questions about France part 2

The long awaited part two of my blog is finally here! these are the rest of the answers to the questions that were asked of me! enjoy!

How do French people dress: French people dress simple. One thing I noticed as a style was dressing like your grandma. The style hasn’t hit America yet, but there are small things that are yet to come.

These shoes are a great example of what I mean. Simple yet stylish, this would be paired with a knee high skirt and a slightly baggy shirt tucked in. It's very grandma.

The same thing goes for men. Grandpa is in. fitted, NOT tight jeans are what most guys have; specifically Ones that can be roiled up easily. Slightly baggy shirts that may be v necks, and Loafers, converse, and simple “Mr. Rodgers” shoes and sweater is in as well ( these shoes also work for girls). If you want to look stylish, just think of the Mr. Rodgers style. And of course, Ray Ban glasses are a must have.

Another style that I see creeping in is the African inspired look. I see the patterns sneaking up in stores, the outfits are coming in with a western twist as well.

The next question will lead into the next one about the economy of France as well so pay close attention :)

“Are French people skinny?:” yes and this IS because of their small McDonald's.

French people (or at least those in La Rochelle) eat very healthy food and local as well. They try to avoid fast food, and every evening meal is like a feast. BUT I must say this: I feel as though French people are skinny because it is to expensive in Europe.

A a large McDonald's is our small but COSTS THE SAME AS OUR LARGE. A coffee literately comes in something the size of a Dixie cup, and you pay at least 3 euros for it. If you eat in the restaurant (no matter what it is) you pay extra. All the close stores are robbing you of your money ( in Paris) and therefor, its better to go to the supermarche and get your things, where there, every store looks like an aldi’s, or go to the outside marche, where the food is fresh and local. t

As mentioned before, everything is expensive in France. Going to the laundry mat in Paris was an ordeal. It costs 4 euro to wash my cloths, and then .80 centime to dry for 8 min! in the states I freak out about having to pay 2.50! very different! Also, since water is very expensive, showers must be taken quickly, and one must wet themselves with the water, soap, then rinse off. I think that this is a good practice to keep water.

How are the theaters and the attractions?: amazing! I feel as though I have been to every castle and church that there is in Paris. My favorite was Le Louvre, because I found some African art section and took amazing pictures that I will print out for the ASA art exhibit! I cannot wait. Part of me was mad however to see those things in France, and not in their respective countries. The Eiffel tower was amazing as well, when we were bord, we just went there to hang out. There were moments that I felt so everjoyed, and really took in the moment as to what I was doing: being bord, and just deciding to hang out at the effile tower! What a chance that I have! I'm so glad that I could expirence it. The majority of the sites are packed, but one has to know what times to go. Early in the morning works amazing for most things, and as for the Eiffel tower, we saw it in the evening and it was fine, as to which I was surprised.

What are you doing there?: Great question! Taking a French class while living with a French family. There are two schools that came with us, and some random people who came alone form other countries. I usually go to the beach after school.

There is so much about France that I could say, this expirence was something of a lifetime! thanks for all your questions. I feel that when I came back, I was somehow different, in a good way, and I made lifetime friends! I cannot wait to go back there again!

Questions about France. Partie 1

Hello my fellow readers. It has been a long time yes, but ne vous vous inquiétez pas (don’t worry in French) , I have not forgotten about you all! In fact, I have so much to say I don’t even know where to start.

After leaving Paris, we arrived in La Rochelle. It is very different in a good way. There are, of course things that I miss about Paris: the ease of getting around with the metro, the nightlife, the simplicity of talking and meeting people. But la Rochelle is different and amazing as well: the constant presence of the beach, the picturesque presence of the town, the music, festivals, and the calm atmosphere of a small town. I know that there are questions that you are dying to know, and there are things that I am dying to tell you, I just don’t know how! Or where to start! So I decided to answer a few posed to me from my inbox.

“ Is it true what they say about the French women? How are they different than Americans?”:

This came from a male. And the biggest difference is that the beach are topless, BUT many people wear their bikinis, unless they are laying down tanning, or unless you are an old grandma (which then looks like old leather)

Another question was posed to me about the French men, and all I can say for that is that they do wear Speedos when going to la plage, (the beach in French) and it is not appealing. They are a bit forceful though- I was slapped in Paris by one ( yes I slapped him back twice, I would have fought him if I was not pulled back;) and come off a bit strong when they want to go with you. This guy at a sandwich place wanted me to go to his place later on at night! He thought after a couple winks that he could get me! One guy at the Eiffel tower asked to do the same. I didn’t understand him at first, but he kept saying “amour.” I told him yes but not now because my friends were there and to give me another Eiffel tower chain please ( he was selling them) and that I would come back tomorrow. He in fact gave me two chains. I never returned.

All in all I can say that the French men and women are very open, for the women it takes a while to break them in, (perhaps why the men are so blunt) and they are not looking for foreigners like the men are. If you are at a good club, you will be sure to find a girl willing to dance with you and have a good time. If you’re a girl looking for someone to take care you that will happen with a French guy I think, but it might take some time, if your looking for someone for a short ride, then you’ll have fun!

Until next time! Partie 2 is in the editing process! More questions? Either reply or faceook me! xxx

my stay so far.

My trip to France, even though it has not really started, has been amazing so far. I have seen all the monuments I feel like one wants to see when coming here. However I would like to give a visual explanation of my stay. So here I will try to blog about my experiences and adventures.

La Sainte-Chapple, (Sainte-Chapelle Chapel) is a beautiful and large church. Build in the 13th century, this great work of architecture was the first site that we saw.

The line to get in was amazing, But it was well worth it.

This Church is very important because it is the home to many relics that deal with the death of Christ. The lower level, used to be just for the commoners.

Above: the ceiling of the lower floor. notice the colors

above: a statue. notice the stain glass windows

above: une photo de moi

the palatine chapel

this second level of the church was used for the personal use of the king. several if not all of the original work however has been destroyed. because it was built in a time when many people could not read, the use of stain glass windows as used. you read them left to right in an S shape. the ones taht we saw went from the beginning to the end of the bible through pictures. one cannot help but notice the beautiful artwork as well.

above: the second part of the church. notice the construction and restoration going on

above: the winding stairway. we had to use this to go up and go down. these were used in the past for servants to serve the king

above: some floor work.

once we left the building we saw this door, beautiful decoration:

after leaving the church, we went to the former. this place used to be connected to the upper part of the church so that the king would not have to leave to walk outside, and thus keeping his privicy. I will show you the other part, however this in another blog my fellow readers! any questions pls feel free to ask! i still have to show you:

-Notre-Dame

-Madeline Church

-the Opera

-the trenite church

-the vendome square

-the tuileries gardens

-the concorde square

-les Champs-Elyses,

-L'arch de Triumph

Paris

My long awaited trip from France is finally here. Upon my short stay, and trip from the United states, I learned a few things quickly: they are as follows:

1. The Humphrey terminal is very small and does not have enough things for me to choose from to eat.

2. I like the icelander stewardess. I like how they dress, look and smile. They have good costumer service.

3. I should be sure of myself next time I want to do anything, I should have had my headphones with me so I could avoid the crying baby.

4. The Iceland airport is sleek and clean. It is quiet, and reminded me of a movie. I loved the open doors, and I could tell that I wasn't in the States because alcohol by the bottles were being sold everywhere.

5. I've learned that the stereotype about Minnesota nice is not a stereotype, but a fact. Going into the French airport, and even the Iceland one, people were less likely to help and assist others. simple things such as excuse me, or being cut off when walking is the norm.

6. CDG airport is all that you heard. it looks very high-scale and fancy. It was beautiful ( as all of France is).

6. I learned that the French are bad drivers for real. I heard a lot about this, but actually seeing it first hand makes me nervous. There are no rules, that are followed. So be CAREFUL when crossing the street.

7. I can have a French conversation with a native French person who does not know me, or speak english in France! I did this a few times today, and I feel happy. (Well it was only once, when asking for the internet code, but I felt proud of myself. )

8. There are A LOT OF Mercedes Benz in France! That should not be surprising because they are from a European country, but in the States, these cars are seen as a luxury, where as here, the postal delivery truck is one. with my love for these cars, I found myself loving this city even more

9. There is a lot of diversity in the place that I am living. Around us are many different nationalities, including my AFRICANS! Seeing the first lappa and headtie made me feel like home.

10. I learned that me and my family are actually closer than I thought. I was the only one to have my whole family there to see me off, and to me that seamed like the natural thing to do. I also called my whole family the whole time. I thought that this part was interesting.

tomorrow:

la sainte-chapelle, la conciergerie et notre dame

goals:

talk more french

speak to the locals

dress like a French person

that is all for now, I have major jet lag. pictures to come!