Time has flown since I arrived in Aix. It's crazy that it's already been two weeks since I left the States. I'm in that awkward place where I'm of course excited to go home and see my family, and yet know I'll be in so much pain to leave this beautiful place behind, as well as all the friends I've made. I can at least know that I'll keep the things I've learned here with me forever.
Anyway, ever since my last entry a lot more fun has transpired. One of the best days has been le quatorze juillet, Bastille Day in France. During the day, the whole group went on a trip to the beach. I laid out, napped, tanned, talked with friends and just completely relaxed. It was one of the nicest days I've ever had. Unfortunately, almost the entire group got sunburned (like Mommy taught me I sunscreened diligently and came out virtually unscathed!) but I think we were all in good spirits anyway. That evening, we went out to dinner together and had some great Italian food.
Another great highlight was the cafe conversation I attended with a bunch of people from the group, two of our instructors, and the owner of the Abbey Road programs. They taught us so much in just a few short hours at that cafe! I really enjoyed the focus on colloquial expressions and modern language and felt like I came out of the lesson with a lot of material. It was also really entertaining and fun for us, which is really important. I remember things far better if I'm actively interested in the intake and not just listening to a teacher talking at me. I also had a delicious granita at the cafe and have become a little obsessed with them since.
Other than that my days have been filled with morning classes, afternoon electives, and the moments in between when we all discover the amazing little restaurants tucked into corners of Aix or roam the streets. This is such a beautiful city, and everyday that I have the chance to explore it I fall a little more in love. There's nothing more blissful than sitting outside in a cafe on a beautiful day with some fantastic gelato and friends!
In film class the other day we watched a film titled L'Auberge Espagnole. I really liked it and I'm hoping to find a copy when I'm back in the States so I can process it some more. There were some really interesting components, particularly the cinematographic style, and also the various languages incorporated into the plot. It's great when the program presents us with those small opportunities of discovery. I've never seen a film quite like it in those aspects before.
Lastly, tonight there was a cooking competition between our cooking groups. The winning group's dish(es) will have photos posted on the program blog. I was so proud of what my group made. We worked really well together and made a pasta dish with shrimp, tomatoes, red peppers (my work) and a roux sauce, as well as some zucchini and brick with Brie and le fromage des chevres. For dessert, we cut a melon in half and scooped out a little, added some vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup made from scratch! It looked so pretty and tasted delicious. We had a lot of fun. We find out the results tomorrow, so fingers crossed.
All right, that's it for now. A bientot!
Marseille
Today was un jour tres fantastique (a very fantastic day)! The whole group took a field trip to Marseille. It is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen; so beautiful it was surreal. The water was bluer than even the sky and it seemed like an endless, sparkling canvas of perfection. I loved every second of the trip. The boat ride was gorgeous, and the beach that we swam and tanned at had a mind blowingly gorgeous view. Unfortunately, we were told not to bring cameras due to fear of thieves, so I didn't get to take any pictures. However, we're told that we'll be returning, and I think next time I'm going to bring my camera and just be extra careful. Marseille is too beautiful to not capture with a lens, and I'd love to share photos on this blog.
Other than that, everything has been going wonderfully. I think everyone is adjusting and enjoying the authenticity of our experience. I went grocery shopping with one of my roommates the other day and we had a lot of fun noting the differences between shopping in the States and in Aix. The food is amazing! One of the biggest differences is, of course, the baguette. It's so fresh everywhere you order it, and is absolutely delicious. I hope to take some food pictures as well soon. I keep meaning to use my camera more diligently, but since I've only been here a few days I've been preoccupied with just soaking everything in with my own eyes.
French language classes in the morning have also begun, and so far they've been very informative and fun. I really love our elective in the afternoon - french culture, conversation and cinema. It's a very active, energetic class, which I like.
Je pense que c'est tout pour maintenant - I think that's all for now. So much has happened, but most of it is the typical process of adjustment to a new country and new living space. I'm very excited to be able to explore Aix and surrounding areas more thoroughly and come back with lots of anecdotes, pictures and more.
Other than that, everything has been going wonderfully. I think everyone is adjusting and enjoying the authenticity of our experience. I went grocery shopping with one of my roommates the other day and we had a lot of fun noting the differences between shopping in the States and in Aix. The food is amazing! One of the biggest differences is, of course, the baguette. It's so fresh everywhere you order it, and is absolutely delicious. I hope to take some food pictures as well soon. I keep meaning to use my camera more diligently, but since I've only been here a few days I've been preoccupied with just soaking everything in with my own eyes.
French language classes in the morning have also begun, and so far they've been very informative and fun. I really love our elective in the afternoon - french culture, conversation and cinema. It's a very active, energetic class, which I like.
Je pense que c'est tout pour maintenant - I think that's all for now. So much has happened, but most of it is the typical process of adjustment to a new country and new living space. I'm very excited to be able to explore Aix and surrounding areas more thoroughly and come back with lots of anecdotes, pictures and more.
Pre-Departure Reflection
There are so many things I can't wait to see and do at Abbey Road in Aix-en-Provence. I've never attended a summer program out of country, and I feel that having a somewhat academic structure to my time in Aix but still having the freedom to explore and enjoy is going to be the perfect balance for someone like me. I'm also really grateful that we will have the guidance of all the staff at Abbey Road, because while I love traveling internationally I don't think I'm ready to take it on solo quite yet!
I've been fascinated with the French culture - language, food, fashion, art - for a really long time, and those are all things I'm hoping to achieve a more in-depth perspective on while in Aix. I'm also really excited for the French Cinema elective; I've always wanted to be more educated on the history of French film production. I love films in general, and I think that having the opportunity to learn about one important sector of the film industry and its history is going to be really beneficial.
Every summer I try to do at least one thing, whether big or small, that will leave a lasting impression on me for a long time to come. I'm positive that I will be able to achieve this goal for Summer 2011 while in Aix. I can't wait to meet everyone else attending the program and have the chance to dive into it all together. Living in as beautiful a place as Aix and being able to take it in with my peers is such a fabulous way to both learn a lot and also make fabulous memories.
Quatre jours jusqu'a je sors des Etats-Unis! Juillet sera un vraiment bon mois.
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