Euro Road Trip...

Charlie and I in Strasbourg

Its been 5 days of travel which started in Paris and will end there tomorrow as well. Day 1 we drove through the French wine and champagne countryside, visiting Reims where we saw a beautiful cathedral and then travelling to Nancy where we saw Place Stanislas. We ended that day in Strasbourg, France. The following day we headed across the border into Germany's Black Forest where we saw the most beautiful views and small towns! That took the good part of the morning and the rest of the day was spent walking the streets of Strasbourg, enjoying the beer, and food. Day 3 we headed to Brugges, Belgium stopping along the way in Luxembourg and Bastogne (sight of The Battle of the Bulge). After a full day of driving catching the sight of the Brugge exit sign was quite amazing... however, once on the cobble stone, people filled streets, we began to think otherwise! However, after navigating through a maze of one way streets we finally found our way to our hotel, only a 5 minute walk from the city center! Today we went to see the cathedral here, said to hold a vile of Jesus' blood... one of the most extraordinary cathedrals I have seen yet. We then visited a mom and pop chocolate shop and ended the afternoon with a brew tour! So much fun! It is going to be said to leave tomorrow, but its time... and in less than 48 hours I will be on a plane heading back home to Fort Collins, Colorado! 

All Good Things must Come to an End...

Today is my last day in my host family's house and I am all packed and ready to go! Going to have coffee with a friend tomorrow morning and then head to the hotel to meet my dad! I can't wait and I can't believe that it is already here. Though it was super rough at times, it really did fly by! I loved every second of it! 5 days until Charlie gets here and 13 days until I am back in Colorado...in the land of the free and the home of the brave! :)

You made a friend... and its a girl???

Jamille and I at a birthday party

 SHOCKING... I know.

A la Campagne...

  4-Wheeling anyone?

The Family!

A real home

I'm sorry, is that sound of wind I just heard??? The smell of fresh flowers.... fresh cut grass???? Can't be... I must be dreaming. Or just not in Paris. :) I spent the weekend in the country, people, and I have to tell you... that right there is God's gift to run down, tired, city folk like me.

Barcelona...

Hermosa Barcelona!

First and foremost, I utilized google translate for the title...so I sincerely hope it actually says "Beautiful Barcelona"! If it doesn't, I apologize and we will all have to pretend.  Highlights of the trip included: Latin food sans french bread (Parisians have no idea how to do it right), Barcelona Tour Bus, and incidently ending up at the only nudist beach in Barcelona. Many of you may question... "well wasn't there a sign?!" No, infact... once situated comfortably on our towels, amongst a pleathera of nude humans, we questioned what was happening and why so many people we were without swimsuits. We thought surely this couldn't be a Nude Beach! Sure enough, here comes the bulldozer placing a sign that read "Nudista Playa" not 30 feet from where we were laying. Shit. Needless to say, it was quite terrifying! So, Jamille and I decided, after that horror experience, to hit the city and see what it had to offer. The architecture was outstanding, there was artwork on the buildings and the sidewalks were even carved! It was absolutely stunning! All in all a fantastic 2 days!

3 days later...

Turns out, you can't rush fashion and there are no short cuts. Take your time, enjoy the process, and pay attention! Just finished my first solo project at my internship, sewing a shirt (at left) and it took me 3 days. Only made one mistake, but one mistake on a couture garment takes a WHOLE day to fix, I found out. However, I am so proud to say this was my baby, from cutting the fabric to sewing on the tag! It has been extremely fulfilling! Furthermore, to know that this is going to be sold, not just turned in for a grade is something I am not yet used to! Oh, and the price ladies and gents????? Well, lets just say its more than I make in a month!! AND I MADE IT! Its just surreal.

Versailles...

A day at Versailles!

Where I work...

Patterns and fabric and sewing.. oh my!

Yes folks, this is where I spend 40 hours of my week and I'm almost through my second one! :) Been cutting a lot of fabric lately!! Its amazing what I have learned doing such a simple task especially one that I have done a million times over. I am constantly listening and learning and always asking lots of questions...there is just too much to absorb and so little time. Haven't had much time for fun things lately as I have been too tired after work, but am planning to go to a Parfumerie this weekend and rumors say that there is an amazing falafel place here in Paris.... I AM ON THE HUNT! I will let you know how it goes! A bientôt!

1 week down 6 to go!

Well, its official! I have completed my first full week of working in Paris. It was great, but quite the adjustment! I worked on 2 dresses, a skirt, and when I left on Friday I was just preparing to sew some buttons! I am beginning to feel a little more comfortable with the french fashion terms which makes my life as well as Selene's a little easier! I am currently sick with a cold which makes working a lot less enjoyable, but I went for a run yesterday (FINALLY) in hopes of sweating out my illness! I think it actually helped a little bit! However, I have tomorrow off (thank you bank holidays), so I still have one more day to try to get back to normal! Today's agenda: Relax and Recuperate.

Lost in Translation...

Of course I get the one fashion designer who is nice and completely trusting that I can sew her garments, rather than the mean one who would just ask me to grab her coffee! I know, its not a bad thing... but I spent the whole day today sewing (yay!) and it was a little intimidating, thats for sure. I started this morning at 10:30 and within 20 minutes had a seam ripper in hand and was proceeding to fix a garment with a tear! AH! Talk about scary. All of her clothes are made in her shop, hand finishes, pattern making by hand... Its incredible to see all the things I learn in school actually being used in the real world! It is just Jasmin (the designer), myself (the intern), and her one employee, Selene. Both of them are very nice and so helpful! However, because I don't know fashion terms in french yet, I find it hard to understand everything they are saying and when Selene and I were talking to eachother today there were definitely a few "lost in translation" moments...eyes wide, mouth slightly open, and that look of complete confusion that falls over one's face. It was definitely a challenging and semi-exhausting day, but I can't wait for tomorrow.

 What better way than to spend a day sun bathing infront of the Eiffel Tower?!

La Rue Mouffetard...

The Best Crepes in Paris!

Graffiti 

La Rue Mouffetard...

La Rue Mouffetard is really a sight to see! Lined with small bakeries, fromageries, and great restaurants, it is well priced and the perfect place for a girl on a budget (me)! A bottle of wine, a baguette, and cheese for under 12 euros...can't do much better than that! I have been to this area a few times this week and have tried a few restaurants (Indian, French, Crepes), of course I did a little shopping, and spent some time chatting with the locals. Everyone knows everyone else and it is fun to sit and watch the locals walk up the street and say hello to everyone along the way. It is quite charming and a great place to get a small town feel in the city! I think this may be my favorite place for now, until I find something better!

The Paris Blues...

Well let's just face it, life in Paris, with its fromage and wine filled afternoons, is anything but difficult nor something to complain about... that I am certain of!  However, with change there will always be challenges to follow. There will be days where the smell of underarm sans deodrant, old pee, and sour cheese will really start to get to you. It is not an easy process, getting acquainted to a new life, but it is indeed a process to be embraced. There is nothing more revitalizing than waking up after a day of the blues to sunshine and the smell of fresh pasteries.

Paris by Day...

Class starts at 9am, it takes 10-15 minutes on the metro to get to my school and yet I find myself hauling ass (pardon-moi) across the Champs-Elysees at 8am trying to make it to my class that I'm not even late to. Why? I am missing Paris at 8am...its finest hour... the homeless are still in whatever Metro stop they slept in, there is no one on the streets, the air cool and crisp, and it smells of fresh espresso and warm croissants. Cliche, I know, but its true. Its a time of day to be cherished. Furthermore and unfortunately, they make the easiest form of transportation underground where, let's be honest, the scenery and smell is not as pleasant. Luckily as said before I am only on the Metro for about 10-15 minutes. Then the rest of my morning until about 1:00pm I spend at school where, IN THE CLASSROOM, there is natural light and windows (something american girls and boys only dream of). :) I have two classes each day and both are very hard; I question at times whether it is in fact french... After school, I have the afternoon to myself to go to Museums, shop, or just relax. I spent this afternoon mapping out how to get to each museum from my school and I think that I will try to visit one tomorrow or Friday. However Saturday is what I am really looking forward to this week, a friend and I are going antique shopping... I will be sure to tell you of all the goodies I buy! The food has been great, my host mom is quite the chef... tonight we had fresh sausage, potatoes, and salad! She has also introduced me to a little something called Fromage Blanc, she said is their equivelant to Cottage Cheese in the US... its nothing like it. More like a yogurt... but cheese and when you add sugar it is amazing! Anyways, again I am up too late and must be off to bed. A bientot!

Wait... where am I?

Fascinating what maps can do for you... if you know how to read them! If not, the possibilities are endless of where you might end up! Today I journeyed out on the town to try and find the school that I will be attending starting tomorrow. The funny thing about streets...they are quite long and when you ask the Metro Lady which line to take to the rue de raspail... do not listen because you will end up at 261 rue de raspail and not 38 rue de raspail and you will be forced to walk. However, the wonderful thing about walking is that you can see everything and stop when you would like. I came across a street market and treated myself to a chocolate croissant and luckily this market took me from 110 to 95 on the rue de raspail such a good way to waste quite a few blocks. Finally I found my school and then was faced with the question of how to get home. I found the nearest bus stop, made sure it was going in the right direction and plopped myself down, opened my chocolate croissant and waited. When the bus finally came I had made sure to write down key places to look for near my school (in my little black book...thanks honey) so that I would know when I returned that I was in the right place. I hopped on the bus and was on my way...in fact I was so thrilled with myself and my successes for the day that I went too far on the bus and ended up being asked to get off it because we were at the last stop. Somehow I found my way home though and I am pretty sure that I will be able to find the school tomorrow. Just in case though I will be leaving an hour early. Well I am off to dinner with a friend from CSU who has been here studying for a year. I will be sure to write again with tomorrow's adventures. À bientôt!

A New Life in a New City

Wow who knew travelling alone  could be so terrifying. Even when everything is planned to the last detail there will always be something that goes wrong like missing your plane in London and getting lost in Heathrow airport. Or perhaps waiting for two hours for your shuttle to take you to your hotel and your not sure if they are even coming... small things like that that could scare a first time traveller shittless. My advice to those travelling away from home for the first time...DO NOT GO SO FAR AWAY!!! It is hard and scary and you will miss your family and fiancé. However, I made it and I am finally in my host house and have met everyone here...the mom, Marielle and the two girls Charlotte and Coralie. They are all nice. So now to pass the time...I plan to fill my days with many activities to help them go quickly. Tomorrow its trying to figure out where my school is and the park that I can go running in and perhaps actually go for a run! Its late here so I am off to bed! Bonne nuit.

A year in waiting

It has been a year since I applied for an international internship in Paris, France and I finally got one! As if living in Paris isn't enough for a 24 year old, Apparel Design Major... I will be working with some of the best in the industry and soaking up every minute of it! As I sit here packing and preparing for what is to come, I look forward to the adventures and experiences that are sure to await me! Follow me along the way as I will be sure document every step! A bientôt!