Re-do

Besides my reading on Montpellier's history, I'm borrowing this little gem to brush up on my french:



I figure already knowing the plot will help me with vocab ;)

xoxo
Caitlin
caitlinboyd72@gmail.com

chez moi

As most of you know, I'm studying in Montpellier for the next 4 1/2 months. Actual school hasn't started yet, but I'm enrolled in an intensive orientation to refresh my language skills and place me in my classes for the fall. I have class for about 5 hours a day (even the weekends) and we've gone on a few excursions to see the surrounding area like the Pont du Gard, Avignon, and Nimes. My entire program is full-immersion...which means my classes, my administrative stuff, my tests, and most of my conversations are in French. That's part of why I chose the south of France instead of an English-speaking program in Paris or Bordeaux- because I want to challenge myself and become fluent in French.

With that said, the last 2 weeks have been kind of a roller coaster. I've felt the spectrum of emotions, but things have finally settled and I feel like I can blog now haha.

Quick facts about Montpellier:
-It's the 8th largest city in France
-It's pretty arid here...with the exception of one storm, it's been quite desert-like and I'm LOVING the sun
-It's 20 minutes from the Mediterranean by bus
-It's located in the region of Languedoc-Roussillon, just west of Provence
-It's famous for goat cheese, wine, olives/olive oil, and architectural remnants of Roman rule


I'm attending St. Paul Valery Universite, which is one of the three universities in Montpellier. Instead of having all specializations at one school like UW, there is a University 1 (for medicine), University 2 (for law), and University 3 (for arts). I'm at number 3 since I'm primarily studying language over here.

My dorm is about a 15 minute walk from the campus itself, with two cafeterias, a mailroom, and a laundromat. Each person gets their own room with its own bathroom. Even though they're small, I'm very comfortable and happy with the privacy. We also have maids who empty the garbage, clean our bathrooms, and sweep. No complaints here!

Another perk of French culture: Bowls of coffee for breakfast!!


I'm off to class now! But I can assure you entries will be more frequent these days :)

xoxo
Caitlin
caitlinboyd72@gmail.com

i know, i know,

I'm slacking on the blogs...



...patience is a virtue?

xoxo
Caitlin
caitlinboyd72@gmail.com

City of Lights pt. 2

Our second day in Paris was spent in part at the Louvre. I actually saw a lot that I missed last time and we poked around in the Africa/Americas/Islands exhibit, where one of the Easter Island heads is kept! Of course, seeing Mona and Aphrodite was good too :)





In the park outside, we had the MOST delicious gelato I've ever had. I got mango and coconut (goooood choices) and they scooped them in the shapes of flowers!



That night, we went to the Eiffel Tower and picnicked below it just to watch it light up every hour on the hour. It was such a good time that we went back our last evening after exploring Sacre Coeur and actually went to the top! Last time I had only seen the 2nd floor, so it was fun to get to the top where they serve champagne and where each major city and its distance is above the view. Did you see me waving home?!









Saying goodbye to Dillon was extremely difficult. He came to the train station to see me off and I cried while saying goodbye and even for a while on the way to Montpellier. I haven't had a meltdown since arriving though, which is a promising sign.
So, I'm finally here! After a round-about two weeks, I'm at my final destination. And let me tell you, il fait tres chaud.

xoxo
Caitlin
caitlinboyd72@gmail.com

City of Lights pt.1

To begin with, Happy Anniversary to my parents! (it was yesterday)
I am thinking of you guys and hope you had a great time celebrating.


Paris was absolutely amazing once again. I wasn't sure I would get that magical feeling for a second time, but walking into Notre Dame put me right back in that place. Dillon and I went there first thing when we arrived, after checking into the hotel (if you ever go to Paris, I would highly recommend staying at Hotel St. Sebastien: cheap and quality). We also visited Shakespeare & Co., which was a walk down memory lane, but I do have to say I was a bit disappointed with how crowded the bookstore was...it used to feel like my own personal paradise! That's just me being selfish though.

Also, we ate a big lunch at La Maison Blanche, decorated with American flags. Ironically, it was such good French food!!






After our venture, we went back to the hostel to nap and shower. The morning was a really early one for us since we took the first flight out of London...waking up at 4:30 to be ON TIME! haha lesson learned. After resting, we ventured out on the metro to see Moulin Rouge at night and have some dessert. We really wanted to see a show there, but the cheapest tickets go for 90 euro. Ouch. Instead, we walked around the district and had tea, ice cream, and crepes at a local restaurant. Moulin Rouge was pretty, but otherwise we weren't too impressed with the 'Red Light District'...Amsterdam wins by a landslide in that department!


Afterwards, we wandered around, trying to embody the movie 'Midnight in Paris' and we actually did! We thought we were super lost and started following these spotlights which led us straight to the Champs-Elyses and the Arc de Triomphe!





More to come...

xoxo
Caitlin
caitlinboyd72@gmail.com