Crêpes and Cous Cous: October 2010

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

European Parliament trip

On tuesday, I had to be at the European Parliament at 10:30 sharp! No later! So I got to the bus stop extra early to find that there was major construction happening and of course...wait for it....another strike. So I waited in the rain for a good 20 minutes before running back home and asking politely for my host dad Daniel to give me a lift to the field trip. Thankfully, he obliged and drove me strait to the gate. He's so kind!

Then my friends and I, all wearing as many layers as possible and in varying shades of gray, black, and tan, shivered until our guide Terrance showed up. I was under the impression we were going to receive a tour of the building and then be on our way. I was quite mistaken.
We entered the building and our guide led us through the maze of corridors to the coat check, and then to a larger conference room with chairs all a round. A woman came in to talk to us and answer any questions we had. After a while, we learned she was the Vice President of the European Parliament! During her shpeel a man came in and served us coffee or tea. It was quite welcoming.

We were then led into the main area where all of the delegates meet.

They were having a panel on eradicating poverty. Each of us had headphones linked to an interpreter of our choice language. What surprised me is that the delegates called upon to speak only had one minute to get their point across. Can you imagine traveling all the way to Strasbourg for one minute?

Then something really exciting happened! The president of the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon walked in and gave a compelling speech on the purpose of the European Parliament. This apparently was a huge deal as he had never addressed the European Parliament before. What I found most interesting is that he warned the Parliament of anti-muslim sentiments. He received a standing ovation! I felt really lucky to be able to see such an important figure speak.

Today I had an interesting experience. I was taking the bus to school which usually takes about 15 minutes. Today it took 35. When the bus was going to take a left turn, there was at least a mile long parade of tractors driving in the street. The tractors had german flags and signs on it, and some of them pulled trailers with cow statues painted like the german flag. It went on forever and ever. The bus driver wouldn't let us get off the bus to walk to school. So there we sat as hundreds of giant tractors whizzed by. I still have no idea what they were trying to get across. Perhaps germany is striking milk? Haha.

I leave for Paris on Saturday! Then to belgium and who knows where else?

Monday, October 18, 2010

Adventures in Strasbourg

What a week!

Monday was well....a monday. Tuesday I was sick and didn't go to class, there was a strike, and I worked for 4 hours at the natural foods store shelving bags of flour. Wednesday was just too long. Then at 11 pm, Kevin arrived in Strasbourg! My host mom and I drove to get him downtown. As we were driving back she tried communicating with him in her best english, but would usually just start speaking french. As we drove around the neighborhood she told him "This was the place of farmers. Here, they made carrots and leaves to eat. Then the soil became expensive and they left". So cute!

Thursday, Kevin and I had a lazy day. I went into school for a quick meeting and then came back to put on warmer clothes. It feels like winter here! Then at 5 we went back into town for happy hour at my favorite pub "Au Brasseurs". They brew their own beer there, it is wonderful. After hanging out with Kevin and my friends, Kevin and I got a snack at Flam's, a tarte flambee restaurant. When we got home we were still hungry so we made a feast of pesto pasta, wine, and cheese. Very european!

On friday, Kevin and I made a big lunch and went on a bike ride to the Chateau Portales by my house, and through the surrounding nature preserve. It was so beautiful with all of the fall colors showing.

Later in the afternoon we met up with Meghan at her house and then went to Mme. Zehr's apartment to celebrate Daniel's birthday with delicious cake from my favorite bakery "Au Pain de mon Grand-Pere". Kevin got to meet all of the Michigan people that weren't at the bar thursday night. Afterwards, Kevin, Mary Alice, Lainie, and I ate at a great italian restaurant nearby. We all ordered the spinach ravioli with sparkling red wine. So delicious! Then everyone came back to my house and we watched french TV and snacked on a baguette. It was a fun night!

Saturday, Kevin and I made a ton of delicious food and went downtown at 2:30 to see the strike against the retirement reform. There were so many people! And they considered this a small turnout, but I found it really impressive.

"For work. For an increase in the power of employees, for a decent retirement. For quality public services"

The march seemed to be a means for people to really discuss their opinions with each other. Most people were talking during the march instead of chanting some protest mantra.

Both individuals and unions participated.

So many umbrellas!

Smoke filled the air!

After all of that exciting strike stuff, Kevin and I decided to do something even more thrilling! We visited the Notre Dame Cathedrale....

Gothic style Facade. Notice only one steeple!

Shhhhhh. The priest is speaking.

The cathedral is easy the most beautiful I have ever seen. There are so many ornate details. Everything is so unique! However, the one thing I didnt like so much was that there were trinkets for sale inside the church, the candles you can light for someone were for sale for 2 euros, and there was a metal grate in the floor into which people dropped money. I just dont like the idea of money in the church. I understand fundraising...but still.

Then Kevin and I went to the top!!! I am so glad I did this! It was really nice to see Strasbourg from above, I felt like I got a better sense of the city from up there. I also loved looking at all of the roofs with their little windows. It was raining, but I still had a ton of fun.

Look at all of the cute roofs!

Kevin made a gargoyle friend.

Then Kevin and I walked around Strasbourg. We tried to go see a movie with my friends but we were too late, and they wouldn't sell us the ticket. Then we went to go rent a movie from the movie library, but silly us, all libraries were on strike. OF COURSE. Then the trams were not running very frequently and everything was quite frustrating. Kevin and I decided to take a load off in Tavern Francais. We each got a demi of beer and relaxed before heading home to cook mexican food. Unfortunately, we couldn't find any beans in all of france except kidney beans, and the guacamole in a jar here is made half with avocados and half with peas. It tasted horrible. BUT, after avoiding the guac and adding chili to the beans, we created a delicious meal.

SUNDAY! Kevin's last day in Strasbourg. We woke up and made breakfast burritos which were quite delectable if I do say so myself. We then went on a very very long bike ride through the Le Foret Robertsau again, this time attempting to find the Rhin river. We got to the Rhin but were unable to see it or get to it because they have flood barriers and moat things. I got to take many great pictures though! Even though Kevin and I could not feel our faces, hands, or toes after this freezing bike ride, we had a lot of fun!