So everyone always talks about Culture Shock when they talk about travel. Culture Shock is the idea that people have difficulty adjusting to another culture. It can manifest itself in many ways, for example, frustration or exhaustion.
For me, culture shock is most apparent when I notice all the little things that differ between French culture and American culture. For me, culture shock is not always a negative thing. I love to discover all of the differences! It is why we travel anyway, right?
So I have decided to list some differences I have noticed so far between life here and life back home.
1. In general, the French do not pick up their dog's poop.
I have to constantly watch where I step. Once Meghan's host mom stepped in a pile of it with her fancy white shoes and exclaimed "MERDE!" Which translates to "shit". I found it ironic.
2. They eat eggs for dinner, and we eat them for breakfast.
3. In France, we eat in courses. In the U.S. we put a little bit of everything on the plate at once.
4. Twice as less homework, twice as much class time
5. The 24 hour clock
6. People have a different idea of "sporty" here. I am considered very sporty while at home I am not.
7. If you say good-morning, hello, or how are you to someone you do not know, they will look at you like you are crazy. If you smile at someone you do not know, you are either flirting with them or they thing you have a mental handicap.
Everyone in this city must think I am strange then, because I love to smile at everyone!
8. The transit system is the only thing you can depend on to be timely
9. People cut lines here, lines are much longer and much less efficient. In the U.S. people take a number and wait patiently, or in a store they would open a new cash register to make lines shorter. Sometimes there is no "express" lane in the grocery store, so buying just one baguette can take up to 45 minutes.
10. In the U.S., if your prof calls on you and you answer wrong, they generally say something like "Oh, that is a very good idea! Not quite what I was looking for though..." or "Close! Try again!"
Here they say "No. That is wrong. Who knows the answer?"
11. When you ask a teenager in the U.S. what they want to do as a profession, many say "I'm not sure yet", "I plan on traveling after I graduate", or something like that. Here they say "Politician" "Businessperson" or "Mechanic". Children here decide at a much younger age because of the way the school system is structured.
12. Walking around the house in bare feet is a no-no. They worry that your feet will be too cold.
13. Leaving a light on or taking showers over 5 minutes is considered a sin.
14. Sandwiches contain preposterous amounts of either mayonnaise or butter. There is no such thing as a PB&J here.
That's all for now. I'm sure I will remember more once I post this, and I promise there will be more to note in the future.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
The biggest party on Earth...
This past weekend I ventured away from the lovely city of Strasbourg to go to Munich, Germany to visit Kevin and also to experience Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest is an annual festival that lasts 18 days from mid-september through the beginning of october. The first Oktoberfest was held in 1810 (that makes this year the 200th anniversary) to celebrate the marriage between Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Therese de Saxe-Hildburghausen, and involved lots of horse racing. Because the party was such a success they decided to hold it the year after that, and the year after, and so on. They hold it in September because the weather is nicer, but they keep its traditional name. Somehow Septemberfest doesn't have the same ring to it.
Now a days, Oktoberfest is notorious as the biggest party in the world. This year they expect around 7 million people to attend. It has also become less about horse racing and much MUCH more about good ole' fashion German beer. There are countless breweries in Munich alone, but 6 large breweries get one "tent" (more like a giant building) to decorate and serve beer in liter mugs. They also offer other attractions such as great food and an extensive amusement park. A ride on the ferris wheel will cost you 6 euros, and a pretzel? 4 euros! This is the place to go if you want to spend all of your money.
So naturally, I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Lucky for me Kevin lives in Munich! All the hotels and hostels were booked, and I get to spend time with my best friend! I bought a train ticket, and on friday I started my journey.
I know its kind of hard to see, but this was my train route! I got a ride to Kehl, Germany from Strasbourg (its about 15 minutes) and took relatively short tram ride to Offenburg. Unfortunately, someone jumped in front of a train in Offenburg before I arrived, so all of the trains were delayed. One of the conductors took a look at my ticket and threw me onto a totally different train and told me that it would work. So much for seat reservations though! The train was packed. After a kind old german man helped me make sense of everything, I found a seat and tried to relax. After that I switched trains in Karlsruhe to get to Munich. I sat by a nice Swiss woman, and we talked the entire time! We were both heading to Munich so she helped me understand how the trains in Munich work.
I finally got of the train, and Kevin was there waiting with a boquet of dahlias! My favorite! He took me to a quaint Bavarian restaurant for a crash course in Bavarian culture!
This was the ceiling of the restaurant decorated with pretzels and these heart shaped cookies that are similar to valentines in the US. Sweet nothings are scribbled in frosting and the cookie is hung around the neck of a sweetheart. Apparently they are not really edible, as they can last for 20 years! Kind of like twinkies I guess.
The next day, Kevin and I woke up early to go to the parade of the breweries. All of the breweries (and one winery) in Munich have a band, float, color scheme, and costume in the parade. It was so much fun!
Even though it was only 11 AM, everyone was already drinking out of their giant mugs.
Now a days, Oktoberfest is notorious as the biggest party in the world. This year they expect around 7 million people to attend. It has also become less about horse racing and much MUCH more about good ole' fashion German beer. There are countless breweries in Munich alone, but 6 large breweries get one "tent" (more like a giant building) to decorate and serve beer in liter mugs. They also offer other attractions such as great food and an extensive amusement park. A ride on the ferris wheel will cost you 6 euros, and a pretzel? 4 euros! This is the place to go if you want to spend all of your money.
So naturally, I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Lucky for me Kevin lives in Munich! All the hotels and hostels were booked, and I get to spend time with my best friend! I bought a train ticket, and on friday I started my journey.
I know its kind of hard to see, but this was my train route! I got a ride to Kehl, Germany from Strasbourg (its about 15 minutes) and took relatively short tram ride to Offenburg. Unfortunately, someone jumped in front of a train in Offenburg before I arrived, so all of the trains were delayed. One of the conductors took a look at my ticket and threw me onto a totally different train and told me that it would work. So much for seat reservations though! The train was packed. After a kind old german man helped me make sense of everything, I found a seat and tried to relax. After that I switched trains in Karlsruhe to get to Munich. I sat by a nice Swiss woman, and we talked the entire time! We were both heading to Munich so she helped me understand how the trains in Munich work.
I finally got of the train, and Kevin was there waiting with a boquet of dahlias! My favorite! He took me to a quaint Bavarian restaurant for a crash course in Bavarian culture!
The next day, Kevin and I woke up early to go to the parade of the breweries. All of the breweries (and one winery) in Munich have a band, float, color scheme, and costume in the parade. It was so much fun!
Even though it was only 11 AM, everyone was already drinking out of their giant mugs.
All of the floats were so beautiful and interesting!
After the parade, Kevin and I walked to Oktoberfest and watched the Mayor open the first keg of beer and proclaim that Oktoberfest can now begin! All of the beermaids suddenly emerged and began distributing the liters of beer. Each beermaid carries 8 mugs at a time. One was too heavy for me! I don't know how they do it! Apparently they get huge bruises on their arms by the end of the 18 days.
Kevin and I then began our search for a table to order a beer. Because it was the opening day of Oktoberfest, people had been there since 9 or 10 am! We got there around 1 and there was no hope for us. So we continued walking around the fairgrounds. There was some really great food. I tried some roasted walnuts, and some german style potato pancakes with applesauce. Just then, I spotted something! A rotating bar on a carousel. Don't worry it was spinning very very slowly. It was easy because you ordered the beer and found a spot on the carousel. We had a great time! We tried a Weissbeer (see photo below) which is brewed with hay, but tastes really smooth and refreshing. It was fun to meet all of the people on the carousel and find out where everyone was from. There were a lot of americans at oktoberfest!
That night, we met up with another Lewis and Clark student, Hannah, and found a table in the Lowenbrau beer garden. Kevin insisted that he buy me my very own Mas (mug) of beer, despite my pleas that we should share. It worked out fine though because we were there until it closed at 10 pm, so I had plenty of time to finish my mas and order a pretzel too!
The next day we woke up and went to another parade that was more about bavarian costumes and music. I loved all of the costumes, they were so colorful!
Then kevin and I bravely ventured back into the fairgrounds, but skipped beer drinking this time. We went straight to the line for the ferris wheel. I really wanted to see the view of the fairgrounds and of munich stretching out beyond. It was the perfect day for a ride on a ferris wheel!
Each of those white buildings is a brew "tent". More like a warehouse! They decorate them all beautifully though!
Kevin and I left Oktoberfest for good and explored downtown Munich a little bit. We ate lunch at an Italian restaurant and visited some beautiful churches. Everything in Munich was destroyed in World War II, so the cathedral had to be rebuilt. It will never look like the original, but I think they did a pretty fine job. I can't imagine how hard it must have been to see such a beautiful thing blown to pieces. I think it takes a lot of bravery and will to rebuild.
I left Munich sunday night, and rode on the train with a really friendly german man who was a choreographer in L.A. for 10 years. He worked with Madonna and Michael Jackson! Wow!
I got home at midnight, and boy was it nice to relax after such an eventful weekend. I had such an amazing time with Kevin. We started dating 2 years ago this weekend! I'm glad I have such a great friend in my life.
That's all for now! Keep reading my blog!
Auf weidersein!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Off to Munich
Today I am going to class for 2 hours and then hopping on a train to Germany, final destination: Munich. Kevin will meet me at the train station and show me around the city. Tomorrow we will go to the opening parade of Oktoberfest. I'm so excited to learn more about this culture, try some new food (the soft pretzels here are amazing) and of course see good friends.
Auf wiedersehen!!!
-Michelle
Auf wiedersehen!!!
-Michelle
Monday, September 13, 2010
Really France? Just call them Cheerios.
My host mom asked me what kind of cereal I like most, and I said Honey Nut Cheerios, but in french I just said something like, "They have honey and are round". So she bought me these:
Well, these are more like Kix, but are actually pretty delicious. However, I still crave my cheerios. So I went on the Kellogg's French website and found these:
"Miel Pops Cracks". Really? This ordeal would have been easier if they were just called Cheerios. Notice that these cheerios have much less cheerio and much more hole in the middle. Hmm...so thats how the french stay fit...
A brief day trip to Germany
This sunday, Meghan and I went to Baden Baden, Germany to get out of the city for a bit. My host father and her host mother play tennis together for the Strasbourg Tennis club. The tennis club of Baden Baden invited the Strasbourg Tennis Club to visit and have a tournament.
Baden Baden is famous for their roman baths of Caracalla, and Meghan and I desperately wanted to go there to relax after concentrating so hard all week on learning french.
So we tagged along to Baden Baden with our towels and swimsuits in tow and arrived by car in only 40 minutes! To think, one can travel 40 minutes in the US out of a large city and still be in the city! In Europe one drives for 40 minutes and can find a whole new world! No one in Baden Baden spoke french and not many of the Strasbourgois spoke german, so they had to have translators explain how the day was going to unfold! I was happy to find they provided a beautiful spread of assorted baked goods and refreshments, and as I was starving I gladly ate a pretzel. Yum!
We met a german girl who was at the tennis club and she agreed to help us walk to the roman baths of caracalla. I would have guessed she was maybe 16 or 17, but when we asked she said 14! They sure grow them tall in Germany, she was very mature too. She spoke english very well. She showed us the town, and it was so beautiful! I wouldn't say its a city for the young, but it looked very rich! In the hills above the town I spotted a castle! You don't see that everyday in the US! Haha. I asked the name of the castle, apparently its called "The Old Castle" and there is also "The New Castle", not to mention "The Long Street". Im sure it sounds better in German.
Meghan and I each payed 14 euros for 2 hours of ultimate relaxation. Caracalla is a giant complex! We walked in and could believe our eyes! There were several different pools, all of varying temperatures. Around the pool were lounge chairs and above the chairs were warming lights, as if you were sunbathing! The larger pools had artificial currents in them so you could just float along. There were waterfalls and jets to massage your back with. The hot tubs felt great, the freezing cold one, not so much but I tried it anyhow!
There were 2 steam rooms, a sauna, tanning beds (I did not use them), and a massage parlor. There was also a restaurant we didn't use. I especially loved one of the steam rooms. Once inside I felt as if I were transported back in time to ancient rome. There were beautiful marble columns and statues. The mosaic designs were amazing. There was soothing music playing, and the lit the ceiling like star constellations. The vapor was really strong with eucalyptus and spearmint! It stung my eyes a little but really opened up my sinuses! The other steam room was a "brine steam room", which is good for if you have a runny nose apparently.
After an amazing 2 hours of relaxation, Meg and I walked back to the Tennis club, but instead walked along the river. There were street musicians along the river, and horse drawn carriages in the street! All the foot bridges were covered in beautiful flowers! We watched our host parents play tennis for a while, ate a huge dinner in which my host dad insisted that 2 german boys sit with us and flirt with us! He's already doing that embarrassing Dad thing! Haha. On the ride home we got stuck in a lightening storm, we could barely see the road because of the rain! I was so scared.
But we got home safely and here I am!
Baden Baden is famous for their roman baths of Caracalla, and Meghan and I desperately wanted to go there to relax after concentrating so hard all week on learning french.
So we tagged along to Baden Baden with our towels and swimsuits in tow and arrived by car in only 40 minutes! To think, one can travel 40 minutes in the US out of a large city and still be in the city! In Europe one drives for 40 minutes and can find a whole new world! No one in Baden Baden spoke french and not many of the Strasbourgois spoke german, so they had to have translators explain how the day was going to unfold! I was happy to find they provided a beautiful spread of assorted baked goods and refreshments, and as I was starving I gladly ate a pretzel. Yum!
We met a german girl who was at the tennis club and she agreed to help us walk to the roman baths of caracalla. I would have guessed she was maybe 16 or 17, but when we asked she said 14! They sure grow them tall in Germany, she was very mature too. She spoke english very well. She showed us the town, and it was so beautiful! I wouldn't say its a city for the young, but it looked very rich! In the hills above the town I spotted a castle! You don't see that everyday in the US! Haha. I asked the name of the castle, apparently its called "The Old Castle" and there is also "The New Castle", not to mention "The Long Street". Im sure it sounds better in German.
Meghan and I each payed 14 euros for 2 hours of ultimate relaxation. Caracalla is a giant complex! We walked in and could believe our eyes! There were several different pools, all of varying temperatures. Around the pool were lounge chairs and above the chairs were warming lights, as if you were sunbathing! The larger pools had artificial currents in them so you could just float along. There were waterfalls and jets to massage your back with. The hot tubs felt great, the freezing cold one, not so much but I tried it anyhow!
There were 2 steam rooms, a sauna, tanning beds (I did not use them), and a massage parlor. There was also a restaurant we didn't use. I especially loved one of the steam rooms. Once inside I felt as if I were transported back in time to ancient rome. There were beautiful marble columns and statues. The mosaic designs were amazing. There was soothing music playing, and the lit the ceiling like star constellations. The vapor was really strong with eucalyptus and spearmint! It stung my eyes a little but really opened up my sinuses! The other steam room was a "brine steam room", which is good for if you have a runny nose apparently.
After an amazing 2 hours of relaxation, Meg and I walked back to the Tennis club, but instead walked along the river. There were street musicians along the river, and horse drawn carriages in the street! All the foot bridges were covered in beautiful flowers! We watched our host parents play tennis for a while, ate a huge dinner in which my host dad insisted that 2 german boys sit with us and flirt with us! He's already doing that embarrassing Dad thing! Haha. On the ride home we got stuck in a lightening storm, we could barely see the road because of the rain! I was so scared.
But we got home safely and here I am!
Friday, September 10, 2010
En ville...
This past wednesday was the first night I was able to go out on the town. First, meghan patrick and I went to a small and quiet bar for a beer. Then we went to a bar that is very popular with the students here in Strasbourg called Jimmy's Bar, funny right? At Jimmy's it feels like a Lewis and Clark party, they play american music and serve funny things. I really like it because I always meet french people there, even if the french guys are a little forward. The french men only pick up girls in the park! The French dont talk to anyone when they wait for the bus, are on the bus or tram, or just walking around or shopping. Its only in the bar that they can flirt, so it happens a lot. Its quite funny.
After that, my midwestern friends, with their hospitality, payed for my taxi home.
Friday, I took my final test of the orientation week for which i will recieve 2 credit hours. Then we waited for 2 hours to find out which French class we are in and when it meets. I fought the crowds to find my name on the wall (they havent figured out that its easier to do these things online), and my name wasnt on any list! So I marched right up stairs to have a word with the administration. They gave me my assignment and I tested right where I wanted to be! I am at a higher level, but with room to grow.
Tonight my friends and I went into Jimmy's bar again, I had a ton of fun!
I am finding that its becoming difficult not to mix in french when i speak english. Its difficult to write this blog entry because i want to write in in French. Thats a good sign though!
Tomorrow I think I will go swimming in Les Bains Municipaux (a really beautiful public swimming pool). I am really excited!!! the pictures of it are so beautiful!
Monday, September 6, 2010
Monday Monday
Today we woke up quite early to go to our first french placement test. To get to the university I have to take a bus and a tram, its simple but it takes a while. This morning I took the same bus as all the school children, it was quite adorable. The test was difficult, but thats ok!
After the test we walked to Our Lady Cathedral and had crepes at a cafe. I oredered un jus d'orange and a crepe poire et chocolat. It was great!
We then walked to La Place de la Republic, a beautiful park, and layed there for a while in the sun.
After our first orientation class which we practically slept through, we all opened french bank accounts so we can access our stipend! Woooohooooo.
In other news, there is practically a strike or protest everyday. I've witnessed a couple, and I hear about many more because the busses and trams pretty much stop running during a protest. On saturday night I was stuck in the 'burbs because a strike was happening. Oh well. I think I am going to rent a bike so I can get around more easily. Also my host dad is going to let me ride the moped around the neighborhood!
Tomorrow there is another protest planned so I might not get to school in time! I hope that it doesnt affect my route!
Okay I gotta go eat dinner! Avoir!
After the test we walked to Our Lady Cathedral and had crepes at a cafe. I oredered un jus d'orange and a crepe poire et chocolat. It was great!
We then walked to La Place de la Republic, a beautiful park, and layed there for a while in the sun.
After our first orientation class which we practically slept through, we all opened french bank accounts so we can access our stipend! Woooohooooo.
In other news, there is practically a strike or protest everyday. I've witnessed a couple, and I hear about many more because the busses and trams pretty much stop running during a protest. On saturday night I was stuck in the 'burbs because a strike was happening. Oh well. I think I am going to rent a bike so I can get around more easily. Also my host dad is going to let me ride the moped around the neighborhood!
Tomorrow there is another protest planned so I might not get to school in time! I hope that it doesnt affect my route!
Okay I gotta go eat dinner! Avoir!
Friday, September 3, 2010
Bienvenu!!!
The plane ride was not as terrifying as I thought it would be. I was seated next to an older german-american woman named Helga. Her and I joked the whole time about everything! When the flight attendants made us close the blinds so everyone could sleep we would peek out every now and then to see the moon and stars hovering over Greenland's ice. It was truly breathtaking.
After an annoyingly long bus ride in which I passed out into a very deep sleep, we arrived in Strasbourg. All of the architecture is so adorable! I was introduced to Mr. Daniel Maulin, my host father. He and I hit it off right away, as did Mme. Janine Maulin. They are so sweet and hospitable. Daniel and I discussed the sights of the city as he weaved his way through traffic to his home. Janine and I talked about vegetarianism and she has rice milk, soy milk, and quinoa in her house. The house is REALLY cute. I will be sure to post more pictures of it soon. Below is my very own clean room, mon propre chambre propre! (yes I brought a frisbee).
Hopefully soon my body will adjust to the time difference, I have NO sense of time right now. Its a beautiful day in Strasbourg, sunny with whispy cirrus clouds. I am quite hungry!
Send me food!
Michelle Tynan
11, rue Closener
67000 Strasbourg, France
in case of emergency call their home phone: 011 333 88.31.15.58
Going to go for a walk or take a nap! Love you all
bises,
michelle
Thursday, September 2, 2010
The Big Day
I have been planning this day for YEARS. My anxiety is slowly giving way to excitement.
I will dearly miss Olympia and Portland, but now is my time to travel and I cannot wait until that plane lands.
To avoid any anxiety I will have on the plane I'm planning on dosing lorazapam, a good idea if anyone has ever flown next to me. Kelly Odell flew with me to europe when I was 16 and I was crying in her lap the whole time. My parents have always had to deal with my plane freak-outs. Now I am dealing with it on my own, and hopefully it goes well!
So from the Tynan family home to the Maulin family in Strasbourg, HERE I GO!
Lots of love,
Michelle/Peanut
I will dearly miss Olympia and Portland, but now is my time to travel and I cannot wait until that plane lands.
To avoid any anxiety I will have on the plane I'm planning on dosing lorazapam, a good idea if anyone has ever flown next to me. Kelly Odell flew with me to europe when I was 16 and I was crying in her lap the whole time. My parents have always had to deal with my plane freak-outs. Now I am dealing with it on my own, and hopefully it goes well!
So from the Tynan family home to the Maulin family in Strasbourg, HERE I GO!
Lots of love,
Michelle/Peanut
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