Catch Up

Apologies for not updating in so long - life's been pretty hectic across the pond, but I'll do my best to catch up.

Wednesday, September 19

School Begins. Classes are classy. Teachers are teachy...

Ok, but honestly everything was so amazing. My first class was in a garden about a quarter of a mile from school. It was English, and we were reading a poem about digging and gardening ... So, of course, my teacher thought it appropriate for us to really experience the nature first hand. And despite almost freezing my fingers off as I attempted to write an English paper on a bench in les Jardins du Thabor, it was quite the enriching experience.

The rest of the school day consisted of the typical "getting-to-know-you" first day of school routines. Teachers stumbled over names, syllabi were given out and school supplies were demanded.

After the day finished at around 2ish (we get out early on Wednesdays, as many French schools do) I made my way into Centre Ville with a few of my friends to explore and buy school supplies. Our city is brilliant.

Hôtel Dieu, Rennes

Friday, September 21

Today - another day of school. It was pouring when classes finally wrapped up and we ran to my friend Wes's house to drop off our bags. We looked like drowned rats. As a group, Maren, Wes, Willa, Hannah, Grant and I decided to go find a nice restaurant to celebrate our full week together. We took the bus into Centre Ville and did our best to find a restaurant in the pouring rain at 6pm in Rennes, France. This, dear reader, is no easy feat. The French don't like to stay open in the rain and they never really open until 8pm on a Friday night Anyway.

After traversing the entire city to find a good restaurant we finally settled in la Fabrique, a crêpe restaurant on a cute little street called Rue St. George, just near the Parliament. I had moules (mussels) in a cream sauce which were DELICIOUS, while my friends indulged in crêpes complets (cheese, ham and egg). To finish off for dessert we all shared a nutella crêpe and a caramel crêpe.... Pas mal.

Champ Jacquet

Saturday, September 22

Today, Maren, Wes and I met at Champ Jacquet, near the centre of town, for crêpes (yes, more crêpes) and coffee. We sat and pondered the world while watching the French crowds mosey by. We wandered through the city, met up with our friend Will and made our way to another café (it's the thing to do). Afterwards we found ourselves in a square in the centre of town in the middle of an impromptu jazz concert given by a professional band. Ah, la belle vie.

 Crêpes Citron Pressé

Impromptu Jazz Concert

Tuesday, September 25

Today was just a normal school day. We laughed, we learned. Nothing too special. Just another amazing day in SYA France.

la Vue from my Room

Thursday, September 27

On Thursdays, I go to school at 8:10 as usual. We have classes all morning and lunch begins at 11:30. After lunch, the entire school has a "Universal Free" that can be used for assemblies if necessary, but otherwise we have it free until 1:45... Afterward I have another two periods free. So, with that, I have about 3 hours without classes. We get creative in our time.. Explore the city, finish homework, eat, the usual. At this point I think I'm going to turn into a crêpe myself...

Friday, September 28

Today, we began our voyage across Bretagne, to explore its sights and monuments. We traveled for about an hour by our bus, Voyages Joly (or as we so fondly referred to it: the Jolly Voyager) before reaching our first stop: A typical Bretagne church, complete with calvary, tombstones and all. Behind the church we found a meadow perfect for photo shoots so after exploring the grounds of the church the whole group of us made our way there to pose and relax in the rare Brittany sun.

After hopping back on the Jolly Voyager and driving for a bit more we reached a château called ________. The château has been a place known for its garden of sculptures as many famous artists come here to display their work. I sauntered with my friends through the picturesque, damp gardens and we picnicked in the courtyard of the château, which doubles as a museum inside. After a relaxing walk we returned to the bus with wet shoes and enlightened minds.

We continued on our way until we reached the old Bretonne village Poul Fetan. It was as if we had stepped into another time as we explored the little town. It has been preserved since the 16th century and its employees are even dressed in traditional Breton costume. We watched a woman make butter, we played cards in the field and we played old Breton games.

After the long day, we arrived at our hotel. It was in front of the sea and the beach was unbelievable. The weather stayed dry (a miracle) and we finished off the day with seafood and stargazing in the sand

Saturday, September 29

Today, we went to a city called Quimper, which held an enormous cathedral. After touring around the inside and explained some of the religious stories depicted in the stained glass windows to my fellow classmates (good ol' CCD), we proceeded in the Musée des Beaux Arts de Quimper and marveled at the works of old French painters. We were allowed to explore the city with friends and we went to a crêperie for lunch (I know, I know - crêpes again), toured the city, bought ENORMOUS macarons, and took in the much-appreciated sunlight.

We got back in the Jolly Voyager for another few hours and after the excitement we'd had all day were instantly bored and aching to get off the bus. And we did. At one of the most beautiful beaches I've ever seen. The sand felt like silk between my toes and the waves stretched out as far as the eye could see. There were surfers riding the foamy crests and others sunbathing, but it wasn't too crowded. We were absolutely exhilarated from the moment we stepped off the bus until we (unhappily) drudged back to it, our pants damp and our legs sandy.

Luckily, there was no reason to be upset. We had no idea what beauty awaited us. We arrived at la Pointe du Razand started the 1km walk. We talked, we joked, but when we arrived and saw the view we were all speechless. The waves crashing against the rocks were magnificent and my classmates and I sat in awe of what we were able to experience. I went off alone and climbed a few rocks to find the perfect one to contemplate the world and meditate in my thoughts. Alone with my camera and my mind, on top of a rock at the Western-most point of Continental Europe I felt free from everything.

We made it back to the hotel completely entranced and amazed. The beauty of the cliffs transcended anything many of us had ever seen and we were stunned, tired and happy... and then we went swimming in the freezing cold ocean at the hotel..

Sunday, September 30

We were packed and out of the hotel at 9:15, on the road again. We visited a fortified town, went around on a ferry and sat down for a coffee. We picnicked with baguettes and pâte and relaxed in the beautiful sunshine (it was an unexpected weekend, weather-wise).

After our adventures we visited Carnac, France's version of Stonehenge, where stones were lined up in lines centuries ago for unknown reasons... but they made for some great pictures

I returned home to my host family's house just in time for galettes (yes, more crêpes).

It was an eventful weekend. 

More updates later this week!

Yours in Dysfunctional French,

-L

Scavenging

Tuesday, September 18

Today was eventful, to say the least.

American Problem #1: Adaptors

Adaptors are all well and good at first. They really are, they TRICK you into thinking that they're your friends. You think, "they wouldn't betray me.." You're wrong.

Today my adaptor betrayed me in the worst of ways. The traitor has been punished with a sentencing of 5 days in a bag in the back of my closet.

My alarm clock was plugged into my adaptor and I had double checked that it was set for 7:30. I needed to get up in order to be at République at 8:45 to meet the rest of my class before starting a scavenger hunt around the city (who needs class when you can go on a scavenger hunt?)

Of course, it didn't ring. And what with these French shutters that block out every ray of sunshine, there was no natural light to wake me, either. I woke up at 8:39... My house is 15 minutes away from the city centre. By some miracle, we made it there by 8:55, just before teams were formed for the scavenger hunt.

We all ran around Rennes, finding answers and relaxing in cafés, until we had to be back in school by 12:30 for a pizza party, of all things. After a quick assembly, we were dismissed early.

Tomorrow marks the first day of school.. Goodbye summer, hello schoolwork. But let's be clear - I love this kind of schoolwork.

Yours in Dysfunctional French,

-L

Testing

Monday, September 17th

Today, we had our first (kind of) day of school. Technically, we're still in the middle of the orientation process.. but the stress was still high as I stepped onto the threshold of 5 Allees Ste. Marie. We began the testing process. Upstairs in Classroom 5, I sat down in a desk for what feels like the first time in years, but was technically the first time in about 3 months. Papers were passed and testing began. Comprehension here, writing there and eventually the scribbling stopped.

Afterwards, there was the math placement testing. There were cries of anxiety as we were told calculators were not to be used, but we all made it through without a scratch, thank God.

After school, we relaxed at la Duchesse Anne - eating typical French cuisine.. Chicken nuggets for Wes and Pain au Chocolat and baguette for the rest of us.

Here's to wondering where I'll be put..

Yours in Dysfunctional French,

-L

Exploring

Sunday, September 16th

Today, I woke up at the semi-ok hour of 11. After sauntering upstairs for a quick hello to my host family, I contacted a few friends (now that I finally have a phone.. of sorts..) and was whisked away by the grand chariot that takes me into the city... the number 9 bus. I arrived and met my friend Wes, at our new hang out - La Duchesse Ann. Now, my friends, La Duchesse Ann is not merely a café where one can lounge about and enjoy a cup of coffee and a pain au chocolat. No, no. It is SO much more. It's a run down, dingy restaurant that has weird food, great ice cream and ok hot chocolate... All at the right price for an American student with a budget. We're now friends with the owner, Bernie, who speaks absolutely NO English (which is probably good for our French). We're on a first name basis..

After I met Wes, our friend Maren arrived and we caught up with another group of kids. We explored the streets of Rennes, making our way to a park. Mainly, we were all trying to figure out how to get where. Our first time alone in this new city - navigation was rather difficult.

After we found our way around the area near school, we made our way back to Wes's to indulge in some well deserved baguette, camembert et confiture.


I made it back home by 7:30, to prepare for tomorrow. What should I expect? Where will I land in the rankings at SYA?

Only time will tell.

Yours in Dysfunctional French,

-L

Flea Markets

Today I woke up at 1:00pm, thanks to jet-lag. After eating my host family out of house and home, baguette-and-cheese-wise, we took the bus to the centre of Rennes.

Here, we stumbled up la Braderie, which is a once a year event. Think of a tag sale or a garage sale that you may have been to. Now multiply it by 3,000. That's how big this flea market was. We strolled down the seemingly never ending street that held everything from bags to dolls to disco balls. Quite the scene.

I've now bought a French carte de sim, talked to les vendeurs, and ridden the bus without a problem. Success thus far.

Yours in dysfunctional French,

-L

Orientation

Yesterday, we had orientation.

I awoke at the God-awful hour (for a jet-lagged traveler) of 7:15 and departed from my host family's house at 7:45. I made it to school around 8:15 and around 9:30 the orientation began. We met our teachers, all of whom have great senses of humor, and learned the rules and regulations of SYA France. We explored our school house and the surrounding grounds, which are magnificent. There's a garden called Les Jardins du Thabor filled to the brim with all types of roses, big lawns and even a playground - the perfect place for doing homework in peace on a sunny day.

We went to lunch at the private school down the road from us and after relaxed in the school's courtyard. Quality start to the school year.

After school, a group of us went to run some errands and get a feel for the area around school. We found this tiny hole-in-the wall restaurant that nobody else was in, sat down, befriended the owner and now we feel like locals.

Excuse the photo quality:

Departure and Arrival

Apologies for the delayed blog, life has been hectic lately. But I'll start from the beginning:

Wednesday Morning - 9:30am:

Wake up. Have shower. Realize I'm about to embark on one of the most exciting and terrifying adventures of my life. I stuff what's left of my room into my enormous bag, my parents help me load the bags into the trunk and we set off for JFK.

After calling into my school for a quick goodbye to my closest friends and driving for about a half an hour, I look into my camera and realize that I've forgotten my camera battery and charger. This is horrible news, especially for someone with a photography blog, and my parents and I quickly start researching nearby Best Buys. Luckily we found one near the hotel where the SYA Departure Meeting was being held.

Wednesday Afternoon - 12:30pm:

We arrive at the hotel and there is the typical awkwardness that is 60 kids meeting for the first time. After milling around and talking to my parents for a while as more and more kids filter in, the meeting starts. We are greeted by the president of SYA and our Resident Director. After the hour long meeting, we depart in our car, headed for the airport.

Wednesday Afternoon - 3:30pm:

We check our bags and say goodbye. Surprisingly, no tears. I'm a fumbling mess as we go through security, dropping things here and there as i attempt to put my shoes back on. A group of us continue on to Gate 44, where we are supposedly leaving for Paris at 5:30. Everyone meets, and we prepare to depart.

Wednesday Evening - 5:30pm:

A few announcements are made and groans and moans are heard from the SYA kids as we learn that the flight isn't taking off until 8:45. And we have to move to gate 3. We all gather our things and trudge through the airport to gate 3, where we settle down and await our plane, anxious to get on board. New people are met and we all bond over the experience.

Wednesday Evening - 5:45pm:

Another Announcement. Another Move. Many more groans. Gate 12, here we come.

Wednesday Evening - 9:00pm:

We finally board the plane. After a long wait, more class bonding, and many attempts to stuff my overpacked carryon into the compartments, I settle down on the plane. Literally 1 hour of sleep on a 7 hour flight.

Thursday(ish) Morning - 10:45am:

We land at Charles De Gaulle and make our way through customs, pick up our bags. After an exhausting adventure of getting lost int the airport, we finally make it to the buses.

Thursday Evening - 7:00pm:

We arrive in Rennes! I meet my host mother, Maryvonne, and my host sister, Clémence, and we take a picture outside the school. I get home and pass out from over tiredness.



So far i understand most of the French that's been thrown at me, albeit I've had to ask for a few words and I think stuff gets lost in translation. But so far, so good.

Yours in dysfunctional French,

-L