Travel

Travel is one of my favorite words in the entire English language. And the French word for travel, voyager, is even better. "Travel" for me conjures images of passports, foreign lands, the monuments, post cards, good food and wine, and meeting cool people. But Im sure travel means a little something different to everyone: perhaps to someone in business, travel is another word for work, or for a family constantly on the move, it could mean uprooting yet again. Point being, we can all attach our own meaning to the word.
But back to my meaning of travel. To me, stepping on an airplane is like stepping into a magical space ship that can transplant me to a whole new world. This may sound a little dramatic, and even outright cheesy, but it is the truth for me. I am not well traveled, I am only in my third ever visited country. However, I am slowly but surely changing that fact of my life. Each of my three experiences have been extremely different: everything from the purpose of the trip all the way up to how I passed my time. My first international expedition was to the Bahamas on a day cruise with my two best friends from high school. We were in Florida to celebrate high school graduation, and more importantly- celebrating our upcoming lives as college students. The day at the Bahamas was passed being a total tropics tourist and spending some quality time with mother nature's aqua blue Caribeean. The day was a blast- and I certainly made great memories!
My second international excursion was a mission trip to Jamaica. I went with my home church, First Baptist of Morganton. This trip was right before I departed for college, and it was a wonderful way to align my priorites before heading out on my own. We were not allowed to bring cell phones, ipods, electronics, etc. That week was truly one of the best in my life. There was no air conditioning, I took cold showers, drank syrupy juice, and was under the hot sun all day. Yet these circumstances came together to give me one of the most gratifying experiences I have yet to experience in my short 20 years. It was euphoric to take a week out of my mundane life, and really see and live among another culutre. Looking back on the journal entries from that trip is one of my favorite pass times.
Finally, I am here on my third international trip, studying abroad in France. Which is basically one of my top life dreams. Its really surreal to finally be living one of my life dreams, which I thought would never come true because of money. Travel is not cheap,but it does not have to be catastrophically expensive either. Like anything in life- its a matter of priority. Would I rather go shopping and have stuff, eat good food, have a cafe everyday, or have weekend trips? I would like to check yes to all of the above, but thats an option. I do a little of all, but my emphasis is to be able to travel to other cities and countries. I want to make the most of my time here in Europe, because who knows when I will return? The reality is that if I am fortunate enough to return, it will probably be a. for work or b. with a troop of my own, complaining about their nerd of a mom needing to make every stop. The point of a and b is to point out that I intend to travel during a time in my life where I can be selfish, and indulge in what I want to. If I want to pass the day sitting in a plaza, eating a baguette or gealto, I can do that. If I want to spend the day exploring castles or museums at my own pace, I can do that.
Further, Im not sure how this experience will shape me. It will affect me, because both my other trips have affected me in some form. Next week I am planning on a trip to switzerland, and later in the semster, Greece! I really look forward to seeing these places, smelling the food, and meeting the people. It is my promise to myself to keep traveling and exploring after this semester. I may be a dreamer, but I know that I have to continue my travels. I would really like to go to South America, particularly Brazil, sooner than later :).
But, for right now, I have a fresh salad, glass of wine, trench of bread, and hot dinner to enjoy in Grenoble.

Getting Settled

Im finally getting into a routine with school starting, and in my host family. Each day, I start to feel a little more at home, and a little less like a guest. It is hard merging into a new culture and family at the same time. While it has been a great experience, and I would suggest a home stay to anyone planning to study abroad; it is not the most easy task to walk into a home, knowing you will be living there for an extended period. I really like my host parents alot; they are very laid back, and let me do as I please. They do correct my French, which is good. I never realized how much I did not know until I lived with people! My host mother and I had a difficult time communicating about something as simple as laundry today; last night she hung up my garments to dry, and this morning they were not quite dry. I went out for a run today, and I wanted to express to her that I did not forget my laundry, nor expect her to. I essentially wanted to say that it was still drying, and I would get it when I returned. I did not know how exactly to say this in French, and she did not quite understand my English version. Eventually, with the use of hand gestures, I was able to talk to her. I know that as the semester progresses, I will learn more French, but I have a feeling this was one of the first of many awkward language sitations.

life in Grenoble

I have been living here in Grenoble for not even a week, and I am falling in love with the city. It is very old, it was occupied by the Romans, and has endured since. The French Revolution actually began in Grenoble; Louis xiv sent troops to shut to the sector of Grenoble's parliament, and in revolt, the citizens got on top of their roof tops and threw tiles onto the marching soldiers.
The history dork I may be, I know my followers arent reading for a history lesson. The city has many small shops all over, and I spent this past Saturday strolling about the city looking at all the interesting what nots. I began my day with a raspberry purchase from the outdoor market right outside my host family's house. I walked around the streets for a while, perusing a book store, porcelain shop, and boutiques. I went to Monoprix, which is essentially a French Target, and bought a purse. Then I had a croque monsieur, which is a grilled cheese with egg and cheese toasted on the outside in a little kiosque bar. Then I bought a chocolate pastry, and sat in the Place de Notre Dame and simply people watched for about thirty minutes. There is so much beauty and peace to be found by having a cafe and pastry on a balmy Saturday.
Grenoble is flanked by three mountain ranges, and one of the ranges is snow capped and perfectly fits the description of a French mountain range. My tram ride to school consists of this view. I love Grenoble because it has every element of city life that I love, yet there is hiking, skiing, nature all around me, that is not even twenty minutes away.
Most of the people I have encoutnered here are very nice and welcoming. I enjoy going out to a pub and having a drink with my friends. We also enjoy walking around towm, exploring.
I could write so much more, but words do no justice. THe mountain air is crisp and cold, and the view is maginificent. I am truly one blessed girl, and I am so thankful that I have this opportunity.

First Night with Host Family

I arrived in Grenoble this evening around 5:oo(17heures, in France) after a 3 hour train ride from France. The scenery is gorgeous throughout the French countryside-rolling emerald green hills, old farmhouses made from stucco and stone. As we approached Grenoble, the snow capped French Alps were in full view. So beautiful! However, lets rewind about 4 hours before this train stop. When boarding the train, there was barely enough room on the train to accommodate everyone's luggage! We were all going through the train, baggage and all, trying to find "an inn" that would take our baggage. I do not think I have ever received more glares in life. Of course, everything worked out, and so began the journey to Grenoble.
Once in Grenoble, my host mother, Sabine, greeted me and took me the house. They live right in the center of town, near all the fun places. The metro is easily accesible, and there is a fresh market outside their home every morning! They live in a very old house, which is connected to an apartment building. You go through the building, out a door, and enter a little courtyard. Their house is through this courtyard. Their home is two stories, and very petite, yet large. The rooms are small, but everything is very compact. The shower is the most interesting- they have a mosaic surrounding the bathroom, but no curtain. They have one of those stretchy shower heads that moves, and basically, you have to squat down and manuever the shower head where you need it. Can you say quick shower!
My host parents Joel and Sabine are very nice. Sabine, the mother, speaks English, but Joel does not. Alors, I speak French all the time here. Yes, I will come home fluent. They are artists, Sabine a sculptor, and Joel is a modern artist. Their work is very good, and very pretty.
Tomorrow I will be given a tour of the city, and I will do a little shopping/exploring. Every January and July, France has HUGE sales in ALL of their stores, and I will hit those up. Not too much though :).

Journey Begining

I am leaving for France in 4 days! This is so hard to believe, as I have dreamt of going to France for as long as I can remember. I chose my college in part becaus of their study abroad office! I am so excited for this experience, and I think there are only a couple people who truly understand how elated I am. I can not wait to walk the streets of Paris, and FINALLY see the Eifel Tower in person! I feel like I may cry just a little bit as my plane descends into Paris, and I see the city of dreams from the bird's eye view. But I am so much more excited to begin my journey in Grenoble! It is a charming city nestled in a valley of the French Alps. When I saw this city, I knew that this would be the place for me! It had every aspect of a city one could want, and yet it has the charm of the mountains nearby. I think this is the best of both worlds, a little city and a little country. I am very much so looking forward to meeting my host parents, who are artists living in the city center! They live near the city cathedral and the shops, restaurants, pubs, cafes, boutiques, and museums. I think getting to know my host parents will be one of the very best parts of this experience. I have started my family goodbyes, and that is very difficult for me. Its a little bit sad, but I know that the time will fly. For now, I am going to focus on enjoying my last few days at home!