arles

Bonjour!

To begin with, last night the neighborhood had a street party right outside the villa; complete with french appetizers and dancing to the Mamma Mia soundtrack (I was so excited and our hostess Amanda offered a movie night for us girls when I told her it was one of my favorites) :)

There were a few dishes there I'd never seen before...like watermelon and cheese skewers, fish cookies, and cantaloupe mush. It was pretty funny to watch other SPU kids bite into them without being fully aware of what was inside. Jordan, I'm kicking myself for not taking pictures of all the platters; I know you love seeing that stuff! The night was a blast overall! I love chatting with Saint Maximin's residents...there's Hester from New Zealand who is just gorgeous and Karen who is from Germany and speaks 5 languages, just to name a couple.

My loves:


Brittany and I with April, one of the Davis' family friends who came along to cook and hang out with us:


Today's adventure was in the town of Arles. We visited a Roman colosseum still used for bull fighting today and one of Van Gough's painting spots. Also, we got to visit an old ampitheatre which has obviously crumbled a lot, but still holds 3,000 people. It was a pretty toasty day so we were all a little quiet, but our gelato stop was refreshing and the shop was blasting Shakira :)

A close up of the colosseum wall:


The inside ring:



Photo shoot at the Ampitheatre:


GELATO! I had Orange Sanguine and Ananas today:



Van Gough's square:



Feeling a little grumpy at the end of the day:


Currently listening to: You and I by Ingrid Michaelson
Au Revoir!

xoxo
Caitlin
caitlinboyd72@gmail.com

st. maximin

Bonjour All!
Our move to the south was successful...and not as hectic as I expected. There's not much to highlight from the trip itself BUT I did buy Vogue Paris in the train station with Brittany and it just so happened the Roloffs from Little People, Big World on TLC were there.

I wasn't sure what differences to expect between here and Normandy, but there are some pretty extreme ones:
-The temperature is always over 80.
-There are lizards and scorpions running around. [David, I'll do my best to bring one home for you, but the thought of that creeps me out so you may just have to settle for another souvenir]
-We're in a village so there's not much night life.
-AND the villa we're staying in now is about 3 times bigger so we're not living on top of one another which is kind of refreshing.

The woman we're staying with is named Amanda, originally from New Zealand, and has been living in Southern France for about ten years now. She's quite a character! Matt is currently her favorite because he lived in NZ for about 6 months and the two of them are always chatting it up about Auckland. The house is beautiful and of course the pool is our common area, which I'm enjoying :)

A staircase down to the pool:


Our patio:


The kitchen:


My 'Buddha Bed' down in the basement:


The view from the upstairs balcony:



After spending Sunday relaxing and settling in, we went kayaking yesterday under the Roman aqueducts. It was a lot of fun and I was surprisingly not very sore this morning even though the rafting trip was about 3 hours long. There were so many people out on the river; it was definitely the party spot!!

My ladies on the river:


I can't believe my time in France is already half-way done! No worries, I'm enjoying every minute and I know these next two weeks will be just as full and exciting as the last. I'd love to hear from you!

Currently listening to: The Lighthouses Tale by Nickel Creek
Au Revoir!

xoxo
Caitlin
caitlinboyd72@gmail.com

bayeux and d-day

I have two days to fill you in on!!
The first was our excursion yesterday to Bayeux to see France's famous tapestries! Now, I was pretty skeptical about this trip and thought about staying behind because tapestries just don't sound too exciting, but it was short and I feel more educated at least.

The tapestry is basically like one long tablecloth (about a football field long) which has been put behind glass and each scene is numbered so you can follow along with your walkie talkie. Pictures weren't allowed so I won't be posting any, but you can google them. It chronicled William the Conquerer and the Norman invasion of England and was quite interesting...especially the random naked figures on the bottom border.

Also in Bayeux we toured the cathedral and had eclairs. The church was probably my favorite one I've been inside on the trip. There was even a 'lost crypt' featured in the sanctuary. Brittany and I are still trying to figure out how it got lost since it's been under the cathedral since it was originally built. The architecture is mind-blowing since it's so intricate and tall and symmetrical. I actually read the cathedrals were built to mirror a 'well-ordered' soul. I'm still working on that part...

The Cathedral:


An awkward self-timer shot...a french man was not happy he had to stand and wait for 10 seconds:


My first french eclair!! SO GOOD:


Today's last big trip in Normandy was to the American Memorial Cemetary and Pointe du Hoc. We have our mid-terms tomorrow morning and then are moving to the south on Saturday. I am SO excited for hot weather and the Mediterranean, but I know I'm going to miss this little town and the beach.

Anyway, the beaches today were beautiful. There were definitely two different moods at the two memorials. Our first stop was the cemetary so of course everyone was silent and very reverent. It was kind of eerie to be there and to enjoy walking on a beach where so many people died, but it was also cool to see how our veterans are well remembered even in another country.

The beach:


The cemetary:


Sweeeeeeet lily pool:


Our second stop at Pointe du Hoc was much more family-friendly and there were kids everywhere screaming and playing in the craters. Morbid, I know...
The cliffs were an attack point for the Army Ranger Assault Group and looking at those cliffs I was amazed at how they could be so successful and persistent in scaling them with just ropes.

The cliffs:


A crazy child:


Max as 'the bomb':


I'm not sure when my next post will be since I'm expecting our move to be CRAZY, but I'll try not to miss too many days. The 28 of us will be taking a bus to Deauville, a bus to Paris, and then a train to Avignon and another car ride to our villa. Oh boy...another embarassing parade.

Mom, Dad, Tina, Carly, and Jordan: I miss you and love you all :)

Currently listening to: I Want You by Kings of Leon
Au Revoir!

xoxo
Caitlin
caitlinboyd72@gmail.com

mont saint michel

Mont Saint Michel is amazing!! It looks like a floating castle/abbey in the middle of farmland...which it basically is. There is only one road through the whole 'village' and when the tide comes in, the building becomes an island. It's built with gates and restaurants at the bottom, then a few stores and houses which lead up to a museum and the abbey itself. You'll have to google it for a fuller picture, but I felt like I was in Disneyland or a Hollywood set. All of these outings we've had seem unreal and larger than life...they feel like a dream.



Michel himself...slaying a demon. Legit:




View from a distance:


10 things I love about France:
-The architecture, the cobblestone, the history that oozes out of every cathedral and house and street.
-Seeing french romance everywhere haha.
-Care free attitudes...exhibited in the slow cafe bustle, the topless beaches, and the art galleries.
-Nutella bagettes for breakfast every morning. And nutella crepes for lunch. And spoonfuls of nutella every night.
-Loooooooong days
-Reading Pascal's Pensees and contemplating my own life and future.
-Spending every waking moment with my dream team :)
-Being the crazy Americans on the patio with an amazing playlist.
-Pear Cidre and Rose Wine.
-The wide third story window sills where I can sit and write endlessly.

5 things I miss about the US:
-Chai tea and iced drinks...I love the coffee here, but there's no such thing as a mocha, no chai tea lattes, and no ice to be found to add some flair. Oh Cafe Ladro how I miss thee.
-Intersections...I'm so tired of roundabouts on the freeway.
-A boy named David Wayne Moore.
-Not feeling helpless when I have a question or need directions or don't know how to order anything other than nutella crepes.
-Thai food, Greek food, Mexican food, etc.

Currently listening to: Hello Seattle by Owl City
Au Revoir!

xoxo
Caitlin
caitlinboyd72@gmail.com

bikes and deauville

Bonjour!!

Yesterday was a perfect Saturday. After sleeping in, the five of us (Brittany, Matt, Alicia, Max and I: now called the dream team by some...) went into town and met up with our friends Vincent and Francois. We walked through the morning market and I found a really cute turquoise dress; however, the scruffy tent-owning man wouldn't sell it to me. Obviously I need to work on my bartering skills...and mark my words: I intend on getting that dress for less than 19 euros :)

Afterwards we all rented bicycles, joined by Laura, for about an hour and made a loop around the beach. It was a lot of fun... especially watching Matt fulfill his lifelong dream of riding a tandem. Oh boy, that was a treat.







Today was a lot less eventful. Dr. Davis drove us into Deauville for the day and we just chilled. I read some of Pascal's Pensees and drank the most expensive iced tea EVER. Haha today was just a bad day for French impressions...we had the worst service at one cafe. Apparently the waiter didn't catch on that Brittany speaks french and could understand each rude comment he made. Unfortunately, tip is included in the checks here in Europe so employees don't have to make an effort to be hospitable.

Second reason I'm currently resenting the French:
Tonight, Brittany, Matt, and I went to the beach to watch the sun set and as we're sitting and having a good time, three boys decide they're going to approach us. Now, I'm not quite sure what would have happened if we stuck around, but I don't really want to think about it. They were speaking french and started surrounding us when we grabbed all of our things and booked it back home. Let me just say the adreneline was pumping... Matt got all protective and everything :) Just like Aunt Dawn told him to be.

No worries though, I'm safe and going to bed.

Currently watching: Kittens inspired by Kittens on Youtube...check it out. Priceless.
Au Revoir!

xoxo
Caitlin
caitlinboyd72@gmail.com

versailles

Bonjour!

Today was a long one, but so good. To begin with, we had theories class this morning, but Matt and I 'unfortunately' missed it because we were assigned kitchen duty. We helped clean up breakfast stuff, washed dishes, and then stuffed tortillas with Maggie for our enchilada dinner this evening. It was a relaxing way to start the day...especially since we had control of the ipod.

Our day trip was to the palace of Versailles. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but both the building and the gardens were extraordinary. I guess the only background I had was the little I remember from the movie Marie Antoinette...but I mostly remember the costumes. We were able to walk through most of the palace, including the king and queen's chambers as well as the newly renovated 'hall of mirrors'. My favorite part was the outside fountains...especially the famous Apollo. It was crazy to think only a few priveleged people occupied and got to enjoy the whole place back in the day. Of course our walk through the lawn included an ice cream and caffe creme!

A front view:


Inside hallway:


Hall of mirrors:


Overview of the gardens:


Apollo:


After returning to Honfluer and eating dinner, we set out to find a karaoke bar. However, the one place we did find was pretty sketch so instead we met two brothers from Quebec and went out for drinks :)

Currently listening to: In my Head by Your Vegas
Au Revoir!

xoxo
Caitlin
caitlinboyd72@gmail.com

giverny and rouen

Bonjour!

Yesterday was France's national Bastille Day. I absolutely loved it because the festivities felt a lot like America's own Fourth of July (my favorite holiday), complete with fireworks, food, and music. The night was very long as we found a dance party in Honfluer's center square.

Candy from a stranger (don't worry mom, I gave mine to Matt haha):


Taking a break from the party:


Today was our first excursion away from Honfluer! After breakfast we packed up and took the bus to Giverny: the home of Monet. We took a tour of the gardens, his home, and the lily ponds. The lily ponds were definitely my favorite; I can understand why Monet spent so much time there because it was so beautiful and peaceful...aside from all the meandering tourists.
Carla, you would have spent days in the garden...it was so intense even though a lot of flowers aren't currently blooming. The bee factor was enough to keep me away though and Max and I freaked out when a little French boy started petting a bumble bee in front of us.
Interesting facts: Monet had nine children and his house is decorated with nothing but Japanese paintings. At one point I felt like I was in a comic book because the walls were just filled with art and frames.

The outside of the house:


Lily ponds:


More lilies:


Our second stop was Rouen: the city Joan of Arc was tried and burned. Of course there is a museum in her honor near the square she was killed, but most of the town around it has become a shopping mall. Weird to see modern and historic culture intertwined like that.

The square:


A shockingly inappropriate shot glass:


I hope you're all doing well! Postcards are on their way :)

Currently listening to: Keep it loose, Keep it tight by Amos Lee
Au Revoir!

xoxo
Caitlin
caitlinboyd72@gmail.com

lazy sunday

Today was a pretty chill day...spent the morning at a Catholic church which was absolutely beautiful and spent the rest of the day exploring.



Rolly Polly dog:




The beach was also a highlight this evening. Some of us watched the sunset from the top of a building down on the beach overlooking the mouth of the English Channel. I'm wiped out now so I apologize for the short blog.

Classes actually start tomorrow. Wish me luck :)

Currently listening to: Spice up your life by Spice Girls
Au Revoir!

xoxo
Caitlin
caitlinboyd72@gmail.com

honfluer

Bonjour!

The day began in Paris and ended in Honfluer, one of the most beautiful cities I've ever seen. Our chartered bus ride was about three hours through the northern country-side to the bus station. We then paraded through town with all of our luggage and basically announced the Americans had arrived. Somewhat embarassing...

Here's Matt and I on the bus:


Our villa:


After eating dinner and listening to the rules (there are none), Alicia, Max, Brittany, Matt and I did some exploring through the city down by the water and up the hill to church.

Downtown:


The wooden carousel:


Random houses:




We'll be staying in this house for an entire two weeks and I'm stoked to explore all the nooks and crannies...meaning all the chocolate and gelato shops :)

Currently listening to: Come Around by MIA
Au Revoir!

xoxo
Caitlin
caitlinboyd72@gmail.com