Thursday, February 25, 2010

talking to strangers.



Do you talk to strangers?

There’s something thrilling about it.  Something scary.  Something refreshing. 

I’m far from being the person that starts a conversation with anyone, anywhere- my mother and I are a bit different in that respect.  I admire how she makes friends with complete and total ease.  When we lived in Indiana, we had a toll booth guy who she chatted with regularly.  Checkout ladies who would give her coupons for margarine when all we picked up was laundry detergent and bread.  I can’t tell you the number of people that have commented to my sister and I, ‘oh you must be Martha’s girls.  How was studying abroad?  Are you still a pilot?  Still dating so and so?’  Ski rental guys who asked about her even when she stayed home for the day. 

It’s never been something that’s come naturally to me.  Although I have had a few conversations with complete strangers, that left strong impressions.  One particular conversation was while traveling in Scandinavia last April.  I’ve hardly ever written about it, even though it was almost a year ago now.  It was one of those moments of fate that seem even more perfect than a puzzle fitting together.  We had walked up and down a street full of restaurants along a canal in Copenhagen.  It was a chilly April evening, and the Danish were out enjoying sips of crisp white wine on café patios.  Notes from a guitar were floating down the walkways the river’s current.  We were hungry and tired.  Every menu had the same thing, making a decision impossible.  Every terrace was packed, making the chance of finding a table slim.  Our choice was made haphazardly, purely out of necessity.  There was a free table; there were our new seats. 

We happened to sit next to a Dane and a Swede, two businessmen that had been traveling and working together for years.  They seemed to know each other better than they knew themselves.  One was an avid golfer, so my grandfather and his wonderful vision made its way into the conversation.  The other was a newly licensed motorcycle driver and a hopeful pilot; we talked of adventures above the earth, between bites of dinner and sips of wine.  We talked about work, about studies, about dreams.  Where they’d taken us, and where they would lead us. 

One of the best parts of the conversation was that it was completely self-contained.  I don’t even know the names of the two people we talked with.  And that’s not the least bit important.  No contact since the conversation, though I’ve thought about it many times since.  The things that were said and shared rang so true to me that it was almost shocking.  That someone so foreign to my life could see things that I never verbalized but that I hoped were true, about my personality and dreams and goals, that was a completely new experience to me. 

An organic view, an unbiased observation- it’s hard to describe, but sometimes I even crave the opinion of someone completely étranger.  I’m almost of the opinion that their word weighs truer, because they don’t know you.  Or is the other way around?   

The compliments that you tuck away and will always remember, did they come from strangers or best friends? 




photo via CUP OF JO

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

life list: play rhapsody in blue on the piano.

i've been known to goof around on the piano every now and then. 
a lot more before than recently....
owing largely to the fact that the piano is in utah
and i find myself across the atlantic in la france.

i think it's great for kids to have some musical exposure
and one day if i have kids, i'd love to sit down with them next the piano
plunking happily at the keys
maybe singing a line or two
christmas carols in a snow blanketed december
cheery songs celebrating spring
songs rich with the sounds and smells of autumn
leaves falling and the mountains a patchwork quilt of orange and red

one of my dreams
quite a large one
is to be able to play rhapsody and blue on the piano.
doesn't have to be the fanciest most complicated version
maybe a 'rhapsody for beginners' would be appropriate.


that's the real thing.


and this is the one i always imagine instead : )
anyone remember the United Airlines commercial?

anything like this on your life list?


oh and just for fun
this song is amazing
i've listened to it many MANY times
and i still get goosebumps every time.

happy listening friends!

a+

alli

Monday, February 22, 2010

prague.


After a whole mess of train nightmares that I won't go into, here I am, sitting in a window seat watching the Bourgogne fly by, on my way back to Beaune for the week. 


No matter how many times I've tried to warn myself, the year has been zipping by even faster than I had thought.  Last year October crept by, January and February stayed to chat for awhile, but à partir de mars, march, everything flew by.  People say, ‘you blink and then it’s over’.  I felt like I hadn’t even shut my eyes halfway before I was packing up my suitcases at the end of the year.  Back at work, but already there are only six weeks of work before our next vacation- because French students and teachers would of course melt or spontaneously combust if they had more than six consecutive weeks of work. 

But before I start preparing my suitcases for my next adventure, I’ll unpack first, and tell you some stories. 

statue up by castle.

Prague was just as great as I thought it would be.  As we stepped off the plane into the freezing Czech morning I bit worried.  Being excited to see a new place is dangerous.  What if it’s not as you thought?  What if all the hype was for nothing?  I do have to say, this has rarely happened to me.  Rarely have I disliked a city or been so disappointed that I haven’t found at least several good parts.

And that of course holds true for Prague.  What a wonderful (chilly) city.  We stayed in a cozy clean hostel not far from the Old Town Square, home to the famous astronomical clock that’s been there far longer than my home country has even existed.  After settling our bags at the hostel, we put on an extra few layers and headed out to explore.  We joked that every morning when we got dressed, it wasn’t so much a question of what we were going to wear, but how we were going to layer the leggings over tights, under dresses and skirts.  Long sleeved shirts over t-shirts, under sweaters and a thick wool coat.  Earmuffs tucked under hats, scarves wrapped tight and folded to hide all skin.  It really was an adventure every time we went outside. 

said astronomical clock. and me.
wearing lots and lots of clothes.

We had a fairly positive first impression of the city.  Stopping to get some mulled wine on the square (because that IS the best way to warm up on a chilly day) we wandered past a group of weathered Czechs playing music in the square.  Complete with a cone to yell through, trumpet, bass, might have even been a saxophone in there.  While we were tapping our feet and sipping our cinnamony wine, a group of young and most friendly, oddly dressed, Czechs came running through the square carrying signs marked ‘FREE HUGS’.  How many people can say they were hugged by seven Czech people before noon?  At absolutely no charge, I might add. 

the band in the square


The trip was highlighted by two tours around the city, although it’s not the best idea to include two 3-hour walking tours as part of the itinerary in February.  Despite of the slight frostbite, it was the best way to see the city, and learn the history.  We walked by churches, town squares where the Nazis and later the Soviets rolled tanks through the city, and an opera house where Mozart premiered several of his works.  The same opera house where we would reserve tickets to see Cosi fan tutte and would be disappointed to learn the main singer was sick and there was no understudy.  Sherlock Holmes with Czech subtitles would have to suffice for our cultural entertainment in Prague. 

view of the cathedral

As part of the tour we also had a small introduction to the Jewish Quarter in Prague, in much nicer shape today than in it’s day.  Taking the word ‘quarter’ quite seriously, it was once sectioned off from the city with intrusive walls, the Jews forced to live in swamp conditions.  Later, as conditions finally improved and the Jews wanted to stay, they were forced to leave.  Some cruel reverse psychology going on there.  A small cemetery in the middle of the neighborhood was a stark reminder of their suffering there.  When the Jews weren’t given anywhere to bury or commemorate their lost family and friends, they resorted to digging deeper graves, sometimes 14 slots deep.  The gravestones on the surface, like small teeth jutting up this way and that in the crowded space, made for a sobering sight. 

One of my favorite things to do in a new city, is to try and see it like a local would.  There happened to be two other assistants visiting Prague at the same time as Jenny and me, who were staying with an American working in Prague.  With a little local know-how, she led us to a small Czech restaurant, Uflecku.  We stepped into the beer-hall style restaurant, with dark wood tables and ceilings hung with hefty chandeliers.  Ten seconds after sitting down and unwrapping all our layers, waiters came by and set dark chocolate colored beers in front of us, hardly asking if we wanted them.  Later in the evening, as soon as the mugs were empty, a new one appeared, also with little question if the refill was wanted.  I treated myself to a local favorite, goulash with dumplings in a thick hearty sauce.  The others had apple strudel for dessert, but I just simply couldn’t fit anything else in. 

outside the castle



back side of the cathedral.



inside of cathedral.



some more modern stained glass windows.



st. george's basilica, next to the cathedral.
way prettier in the evening light than the photo shows.

I really enjoyed my couple days in Prague, and already would like to go back.  The next time will definitely be in the summer though.  Strolling over the bridge from the old town to the cathedral will be a whole different experience in a skirt and sandals, rather than tights, leg warmers, and boots.  One thing I really enjoyed was the charm of the city that didn’t seem to fade as you moved farther from the city center.  Statues decorating nearly every street corner, frescoed apartment complexes and business buildings, permeated the charm throughout most of the city, though I admittedly only saw a limited part. 
My visit has also inspired me to put the most challenging Kafka works on my upcoming reading list.  He lived most of his life in Prague, and is quite well known, even though he never wanted his works to be published even after his death.  Anyone with any recommends on which of his dark stories to tackle? 

Hope you enjoy some of the pictures from the trip.  Maybe they’ll inspire you to get over there yourself!  It would be worth it. 

Stay tuned for some more stories from the vacay.  Hopefully I can get them up this week, as I get back to my regularly scheduled classes. 

What have you all been up to?

A+

Alli 

Friday, February 19, 2010

today i'm in...

today i'm on the last leg of my vacation...


what better place to spend a winter vacation, 
than somewhere really cold in the North.


Cologne, Germany



a city known for it's cathedral.

i'll be wandering around the ancient streets, influenced by the roman way back when.
might be munching on some pretzels 
bundling up tight
and most importantly, 



saying hello to the german assistant who i lived with last year in Sens, Julia.

i'll be back to beaune and blogging in a couple days!  
what are you up to?

a+

alli


Wednesday, February 17, 2010

surprise!

that's what i was thinking when i opened my laptop in the laundromat this afternoon.
and found some free, quite speedy internet.
i'm debating what to do when my clothes finish in 10 minutes.
stay and steal the internet?
i think so.

i'm in between trips
just back from the alps
and heading to germany tomorrow, if the trains leave ok.
there was an accident between paris and belgium a couple days ago,
so the line has been a bit perturbé
i'll get there eventually though i'm hoping!

i still have an automatic scheduled for you in a couple days
but i just wanted to pop in and say hi
and share a couple photos and thoughts

lac d'annecy at sunset.


me! fulfilling a life list item
SKIING IN THE ALPS!
looking like an amateur
wearing a raincoat
fashion scarf
mismatching hat
and at least 3 hoods
and later on, the 20 euro sunglasses i bought because
of course i forgot my own.

but don't get me wrong..... i am NOT complaining about sun.
and it was such a wonderful day.




this was taken the day before, when we went snowshoeing. 
i've only been twice, but it's quickly becoming a favorite.
it's peaceful but an underestimated workout for sure.

i also (half) completed another life list item of mine...
hitch hiking.
except it didn't really involve sticking my thumb out by the side of the road
it involved two really nice couples to give us rides to the top of the hill and down to the bottom afterwards.
turns out snow tires/chains are pretty useful in snowy areas, and no...
it's not a good idea to try getting up a hill without them.
i love when French people surprise me with their warmth and hospitality.

speaking of hospitality, 
we stayed in a gîte
which is like a bed and breakfast
hosted by a wonderful mountain couple
a woman with beautifully framed photos of her daughters and new grandson
and a man with a smile warm enough to melt the snow
and eyes that sparkled blue as a sunny sky

i felt like a granddaughter, 
welcomed into their home to talk when we arrived
and again before we left.

someday i'd love to open a bed and breakfast
to meet people from all corners of the world
welcome them into my home and exchange stories 
over steaming coffee and biscuits
or snacks and kir de savoie, one of the local mountain drinks

i'll be back next week after the rest of my journeys.  
stay tuned for more stories, more photos.
i can't wait to tell you about the restaurant we went to,
charming uneven tabletops
antique glass pitchers
thick red reindeer printed napkins
a fireplace to keep guests warm
and a monsieur chat who came to say hello.

hope you're keeping warm!

a+

alli

Friday, February 12, 2010

today i'm in...

today i'm in....


a little town called st. jorioz close to lac d'annecy

to be more precise: 


right above where it says Alps.


i hoppppppe that the weather will be nice enough to :


at
Le Grand Bornand

besides fulfilling one of my life list items of skiing in the french alps,
i'll be sipping hot cocoa (or champagne?)
hopefully be curled up with a book by a fireplace
snowshoeing
ice skating
soaking up the sun?
hopping over to la suisse
devouring tartiflette, reblochon cheese and fondu galore

what fabulous things are going on in your life right now?

a+

alli

Saturday, February 6, 2010

today i'm in...

so since i'll be off scattered around europe for the next two weeks or so, 
i decided to pre-plan some posts.
so you can travel with me!

today i'm in: 





i've wanted to go here forevvvver, and decided
well, it's now or never.
so i'll be trying to speak czech,
counting my koruna coins,
and bundling up with scarves and legwarmers.



i can't wait to see the city.
i've been told it's the
'paris of the east'



i'll be sure to take tons of pictures!

in the meantime, what are you up to?

a+

alli

Friday, February 5, 2010

vacay.

hello!

i'm leaving this afternoon to go to paris.
and tomorrow i'm hopping on a plane
headed towards prague.

i'm so excited!
i've got my warm skirts, tights, legwarmers, wool socks, and boots
all packed away.
didn't forget my mittens (or miptens?)
or my hats and scarves.

i'll be hopping around taking pictures,
writing memories,
and trying to learn how to speak czech.

i've planned some posts that will be put up later.
so stay tuned to see
where i'm at.
a kind of 'where's waldo'
turned
'where's mistinguett'

hope you have a wonderful two weeks!

a bientôt

alli

Thursday, February 4, 2010

cool house.

look at this cool house i found with stumble upon






it's made from all recycled materials



everything seems to fit together so nicely. 



look at that crazy ceiling!  i feel like the guy who built it must be a young kid at heart.



and this was my favorite part!
beaune!
it's so funny, because i get these stumble upon emails every week, but i rarely click on them.
but i chose this one for some reason, and smiled at the
happy coincidence.

happy thursday!

a+

alli


Wednesday, February 3, 2010

life list: learn how to cut hair.



one day i want to take classes to learn how to cut hair.
not as a career change, more as a learning adventure.


i think of it as just one of those life skills.
like learning how to drive a stick shift.
i should write a story sometime about my first time driving a stick shift.
i'm sure my dad would be more than willing to tell you how it went.
he may still have bruises on his forehead from that first lesson 3 1/2 years ago.


and this one's in here, because one day i want to do this to my hair.
it's so nonchalant and elegant at the same time.

happy wednesday friends!

a+

alli

ps.  did you know there is a 'braid wednesday' group on flickr?  
members of the group braid their hair every wednesday and post pictures. 
they can get quite creative,
check it out!

photos: piperaudrey & here

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

le weekend.

the tiny (sunny!!!!!!!!) village
Hannogne St Rémy


you will see lots of sunny pictures.
because i was so FREAKING excited to see the sun.


yep.


coca was enjoying the sun too.


doing laps, jumping over the bushes.


she looked like she was having so much fun, i just had to join her.

It was a very relaxing weekend...

drives through the frosty countryside
baguettes so fresh i had to carry them home with gloves
boeuf bourginon made by a wonderful friend
bubbly champagne before (and sometimes after) nearly every meal
warm slippers on cold country home floors
train rides through burgundy
excited students this morning, telling me about the weather all over the world

I spent the weekend with Mr. S at his parents home in the Champagne region of France
It was nice, relaxed, and included visits to some of his cousins and friends I haven't seen in far too long.
The night sky was clear and crisp, I saw stars and the moon! 
I've missed that.

Then it was train ride back last night and lots of prep for today, back with my students.
They were great this morning, giving weather reports from around the world.
And they don't know it yet,
but they'll be singing Coldplay and playing 'Guess Who' this afternoon
with guest appearances by 
Michael Phelps
Audrey Tatou
David Beckham
Lady Gaga
and
TinTin

it's going to be fun!

what was your weekend filled with?

a+

alli

food for thought.

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