It's four o'clock in the morning here in Paris and, still working through the joys of jetlag, I've been up for about two hours. I'll go back for a nap here in a bit, and hopefully end up actually getting up at some hour more reasonable by local standards. In the meantime, I thought I would throw some thoughts out into the ether.
Nick and I arrived in Paris around 1100 hours, without any events more interesting than our delayed flight. Through the miracles of melatonin, I actually caught about four hours of sleep as we cruised across the Atlantic and wasn't too much of a zombie as we caught a taxi and arrived at our rented flat. The landlord's rep was an accommodating middle-aged gentleman who stumbled through English as he walked us through the quirks and tricks of our new digs, which are quite comfortable, though stylistically reminiscent of something I would call, "Picasso's acid trip meets crocheted pot holders." Pictures will be forthcoming, but if you can't wait, check it out here.
We muddled our way through the rest of the day, poking around, unpacking, napping and finally collapsing at four o'clock, only to wake up in twelve hours. Saturday, we got up very early, made breakfast and a list of things to do before setting out to see what we could find. Our mission included power adapters (adaptateurs), groceries and monthly metro passes. It turns out that the street we live on runs straight down to the Seine, near the Louvre (about 20 minutes walk, if that) and is a bustling market street, replete with cheese shops, butchers, fruit stands, restaurants, cafes, boutiques, shoe stores, natural markets and everything else you could want. I have no doubts, that I could spend my entire trip within ten blocks and not get bored, if I chose to. We got to walk around and watch all the shops open, the markets put out their fruit and the street cleaners at their work, because really, very few people should be up at seven o'clock on a Saturday.
We killed time, waiting for shops to open by eating le petit dejeuner (breakfast) at one of the earlier opening cafes. A hot drink of your choice, orange juice and bread or croissant for 7€. It was delicious. While my life revolves primarily around food and drink, I will spare you the details this once and come back to the fabulous nuances of that simple meal in the future, as it was a more eventful day.
In spite of fighting some airline acquired bug (sore throat, fever and nausea), we found our way to a metro station and purchased our passes, got some staples for the kitchen and goodies to make a lovely dinner and then came home for a nap. While our spirits have been willing to overcome jetlag, the flesh is weak and fighting the creeping crud doesn't help. About three hours later, we struggled out of our comas and set out to find a place to buy electrical adapters.
We had our sights set on the seeming French equivalent of Best Buy (though we hoped the prices were not all as outrageous as those indicated online), but on our way, we passed a small hard/houseware shop that we decided looked promising, and probably cheaper. We wandered in and while we didn't see anything immediately, it became clear that we should probably whip out some of our killer French skills and ask. Luckily, being foggy from a cold, exhausted from jet lag and very dizzy (as a result of time-change induced rescheduling of taking some medications) helped to minimize my inhibitions, so I boldly walked up to a gentleman, with a strong, "Bonjour," and what ensued was something of a tag team effort between Nick and me, all in French which communicated our needs, with a surprising lack of confused looks from the store employee. We got what we wanted, paid, and walked out the door feeling quite accomplished, all missions successful for the day.
(I'm going to keep writing and hopefully assure you that not all posts will turn into the Slightly Mediocre American Novel.)
My last trip to Paris (six odd years ago) left me feeling very self conscious of not knowing French and with the general impression that the linguistic snobbery that Americans believe to be true of Parisians was no myth. So far this trip, I have been overwhelmingly impressed with the Parisian's willingness to help a person fumbling for French and what I have seen and experienced of the culture, I love. I'll elaborate on this more later, but right now, I am very happy to be where I am and am already dreading the day I have to go home.
Finally, regarding the title of the post. Again, four o'clock in the morning, Nick and I are both up fighting jetlag and the Parisians outside are making a, presumably, normal amount of racket at the restaurants and bars out on the main street. They are quiet most of the day, but party hard toward the wee hours of the morning. Closed windows keep the noise out quite well, but it's been warm, so we've opened them. After chuckling together about the raucous sounds of laughter that sound like nothing so much as a hysterical monkey, a huge clattering, along with whooping, shouts, whistling and singing begins. Upon investigation out the window, we discover that there is an entire cavalry parade, complete with sparkling covers, polished sabers and flowing cloaks, going down le Boulevaard de Bonne Novelle. At four in the morning. It lasted for about 15-20 minutes, and all we can guess is that it has something to do with upcoming Bastille Day festivities.
Anyway, now, after all of that nattering on, I will post this and leave you to read it (perhaps in installments?) at your leisure.
Au revoir y hasta luego!
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Rebirth!
The great part about it all? We're renting a large apartment (we have to have options to put up other coworkers who come to visit) in the center of Paris and food, lodging and transportation are all on the company's dime. For both of us. I don't know how I got this lucky, but I plan to thoroughly enjoy it.
We're currently sitting in Sea-Tac, staring out the window at the fog as it sucks up each departing airplane, while we await a delayed flight. As we attempted to log in to those handy-dandy, self-check-in kiosks, they informed us that our "original flight was delayed," and we would "miss our connecting flight." These cheerful salutations were followed by that inspiring statement, "all flights are booked for today and tomorrow." Luckily, with the assistance of a very accommodating airline rep (whose help we may have gotten illicitly by inadvertently stepping around the long, agitated line for "Additional Services") we seem to be all set up. Here's hoping it's all smooth sailing from here. I can handle a lot of unexpected travel inconveniences, but air travel is my least favorite category.
For now, I'm signing off to better observe the immense grayness that is the Seattle sky, but look for adventure updates and stories as I try to overcome Spanish vowels and trilled Rs in favor of speaking eloquently through my nose.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Epilogue I
I imagine that everyone has completely forgotten this site exists, what with my month plus hiatus and the fact that I've returned to the states and, supposedly, have no reason to keep writing. Funny thing is, life goes on, no matter what country you're in. So, I may keep writing for a bit. Even if no one is reading. I may not. I have options.
Being home has been great, though I've hardly been home in BG for any lengths of time sufficient to actually get used to it. Routine is a friend that I've been frantically avoiding since my arrival. In the past month and a half, I've been to Michigan, Seattle three times (after this coming weekend), I'm headed to Eugene next week, and sooner or later, I will, of course, be heading back to Spokane.
I periodically miss Costa Rica. I miss the food and the beaches and the jungles and the bus system (I understand it much better than I understand them here). I don't miss living with my host family. I didn't realize entirely how much it stressed me out. I like them and it was fun, but it wasn't the greatest long-term set-up for me. I was flipping through some emails I exchanged while I was gone and it really hit me how much more relaxed I am here for numerous reasons. Every time I leave the country and come home I find myself wanting to "go back but in a different capacity." I never want to wash my hands of a place, but I rarely want to have the exact same experience over. Which is okay. Growth doesn't happen if nothing changes. And frankly, high school was a blast. And I never want to do it again.
I do miss the Spanish. There is just no replacement for total immersion. I miss speaking it, I miss hearing it and I miss the constant challenge and the continuing string of defeat and success that made up every day in Costa Rica. My mom has a house cleaner who comes and the lady who works with her, Marta, is from Chile. A few days after I got back from Michigan I met her and was able to speak to her in Spanish. It felt so good. I had no problems understanding her at all. My accent and tongue waere a touch rusty, in comparison to while I was in CR but still better than when I left, I'm sure.
Anyway, that's more or less the state of life, for now. I'll be busy dancing this weekend, canning next week and then throwing the finishing touches together on a party for my parents the week after that. It'll be a fun time. Look me up.
Being home has been great, though I've hardly been home in BG for any lengths of time sufficient to actually get used to it. Routine is a friend that I've been frantically avoiding since my arrival. In the past month and a half, I've been to Michigan, Seattle three times (after this coming weekend), I'm headed to Eugene next week, and sooner or later, I will, of course, be heading back to Spokane.
I periodically miss Costa Rica. I miss the food and the beaches and the jungles and the bus system (I understand it much better than I understand them here). I don't miss living with my host family. I didn't realize entirely how much it stressed me out. I like them and it was fun, but it wasn't the greatest long-term set-up for me. I was flipping through some emails I exchanged while I was gone and it really hit me how much more relaxed I am here for numerous reasons. Every time I leave the country and come home I find myself wanting to "go back but in a different capacity." I never want to wash my hands of a place, but I rarely want to have the exact same experience over. Which is okay. Growth doesn't happen if nothing changes. And frankly, high school was a blast. And I never want to do it again.
I do miss the Spanish. There is just no replacement for total immersion. I miss speaking it, I miss hearing it and I miss the constant challenge and the continuing string of defeat and success that made up every day in Costa Rica. My mom has a house cleaner who comes and the lady who works with her, Marta, is from Chile. A few days after I got back from Michigan I met her and was able to speak to her in Spanish. It felt so good. I had no problems understanding her at all. My accent and tongue waere a touch rusty, in comparison to while I was in CR but still better than when I left, I'm sure.
Anyway, that's more or less the state of life, for now. I'll be busy dancing this weekend, canning next week and then throwing the finishing touches together on a party for my parents the week after that. It'll be a fun time. Look me up.
Friday, June 19, 2009
El Fin
Well, I leave my house in 12 hours. To get on a plane that will take me to another plane which will take me to my other house. In my other country. With my other family. With my other friends. In, what feels like, my other life.
I feel almost as antsy-nervous-excited as I did when I left for Costa Rica. The reality of the end has been slowly dawning on me since yesterday after I finalized all my paperwork with the university. Not quite here yet, but it's getting there.
In the mean time, I sleep, finish packing, eat breakfast and say goodbye for the last time. Then I'll be off on my next adventure. Wish me luck!
I feel almost as antsy-nervous-excited as I did when I left for Costa Rica. The reality of the end has been slowly dawning on me since yesterday after I finalized all my paperwork with the university. Not quite here yet, but it's getting there.
In the mean time, I sleep, finish packing, eat breakfast and say goodbye for the last time. Then I'll be off on my next adventure. Wish me luck!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Final Steps
Well, I have two days and the remainder of this one in Costa Rica, follow that up with a bag-drag on Saturday and I'll be back in good ol' BG.
I have survived/experienced: cockroaches, food poisoning, public transportation, classes in my second language, life in my second language, cold showers, boredom, exhaustion, sunburns, excessive sand everywhere, mosquito bites, information overload, homesickness, cold sickness, allergy sickness, dehydration, back pain, sleepless nights, beans, rice, beans and rice, culture shock, family shock, blisters, exhaust fumes, pollution, being hit on by drunk guys, being hit on by sober guys, catcalls, phone calls, skype calls, torrential downpours, thunder, lightening, futbol games, big ants, little ants, mean ants, smaller ants, nice ants, leafcutter ants, black ants, red ants, ants stuck in my computer (not joking), Costa Rican aunts, and several paragraphs more of poorly listed items.
Oh, and then there were some phenomenal experiences. Still digesting everything, so don't look for any dramatic summing-up style entries for a few weeks. If they even make it here, then.
The fact that I'm leaving doesn't feel real to me yet. I'm still waiting for reality to kick in and smack me in the face. Probably some time during my layover in Houston, I'll realize that I just left Costa Rica and don't know when I'll make it back here, but until then, I'm still just floating along without homework and with tons of free time. It's rather nice.
So, all that to say, it's been a blast, it's been a challenge, and thus far, I haven't failed any classes yet. Can't wait to see you all whenever I have the pleasure of doing so.
Pura vida!
I have survived/experienced: cockroaches, food poisoning, public transportation, classes in my second language, life in my second language, cold showers, boredom, exhaustion, sunburns, excessive sand everywhere, mosquito bites, information overload, homesickness, cold sickness, allergy sickness, dehydration, back pain, sleepless nights, beans, rice, beans and rice, culture shock, family shock, blisters, exhaust fumes, pollution, being hit on by drunk guys, being hit on by sober guys, catcalls, phone calls, skype calls, torrential downpours, thunder, lightening, futbol games, big ants, little ants, mean ants, smaller ants, nice ants, leafcutter ants, black ants, red ants, ants stuck in my computer (not joking), Costa Rican aunts, and several paragraphs more of poorly listed items.
Oh, and then there were some phenomenal experiences. Still digesting everything, so don't look for any dramatic summing-up style entries for a few weeks. If they even make it here, then.
The fact that I'm leaving doesn't feel real to me yet. I'm still waiting for reality to kick in and smack me in the face. Probably some time during my layover in Houston, I'll realize that I just left Costa Rica and don't know when I'll make it back here, but until then, I'm still just floating along without homework and with tons of free time. It's rather nice.
So, all that to say, it's been a blast, it's been a challenge, and thus far, I haven't failed any classes yet. Can't wait to see you all whenever I have the pleasure of doing so.
Pura vida!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
In Which Appears a List of Items United by the Sole Fact that I have Compiled Them
- Since universities in the US started getting out, the demographic in Heredia has visibly changed.
- My spelling abilities in English have gone down the tubes since I got here.
- I now appear to have internet again and thus be contactable. For the remaining 13 days of my stay.
- The US got their butts kicked in the futbol game on Wednesday. 3-1. And we barely even got away with that.
- I walked to class in the rain on Friday, got wet and then froze to death for the three hour duration of class. Cold. In Costa Rica. So strange.
- Costa Rican residence halls are very similar to those in the states, with a few exceptions: no carpets, larger refrigeradors, guys and girls share bathrooms, and every student has a rice cooker.
- I walked past a guy singing and playing electric guitar outside the Soda at the university on Thursday, thought to myself about how utterly horrible his singing was (he's not a bad guitar player but I'm pretty sure he's mostly tone deaf) and then managed to end up meeting him and hanging out with him for several hours on Friday night. Where, unfortunately, he decided to grace us (myself and friends) with his skills...luckily, he doesn't know the words to most of the English songs he plays. Led Zeppelin need not be quite so ashamed.
- I left the residence hall at 1:00, Saturday morning. Unfortunately, the guards lock the gates of the entrance so you have to grab a taxi outside. Even more unfortunately, the gates are not merely designed to keep out cars, but also casually-interested pedestrians. Ended up crawling under the gates (along with five others, not all gringos) while our bemused taxi drivers waited and watched from the comfort of their cars.
- I've been praying that my shampoo will last me til the end for the last month and a half. I think it just might do it.
- It will be good to get home where I know where the toilet paper is kept.
- We had a potluck dinner on Friday. I brought a loose rendition of Mexican Pinwheels (ie picante taquiticos mexicanos) and was surprised at how well it was received. If nothing else, I thank my mother for bringing that recipe into my life. It has saved me numerous times.
- They do not sell canned green chiles nor green onions (fresh, of course) in Costa Rica. Leastwise in Hipermas.
- Doesn't look like I'm going to make it to Arenal *sigh*
- They grandfathered me into the system! WA state recently changed a bunch of requirements for getting your endorsement in world languages. It was going to make my life very complicated. Luckily, they also put in a grace period...still only have to take one test! Not three!
- I think I'm going to need to come by some reading material for the trip home.
- This time, a year ago, I had nearly survived my first week in Nicaragua.
- I'm super psyched that I get to be home for Father's Day. Even if only just.
- "Even if only just." If that isn't a nightmare for someone learning English, I don't know what is. Barely makes sense to me, and I wrote it.
- I'm trying to figure out if I need to buy another bag to bring home the mountain of books and papers I've aquired. I don't think so...
- It's going to be very confusing to come home to PNW summer weather. Mostly, the sun going down between nine and ten. The sun has not set after six o'clock for the past nine months of my life.
- Speaking of which, I have a very poor perception of climatic "normal," right now.
- My friend asked me last night if I wished I had gone to study in Chile (which, from the things I've heard, sounds rather more developed and current than CR). I could honestly say that I did not. And it felt amazing.
- I have some friends who went bungee jumping. Watched the video. I couldn't do it. Kind of wish I could. But no.
- There's another host student coming to stay today (did I mention the last one in here?) I'm not really supposed to talk about it, lest word get back to the homestay coordinator. ISEP guarantees us a house with only one student, but my parents ran it by me (the student is from a different program and only stays for five days) and I don't mind at all. The last girl spoke no Spanish. My host mom speaks no English. I got to play translator for a week and it was kind of fun.
- Spanish capitalization rules make so much more sense than English.
- I should be studying.
- From my house, on various days, I can hear: futbol games, church bells, band practice, choir practice, choirs during mass and the beeping noise at the crosswalk two and a half blocks from my house. That last one is new. And rather annoying.
- Okay. I'm going to go study now.
- My spelling abilities in English have gone down the tubes since I got here.
- I now appear to have internet again and thus be contactable. For the remaining 13 days of my stay.
- The US got their butts kicked in the futbol game on Wednesday. 3-1. And we barely even got away with that.
- I walked to class in the rain on Friday, got wet and then froze to death for the three hour duration of class. Cold. In Costa Rica. So strange.
- Costa Rican residence halls are very similar to those in the states, with a few exceptions: no carpets, larger refrigeradors, guys and girls share bathrooms, and every student has a rice cooker.
- I walked past a guy singing and playing electric guitar outside the Soda at the university on Thursday, thought to myself about how utterly horrible his singing was (he's not a bad guitar player but I'm pretty sure he's mostly tone deaf) and then managed to end up meeting him and hanging out with him for several hours on Friday night. Where, unfortunately, he decided to grace us (myself and friends) with his skills...luckily, he doesn't know the words to most of the English songs he plays. Led Zeppelin need not be quite so ashamed.
- I left the residence hall at 1:00, Saturday morning. Unfortunately, the guards lock the gates of the entrance so you have to grab a taxi outside. Even more unfortunately, the gates are not merely designed to keep out cars, but also casually-interested pedestrians. Ended up crawling under the gates (along with five others, not all gringos) while our bemused taxi drivers waited and watched from the comfort of their cars.
- I've been praying that my shampoo will last me til the end for the last month and a half. I think it just might do it.
- It will be good to get home where I know where the toilet paper is kept.
- We had a potluck dinner on Friday. I brought a loose rendition of Mexican Pinwheels (ie picante taquiticos mexicanos) and was surprised at how well it was received. If nothing else, I thank my mother for bringing that recipe into my life. It has saved me numerous times.
- They do not sell canned green chiles nor green onions (fresh, of course) in Costa Rica. Leastwise in Hipermas.
- Doesn't look like I'm going to make it to Arenal *sigh*
- They grandfathered me into the system! WA state recently changed a bunch of requirements for getting your endorsement in world languages. It was going to make my life very complicated. Luckily, they also put in a grace period...still only have to take one test! Not three!
- I think I'm going to need to come by some reading material for the trip home.
- This time, a year ago, I had nearly survived my first week in Nicaragua.
- I'm super psyched that I get to be home for Father's Day. Even if only just.
- "Even if only just." If that isn't a nightmare for someone learning English, I don't know what is. Barely makes sense to me, and I wrote it.
- I'm trying to figure out if I need to buy another bag to bring home the mountain of books and papers I've aquired. I don't think so...
- It's going to be very confusing to come home to PNW summer weather. Mostly, the sun going down between nine and ten. The sun has not set after six o'clock for the past nine months of my life.
- Speaking of which, I have a very poor perception of climatic "normal," right now.
- My friend asked me last night if I wished I had gone to study in Chile (which, from the things I've heard, sounds rather more developed and current than CR). I could honestly say that I did not. And it felt amazing.
- I have some friends who went bungee jumping. Watched the video. I couldn't do it. Kind of wish I could. But no.
- There's another host student coming to stay today (did I mention the last one in here?) I'm not really supposed to talk about it, lest word get back to the homestay coordinator. ISEP guarantees us a house with only one student, but my parents ran it by me (the student is from a different program and only stays for five days) and I don't mind at all. The last girl spoke no Spanish. My host mom speaks no English. I got to play translator for a week and it was kind of fun.
- Spanish capitalization rules make so much more sense than English.
- I should be studying.
- From my house, on various days, I can hear: futbol games, church bells, band practice, choir practice, choirs during mass and the beeping noise at the crosswalk two and a half blocks from my house. That last one is new. And rather annoying.
- Okay. I'm going to go study now.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Wrapping Up
17 days. 8 classes. Two finals. Two projects. Two flights. Home.
That's a brief summary of my immediate future anyway. Unfortunately, it does not look to include any volcanoes or convenient internet service. My household internet seems to have inexplicably disappeared and due to the joys of dealing with large corporations everywhere, I can't find a real person to talk to for the life of me. Ergo, looks like I may be hard to get a hold of for the remainder of my trip. Since that's only about two and a half weeks, shouldn't be too big a deal.
Anyway, not much to send out into the interweb today. The end of semester in Costa Rica plays out very similarly to the end of semester at home: study, cram, pretend to study, pretend to cram, cobble together beautiful powerpoint presentations which hopefully cover your lack of actual preparation...no really, sometimes I'm a good student. Actually, I'm a good student in the classes that interest me and seem worth my while. Unfortunately, most of my projects are in the class that I really couldn't care less about. I'm just hoping to scrape a disinterested passing grade in that class and then run with it.
Today is the big Costa Rica vs US futbol game in San Jose and sadly, in spite of being here, I didn't manage to get my hands on a ticket in time, so I'll probably be stuck watching it on tv. Still haven't decided who to root for; I figure if I just wear red, white and blue and cheer for everything, I'll be safe.
Anyway, I've avoided my homework quite long enough. Hope you are all doing well and I'll be in touch with everyone as soon as I can be.
Pura vida.
That's a brief summary of my immediate future anyway. Unfortunately, it does not look to include any volcanoes or convenient internet service. My household internet seems to have inexplicably disappeared and due to the joys of dealing with large corporations everywhere, I can't find a real person to talk to for the life of me. Ergo, looks like I may be hard to get a hold of for the remainder of my trip. Since that's only about two and a half weeks, shouldn't be too big a deal.
Anyway, not much to send out into the interweb today. The end of semester in Costa Rica plays out very similarly to the end of semester at home: study, cram, pretend to study, pretend to cram, cobble together beautiful powerpoint presentations which hopefully cover your lack of actual preparation...no really, sometimes I'm a good student. Actually, I'm a good student in the classes that interest me and seem worth my while. Unfortunately, most of my projects are in the class that I really couldn't care less about. I'm just hoping to scrape a disinterested passing grade in that class and then run with it.
Today is the big Costa Rica vs US futbol game in San Jose and sadly, in spite of being here, I didn't manage to get my hands on a ticket in time, so I'll probably be stuck watching it on tv. Still haven't decided who to root for; I figure if I just wear red, white and blue and cheer for everything, I'll be safe.
Anyway, I've avoided my homework quite long enough. Hope you are all doing well and I'll be in touch with everyone as soon as I can be.
Pura vida.
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