humor, and I believe and is the only one out of my three professors that I have seen giggle. All of the professors have a good laugh on a daily basis but Mme Paget definitely giggles. So basically that class is read, discuss, laugh, read, discuss, giggle.
The the class on Wednesday afternoon is a French culture and history class. This class is fun because we go into more detail about France and the French culture in general. Mme TGV is cool yet she loves to talk really fast yet speaks clearly so you can still understand. She's from the south.
And of course everything is done in French, well mostly French with a fair amount of Chinese and the occasional Korean or English and a rare Russian word or two.
I have Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays off. One unfortunate thing is that class starts at 8:30 in the morning for the language class and 9am for reading; I always have to get up between 7 and 8 am. Anyway, that is what my schedule is like for now.
On Wednesday Morning reading class, were we read French things and discuss what we did and didn't understand. Mme Paget teaches this class, and if it wasn't for her, the class would be a little more unbearable. Mme Paget has the qualities that would expect from an adorable French woman. She is very nice (like all the professors) very patient, she has a good sense of humor, and I believe and is the only one out of my three professors that I have seen giggle. All of the professors have a good laugh on a daily basis but Mme Paget definitely giggles. So basically that class is read, discuss, laugh, read, discuss, giggle.
The the class on Wednesday afternoon is a French culture and history class. This class is fun because we go into more detail about France and the French culture in general. Mme TGV is cool yet she loves to talk really fast yet speaks clearly so you can still understand. She's from the south.
And of course everything is done in French, well mostly French with a fair amount of Chinese and the occasional Korean or English and a rare Russian word or two.
I have Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays off. One unfortunate thing is that class starts at 8:30 in the morning for the language class and 9am for reading; I always have to get up between 7 and 8 am. Anyway, that is what my schedule is like for now.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Vous êtes bien...?
Today is the second rainy day that since I have been in Chambery. I kind of have the home sick feeling today but not really. I guess it is more of a rainy day feeling. I tried to turn in my paperwork today for living in the city and it appears that they closed early and will be closed until October 2. Fortunately I have already learned that nothing really seems to happen immediately in France.
I also need to do laundry but don't feel inspired to walk to the store to get laundry detergent right now so I guess I will hold out until later. I might just do some underwear at home and hold out until a later time.
Class today was amusing, we basically spent a lot of time learning about socializing and even practiced some of the traditional ways men try to pick up women in France and women either except or reject these invitations. Overall it was pretty hilarious. The professor seems to know on what kind of actives will get the class talking.
Professor Camille is really great and you can ask her pretty much anything. A lot of class time we spend just having a good time and being able to laugh at the differences between french culture and our own cultures.
I'm thinking that I might go out tonight. Practice what week did in class today, heh. We'll see...
I also need to do laundry but don't feel inspired to walk to the store to get laundry detergent right now so I guess I will hold out until later. I might just do some underwear at home and hold out until a later time.
Class today was amusing, we basically spent a lot of time learning about socializing and even practiced some of the traditional ways men try to pick up women in France and women either except or reject these invitations. Overall it was pretty hilarious. The professor seems to know on what kind of actives will get the class talking.
Professor Camille is really great and you can ask her pretty much anything. A lot of class time we spend just having a good time and being able to laugh at the differences between french culture and our own cultures.
I'm thinking that I might go out tonight. Practice what week did in class today, heh. We'll see...
Le week-end
Donc les parents ont arrivé et sont sortis.
So the weekend went by really well. My parents came to visit and we had a really nice time. On Friday they arrived and had some more of my stuff with them. It was really nice to be able to spend some time with them this weekend.
On Saturday we went to see a festival of parasails that was in a town that was just south of Chambery. The festival itself was really neat. We parked up on the grass on the hillside and watched the parasails while my dad worked on constructing the puegot that they leased into a camper (basically this involved hammering some wood to make a table to extend the tailgate of the mini-mini-van [a picture might be easier to explain once I have one]).
One of the highlights of the show were a guy that that did over 100 loopty-loops in a row. Yet the biggest highlight was a team of two people and a bald eagle. The eagle would perch itself on the raptorist's arm and then take of and fly around as the parasail would slowly drift towards the ground. It was really awesome to see. Mme Jarre later told us that the bald eagle was born in captivity and this trainer taught it to fly. I guess its favorite hobby is skydiving.
There were also some parasailers that were wearing big puffy customes such as a concord, a giant squid, or a dragon.
The next day we went to church in the cathedral and Mme Jarre gave us a tour of the town were I was able to learn a lot more of the history of the town. It was really wonderful to be able to see some of the medieval sections.
Afterwards my parents and myself had lunch at the lake and then went to see the city of Lyon. We actually didn't see too much in the city itself but visited the Fourvière, a grand cathedral that overlooks the massive city.
We then return to Chambery and ate dinner at one of the many Kebab places in town.
So the weekend went by really well. My parents came to visit and we had a really nice time. On Friday they arrived and had some more of my stuff with them. It was really nice to be able to spend some time with them this weekend.
On Saturday we went to see a festival of parasails that was in a town that was just south of Chambery. The festival itself was really neat. We parked up on the grass on the hillside and watched the parasails while my dad worked on constructing the puegot that they leased into a camper (basically this involved hammering some wood to make a table to extend the tailgate of the mini-mini-van [a picture might be easier to explain once I have one]).
One of the highlights of the show were a guy that that did over 100 loopty-loops in a row. Yet the biggest highlight was a team of two people and a bald eagle. The eagle would perch itself on the raptorist's arm and then take of and fly around as the parasail would slowly drift towards the ground. It was really awesome to see. Mme Jarre later told us that the bald eagle was born in captivity and this trainer taught it to fly. I guess its favorite hobby is skydiving.
There were also some parasailers that were wearing big puffy customes such as a concord, a giant squid, or a dragon.
The next day we went to church in the cathedral and Mme Jarre gave us a tour of the town were I was able to learn a lot more of the history of the town. It was really wonderful to be able to see some of the medieval sections.
Afterwards my parents and myself had lunch at the lake and then went to see the city of Lyon. We actually didn't see too much in the city itself but visited the Fourvière, a grand cathedral that overlooks the massive city.
We then return to Chambery and ate dinner at one of the many Kebab places in town.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Adam is Awesome:
So apparently people want to see some actual pictures, I'm still debating it though...
http://www.geocities.com/eatwpics/
http://www.geocities.com/eatwpics/
Friday, September 21, 2007
Lake Visit
Well then, what can I say? Yesterday I visited Le Lac de Bourget. I is a huge lake that is just a bit of distance away from Chambery. It was really nice at the lake and the weather was just absolutely beautiful (not to mention the women), I went swimming for a little while and the watter was very nice, a bit cool, but still nice. I imagine myself returning many times as long as the weather is still nice.
Mme Jarre said that I could use one of her bikes. All I need to do is is get some new tires. So I will have a bike to use, yay!
Today my parents are coming to visit, hooray! They will be bringing some of the rest of my stuff.
Mme Jarre said that I could use one of her bikes. All I need to do is is get some new tires. So I will have a bike to use, yay!
Today my parents are coming to visit, hooray! They will be bringing some of the rest of my stuff.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Last Night
So last night was actually a decent amount of fun. There is a pub in Chambéry called Charyl's that is a mix of international students. Myself, BJ (american-iraqian) ,and Beret (Swiss, German-side) met up with Sigfried (French) [who has a lot of connexions] who introduced us to some English girls who are going to be studying various subjects in Chambery.
It was a really relaxed atmosphere and a nice chance to meet some people in Chambéry. Perhaps we will meet up with them again at some other time. I got one of there numbers so I guess this is probably possible. Still interested in meeting more people. Perhaps sometime this week I'll get to use some of my poor and awkward French.
Tomorrow is my day off so perhaps I will get to visit the lake.
It was a really relaxed atmosphere and a nice chance to meet some people in Chambéry. Perhaps we will meet up with them again at some other time. I got one of there numbers so I guess this is probably possible. Still interested in meeting more people. Perhaps sometime this week I'll get to use some of my poor and awkward French.
Tomorrow is my day off so perhaps I will get to visit the lake.
Planes, Busses, Dolphins
People have been wondering if I had any big stories in regards to making it to Chambéry. So I will fill everyone in. Basically I didn't have any real issues with the plane. I did have a hard time sleeping but besides that I sat net to a few friendly children and enjoyed a few complimentary glasses of wine. I'm not sure if that helped aid or hurt my ability to sleep but overall I didn't sleep much from Denver to Frankfurt to Lyon.
While waiting for my bus to Chambéry, I met a nice girl, one might even say "hippie chick" whose name was Dolphin, or at least something close to that. Anyway she was really nice and we talked for a few hours while waiting for my bus. She was there waiting for a friend and her entire backpack was filled with jugs of wine. She just finished her job picking grapes in the south of France and they give you as much as you can carry of wine when you leave. Her job sounded like an experience for sure. Basically she would start both work and drinking wine at 9 am and not stop drinking until bedtime.
She got to meet a lot of people from all over and had a lot of fun. Unfortunately there where plenty of instants where she drank too much and got sick from the wine.
Eventually the bus arrived and we said au revoir.
While waiting for my bus to Chambéry, I met a nice girl, one might even say "hippie chick" whose name was Dolphin, or at least something close to that. Anyway she was really nice and we talked for a few hours while waiting for my bus. She was there waiting for a friend and her entire backpack was filled with jugs of wine. She just finished her job picking grapes in the south of France and they give you as much as you can carry of wine when you leave. Her job sounded like an experience for sure. Basically she would start both work and drinking wine at 9 am and not stop drinking until bedtime.
She got to meet a lot of people from all over and had a lot of fun. Unfortunately there where plenty of instants where she drank too much and got sick from the wine.
Eventually the bus arrived and we said au revoir.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Class
Things are going pretty well here in France. I have had two days of class so far. Originally I was placed in a lower level but today I moved up two levels and am in the same class as Ven.
The entire french program is absolutely overwhelmed with Koreans and Chinese. There is only a few people from other places compared to the number of Chinese and Koreans. There is one other American in the program and we happen to both be in the same class. I usually find myself spending time with him.
All of the professors are really nice here. The activities coordinator is also a really cool guy and his office is where the computers are at.
I am getting even more used to being in France right now. Everyday there is a new adventure. Tonight I am going out to meet new people downtown; should be interesting. Anyway it is time to go.
The entire french program is absolutely overwhelmed with Koreans and Chinese. There is only a few people from other places compared to the number of Chinese and Koreans. There is one other American in the program and we happen to both be in the same class. I usually find myself spending time with him.
All of the professors are really nice here. The activities coordinator is also a really cool guy and his office is where the computers are at.
I am getting even more used to being in France right now. Everyday there is a new adventure. Tonight I am going out to meet new people downtown; should be interesting. Anyway it is time to go.
Monday, September 17, 2007
First Day
The first day of classes start today. After the initial chaos of everyone crowding around Ven helped me find my class. Most of the classes are dominated by Chinese and Koreans but my class has one American, it was nice to have someone to speak English to because it seemed that everyone was talking in Chinese anyway. My actual class doesn't start until 1:30 so now I am just waiting for the class to start.
It literally took me 15 mins to figure out how to log into my email, yet I was just being silly. It didn't help that some clever swede changed the language setting for the entire computer to Swedish and I had to figure out how to at least change them to french. In retrospect I already knew how to do so but at the time being "sono nel pelona" ("I'm flustered" in Italian). The real problem turned out to be that you need to hold shift in order to type numbers on french keyboards. My alpha-numeric password wasn't working.
Anyway I realise that this postis pretty boring so I will continue once I have more to talk about.
It literally took me 15 mins to figure out how to log into my email, yet I was just being silly. It didn't help that some clever swede changed the language setting for the entire computer to Swedish and I had to figure out how to at least change them to french. In retrospect I already knew how to do so but at the time being "sono nel pelona" ("I'm flustered" in Italian). The real problem turned out to be that you need to hold shift in order to type numbers on french keyboards. My alpha-numeric password wasn't working.
Anyway I realise that this postis pretty boring so I will continue once I have more to talk about.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Bonsoir
Classes start on Monday and I am just spending time trying to adjust right now.
In a week I should be able to have internet at the house so any updates to the blog I made should be very frequent (unless I am too busy partying the way they do in Chambery).
On a general note, each day is filled with plenty of laughs from the amusments of me not knowing what is really going on. Perhaps the most difficult thing right now is that I haven't been able to expressmyself really to anyone so far. The language barrier slows thingsdown too much.
I am getting more used to be here so that's definately a plus. Anyway, its time to go. Au revoir!
In a week I should be able to have internet at the house so any updates to the blog I made should be very frequent (unless I am too busy partying the way they do in Chambery).
On a general note, each day is filled with plenty of laughs from the amusments of me not knowing what is really going on. Perhaps the most difficult thing right now is that I haven't been able to expressmyself really to anyone so far. The language barrier slows thingsdown too much.
I am getting more used to be here so that's definately a plus. Anyway, its time to go. Au revoir!
Friday, September 14, 2007
Bonjour Tout le Monde
I am starting to get accustomed to being here in my new home(somewhat). Yet I'm not sure if I will ever really get used to it. Madame Jarre is really nice and so is Ven (my housemate). The house is a bit awkward and I think of it like a fortress, a place I canbarracade myself if I need to.
Overall I think this living situation will work out for a while but Imight want to see if I can try something new the next semester. Rightnow I think I will always have the feeling of being a guest at Madame Jarre's house, there is a list of 20 rules or so, (one of them being"don't turn the bathroom into a lake," it's not our fault that thereis no shower curtain). One of the most annoying rules is no food ordrink in the room with no execptions allowed.
Anyway I have been recently trying to finalise some things that I needto be established here. I am really anxious for school to start because then I will feel I have something actaully planned and going on.
The jetlag is a bit annoying too. The city itself is pretty nice andI can't wait to start meeting people and making new friends. So farmy interatctions with people have just had a lot of confusioninvolved. My favorite conversation so far has been:
Random guy: "Is the office closed?"
Erik: "Yes"
Random guy: "Shit!"
Erik: "Agreed"
I have had some other interactions that have been more significant,the most amusing probably being between Ven and myself. With bothcan't really express to well what we are trying to say sometimes andon confusion, frustration, and amusement are the result.
Well guess that is it for now. I need to have some more adventures intown and really need to get some soap and shampoo. I am also unsurewhy there is nowhere to dry your hands in the room with the sink(there is the sink room, the toilet room, and the awkward "shower"room which is a bathtub with no shower curtain).
Ciao
Overall I think this living situation will work out for a while but Imight want to see if I can try something new the next semester. Rightnow I think I will always have the feeling of being a guest at Madame Jarre's house, there is a list of 20 rules or so, (one of them being"don't turn the bathroom into a lake," it's not our fault that thereis no shower curtain). One of the most annoying rules is no food ordrink in the room with no execptions allowed.
Anyway I have been recently trying to finalise some things that I needto be established here. I am really anxious for school to start because then I will feel I have something actaully planned and going on.
The jetlag is a bit annoying too. The city itself is pretty nice andI can't wait to start meeting people and making new friends. So farmy interatctions with people have just had a lot of confusioninvolved. My favorite conversation so far has been:
Random guy: "Is the office closed?"
Erik: "Yes"
Random guy: "Shit!"
Erik: "Agreed"
I have had some other interactions that have been more significant,the most amusing probably being between Ven and myself. With bothcan't really express to well what we are trying to say sometimes andon confusion, frustration, and amusement are the result.
Well guess that is it for now. I need to have some more adventures intown and really need to get some soap and shampoo. I am also unsurewhy there is nowhere to dry your hands in the room with the sink(there is the sink room, the toilet room, and the awkward "shower"room which is a bathtub with no shower curtain).
Ciao
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Au Revoir
I decided to create a blog to cover the events of my trip. So here it is. I am in Denver right now hanging out with friends from CU. My plane takes off on Tuesday but it is nice to have some time to just relax before my trip. I can't wait to be in France!
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