What I learned and other random facts

So what did I learn about France while I was there?

Cafes:
Don't expect to get ice with anything. If you do it's probably with a soda and will consist of 2 cubes.
Water not in a bottle (aka tap water) will be served whenever they feel like bringing it to you. You're not paying, so they're not in a hurry.
You don't have to tip! Everything is built in. It's strange if you do (though they're very gracious about it)
You can stay at a cafe as long as you like as long as you order something. Once you do that you're set to stay and they probably won't bother you for a long time.


Food in General:
Everything is eaten with a knife and fork (knife in right hand, fork in left). This includes pizza and hamburgers.
Salads are typically eaten after the main dish and before dessert. 


Housing:
No air conditioning (this goes for restaurants too). Most houses have lots of windows and thats about all the air circulation you get. (I did have a fan in my room)
Dryers don't really exist so most clothes are hung to dry.
There is a bathroom and a toilet. The two don't often reside in the same room.
Wi-fi can be touchy, if they have it at all.


Social Protocol:
Bisous (two cheek kiss). This is done upon arival and leaving...to everyone. This can take a while if there are a lot of people present. Hugging is a no no. Our french friends actually said they liked that Americans just have to come in and say hi because of how long it can take to say goodbye. My friends from home hug though, so it's similar and also takes a while.
It is a very special moment when someone starts using tu instead of vous (formal you). Cherish this moment because you are now friends or have a certain closeness.


Music:
American music that is played in France is 5-10 years behind whats popular now...unless its dubstep.
There really are people who walk around playing the accordian...also the chello, violin, sax, and random other instruments.


School:
They really hate you being late. They would rather you not come at all then interrupt their class.
There is a 20 point grading scale and 20s are not given often.


Food:
The french cannot make guacamole.
They also don't really have spicy food other than dijon mustard.


Travel:
Trains are really convienent and cheap in France. 
For countries not bordering France, it's usually cheaper to fly.
The metro is super easy to navigate and inexpensive.
You have to be careful with taxis, some will rip you off. It's best to ask the place you are at to call because they tend to have one company they use.


I'm probably forgetting things, so I may update this post as I remember. But some tips or little things that may be helpful if you are ever traveling in France.


I still can't believe how fast my month there went and that I've been home a whole week.  I wish dearly that I could go back. Perhaps someday soon!


I haven't decided yet what I'm going to do with this blog now. I may use it again for travels, or I may leave it as is. I do hope that you've enjoyed reading it as much as I had fun writing it. I don't think there is anything better than the thrill of traveling, adventuring, and finding new places. I hope you can be inspired to go on an adventure of your own!

"I could definitely live here"

Last Sunday, we visited Chenonceau, the chateau that sits on the river Cher. It is situated on the line of what used to be occupied and unoccupied France. The side that you entered on was occupied France and out the back was unoccupied. In WWI it was used as a hospital, and in WWII they would sneak people through the chateau to unoccupied France. Apparently Germany had an infantry unit on standby to bomb the chateau at a moments notice if things started to get too crazy. 

The original chateau was built in the 16th century. Eventually the had to refortify the chateau, so most of it was rebuilt. However the Tour des Marques and the well were left in tact.

The chapel was rebuilt in 1954 after the original stained glass was destroyed in 1944 during Max Ingrand. The depiction on it date back to 1521.

 King Henri II had a favorite mistress Diane de Poitiers who lived at Chenonceau. This is her picture and her bedroom. The carving on the fireplace are H for Henri, D for Diane, and C for Catherine (Henri's actual wife). Talk about awkward.

 This is in the green office. Catherine's study is just through the door below this painting which is called "A l'Aristoloche".

 

This is the Galerie. Catherine de Medicis had it constructed. Its 60 meters long, 6 meters wide and has 18 windows. It was used as a party hall when it was first built, and used as an infirmary in WWI.

 Chambre des cinq Reines (bedroom of the 5 queens)

 Bedroom of Cesar de Vendome (one of the princes)

 Bedroom of Louise de Lorraine (aka the white queen). She moved to Chenonceau after her husband King Henri III was assassinated by Jacques Clement. For the rest of her life (14 years) she only wore white, a sign of royal mourning. With her when she moved were several nuns who ended up staying with her until her death. They refused to go back to the church because they loved Louise's profound devotion.

 The queen's gardens

 The west facade of the house

 Morgan the Tour Guide

 

This is the original fountain. The picture on the right is of the mistress' gardens.

 While we were sitting here and enjoying the sunshine, we met a group of people who were from Charleston. Again, small world

 If you ever go to Chenonceau, don't bother paying extra to go to the wax museum. It's really not that impressive and takes only a few minutes to go through.

After we returned from Chenonceau, we decided to go back to the wine festival since we didn't have to pay again to get in. We left about 7 to head back to our respective homes for dinner. But all day we kept saying if we could live in one of the chateaus, Chenonceau would be our pick. 

What finally made it in my suitcase?

Well, I'm down to the final days before I leave. I've finally gotten around to packing. It was giving me anxiety everytime I thought about it because I don't know how to pack for a month under 50 lbs. But through several sites and other travel bloggers, I think I finally figured it out. With everything packed and ready to go I weighed out at 37 lbs! I'll take bets that I'm much closer to 50 on the return trip.


So what did I finally convince myself to pack?
9 shirts (6 short sleves, 2 3/4 sleve, and 1 long sleve)
2 pairs of jeans (1 kapri, 1 skinny)
1 white camisole
2 skirts
4 dresses
2 jackets (1 raincoat, 1 lenin)
1 cardigan
1 nightgown
2 jammies
1 swim suit
9 panites
4 bras (2 nude, strapless, black)
2 belts (black & brown)
1 scarf
1 pair of tights
4 pairs of shoes (2 Toms, 1 oxfords, 1 nude wedges)
1 straightner
1 hair dryer
1 bag full of toiletries
1 accessory box (jewelry mostly)
2 hats (beret, fedora)


I bought a little leather backpack rather than carrying around a purse, although I'm bringing a clutch for nights out.
In my bag:


Kindle
Travel journal
cellphone
Ipod
headphones
eye mask/ ear plugs
passport/random documents I may need


I also have a small carrying case for my MacBook since I don't trust leaving it in my suitcase incase the worst was to happen to it.

How to Pack: Part 1

How to pack for a month when you're a fashionable person and a nitorious overpacker.

Sacrifice//

You carefully think about what items you can sacrifice. I think I can get by without boots, and without an everyday jacket. These are all bulky or heavy things that I can do without. I won't even think about leaving behind my laptop, camera, and I'll have to get a phone when I get there. Sure they are heavy, but I am willing to give up some space to bring these with me.

Less Bulky//

Since the weather will be between 50 and 80, I don't need things for super cold weather or worry about burning up everyday. But I will try to packed a little bit of everything inbetween—shirts, shorts, pants, dresses, skirts. But the trick lies in packing less of some items and more of others. I only plan on only packing my rain jacket, but I will pack several cardigans because I can layer them if I need to, and they'll keep me warm in moderate weather. I'm packing only one pair of jeans because pants take up so much room in a suitcase, and honestly I could wear the same pair of jeans for a week with different tops and nobody would notice. I'll probably packed a lot of dresses because they’re so light and easy to pack a bunch without taking up much room at all. They also work in warm and cool weather if you have tights/leggings and a sweater to throw on top. Not to mention dresses are just fab.

Versatile//

They key is to pack items that can be dressed up or dressed down depending on the occasion. For example, a good thing to have is a top that will go well with a skirt and jewelry to go out on a date, but can also be worn with shorts and flipflops to the beach. I'm going to try to avoided taking anything that could only be casual (think a sporty Nike top) or that could only be dressy (think sequined, silky top). I'm not sure about shoes yet, but I'll probably have to take a few pairs. I'll looks for ones that can with jeans and a dress (excluding my sneakers [or confortable activity shoes], which I wouldn't wear with a dress).

Neutrals//

Not packing things that don’t match with a lot of pieces in your wardrobe. Yes, that means leaving your abstract 80s shirt and fuchsia heels at home. Luckily, I own a lot of neutral colors like black, plum, olive green, and white. Sorry I don't vary much on colors I wear. This helps you create the greatest amount of different outfits with your limited wardrobe for an extended time. Neutral shoes, neutral tops, neutral belts, neutral accessories. 

Accessories//

Accessories—don’t feel like you have to leave them at home because they’re extra baggage. They really help you jazz up an outfit that you feel like you’ve worn a dozen times too many in the last month. Just pack the thin chain necklace, not the chunky ones.

Extra Bags//

In addition to a suitcases, I'll have a messenger bag for my laptop and to take to school. I'll either take a small backpack or a versatile purse for day trips or nighttime activities. Now I'll have one suitcase, one messenger bag/purse, and one backpack. 

This is the goal. I'll fill you in on what I'm actually allowed to pack when my mother gets a hold of her list!