Holidays! At least that is typically what they are called in Europe...I think. But this last week was amazing! I was about the go to Lille and Paris within the week and enjoy it with wonderful people. What I am really excited to tell you about is my opportunity to make it to the Louvre and the Palace of Versailles--both of which I was able to get in for free. This is my second time that I have been able to make it to Paris and I still feel that I have yet to take everything in. It is an incredible city that is full of history and attractions! We used a very popular form of transportation called BlahBlah Car. This is were everyday people post spots that they have available in there car for other travelers and this is typically the cheapest way to travel possibly throughout Europe--particularly if you are doing it last minute. Because we used this service, we met a range of incredible people and one of which told us about a restaurant called "Breakfast in America".

The fantastic menu! The menu also included (surprisingly) breakfast items that ranged from pancakes to crispy bacon. 

My Cali burger, which is definitely something difficult to find in France. 

During the week we also made it, several times, to the Louvre. This was an amazing place, but sadly did not compare to my imagination of what it would be like curtesy of The De Vinci Code. To the entrance of the museum, there is practically a shopping mall and multiple difference entrances from all corners and above--it was rather overwhelming. 

There were alot of people around the Mona Lisa!

Hanna and I were able to get a couple of good shots around the large group. 

I have come to respect the amount of effort the the French put into the ceilings, it seems significant.  

The underground mote that is located on the lower level of the Louvre. 

To my great pleasure, we also made to the Palace of Versailles! Not far from the center of Paris, it was definitely worth going to. As many know, the palace is incredible and nearly bankrupted the country--but the results phenomenal. 

Look at the size of the fireplace!

One of the typical statues in the palace which is amazing. 

The gardens! They went of forever, unfortunately the fountains were under construction so they were not running. 

Shoutout to Cali in the hall of mirrors! Didn't realize the hat had made it into the photo until afterwards. 

The standard table settings. 

History art buffs may recognize this blurry photo. Marie Antoinette and her children. 

These were just a few of the things that we did during our holiday in Paris. For the sake of not boring anyone reading my posts, I will save some of my adventures for the next one--with more pictures! But, if ever given a chance to come to Paris I recommend everything that I have done. This is my second time to Paris and I have yet to do everything. When you do go, I recommend that you look up the best times to visit the attractions because earlier isn't always better.  

A quick entry before I am off on my holiday adventures! I had some fun this weekend going on a boat ride with a group on sunday and some iceskating on saturday evening (no photos for that unfortunately:/). I did forget to mention last week that I went to the tallest building in Nantes and was able to take some pictures of the beautiful city that I am living in.

Here is the local cathedral at the right.

A little blurry, but the amazing sunrise that we had one morning a little while back. This photo does not do it justice, it was incredibly red!

Thanks to someone that came with us ( Yu chin on the far left), here is a picture of the whole group that came with us on the boating trip. 

The captain and first mate

The following is what happens when you pass around the camera to a group of college students...that are international. I should mention that the one with the jacket on his head is Tunisian....apparently people from Africa can't handle the sun:)

From the left: Karim, myself, Kristaps

Uldis

Kristaps again, with Karim being funny

Yu chin

Hanna

It was a perfect day to get in some sunshine while it is still hanging around! I am excited for my next adventures that are happening this upcoming week since I will be visiting Lille, Paris, and Versailles! Posts soon to come!

Castle and Chocolate

So I know that it has been awhile since I last posted and that's due to being lazy getting pictures off of my camera--and also relying on other for pictures...which I may have lost:/ I do have some exciting announcement though,which is that we will be taking a holiday (aka break) within the next couple of weeks! This means that I will be able to finally show you the place that I have has the pleasure of living for the last month and a half! How the time is flying!

Classes are going wonderfully and we have already finished around four of our classes for the semester, out of around 20! The classes have been keeping everyone busy, working on learning french (haven't gotten far unfortunately), having two group projects, and an always changing class schedule. 

As for the paperwork that is always a work in progress for studying in Nantes, it is slowly coming to a close and I am at the point of waiting on the French government to finish it up.  One thing that has developed because of the paperwork, is that I have received a French credit card or more accurately what we would call a debit card. This card will of course be completely useless at the end of my stay or even from the beginning, but as with any new traveling experience, it is fun to say that I now have a French credit card.  

Other miscellaneous  things that could be said for this week, is that I was able to make it to the local castle and I'm pretty sure that Latvian chocolate is the best I've ever had. So, lets start with the first one--the castle. 

The Latvian chocolate that is fantastic!

The castle is located in the center of Nantes and is very interesting with the museum of Nantes located inside, plus an exhibition which at the moment is on samurais.  Enjoy some of the pictures that I took below; unfortunately, there are none for the museums/exhibitions because there is a rumor floating around that says I can get free admission the first weekend of the month...so, I'm waiting for that.

Me standing on the wall. 

The view from the top of the wall. 

The inside of the castle and where the exhibition is being held (the building on the right where the line of people has formed). 

Me at the back of the castle over the mote.

I will get you more pictures of the castle and the museums that are located within soon!

This past weekend I had the pleasure to be invited to one of my fellow classmates houses that is located in the French country side near the town of Surgere. This trip was a classic girls weekend. It was only myself, Hana (Austrian), and Thomine (French and who's house we visited). We were able to fit in a multitude of different activities in the short time that we were in the country; they included kayaking, swimming, and being nicely kicked off of a castle's property because it's not open to the public. We, also, stayed a night at one of Thomine's friend's house and then had a French barbecue. I have begun to notice the effects that the French and their lifestyle is having on me--aka I am drinking so much more coffee than I ever have at home. The coffee seems to be traditionally served at the end of every meal, which seems to help offset the carb-heavy meals that almost always include bread and cheese.  

Thomine's house. It was built around the 14th century and on the far right is where an old flour mill used to be. 

The livingroom of Thomine's house, it also included a fireplace and note the stone flooring (so cool!). 

The river the flows behind Thomine's house and yes the river included waterlilies--just compare it to a Manet.

From the left to right: Hana, Myself, and Thomine kayaking 

The friend's house that we stayed at. According to Thomine, this is a classic house for people to live in. 

The kitchen of the friends house. Very classic european style. 

The house included the classic stuffed wild boar--apparently they include crowns. But this made me think of when the house was probably build, which I forgot to ask about, but is most likely around the 14th century.

It was a beautiful and exceptional weekend, where I was able to meet wonderful families and people. I am looking forward to the remaining time I have in France.