Greetings from the beautiful Alpine story book land of Chamonix. It feels like I am in line at the Matterhorn and I love it. My favorite place on the tour so far.
Video and picture postings to come soon from the top of the Alps at Aiguille du Midi, but for now, a preview...gondolas, body odor, snowfall, and violent hand gestures.
Peace, love, and snow in summer,
hillstead
Saturday, July 9, 2011
French Etiquette on the Riviera
It has been 10 years since I took French with Monsieur Wrenn, yet I feel like I can communicate semi bien in France. Here are some useful tips I learned from him, not only as his student, but as an excited traveler...
1. Formality is key...saying bonjour monsieur, bonjour Madame as you enter and leave go a long way in any boulangerie, patisserie, or restaurant.
2. S'il vous plait and merci with a smile will get you a return smile 90% of the time (not as effective as the 94% bend and snap return smile, but close)
3. Pardonez moi, excusez moi are useful phrases when passing anyone in a busy subway, street, or marketplace. People will usually respond well to this.
4. It is acceptable to ignore men or gypsies in the street, because if you greet them with eye contact or a smile, it is invitation for them to invade your personal space. But if you are into either one or both, I support you.
5. Apparently is against the law to walk in the streets of the Riviera with your bare torso exposed.
6. Apparently it is also frowned upon to walk into a restaurant wearing hootchie shorts and a camp appropriate one piece in a restaurant (personal experience).
7. When an elderly woman screams behind you, she may startle you to the point where you pee a little, but she could very easily be communicating with her dog who ran around the corner to get in some good snide at the local garbage can. (personal experience)
happy and safe traveling,
hillstead
1. Formality is key...saying bonjour monsieur, bonjour Madame as you enter and leave go a long way in any boulangerie, patisserie, or restaurant.
2. S'il vous plait and merci with a smile will get you a return smile 90% of the time (not as effective as the 94% bend and snap return smile, but close)
3. Pardonez moi, excusez moi are useful phrases when passing anyone in a busy subway, street, or marketplace. People will usually respond well to this.
4. It is acceptable to ignore men or gypsies in the street, because if you greet them with eye contact or a smile, it is invitation for them to invade your personal space. But if you are into either one or both, I support you.
5. Apparently is against the law to walk in the streets of the Riviera with your bare torso exposed.
6. Apparently it is also frowned upon to walk into a restaurant wearing hootchie shorts and a camp appropriate one piece in a restaurant (personal experience).
7. When an elderly woman screams behind you, she may startle you to the point where you pee a little, but she could very easily be communicating with her dog who ran around the corner to get in some good snide at the local garbage can. (personal experience)
happy and safe traveling,
hillstead
Friday, July 8, 2011
Fireworks on the 4th of July
Although the French have no reason to celebrate America's independence, our students in France certainly wanted to...
Nick and I just finished bed checks at midnight, which is an adventure itself. From entering freshmen girls' rooms that look like they have exploded (after only seven hours of occupancy) to students answering their doors in every outfit imaginable, we never knew what we would get (I felt like Forrest Gump just now, and now curiously craving a box of chocolates). After every student was safely in their rooms, watching everything from cartoons to French porn (according to a roomful of boys) Nick and I hear this crazy firework being ignited and thrown out a window, crashing in the courtyard of the quaint hotel. We immediately run to the assumed culprit, who had showed off his impressive firework collection only a few minutes ago. He too, was running to tell us that he did not light off the fireworks. He even showed us his sealed packages...One of the parents found the evidence the next morning, yet no one is willing to admit who showed their love for America last night. I better get out my private investigating notebook and start asking questions...
Happy independence for some, but not for all,
hillstead
Nick and I just finished bed checks at midnight, which is an adventure itself. From entering freshmen girls' rooms that look like they have exploded (after only seven hours of occupancy) to students answering their doors in every outfit imaginable, we never knew what we would get (I felt like Forrest Gump just now, and now curiously craving a box of chocolates). After every student was safely in their rooms, watching everything from cartoons to French porn (according to a roomful of boys) Nick and I hear this crazy firework being ignited and thrown out a window, crashing in the courtyard of the quaint hotel. We immediately run to the assumed culprit, who had showed off his impressive firework collection only a few minutes ago. He too, was running to tell us that he did not light off the fireworks. He even showed us his sealed packages...One of the parents found the evidence the next morning, yet no one is willing to admit who showed their love for America last night. I better get out my private investigating notebook and start asking questions...
Happy independence for some, but not for all,
hillstead
Forty Teenagers and an Autobus
It feels good to be back on blogger. For the past six days, I have been on tour with forty teenagers, four parents, four teachers, one guide, one bus driver, and an autobus. We started in the medieval walled city of Carcassonne.
Fun history fact: the starving townspeople of Carcassonne prevented invasion by feeding a pig to its maximum limit, then hauling this full-bellied pig over the ramparts. This showed the invaders that their town was thriving so much that they could afford to feed their animals these giant meals. The invaders turned around, intimidated by the assumed strength, wealth, and power of Carcassonne.
Next stop...Les Angles.
Chocolate croissant love,
hillstead
Fun history fact: the starving townspeople of Carcassonne prevented invasion by feeding a pig to its maximum limit, then hauling this full-bellied pig over the ramparts. This showed the invaders that their town was thriving so much that they could afford to feed their animals these giant meals. The invaders turned around, intimidated by the assumed strength, wealth, and power of Carcassonne.
Next stop...Les Angles.
Chocolate croissant love,
hillstead
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Toulouse Top Ten
Bonjour mes amis et ma famille! Left Toulouse this morning at 7am and headed off to pick up the students...Now in Carcassone, a well restored Medieval walled city and popular board game. My top ten list for Toulouse (in no particular order) to wrap up my ten day stay in the South of France...
10. Walking the streets of Toulouse reminds me of Salamanca, Spain.
9. The Place Capitole lit up at night with bustling cafes.
8. The boulangeries on nearly every street corner filled with freshly baked baguettes, tarts, and chocolate croissants.
7. There is an aisle at Auchan entirely devoted to ham.
6. The tango dancing in Place St. Georges at midnight.
5. Cafe au lait in the morning, espresso and hot water at night.
4. Rose wine
3. Skyping with my mom, Christine, and my grandpa
2. Incredibly rich dinners with my fabulously entertaining colleagues and adult chaperones
1. The beauty of Southern France.
Cheers and sword fights,
hillstead
10. Walking the streets of Toulouse reminds me of Salamanca, Spain.
9. The Place Capitole lit up at night with bustling cafes.
8. The boulangeries on nearly every street corner filled with freshly baked baguettes, tarts, and chocolate croissants.
7. There is an aisle at Auchan entirely devoted to ham.
6. The tango dancing in Place St. Georges at midnight.
5. Cafe au lait in the morning, espresso and hot water at night.
4. Rose wine
3. Skyping with my mom, Christine, and my grandpa
2. Incredibly rich dinners with my fabulously entertaining colleagues and adult chaperones
1. The beauty of Southern France.
Cheers and sword fights,
hillstead
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