Americans are loud

Friday night Kate, Jonathan (from South Carolina), and Daniel (from Brazil) went to the Cinema to see Up in the Air. They show a few American movies with French subtitles here, so that's pretty nice when we need our American fix. The tickets were only 4 euros! Cheaper than in the states to go to the movies!! As normal, us Americans searched for the concession stands. I wanted to see if they had a similar setup here as at home. We followed the signs and they led us to...a vending machine. Haha. Not quite the same popcorn, soda, icee setting!

During the movie, there were some really funny parts so naturally, we all laughed. Maybe it was that the other french people at the theater did not understand the humor, or that they just don't laugh during movies, but the four us were busting out laughing super loud and not a single other chuckle could be heard in the theater. I have actually been told by some French people that Americans tend to laugh much louder than the French. Well we sure proved this! To make matters worse (or funnier), Kate brought some gummy bear candies (ofcourse we need treats during the movie!) and every time any of us ate some we made really loud plastic bag crinkling sounds...damn Americans and their junk food and their noisemaking...haha I swear no one else made a peep in that theater! Oh well.

As for the noise levels, I have noticed in my classes that the French speak very softly. Even if we are in a class of 50 people. I can barely understand the language as it is and then when they raise their hand and whisper their answer to the teacher, I am totally out of luck. This is definitely not the case for Kate, Chip, and I, as it is shocking when we speak in class because we are so much louder than everybody else! Everything is bigger in America, even our voices!

Vichy

Word of the day: "Ferme" = closed

We did not have class today so decided to take a day trip to Vichy, which is a small town near Clermont. It was only a 30 minute train ride. The weather has been pretty nice here lately...until today. It's just like Kansas where mother nature will tease you with some nice weather and then come swooping back in with cold. In Vichy, it happened to be snowing pretty good...the whole day! It was pretty snow, and we braved the weather and saw what we could in the little town.

The town of Vichy has a little bit of a dark history as it was declared the capital for the Germans during Nazi-occupied France in WWII. The French do not like to talk about this, and we saw no remnants of the war or memorials in the town. The town prides itself, however, on its "sources" which are fountains of water considered to have healing properties. One is supposed to drink these for health and wellness. All of the 'sources' were closed because of the season. Bummer. I will have to return to have some of this special water. The town is also known for some good shopping, however, many of the stores were closed...because of the season? haha. We enjoyed walking around and observing the cute and oh so french architecture, as well as the large parks. When it came time for lunch, "food swings" it as we were all very hungry. The first two restaurants we went to were closed. haha. A restaurant closed for lunch! So French. We finally found a little Italian joint and had some pastas, pizzas, and wine.

The town was nice, alas, walking through the snow only sufficed for so long before we decided to get back on the train to Clermont, and into our beds for a little sieste.

The Weekend!

Word of the Day: "Les flechettes" = darts

This weekend was a nice relief from the intensive week of classes. We just had one class all week, International Management, from 8:30-5 everyday. It was in English, however, so easier for me to understand, but also kind of a step back from speaking French, so maybe that was not so good. Thursday night there was a party put on by a student organization as a sort of "back to school" get together. There was an open bar and lots of dancing. I'm still trying to get used to the continuous techno when we dance...its pretty much the same beat over and over! I am amazed, however, at the difference between how French boys dance vs. American boys. They are actually good! The french boys will just go out and dance for fun, not just to dance with girls. I was pretty impressed!

Friday night we went out to dinner with the South Carolina students and the Brazilians to my favorite restaurant in town, "La Pescajoux." It is a galette and creperie restaurant. (these particular galettes are like savory crepes). The place is run by this adorable couple who recognized Kate, Chip, and I from last time. The woman, Vincente, warned us she would pull our ears if we didn't finish our food (which happened to Chip last time!). I had a galette with chicken, curry, mushrooms, onions, and bechamel sauce...so delicious! For dessert my crepe had pistachio ice cream, hot chocolate sauce, and chantilly cream....ahhh it was amazing!! Anyone who comes to visit me I will take you to this restaurant! :) After dinner we went out for drinks and when the regular bars closed at 2am we thought it would be a good idea to try one of the clubs in town that is open until 5am...hmm maybe it was not such a good idea! haha it was pretty fun but needless to say I was not feeling so hot the next morning!

Saturday afternoon a bunch of people went to an Irish pub to watch the local rugby team play. It's just like home, sitting in a bar, having some beers, and watching a football game! Except I don't really know what's going on...haha. We won though! Go ASM!

Last night was a more relaxing night and the two previous were pretty crazy! We played darts at a bar called "3 Monkeys" down the street from our apartment. An evening a bit reminiscent of home because darts is just darts! Mateuz, our Polish friend killed us, however, claiming, "he used to play a little bit..."

Not sure what's in store for this week!

France vs. United States

2.5 weeks into living in France, here are some observations I have made comparing this country to the U.S.

1. There is in fact dog poop on the sidewalks...everywhere. No little poop bag dispensers here!

2. The country shuts down on Sundays, pretty much everything is closed.

3. There are 82383437489 different kinds of cheeses here and I love it!

4. They have yet to invent ice in this country. Hello lukewarm liquids!

5. Don't even think about ordering a "tall, grande, or venti latte" here. Coffee comes in two sizes, espresso and espresso with a little bit of milk. BUT...it's actually much better tasting.

6. "Entree" in French actually means what we would think of as an appetizer or first course, not the main course as we call it in the States.

7. The french terms, "C'est la vie" and "laissez-faire" really do apply to all aspects of life here. No hurry, no problem, don't worry about it.

8. Garbage disposals do not exist. Bummer.

9. Peanut butter is not a hot commodity here as it is at home. 5 euros (about $7.50) for one little jar!

That's all for now...I'm sure the list will grow as I continue my adventures...

Ignorance is Bliss

Sometimes you just don't need to know everything...

Kate, Chip, and I just had lunch with our landlord, Yves. It was at a cute and oh so french restaurant in the back of a wine store called "La Cave du vin de Louis." Great wine, but the food...well it was different. Now, I don't think it would have been so bad had Yves not explained to us what exactly everything was. The first plate, the "entree" was a charcuterie and salad. "Charcuterie" is essentially a mix of meats, and in this case we were served up some "la tete de couchon" (pig brains), goat intestines, liver, and stomach, and the last shall remain unknown. If I had not known the exact contents of each piece, I would not have been so hesitant to eat them...alas, I did, therefore each bite consisted of some salad, bread, a chunk of meatstuff and then a giant gulp of wine. Haha. After awhile I found myself with no more salad, no more bread, an empty glass of wine and still a lot of charcuterie left. Oy vay. Yves made a joke that I liked the wine better than the charcuterie...boy you could say that!!

For the meal, Yves ordered two plats of andouillette and two plats of confit de canard for us all to share. When they arrived he took one of the andouillettes and gave the other to Chip, and the canard for Kate and I. Yes! Andouillette is a mix of cow stomach and intestines in a sausage form, as Yves so clearly explained. The other option that we did not order was Kidney...Yves thought that would be too strong for us. Ha. I did try some of the andouillette and it was and weird texture...I just tried to put as many potatoes as I could with each bite. The confit de canard was pretty good (duck), was glad to have that over the other. Poor Chip.

Next, there was a cheese plate with some regional cheeses, some more aged then others. One was a cantal from the Auvergne region (where I am). Yves told us it was "interdit" in the States (banned) because as he told us, if you looked under a microscope at the rind you would see little "animals." I assume he meant microbes, and you know us Americans like everything sterile. It was another tidbit he probably didn't need to share with us. I am a fan of strong cheese but I'll have to say this one tasted like foot. Ha.

When I did not think I had room for more, they brought out slices of galette, which is like a pastry dessert, and this one had crushed almonds and such in it. This, I would say, was the best part of the meal, however I was so full I couldn't eat the whole slice.

No one can say I have not had a true French meal...sometimes, however, you just don't need to know everything about everything you've got in front of you.

Kisses and Classes

Word of the Day: "Gestion" = Management

Have a I learned much else today? Not really.

Today was the first day of classes...all in French. This morning was Management Strategique and this afternoon, Resources Humaines. I'd say I can understand about 60% of what they are saying if I am really concentrating. If I zone out for a moment, all is lost. I tried to make some jokes to the French guy sitting next to me and he just glared. Apparently I'm not so charming here...hopefully I can penetrate the French students' icy exteriors soon.

We have actually made friends with some of the undergraduate French students here, because they have a little welcome international students group. I'm becoming accustomed to the "bisous" (kisses) when greeting someone. Its very different kissing people every time you meet or see them. I'm still not sure about all the logistics of the gesture...do you still kiss someone even if you don't like them? What if they smell? :)

We have also made friends with the international kids, because we are all kind of the minority here. There's a mix of kids from South Carolina, Italy, Brazil, Mexico, Poland, Germany, Russia, and Spain. It's a pretty good group! We are doing a pot luck on Sunday...should be a good mix of cuisines!

Ciao for now!

Settled In, Rugby, Basketball

First stop was: Crans-Montana, Switzerland to visit Ashley
Current: Clermont-Ferrand, France

It took about a week to finally get settled in here in Clermont-Ferrand. It was a little rocky at first trying to find a place to live and I am still getting adjusted to the French way of life. C'est la vie!

I am living with the two other students from KU, Kate and Chip. We managed to find a pretty big apartment, owned by this lovely couple, Brigitte and Yves. They had us over for dinner last night, a real French meal in a real French home! We had fois gras, carrot soup, sausage, potatoes, and cheese! It was very nice. We had to rush through dinner a bit, however, because Yves was gearing up to watch the rugby match Clermont-Ferrand vs. Toulouse. He took us out to the bar, "The Three Monkeys" to watch the game. Chip and Yves were giving Kate and I the rundown on the rules of Rugby. I still don't completely understand the game...but I'm learning!

After the rugby match, which C-F won, wahoo!, we went to an internet cafe to watch the KU vs. Tennessee basketball game. Yves sat with us and watched the game as well...unfortunately KU did not play their best and managed to lose the first game of the season. It worked out that the game was on 3:30pm Central time so we were able to catch it at 10:30 French time. If they are later...we may have to stay up until the wee hours of the morning!

No classes today...still awaiting my schedule....ah French ambiguity. Embrace it!

Au revoir!