Ma descente dans les gorges de l'Ardèche

Yesterday I had the opportunity to take a boat down through the canyons of the Ardèche River (Gorges de l'Ardèche) and it was by far one of the most amazing experiences I've had in Europe. For tourists, it can be difficult to travel beyond large cities to see the natural beauty of Europe, but I've been incredibly lucky to have my host family to show me around to beautiful places I would never have seen without them (specifically, here and here and here). I only hope I can return the favor someday.

Google Map of the river

I left with Mme. T at 8:30 in the morning, despite the fact that I hadn't gone to bed until 1:30 or 2 am due to a very, very late going-away dinner with Kayley's professors (8pm to 12:30 am!). Fortunately I forgot about my sleepiness as soon as we stumbled into our rowboat. In the boat, there was me, Mme. T, an elderly woman, another younger girl, one boatman with a brace on his entire left leg, and two able-bodied boatman to row. In total, there were about forty or fifty people in our group, the majority of them employees, their families, and co-workers of Mme. T. The main objective of the excursion was to see how the river had changed since the winter and to get an idea of how the summer tourist season might go this year. At times the water level was very low, but most of the boatmen seemed enthusiastic anyway.

Proof that I was there

The take-off

No Olympic flame, no Olympic games!

Monday was my second to last day at one of my schools. The CM1 (4th grade) class has been working on a set of English lessons for weeks revolving around a 'quest' and the upcoming Olympics in London. In short, one of six suspects stole the Olympic flame and during this week's lesson, they finally eliminated the last suspect and discovered who stole the flame. Surprise, surprise, it was Jessy, the character with the most suspicious-looking mugshot.

"Jessy" wrote the class a letter that the teacher asked me to read to the class... in French. Turns out that Jessy isn't a Brit at all... she's French! She was upset that the Olympic games were going to take place in London instead of Paris and so she stole the flame so that the Olympics couldn't happen at all. However, after the wonderful five weeks of learning about London and its tourist attractions, Jessy had a change of heart and decided to return the Olympic flame. Aww...

"On te pardonne, Katrin--euh, Jessy!"
"Mais non, elle avait raison! Il faut la voler!" 

("We forgive you, Katrin--er, Jessy!"
"No, she was right! We should steal the Olympic flame!")

Then the teacher proceeded to tell the kids that not only was Jessy a French girl disguised as a Brit, but that I was a French girl disguised as an American. They believed him for about five seconds. Greatest five seconds ever.

Wenlock, Olympic Games Mascot

M. Ward "I Get Ideas"

M. Ward has a cover of "I Get Ideas" on his next album! If we end up going to Sasquatch this summer and he plays this song, I may die of excitement.

The week in photos

Pastry tasting

Being lazy on the terrace with the cat

Winning at French scrabble with only 154 points

A drawing of Tyler and me courtesy of P.

The other day P. wanted to have a mini art contest with me so we each drew two pictures and the family had to vote for their favorite. Of course P. was the winner. What sort of monster would vote against the 7-year-old? This is the winning illustration -- her depiction of me and Tyler dreaming of our wedding day (Nous rêvons de mariage.). And Tyler, don't worry about her misspelling of your name -- I promise I'm not marrying some new guy named Taylor. Also, contrary to the drawing, I'm not suddenly so ample-bosomed. 


I have just three more weeks to go and I feel like there is still so much that I haven't seen even just in France! Travel buddies?

Montelimar: Ice cream and castles

I will be home in just one more month! I still love living in France with my host family of course, but I've been getting more and more anxious to get back to 'real life' again. I'll be spending my next month taking advantage of the rest of my time here with the food, places, and people I'll be missing very soon. Here are some pictures from this past weekend in Montelimar with Kayley and Evan. We had ice creams, played on the parapet and checked out the contemporary art exhibit at the Chateau Adhemar, and went to see The Iron Lady.

First ice cream of 2012 -- Dark chocolate and hazelnut chocolate

Kayley taking a picture of Evan

Chateau Adhemar

 

Taking more pictures

A view of Montelimar

French Music Friday -- Vol. 8: Camelia Jordana

Although P. usually chooses to listen to Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez (yeah...), occasionally she'll turn on a French artist. Today I bring you one of P.'s favorite singers, Camelia Jordana. She competed on the French version of American Idol and has had a fair amount of success since then. "Non, non, non" is the one song of hers that I've heard more than once on the radio. 

(Yes, I know it's Sunday but I left for Pierrelatte too early Friday morning to make my self-imposed deadline.)

Sunshine, lollipops, and rainbows (minus the lollipops and rainbows)

Ever since I returned from vacation, the weather has become more and more bearable. This is of course unfortunate news for the coat and boots I bought just two months ago, but oh well. I'm thrilled to get outside without it being a necessity. For the first time since October, I took my time walking home from work on Tuesday. 

To give you an idea of just how nice the weather is right now, here are a few pictures from my first weekend back in town at the park in Pierrelatte with Kayley and Evan. 

Please note the absence of my coat, hat, and gloves.

Kayley soaking up the rays... I loaned her my sunglasses afterward.

Evan -- short sleeves!

Lyon, Prague, Budapest, and London: The photos I was too lazy to take

More Lyon photos, courtesy of Anna

Thank you for your consumption! Love, Budapest

I found this gem while going through one of my purses the other day. 

How did the Hungarian restaurant owners find out that I had tuberculosis in the 8th grade?

Gastronomy - Czech and Hungarian Food and Drink

Prague. The best beef goulash I've ever had. I think it was the bread bowl.

Budapest. Turkey covered in cheese. Surprisingly good.

Prague. Beer. Apparently lots of foam is a good thing because it proves that the beer is "fresh."

Prague. Super colorful food. This is Hungarian sausage... not sure why I got Hungarian sausage in the Czech Republic. Oops.

Prague. Bagels! It was delicious.

Budapest. Apple cinnamon strudel at the market.

Budapest. Hungarian food at the indoor market. I ate potato for 2 out of 3 meals this day.