Mes Etudes

So I have been doing a lot of very interesting school work lately and thought I would share that for a change:)

In my Muslim Presence in Europe class, we had a discussion/debate on the headscarf law in France. Similar to Turkey's, since 2004 France has outlawed the wearing of ostentatious religious symbols in public schools. France has a strong tradition of "laicité" (secularism) and also a history of conflicts between "la Republique" and integrating Muslims. I didn't necessarily take a side on the debate, but I do have an opinion on the law. It seems to me that the problems France has with integration and the racism Muslims experience won't be solved by making little girls take off their scarves. Obviously in some cases, these girls were pressured into wearing the scarves by authoritative male figures...but for the most part they chose to wear them themselves. As a sign of piety and modesty. Those in charge of creating the law, members of the Stasi Commission surprisingly never actually interviewed a Muslim schoolgirl.

I can understand the state's feeling that SOMETHING needed to be done. There was an increase in violence in the "cités" (poor urban towns surrounding big cities where most minorities live) and teachers felt their authority was being undermined by the girls (in gym class where they refused to participate). I also agree that France has major problems assimilating its minorities into French culture. There is an idea of what it means to be French and most times that includes being white. Colonialism has lead to big societal problems and all of these things should be addressed by the government. I read the book, "Why the French Don't Like Headscarves" and it explained that many women viewed the wearing of the "voile" or "foullard" as a hostile act. It also noted the girls explained their choice to wear the scarf as a result of being born and raised in France. They said la Republique provided them with institutions and freedom to learn Arabic more about Islam. Interesting also is the fact that most first-generation immigrant women do not wear the scarves, au contraire, their daughters and grand-daughters who were born in France and rose through the public school system do.

All in all, I find the subject very interesting and was really excited to learn so much about it.

In my Art-History class I gave a presentation on Gertrude and her brother Leo Stein and their contribution to the works and lives of Picasso and Matisse. It was cool because Gertrude and Leo after Picasso's first cubist masterpiece, "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon," were so divided on their views of Cubism, separated their art collection and Leo moved out. Also, it was interesting to compare Gertrude's writing at the time she was so close to Picasso with his painting. They both had Cubist collage styles!

And in my French conversation class I read my first full French novel, "Bonjour Tristesse" by Francoise Sagan! I gave a 30 minute presentation (en francais!) over the novel and the author's life. Sagan failed out of the Sorbonne after her first year and that summer wrote the novel! She was only 18 and the English version made the New York Time's Bestseller list! The book was really good but sad (hence the title which translates into "Hello Sadness").

Champagne Tasting in Reims

We took a bus to Reims on April 5th and went to the Mumm champagne museum and store. There was a video and tour of the museum. It was really cool to learn about the Mumm family who owns 540 acres of vineyards in the Champagne region. They have three grapes: Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, black grapes, and Chardonnay, a white grape, and the taste of champagne comes from the combination of them. Isn't that interesting? The champagne was really good--we tasted their classic Cordon Rouge. "You can get a whole bunch of Mumm's."

We also had a lovely lunch and then saw the Notre-Dame de Reims was very similar to the one in Paris--same style of architecture, built in the 1200's and our tour guide said they did some of the French kings' coronations here. The tour guide and my French prof, Lucie got into this sarcastic argument because the tour guide was making fun of Lucie's Parisian accent.

Sunday, my friend Jon came to town. Poor guy got in a fight at the Duplex and had a huge gash across his nose. We decided he should photoshop it out of his pics of Paris before showing his mom... He, Brendan and I went to the Eiffel Tour with some bread and cheese and sat on a park bench. It just happened to be the coldest weekend in Paris yet and began snowing on us and making our baguette soggy BUT the view made up for it! In the fountains near the tour there appeared to be some sort of a protest--the water was dyed red and fake human bodies were floating in it.

On Monday I played tour guide for Jon and as we were walking down the Champs-Elysées, we were blocked from the Arc de Triomphe by Chinese Nationalists and pro-Tibet supporters who lined the street in anticipation of the Olympic torch run! We got to see both the carrier of the torch--a Chinese fencer in a wheelchair and the demonstrators! There was chanting, Chinese and Tibetan flags, huge banners hung from the windows with the Olympic rings composed up of handcuffs, and a fight even broke out! What's going on with the Olympics is so interesting to me and I am really glad there are so many defending Tibet. I can't understand the Chinese nationalists view, though.

Nîmes

My program went to Nîmes in the south of France for the weekend. We took a train from Paris and immediately put on our shades when we got there;) We were all so happy to be in a warm climate--people were wearing sun-dresses and flip-flops! We had a great lunch the first day and then met up with a tour guide to see the coliseum, Arènes, e climbed to the top and learned about the gladiators and wild animals that used to battle there. They also used to have bullfights there. It's crazy to me that the bulls actually die at the end of the fights! (even in modern-day fights)
We went to the center of the village and just as we walked past this church there were wedding bells and we saw the newlyweds coming out of the church:) The Roman architecture of the town was beautiful.
That night at dinner we had foie gras (i know, i know) and afterwards went to a bar called Victor Hugo.
Sunday morning we went to the aqueduct nearby, Pont du Gard. It's settled in the hills and it was great to be outside climbing on trees and hiking around. (Mom, you'll be happy to hear I did a little meditation while we were up in the hills surrounded by nature.) Then we had this great lunch salmon cakes and a beef dish (turned out to be bull...?) in a big white tent with colored paper lanterns and a great view of the river and mountains. It was incredible.
On our way back to Nîmes, we stopped at the Haribo museum--they make gummy bears--and toured around there, got some tasters etc. I also stopped in a little shop that sold souvenirs and made their own honey and jams. They had orange and chestnut wines!
My roommates in the hotel (Amy, Audrey and Hayley) were really funny and each night people came over to our room and we all stayed up laughing, telling stories and hanging out till late.

Un super séjour avec ma famille!

My parents got into Paris on Thursday morning but because I had class I couldn't meet up with them until 5 that evening. I also met Eren and Lauren at the Opera House to see them once more before they left. We started with wine, cheese and bread at the hotel, then we went to a cute fondue restaurant nearby! For some reason I was the only one who actually ordered fondue, but everyone tried a little. J’étais trés heureuse de voir ma famille. They were all so cute at their French attempts and looking to me to communicate to the waiter.
Friday morning I went to breakfast with Scott, Kristen and Brendan before my afternoon classes. Straight after class I hurried to my parents hotel for another wine and cheese happy hour (we enjoyed a good many of these). Tom had discovered the Monoprix (think a nicer Wal-Mart slash Target--with fresh breads and super cheap Bordeaux wines) and he kept a good stock of treats for us. My parents, Di and Tom were sooo sweet and took Scott, Kristen and Brendan out to a fancy pants dinner! We went up to Montmartre (everyone falling inline behind me as we zig zagged through the Metro stations and had to change trains 3 times! It was cool to show them around--I felt like such a chic Parisian) and went to a fabulous seafood restaurant. Di finally got some escargot and we all shared big trays of shellfish. Fun stories and really cool for me to introduce my friends to the fam! Us kids hung out at a bar in Montmartre for Kristen and Scott's last night.
Saturday morning I met the fam at their hotel and we went for a walk in the Jardin du Luxembourg. Di went for a run, Tom, KC and Brooke walked to the Marais. My parents and I took a stroll down St-Michel to see the famous fountain. It is of St-Michel who is the protector of France, slaying a dragon. It is also right in the middle of the Latin Quarter near the Sorbonne. It started to downpour as we walked though, so we stopped in a little café for some soupe d'oignon (French onion soup. They just call it onion soup here) and café au lait. Unfortunately my dad wasn't feeling well (the whole trip:( ! ) So he went back, Di, my mom and I did a little shopping and Di bought the most adorable coat. It is a periwinkle/gray/blue longish trench style but has 3/4 length sleeves with a bit of a ruffle. She also got a matching scarf! So chic. That night I got to take KC and Brooke out for a little while and introduced them to some of my friends:)
Sunday=Happy Easter in Paris! Most unconventional Easter ever! We went to the Musée d'Orsay (the Impressionist painters) and I had a great time explaining the paintings I have learned in my Art History class. They really enjoyed the Manets and Degas. I think Tom liked the pointillism paintings. Afterward, we had "Easter Brunch" at a falafel restaurant in the Jewish district (the Marais). The place was bumpin (as always on Sundays) and we got a table for 7 right away! The waiters (ours especially) were fun and we all marveled at their teamwork. One would put something in the microwave and another would come up just in time to grab it. They also seemed about a minute from colliding into each other and spilling falafel balls and french fries (just plain frites here ;) ) everywhere. We were beat after that and just hung out at the hotel. I met Audrey at a café for some vin chaud that evening.
The Monday after Easter in Paris (and probably all of France) the city shuts down. Besides tourist attractions and a few stores, nothing is open. We were lucky to go to le Louvre! Oh man it was packed. I can't imagine what the actual "season" will be like because man it was crazy in there. Especially the Mona Lisa room (salle de la Jaconde) which is pretty overrated but definitely a must-see. I really enjoyed the Egyptian art and the Persian rooms were something I didn't think I would be into but thought were soo cool! My parents really liked the Flemish paintings I think.
Afterwards we had pizza at a place off Chatelet (short walk from le Louvre) and did a little shopping at H&M (huuuge European clothing store that has recently opened chains in the U.S.)
That evening I needed to work on schoolwork (yes, it's true, I do attend classes in Paris!) so the whole gang went with me to a nearby café. Les Patios was just off the Place de la Sorbonne and there was this great little bluesy swingy jazzy singer and her trio in there! I wrote a poem in French and had some wine with my loves. It was such a great ambiance--low lighting and beautiful songs. The singer was awesome (cute and little) and obvi my family was a great add to the evening.
Tuesday I had class all day! boooo. So I only got to meet the fam for a quick lunch on their way to exploring the Latin Quarter. That evening we did a really nice dinner at Bouillon Racine (a Belgian restaurant near the hotel) that Eemaw and Eepaw had been to when they were here :) The food was awesome (I had duck mmm think I can get enough while I'm here?) and once again the service was funny (it was "pas possible" for us to sit upstairs)
Wednesday the gang went to Versailles and I worked on a midterm paper. That evening Momma and Dad got to meet Madame! H I L A R I O U S. Like I've mentioned, she doesn't speak a word of English. And as you can guess, my parents are a little rusty on their French (although Mom did try to throw in some Spanish words here and there). Madame was wonderful. She brought out little sandwiches, cookies, cakes and olives and different kinds of wine to choose from. Through my translating, they discovered a shared love of Jazz! Madame brought out a stack of all her jazz cd's and put one on for us! The parents loved this. She told them I was a hard worker and pleasant to have:)
This was their last night (we thought) in Paris so we went back to the hotel to say goodbye to Di, Tom, KC and Brooke.
(American Airlines failed to inspect their planes so my parents got to stay one more night in Paris! I spent the night with them at their airport hotel! Not bad!)