Florence

Picture 1: All of us at Pisa

Picture 2: Meagan giving us away as being Americans in her outfit!

Picture 3: Famous square in Florence

Picture 4: Hugging the tower

Picture 5: On Ponta Vecchio

We got to Florence sorta late and met up with Jordans friend Meagan. We went and had dinner at a pizzeria and that was pretty much it!

The next day we woke up sorta early and walked along the river till we got to Ponta Vecchio where theres a huge gold market or something like that so we wandered around. That was pretty cool, and after we made a reservation at the Uffuzzi museum for later so we didn't have to wait in the really long line for tickets.

After that we walked around the square when a random parade started lol we still aren't really sure why but it was interesting! We went and saw the Duomo there and then to San Lorenzo square where there are all kinds of markets and interesting things.

We had lunch at a nice little restaurant and I got a calzone that was delicious while we watched people bargaining with the people outside. It was pretty funny and interesting!

After we finished eating we decided it was time to do some bargaining of our own and we ended up buying a few things. I left the bargaining up to the other girls since I wasn't to good at it haha!

By this point it was time for our reservation at the museum so we went and Meagan is an art history major so she was able to be our tour guide and tell us about lots of the pieces and why they were interesting.

That took a really long time to get through the museum but it was totally worth it. I was so tired when we left so we took a break, had dinner, bought a bottle of wine and people watched at the duomo. It was pretty cool.

The next day we decided to go to Pisa so we got to the station and realized that the next train left in 3 minutes so we ran to the platform and made it, but it was pretty funny. The train was so gross and smelly, I guess because it was a small trip, and it's Italy lol! But we were just glad we made it and the trip only took about an hour.

What I realized about Pisa, really even before I got there, is that pretty much the only really cool thing about it is the tower. So we went, took our cute pictures, and left! lol It was short and sweet but still good!

When we got back to Florence we found a buffet style Italian restaurant that was really cheap and delicious. While walking back to our hotel we found a 1 euro store, which is practically never heard of so we were pretty excited! lol We bought all sorts of funny things and 2 bottles of wine, each one 1 euro, so you know they were good! haha

Milan

Picture 1: Drinking the wine they gave us!

Picture 2: What the fanciest McDonalds has to offer!

Picture 3:In front of the Castle!

Picture 4: Chilling in the fountain!

Picture 5: The fanciest McDonalds I've ever seen!

Picture 6: Me in front of the Duomo!

I'm finally in Italy!! It was pretty funny trying to make the language transition for me since I got so used to French haha. It was also pretty funny when we switched from our French to Italian train, the differences in the people. On the French train, no one talks and minds there own business and sits quietly. On the Italian trains everyone is talking and sharing food and laughing and it was hilarious I loved it!

We didn't get to the train station till around 9 so I was glad I booked a hotel literally across the street. And apparently I got a really good deal on this hotel because we did not pay much at all and it's so nice and beautiful! Yay me! haha We hadn't eaten since that morning so I went and asked the conceirge (in Italian) where a good place to eat around there was. He told us and we went on our way.

I started to get skeptical when all of the places were closed and it didn't really look like a popular hang out. Then we walked inside and there were so many people there! And lots of Italians eating dinner. I was happy after that because they say you know a restaurant is good when the Italians eat there!

We sat down and ordered when a couple next to us leaned over and asked us how we liked Milan. They were Scottish and here on holiday to watch the Opera and visit museums. They were so cute and sweet and bought us a bottle of Italian wine since they knew we were poor college students haha! They ended up being very interesting people and the woman started laughing when we said we went to school in Oklahoma because she had been in the musical so that was pretty funny. We talked about the stereotypes of different countries and they told us all the best attractions around. Of course they said the Opera, but at 160euros a ticket thats not going to happen haha!

I'm really upset that we didn't take a picture with them because we didn't think about it! But they gave us their e-mails and told us if we were ever in Scotland to let them know and they would love to show us around lol. They were very lovely people and it was probably my most enjoyable meal I've had in all of Europe!

The next day we woke up, had breakfast at the hotel, checked out and went to sight see! Of course we went to the Duomo first and then walked around and shopped a little bit, but only a little so don't worry! After we ate lunch and I had the most delicious lunch that was something I cant remember the name. But basically it was a big tortilla, with ham, brie cheese and fresh tomatoes. It was again, one of the most delicious things I've ever eaten! Italy is pretty much kicking France's rear in that department! haha

After that we walked to the Castle nearby and went through the museums there that had some really neat things. After we got really tired to we sat around the fountain with the locals who stick their feet in the water and like play in it. It was a pretty funny and cool experience!

By then it was time to head to Florence, but it was a great day in Milan!

Nice/Monaco

Picture 1: My French class lol we were quite the odd group of people!

Picutre 2: Hanging out on the beach!

Picture 3: Monte-Carlo!

Picture 4: Monaco

Picture 5:Melissa on our Castle tour!

This time I didnt have any sort of eventful train rides to Nice lol. We just arrived late and checked into our hotel and slept!

The next morning we woke up and went to the beach and layed out for awhile where we met our friend Clark who was going to hang out with us that weekend. It was really relaxing compared to Marseille so that made me happy! After we thought we could be getting burned, we went back to the hotel to shower and change and shop a little bit! Of course Clark was in no way interested in that, so we went to several European stores and I bought a few things at a store called Zara which was really cute. After that it was dinner time, so we met up with Clark who showed us around the old town and found a cute restaurant where I had the best seafood linguini ever and a cocktail which was actually pretty delicious!

After dinner it was still pretty early by Frances standards so we decided to buy a bottle of wine and go chill on the beach. We went to a tiny wine shop where a cute old French man gave us a chilled bottle from his personal cellar so it would be better on the beach. I took pictures with the wine and then watched my friends drink it haha it was fun!

The next day we woke up early and went to Monaco. It was so beautiful! When we got there we really didnt know what to do so we just started walking till we found the beach and lounged there for awhile until lunch time when we ate a picnic that we had packed for the day. After that we found our way to Monte-Carlo but it was closed for lunch so we took a break at Cafe de Paris across the street and people watched for awhile. That is a very cool thing to do in Monaco because these are the crazy wealthy people with their Ferraris. After it opened we went in and looked around. I was pretty excited when the people at the front didnt ask to see my passport because that meant they didnt think I was a foreign tourist! Monte-Carlo was cool, but would have probably be cooler A. if I gambled or knew how haha and B. if Id seen the new James Bond movie where he stays there!

After Monte-Carlo we hiked up a hill to try to get to the Aquarium when we accidently stumbled upon the Palace of the Prince of Monaco which was really cool! It had beautiful views and gardens and I was very impressed! That definitely made our walk down the other side of the hill more pleasant. The aquarium ended up being really cool and I loved all the fish! But by this point I was getting extremely tired so we headed back for some food.

We went to a place called Stars and Bars which was an "American" restaurant. I was so happy because they had Dr. Pepper! I miss it haha! It was nice to feel sort of like we were back at home again. Clark had a philly cheese steak which ended up coming on a baguette with American cheese, which is apparently wrong? But I've never had one so I don't really know the difference!

This day was the Fete de la Musique all over Paris so we went back to Nice to get ready to walk around. I didn't know if I could make it because I got so so tired! But when we finally left and heard all different kinds of music everywhere it ended up being really cool! Jordan and I sat at a restaurant and listened to some music for awhile till Clark text us and said there was a really cool band somewhere else. So we went and met him and saw a band that was playing all American music with a huge crowd around them. It was so fun to actually know the songs and the words and it was pretty funny seeing the number of Americans present. At one point a USA chant broke out, which I was pretty embarrassed by considering they were in France and that was pretty disrespectful. They were causing quite a commotion and ended up having to leave so I was glad that I wasn't associated with them haha! We stayed out late listening to music then made a late night MacDo run on the way back to the hotel! It was definitely a fun night!

The next morning was our last so we just had breakfast on the beach and layed out till we had to take the train back. We ended up missing out last train to Vichy so we had to walk across the street to the hotel and pay for a night there but it wasn't to bad.

What was bad was waking up the next morning at 530 to catcht the 620 train to Vichy, only to go to class for 5 hours when we got there at 830! :-( But it was totally worth it for our time in Nice because I absolutely loved it!

It will be hard to decide where to study now because OU has an exchange in Nice also!

I miss you all and tomorrow I head to Milan! I dont know when I will have internet and can post again but don't worry because I will be safe and hopefully my italian will improve some!

Bisous!

Marseille

Picutre 1: View from the top of the castle

Picture 2: Trapped in Edmond Dantes cell!

Picture 3: The beautiful water

Picture 4: The Calanques

Picture 5: Having a sandwich on Ile d'If

Picture 6: Chateau d'If

Picture 7: By the port after sunset

Picture 8: Jordan and Julie climbing the fence

Picture 9: Palais Longchamp

This weekend was really fun because Jordan, Julie (our new friend) and I went to Marseille! It took us a really long time to get there and the trains are like the ones from the Harry Potter movies with compartments where 8 people sit. So, when we got on the first train we sat with one other person and it was fine. Then, at the next stop 5 teenagers decided to come sit with us and the guy who was in there before us. I just knew they were trouble from the beginning because they had huge MacDo (McDonalds) sacks and were trying to fit an extra person in the seats.

We ignored then for a little while till the guy next to me asked if I wanted some french fries, which by the way weren't the normal kind but more like potatoe skins haha! I said no thanks and then they started to ask Julie where she was from and she told them Korea then one of the guys asked the other how to say millionaire in english, which is exactly the same so it was really funny. They decided Julie was a millionare since she had her Louis Vuitton purse and after they asked where I was from. They guessed Ireland then Germany then Norway then Italy then Denmark then England and 3 others until they said they really didn't know and finally the small guy in the corner said ....les Etats-Unis and I said oui and they all said Non!! So apparently I don't have any sort of American accent which is nice haha. Then the one in the corner told me I was pretty in French and asked for my name, I told him it was Melissa and then I got to here all the way to Lyon, Melissa... Je t'aime, marrier-moi(marry me) je vais prendre un tour de Lyon pour tu et tes amis(I will take you and your friends on a tour of Lyon). It was funny but I was glad to get off the train.

On the second train from Lyon to Marseille it was so packed people had to sit in the hall. Jordan and I ended up seperated by one seat with a 2o year old blonde french guy sitting between us. He didn't really say anything but I was pretty sure he was listening to our conversation about Jordans boyfriend and then when I said "Ya well boys are always wrong and girls are always right," he started laughing really hard and I realized he spoke English and understood everything we were saying haha! He became our friend and told us about all the fun things to do in Marseille and how we should take a bus to Aix-en-Provence for the night time. He was nice and when he asked where we were from I had him guess and again I got Ireland first and then Germany and then Norway and when I finally told him that I was from America and Texas he was in disbelief and said, "No, I've been to Texas, they don't talk like you they are so hard to understand!" Then he attempted the Texas accent which is really funny when mixed with a French one!

Anyways, after we actually got to Marseille, I found a map and navigated us to our hotel where I checked in and dropped off all of our stuff. Then we proceeded to walk to what we thought was the Vieux Port and ended up being first a business area, with no water and only buildings, then a huge ghetto leading up to the biggest church I've ever seen. There was no way out that we could see so we ended up walking up the steps the the church, which were covered in broken beer bottles, cigarettes and random shoes... no idea why lol it was the strangest thing I'd ever seen! The area was closed off but there was no other way out so we all climbed the fence over and escaped to the port through the church lol it was quite an experience. The port was beautiful and we walked along it seeing the biggest yachts ever and a pirates ship and then a whole bunch of regular sailing boats that were in some sort of race the weekend sponsored by Audi. It was a very chic area and pretty cool to walk around and see all of the night life.

The next morning we woke up early to go to Chateau d'If, the castle where Edmond Dantes is held captive in "The Count of Monte Cristo." It was really cool and the island was so beautiful overlooking the water which was the bluest I've ever seen. I packed all the supplies for sandwichs in my purse and we bought a baguette on the way to the port so that we could have a picnic on the island. It was the best picnic I've ever had! A. because of the scenery. and B. because I bought a citron presse(lemonade) and the lady made it from scratch with like 7 lemons and it was the most delicious thing ever! It was definitely a fun experience being there and taking the boat is always an adventure. After that we got on the metro and went to Palais Longchamp which was so beautiful and turned out to be an artist showcase. Some of them were really good and I ended up buying a piece I really liked from one of the artists there.

When we got back the Vieux Port we decided to eat some ice cream since it was really hot and then took a boat tour of the colanques, which are really high cliffs right next to the ocean and are really scenic. It wasn't the most impressive thing I've ever seen, but being on the boat was really fun and nice for the few hours we were out there.

Since I rented an apartment to save on money, we went and made pasta in the room for dinner and watched some french TV, which is actually mostly American TV dubbed over with the French translation haha! Then we went and caught a bus to Aix-en-Provence. It sort of reminded me of Bordeaux there and we didn't really know what to do or where to go, so we decided to follow a group of people our age who looked like Marc and his friends. They ended up leading us through all of the back roads to a really cool fancy bar. When I looked at the menu, non of the wines were under 30 euro and the most expensive champagne bottle was 750 euros so I realized we were definitely in a nice place! haha I ordered a strawberry mojhito, which was only 9 euro and Julie had a margarita, which wasn't really a margarita at all, more like a cocktail. It was funny to me and Jordan. They brought out snacks with our drinks and we people watched till late and had to go back to catch the bus.

Sunday morning we woke up, checked out, and took another bus to the "beach." It's not really the beach because theres no sand, but it was still nice and then we walked around the street markets where I bought soap because apparently Marseille is extremely famous for its soap, who knew! Then we took the train back to Vichy which was not eventful like the first trip haha!

Now I'm back to my studies which is much less exciting, but I leave for Nice and Monaco on Friday so I will be excited for that now!

Pauvre Clermont :-(

Picture 1: Typical French spectator with his beret and wine, I'm sure there was a baguette somewhere around him too.

Picture 2: Everyone sitting to watch the game

Picture 3: Me and Melissa sitting

Picture 4: Melissa's friends

Picture 5: People getting excited before the match

Picutre 6: Mel and I with her Nephew Loo

Picture 7: My Host Grandad and Dad with his OU golf towel

Picture 8: On the golf course

Picture 9: Mel and I in the cart

The next day after I went to the English lesson I got switched into a more advanced French class only to find out that class was having a test the next day! Luckily it was all stuff I had already learned so I was pretty sure it would be ok but I was just glad I was feeling more challenged. My teacher is a really young French guy and he's pretty interesting! The test went pretty ok I think the next day and then Melissa, her step-dad and grandad came and picked me up from school to go golfing.

The place was really and pretty since it was out in the countryside. There were lots of old men drinking wine and smoking cigars just like what you would expect of any club and also the french haha. We ate lunch there and I had duck which I've decided I really like. The grandad rented me some womens clubs which was really sweet. At lunch I heard Mel ask how many holes we were gonna play, I was hoping 9 but then I heard dix-huit and was a little more stressed! I'm good with 9 but 18 is so tiring! We got in the cart and started in on the holes and I did pretty much like normal lol the guys would laugh at me because I would do really bad then really good so all in all it was ok! I didn't have a glove so after awhile my hand really hurt. After we finished the guys all wanted to go smoke some more and have a beer so Mel and I went and drank a coke and she got a thing called sirop, which is basically just like a melted snowcone. It was a fun experience to go play with them and it was funny to realize that all of the golf terms are exactly the same with French pronunciations. Like Fairway, top le bol, the green, pronounced le gren etc.

That night Melissa's nephew came over who is 1 year old and he was really cute. We played with him for awhile and I went to bed early because I was so tired and knew we had big plans for Saturday in Clermont.

I woke up the next day pretty late because it was almost lunchtime. We had veal and some other meat and I can't remember the last time I ate any sort of seafood or chicken haha. I've had to break my no red meat rule at pretty much every meal but it's all been good! I met Melissa's sister and we stayed with Loo, the baby, a little longer till we headed out to Clermont to watch their rugby team in the French Championship. Apparently for the last 9 years they've gone and still haven't won or something like that. It was really cool being there because everyone was so excited and there was a huge screen in Jaude Place, where everyone sat and watched the game. I thought it was hilarious because when it came time for the game, everyone sat down and it was just a known rule. That would never happen in America, one because of personal space rules, and two its sort of a pride thing lol. All of the spectators were dressed in there jaune et bleu with baguette sandwiches in hand and bottles of beer and wine everywhere, which also wouldn't fly in America! haha. Rugby was really cool and very intense and they were winning till halftime, when they ended up loosing again and I'm not lying when I say that every person was completely quiet and depressed, worse than an OU Texas game. Lots of guys were crying and it was really sad because I guess this was supposed to be there year to win. So instead of going to any after partys Mel and I went home because we knew none of them were going to be any fun after that.

I thought it was fun even though they lost because it was cool and totally different! Today is Mothers Day here so all of Mel's family is coming over for dinner which should be a pretty interesting experience!

Parlez-vous l'anglais?!

Picture 1: At Pier 6, some posh club with Marc's Friends, Me, Jean, Marc de Bechade, Victor

Picture 2: The pier in Arcachon down the street from Marc's beach house

Picture 3: My new friends! Marc de Bechade, Me, Antoine, Marc Bailly, Thomas, Jordan, Jean

Picture 4: Jordan and I on Marc's boat!

So I started class! The day that was supposed to be the first day ended up being a holiday, which is not shocking considering the French take Holidays pretty much all of the time! lol So on Monday Melissa took me to Thiers where her dad, aunt, and grandma live and where her mom and step dad have there plastic factory. It was a really cute town in the mountains so her aunt lived up high with a beautiful view of the city and thats where we ate lunch. Her house was really cool and eclectic because all of the people in Melissas family are really good paiters, I had no idea! At lunch I tried saucisson for the first time and thought it was good! As long as I didn't think about what it was made of lol sort of like a hot dog! Melissa has two cousins who live in Thiers, a girl whose 14 and a boy whose my age so it was cool to hang out with them for a little bit!

After lunch Mel took me around Theirs and we walked in a church that was built in like 1400 or something, it was pretty neat. Then we went to the plastic factory her Step-dad owns and it was really cool to see all the stuff they make and the cute area around it. Apparently some really famous knives are made in Thiers and that's there claim to fame. When we walked around though it was pretty easy to see the recession there because so many shops were closed and the town was sort of dead. It's pretty sad.

But one place that wasn't dead was the French version of Wal-Mart where Mel took me next and it was pretty much the same but all in French, I was pretty suprised! Then we visited Mel's friend who had just had a baby who was less than a month old, he was so cute and I tried to speak French with the two of them but it was pretty hard.

My first day of class my mom here parked and walked me in just like elementary school lol it was pretty cute. I found Jordan and we took the placement test where I proceeded to accidently miss a whole section of listening comprehension so I'm pretty sure I had a horrible score for that and thus I ended up in a class that is entirely to easy for me with Jordan. It's pretty fun but we will most likely transfer to another this week.

The classes are cool because there are all different nationalities like Libian and Mexican and American and Japanese and Korean. So the only common language is French so the entire class is written, heard and spoken in French. I love it! I told the Japanese girl my one phrase of Japanese and she got so excited lol it was cute and we're best friends now.

So basically the class is fun and I'm really enjoying it. But what was even more fun was to go to Mel's moms English class today and see the reverse. It was pretty cool and I realized English would definitely be hard to learn! The teacher is from Ireland and I talked to her before class and from what I could tell she seemed pretty nice but definitely had that proper English air about her and in class during the text she asked me a few questions about America and differences and it was sort of clear that she thought our English was inferior to their way lol. Which was fine but when she started teaching the ladies the words corpulent and gangly and stout I asked if those were everyday words where she came from and she said yes and that the use of those words for me would come with age. I looked at Mel and we both sort of laughed and realized this lady was a total salope! (the b word in french) Then she talked about how great her son was because he spoke perfect English and French and his English was way to proper for when he studied abroad in Iowa. I sort of laughed and said that I could see that, and I understood why only because being to proper in America seemed snobby, but she clearly was snobby so that was probably a compliment for her! I told her that in the south we are much more relaxed and warm and welcoming which some people like and some don't and she thought that was sort of intersting.

At the point I really felt like putting on my best hick accent and saying, "Well ya'll it's been a real treat to get to know ya! But I'm only from America and can't really understand what you guys are sayin' so I think I'll head back to Texas now with my 6 shooter and cowboy boots!" lol It was quite and experience and I really enjoyed it because it's so interesting to see how different people really can be!

Besides that nothing really exciting is happening so I'm waiting longer to post so I will have more to say! I will put up pictures of Melissas house and the town as soon as I take some! haha

Until my next adventure!

Love you!