Adventure in France: May 2010

Ok. So the first week of May was a week of profité-ing (enjoying) my last week in Paris, without classes ! The last friday of school, April 30th, some of my great girlfriends and I (not all, hannah and candice, I miss youuu !) went for a a boat ride on the seine. We had champagne, we got mooned, we shed some tears and shared hugs and kisses, it really was a wonderful way to say, not goodbye, but of course, you are wonderful and we will be friends for life ! haha. After words I met up with Jonathan and his friends to drink next to the river with some new-found English friends. It was a night of spontaneous fun and frivolity, one I won't soon forget.

Let's see, what else did I do? I went to Buttes-Chaumont for a picnic, a beautiful and absolutely immense (in Paris size) park. The flowers were blooming, and although the weather this week has been a bit chillier, the signs of spring are showing, the tourists are in full form...there are picnics to be had and long walks to be taken ! I did my very best to take advantage of everything fun and interesting. During the week that happened to include a few things on my "to do list" : Eating at le Réfuge (fondue and wine in baby bottles), going to the Petit Palais to see the collections and architecture, and going to the Musée Marmottan. --this is a must see. Not only is there a wonderful collection of many centuries worth of paintings, but there is currently an awesome exhibit manuscripts (yes...it's a nerd speaking).

Let's see...what else did I do ? I spent some time with my friends before they left, I spent some time with my host family before I left them. I got to see a most wonderfl friend and man, Carl Grapentine ! For those who don't know him, Carl is the voice of the Michigan Marching Band (for over 40 years, mind you !) and he is the voice of Michigan Stadium, not to mention his classical music station in Chicago ! We had a lovely café together near the hotel du Louvre, and I went to a most wonderful ballet with him at the Opéra Garnier the night before I made the big depart for Paris. That night I also happened to crash down the metro stairs, bruises still on my knees to this day (what a way to say good bye to the city !). ah well...here, look at pictures !

Now, I'm in the south of France, my parents are here, hooray ! This past weekend was a roadtrip in the South of France, and tomorrow my parents are coming to stay with me for a few days before they take off on Saturday :( It's been so nice having them here, and having parent with such an adventurous spirit. They've rented a car, made Montpellier their hub and have been zooming around place to place, taking beautiful pictures and seeing beautiful things (like Cassis, today, for example). Me ? well, I went to Carcassone, Arles, Sète, Agde, Montpellier, and Toulon, stopping here and there to take in the scenery, :) Life is good, but I do miss my life in paris. Recently, I've been a bit sad, emotional, and feeling some stress, and now I know that cause. I am experiencing a bit of a new culture shock; my wonderful study abroad friends have mostly gone, most of my good friends are working and living in Paris or in the States, and I am in a totally different, smaller, though beautiful place in France. It is a new experience, and with all new experiences there is a little storm before things calm down and life gets on a steady path again.

Things I enjoy ? Relaxing time in the evenings, walking to the old city centre and having a café at Cardamone, meeting new and friendly people at work, cooking for myself with tasty freshness from the bakeries and markets. Things I have planned ? Work at the Vineyard of course, where I do some sales, occupy myself with tasks of the office nature, and help in the marketing sector ! It's in a beautiful spot in Montagnac, France, and it is quite a successful and interesting business. Most wines are under 10 euros and their quality is exceptional. I'll keep this updated more regularly now that my life isn't wrapped up in schoolwork ! Be prepared for a full Pézenas Saturday Market Review coming this weekend and more travel reports...and now some pictures !