Friday I woke up at 8 to get ready to go to Giverny. I wore a cute orange ruffley dress and my new sandals. It was me, Kara, Lynn and Attiya and we headed to the train station to figure out where we were going. The metro was pretty short so we got there with plenty of time but then we had to find the train that would take us to Giverny. We tried buying our tickets at a little kiosk and they wouldn't accept any of our credit cards despite the fact that there was a sign saying they take Visa and Master Card. We then find out that the ticket office isn't opening until ten because yesterday was a holiday. Our train was supposed to leave at 10:20 so needless to say we were nervous.
The office finally opened and we had to elbow our way past some grannys to secure a spot. We got our tickets but the guy working there seemed really confused and I wasn't sure he was aware he was at his job. He couldn't figure out the change. I gave you 20 bucks and the ticket is 19.80. Even Caitlin can do that kind of subtraction. He was strugglin. We got our tickets and got a little snack, I got a Diet Coke, and headed to the platform. We hopped on the train and it was so crowded people were just sitting in the aisle, on the stairs, on any available platform. We picked a set of stairs and met a nice mom from Philadelphia. There was some little kid screeching the entire time which was lovely. The train ride was about 45 minutes long and then we got to Vernon and had to run to get on this big bus to take us to Giverny.
We finally got there around noon or something and waited in line to go to Claude Monet's house. I was starving so I got a hotdog that was encased in a balloon. It was the strangest thing I had ever seen, but I ate it anyways. The bread was really good so that was nice to snack on. Lynn and Attiya are stupid and didn't bring cash with them and Giverny is a really small town so there were no ATMs. Not my problem. While standing in the long line in the hot sun we talked to this adorable old couple from Canada that has been all over the world. They are also a fan of Rick Steve's and knew the hotel that mom and dad are staying at. They were fun to talk to. I like old people. We finally got inside made our way through the gardens. It was really beautiful except that it hasn't rained in like 7 or 8 weeks and you could tell the plants were really thirsty. We walked through the gardens and then to the lily pad pond and it was very pretty. Even though it was packed with people it was still very peaceful. I took a lot of pictures of flowers.
Then we made our way into the house and you couldn't take any pictures but it was very quaint and had his artwork all over. The rooms have been preserved and they are in the same spots and positions as when Monet lived there. They had a few photos of him in the rooms and it was cool to see that they were the exact same. I loved the bedroom upstairs. It has these big windows that open to the gardens and it was so pretty. The dining room and kitchen area were also really pretty. The kitchen was where the stove and all the prep work would be done and it was this pretty blue and it also had a ton of natural light. The dining area was very informal because I think of it like a kitchen. It was yellow and had a little glow to it. It also had big door windows you could open up. The table was huge too it seated like 8 people. I really enjoyed going through the house. It was very calming and serene.
We walked around for a bit and just looked at the town. It is really small and the streets are really narrow. The old couple was telling us that ten or fifteen years ago, Giverny wasn't in any of the guide books or recommended places to go and now it is something you have to see. That was pretty interesting. We walked to this church where Claude Monet is buried, but there are a lot of graves there so I'm not sure which was his....they had a memorial for a British plane that went down and so they had a replica of a propeller blade to commemorate it. Lynn and Attiya had an attitude and any time I asked what everyone wanted to do and gave options they didn't say anything. It is really annoying dealing with people. We decided to just head back because everyone was really tired from being in the hot sun.
We got to the spot where the bus dropped us off and we had to wait a solid forty minutes for the next one and of course all the benches were in the sun. Some people lined up to wait for the bus and I'm like forget that I am going to run at that thing and make sure I get a seat. And that is exactly what I did. The bus took us back to the train station where we had to wait another fifty minutes for the next train. It was the dumbest thing of my life. The train finally came at five and we got seats this time and everyone fell asleep except me. We took the metro back and there was this creepy old drunk guy yelling at all the girls on the train. Shut up dude you're annoying. We got off and headed to trust Subway because I had coupons. I inhaled my sandwich and it was amazing. Then I Skyped with Anthony for a bit which was nice and then got ready for the night.
Gabby had talked to some kids from Negocia that invited us to go out with them. Um..we drank a little bit then had to leave and it took a solid hour to get there because it was like across the city. Gabby and Meredith had been drinking for like two hours so they were sauced up and Gabby was screeching and everyone in the metro was staring at us. It is really embarrassing to be associated with them. We get to the metro stop where the kids were at and of course we can't find them and it is some deserted old people area. After like twenty minutes of walking around we find the apartment and it was the dumbest thing ever. There were like 5 people there and it was awkward and we stayed for way too long and we kept asking when we were leaving. We didn't leave till like 1 a.m. umm I wanted to be in bed by then. At that point we find out we are going to a club across the city and I'm like no way I am going home. The metro was going to stop running and I'm not taking a 70 euro taxi home.
So were on the metro with everyone and half the French people get off and start puking in the metro station so they are gone. A few stops later the other half gets off and apparently that was the stop we were taking so we lost them. So we decided to just head back to Bastille and get food and go home. Gabby wanted to go to a bar to meet some dude and I'm like no. We got crepes instead and there were a bunch of weirdos out so I was ready to go to bed. I got turkey and cheese and it was delicious! It was really good and I would get it again. Attiya and Sallie kept stopping to talk to all the weirdos and it's like okay that's how bad stuff happens just keep walking. Whatever. Half the French people showed up at Bastille and we had to tell them we were going home. I didn't feel bad. It was stupid.
We got home at like 2:30 or later and I just got ready for bed and went to sleep. It was a dumb night because it was rushed and we had to go so far. Forget that. I am moving really slowly today so that's a good sign. I'm on my own schedule.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Lazy Thursday
Thursday we did not have school because it was Ascension. I was woken up at like 8:30 by Meredith talking to her ex-boyfriend on the phone. It lasted for about thirty minutes and then he called back like five minutes later. That was stupid. I forced myself to go back to sleep and woke up at like noon and was rushed to get ready so we could go to lunch. I literally got ready in ten minutes and met Kara, Lynn, Kaitie, Lauren and Attiya to go to this American breakfast place. It took forever to get there and then we had to wait about 40 minutes in line so I was pretty cranky.
It is a really small place that is kind of 50s themed with random American memorabilia on the walls. I got a bacon cheeseburger that came on this huge bun with fries and a Dr. Pepper. It was really good except mine was really bloody and medium well means pink. So order food very well done in Paris. Seriously.
After that we headed back home and went to a few different stores. We were looking for this store Jennyfer that Meredith had talked about but nobody knew what we were talking about and we walked for like a solid hour trying to find it. Half the group went home so it was me, Kara and Lynn walking around and we went to a lot of cute little stores. I got one pair of sandals for 12 euro and they are really cool and now everyone wants them and is trying to copy me. But now I can throw out my one pair of flats and sandals because they are falling apart. We walked around for quite a bit then made our way home. I had one of my pasta box meals and it was less than satisfying. Thank goodness for chicken flavored chips. I worked on some homework for part of the night and just listened to music. I had to get up pretty early the next morning so I didn't want to be up late.
Not much happened on Thursday, but I'm okay with that. I feel like we are so busy during the week that on the weekends I just want to sleep in and be lazy.
It is a really small place that is kind of 50s themed with random American memorabilia on the walls. I got a bacon cheeseburger that came on this huge bun with fries and a Dr. Pepper. It was really good except mine was really bloody and medium well means pink. So order food very well done in Paris. Seriously.
After that we headed back home and went to a few different stores. We were looking for this store Jennyfer that Meredith had talked about but nobody knew what we were talking about and we walked for like a solid hour trying to find it. Half the group went home so it was me, Kara and Lynn walking around and we went to a lot of cute little stores. I got one pair of sandals for 12 euro and they are really cool and now everyone wants them and is trying to copy me. But now I can throw out my one pair of flats and sandals because they are falling apart. We walked around for quite a bit then made our way home. I had one of my pasta box meals and it was less than satisfying. Thank goodness for chicken flavored chips. I worked on some homework for part of the night and just listened to music. I had to get up pretty early the next morning so I didn't want to be up late.
Not much happened on Thursday, but I'm okay with that. I feel like we are so busy during the week that on the weekends I just want to sleep in and be lazy.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
A Trip to the Supermarket
Today we had class with Mickey this morning and we were supposed to have our written final today but she pushed it to next week so we wouldn't be rushed. It was a pretty interesting class because she uses a lot of real examples from her life to explain things. She is kid of a badass apparently. She always talks about how Holland is a very direct country and likes to get straight to the point and Paris is not like that so she has had a lot of issues with bosses and the Negocia. I like her a lot though. We have to do a presentation in her class about a region of countries and how their business practices compare to the U.S. I need to get working on that, but I'm not too worried.
Then we had lunch and it was pretty delish. I got this chicken thing stuffed with like asparagus or something green and it was very good. I also had these little potatoes that had some seasoning on them and they were also good and I got a salad with greens, diced up ham, some sliced cheese, olives, eggs, carrots and other stuff. It was pretty good. It was one of the best lunches that I've had so far. I just don't know how my money goes so quickly on my lunch card; I feel like I'm always reloading it.
Then we had class with Henri and he took us to this supermarket that's in a mall. He is by far everyone's favorite teacher. He is adorable and so nice. We took the bus and then got on the metro and went to the store to look at branding. It is in a really neat area; very industrial and business like. You can see the Arch de Triumph down the way from it. The stop was La Defense- Grand Arch so the building is also a giant arch that you can go up but we didn't have time to. We had to pick a product and my group did cereal and look at how the brands are positioned on the shelf, how many brands there are, the colors, who are they advertising to, etc. It was an interesting exercise, especially looking at price because there is a pretty vast difference although I am pretty attuned to price differentiation thanks to shopping trips to Jewel with Dad. You have to scope it out.
They had a discount section in the store, which I'm not sure what that was all about, but everything was pretty cheep. They had these beers in big bottles that were like 90 cents and this guy put about 20 in his basket. Stockin up. I got two pasta things and a bag of Lays potato chips that are grilled chicken and thyme flavor. They are so good! I haven't stopped eating them since I got home. They have a lot of crazy flavors here like blue cheese, quesadilla, ham, bologna and other wacky stuff. It was a huge store so after a while we headed to the bottom floor that was all alcohol and Henri gave us a mini lecture about different wines. We looked at some red wines, which I'm not a huge fan of, and then sweet white wines, and champagnes. He made a few recommendations and surprisingly the prices weren't that bad. Like 7 euro for a nice bottle of French wine. I may go back and get a bottle of Champagne for Emma as a wedding gift. And maybe get one for myself haha. They had a really great selection though and Henri mentioned that it would be the best place to get a bottle because the smaller shops will be more expensive.
We made our purchases and headed home. It was a solid hour train ride and I was so tired and my feet were hurting so it was a struggle to stay awake. I came home and took a nap and then ate some sad pasta that I bought. A few people are going to the Moulin Rouge tonight, but I wasn't feeling it. I want to relax and chill out so I can spend money this weekend. We are going to Giverny on Friday so I'm really excited. We also want to check out Champs-Elysee and Arch de Triumph and a few other places too. We may go to this club called Le Duplex on the Champs-Elysee that is pretty classy so I'm excited for that. I can't believe it is the last weekend! I'm glad I get to stay a few extra days and see some more things with dad and Loretta. It will be nice to stay in a hotel and have my own spaaacee. I hope it gets really hot because my jeans are sick and I don't want to wear them anymore. I'm too cheap to do laundry. I need to work on some projects tonight and catch up on reality tv hollaa
Then we had lunch and it was pretty delish. I got this chicken thing stuffed with like asparagus or something green and it was very good. I also had these little potatoes that had some seasoning on them and they were also good and I got a salad with greens, diced up ham, some sliced cheese, olives, eggs, carrots and other stuff. It was pretty good. It was one of the best lunches that I've had so far. I just don't know how my money goes so quickly on my lunch card; I feel like I'm always reloading it.
Then we had class with Henri and he took us to this supermarket that's in a mall. He is by far everyone's favorite teacher. He is adorable and so nice. We took the bus and then got on the metro and went to the store to look at branding. It is in a really neat area; very industrial and business like. You can see the Arch de Triumph down the way from it. The stop was La Defense- Grand Arch so the building is also a giant arch that you can go up but we didn't have time to. We had to pick a product and my group did cereal and look at how the brands are positioned on the shelf, how many brands there are, the colors, who are they advertising to, etc. It was an interesting exercise, especially looking at price because there is a pretty vast difference although I am pretty attuned to price differentiation thanks to shopping trips to Jewel with Dad. You have to scope it out.
They had a discount section in the store, which I'm not sure what that was all about, but everything was pretty cheep. They had these beers in big bottles that were like 90 cents and this guy put about 20 in his basket. Stockin up. I got two pasta things and a bag of Lays potato chips that are grilled chicken and thyme flavor. They are so good! I haven't stopped eating them since I got home. They have a lot of crazy flavors here like blue cheese, quesadilla, ham, bologna and other wacky stuff. It was a huge store so after a while we headed to the bottom floor that was all alcohol and Henri gave us a mini lecture about different wines. We looked at some red wines, which I'm not a huge fan of, and then sweet white wines, and champagnes. He made a few recommendations and surprisingly the prices weren't that bad. Like 7 euro for a nice bottle of French wine. I may go back and get a bottle of Champagne for Emma as a wedding gift. And maybe get one for myself haha. They had a really great selection though and Henri mentioned that it would be the best place to get a bottle because the smaller shops will be more expensive.
We made our purchases and headed home. It was a solid hour train ride and I was so tired and my feet were hurting so it was a struggle to stay awake. I came home and took a nap and then ate some sad pasta that I bought. A few people are going to the Moulin Rouge tonight, but I wasn't feeling it. I want to relax and chill out so I can spend money this weekend. We are going to Giverny on Friday so I'm really excited. We also want to check out Champs-Elysee and Arch de Triumph and a few other places too. We may go to this club called Le Duplex on the Champs-Elysee that is pretty classy so I'm excited for that. I can't believe it is the last weekend! I'm glad I get to stay a few extra days and see some more things with dad and Loretta. It will be nice to stay in a hotel and have my own spaaacee. I hope it gets really hot because my jeans are sick and I don't want to wear them anymore. I'm too cheap to do laundry. I need to work on some projects tonight and catch up on reality tv hollaa
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)