September « 2008 « C'est Ma Vie

Ma Petite Venise

28 09 2008

I have never seen a place as charming as Colmar’s Little Venice. We were supposed to go to the ecomusee, but it didn’t look so exciting from the outside. I know – you should never judge a book by its cover blah blah blah, but well, I was more in the mood to visit villages. I thought Colmar would be a good city to stroll around, just sit and have coffee while having one of the best conversations of my life.

OK I admit I also needed to use the bathroom (or WC as the French calls it). It’s so hard to find a public toilet in France. When we were in Paris, we asked a guy who works in a cafe if they have a bathroom and he said very rudely, “For customers only”. So we had to buy something in that cafe. And my boyfriend told me that it’s normal to see guys peeing along the street walls of France because you almost always have to pay just to use a bathroom. Hmm…isn’t this just familiar – peeing along street walls!

Anyway, I’m digressing. So we walked around Colmar and I had the one of the funnest times in my life. Everywhere is beautiful and the place will make you fall in love all over again!

We thought at first that this is it – Little Venice. As long as there is a canal, it is Venice. It is so not this! But it’s still tres mignon.

Little Venice

This is it – Little Venice! Or at least some parts of it. The Colombage houses sitting along the canal is just breathtakingly beautiful.

Charming!

Little Venice

Inside the village of Colmar are beautiful houses that reminds me of dollhouse.

Superb house design inside Comar

typical Colombage Alsacien houses in Colmar

this house is truly enchanting with its precious flower beds

France gave the Statue of Liberty (made in Colmar) to the United States as a symbol of the friendship that started during the American Revolution. Bartholdi, the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty, was born in Colmar. This statue stands in a traffic circle in a commercial zone of Colmar where it welcomes the visitors at the northern entrance to the pleasant city of Colmar.

Colmar

On the way home, we decided to visit a few more villages along the Route du Vins. I don’t know where this place is exactly, but it gave me a sense of peace just to sit in the grass and enjoy the peaceful greenery around me. We called it the road of the corn because of the corn plantation around.

Road of the corn

Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: Alsace, bathroom, Colmar, Colombage, Little Venice, Petite Venise, WC
Categories : Just Nice, Travels

Some Kinda Wonderful

28 09 2008

Today was a beautiful day. The sun was shining brightly and the weather was not so cold. It was 18 degrees outside and I’m glad to know that my body has been adjusting well to the weather. I was wearing just a shirt, pants, and sneakers today – my usual office attire in Manila. Soon I can wear this when the weather is just 11 degrees, I hope!

Anyway, this afternoon, I did nothing but watched One Tree Hill instead of to look for apartments. I find it really difficult to search for a normal, cheap apartment within the city. I have to search in French and I know I am beginning to learn new expressions and I speak better French than before, but I will leave the apartment searching to my boyfriend. I trust that he could get us one within a week. It always turns out well when we are pressured like this. Crossing my fingers!

At the end of the afternoon, we got ourselves a new phone. So great for the phones – but the price is totally expensive! Compare it to T-Mobile’s plans or Sprint’s, well…it’s just not that wonderful. I got a 1 hour 30 minutes talk time plus unlimited text (all mobile operators within France) for 25 euros from SFR. Super. My boyfriend – has the same plan as mine, plus unlimited calls to 3 favorite numbers for more or less 33 euros. We just had to show some papers like bank accounts, attestation d’hébergement, proof of billing, and copies of identification – voila!

Well, that’s kinda wonderful, right? I would think so! During the evening, I met my bf’s extended family and it was really cool. I thought that I would freak out but I was just happy and grateful for tonight. I didn’t feel so lonely missing my family and everything. His cousins are mainly guys and well, one girl. It reminds me of my family - all brothers and I’m the only girl. We played basketball. I had great fun. It was tarte flambee night – typical Alsacian meal! After having worked up an appetite by playing basketball, I finished a whole plate of tarte flambee.

One of the cousins is really cute. He reminds me of my nephew back in Manila. He’s adorable, sweet, and I know he likes me. We played basketball again after but it was just me and the little cousin. I lost. Kids run so fast! This kid is no different - he was so hyperactive! I was so hot after the game and I was sweating so much. I am happy.

This day is not just kinda wonderul. It was awesome!

Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: Alsace, Basketball, Family, Tarte Flambee
Categories : Just Nice, Ramblings

Touch of Superficiality

23 09 2008

Gossip Girl

My very first blog, as in the one I have started 3 years ago was inspired by the book, Gossip Girl. It’s about the twisted and scandalous life of a girl who jotted down the adventures of her life. A life that revolves around two guys – one a boyfriend and one a lover. All the names were hidden by initials, just like the book. Anyway, this blog is non existent anymore. It would have been fun to read it again.

I just watched the series Gossip Girl. It is so different from the book, but I love it. Supposedly, Serena should find Dan a little bit stalkery and intense. Nate and Blair is on and off because Serena is always in the picture, and Chuck should not even be a main character. What about Vanessa – isn’t she supposed to be bald? Jenny Humphrey should have DD hooters, and Eric is not supposed to be gay. But all in all, the series is fun, exciting, and hypnotizingly addictive!

Blair Waldorf is the most scheming, devious, and the bitchiest girl in the show, but she is also the most fashionable and the hottest, but I still like Serena’s style better – casual, carefree, but sexy as hell. While I was watching, my boyfriend told me that the show was very superficial. Even if he’s right, well, I find it really addictive and I can’t wait for the next episode!

In today’s episode. season 3 episode 4…Serena is back! There will be competition between the two best friends again. Dan acted like an ass and Vanessa interferes with Blair’s plans. Anyhoo, enough of the details. All I can say is that the clothes are way hot and adorable.

Well, I guess we need superficiality like this in our everyday lives to not think of the reality we sometimes dread. For now, we are having a hard time finding a place to live in Paris. And I’m dreading that in 2 weeks, I will have to start work. This is something new again – I just don’t know who my friends will be, if someone will hate me in the workplace..blah blah blah. Have you ever had the feeling of being the newbie? I have felt like that in my previous job for like 3 months before I started to feel comfortable. I have adjusted well though, made new friends, and found my place at work.

It’s reality – after finding your comfort zone, you have to move again in order to get stronger, start a new life, meet new people, and find your place. That will be 2 weeks from now. No worries yet. For the meantime, Gossip Girl is here.

Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: Gossip Girl, superficial
Categories : Books, Just Nice, Ramblings

Never Forget

20 09 2008

When I was young, I hated my History subject because of the never-ending memorization of historical dates and events. It doesn’t matter anymore. I began to pay attention to history as time passed by. I’m not an expert – I still couldn’t remember the exact dates, but I learn more each day.

I know that all of history is important, but the one that breaks my heart the most is the sufferings and stories of the people during the Second World War. We went to visit the only concentration camp that was in France. As soon as we entered the barbed, wooden gates, I felt my heart wrenching in pain. I didn’t want to eat after. I felt so bad.

Natzweiler-Struthof

Barracks for 300 prisoners…

Sleeping Quarters of 300 Prisoners

Can you believe these bunk beds?

Bunks where numerous prisoners sleep - too little for so many

This gallow will creep anyone out …

Gallows

Working fields of the prisoners – According to one of the literature in the camp, the prisoners had to lift up each of their knees to climb the terraces - effects of lack of food, sleep, and too much abuse.

Camp fields

Inside the crematorium, where dead bodies are burned…

le bloc crematoire

Crematory Table

This was a room where experiments had been done to several prisoners of the camp.

Experiment Table

Never forget history…

Never Forget...

Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: Alsace, Concentration Camp, History, Natzweiler, Natzweiler-Struthof, Nazi occupation, World War 2
Categories : Travels

The Most Magical Place on Earth

18 09 2008

I’ve been staying in Alsace for more than a week now. No offense for Parisiens, but the region of Alsace has so much more to offer – history, culture, magic, better food, landscape, wine, the route du vins…name it, you got it.

The route du vins d’Alsace – ahhh…what a beautiful and magical place! The vineyards are so vast and amazing. As we drove down the road to go from one village to another, I see rows and rows of vineyards – up along the mountains – it was a sure sighet for sore eyes! We stopped and went down to examine how the vines look like up close and I was not disappointed at all – I saw dozens of fresh grapes hanging from each row.

vineyards

Grapes for harvest

We stopped by the small villages of Obernai, Rebeauville, and Riquewihr. We’re not yet done touring the route du vins because of its hugeness and well, I wanted to stop by in all the small villages alonng the way. Inside the small villages, I felt like a little girl again in a fairy tale. The houses are so authentic and they are straight out of children’s books! Use your imagination.

Entrance to a small village

Village out of a fairy tale

I love this house!

Have you ever read Harry Potter? I imagined Hagrid accompanying Harry in Diagon Alley to buy potions and magical stuff as I strolled along the streets of these small villages. Well, instead of magical potions and broomsticks, I saw different kinds of wine, foie gras, sweets, bretzels, and goodies being sold in the streets and small shops. What a wonderful, wonderful place!

Kougelhopfs

Bretzels

Wine for sale

Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: Living in France, Alsace, Route du Vins d'Alsace, Ribeauville, Riquewihr, Obernai, Kougelhopfs, Bretzels, Vin, Vineyard
Categories : Just Nice, Travels

Missing Manila

17 09 2008

Out with the old, in with the new…it’s not so easy. Starting a new life is really hard, but when you think about it, you know you want to. You just want to go to a place where no one knows you, knows your past, knows what you did in high school or college, knows how much you messed up, all that shit.

Well, I’m really proud of what I have accomplished. I got the visa competences and talent from the French Embassy in Manila. I had a job interview in Paris as soon as I arrived and I got it. Should be exciting, something new, something that will make me grow and become more independent.

It’s just a shame I cannot bring all my family. I miss my nephew who lives next door and my other nephew who does not like me as much, my niece who is in Dubai, and 2 more of my nieces, one who was not even a year old, and the other getting more beautiful as she grows up. It’s only now that I realize how much I will miss my mom and dad, my brothers, my friends, and relatives. It’s different now – time to make something new yet never forgetting old memories.

I miss my mom and dad already. And Ministop.

Comments : 10 Comments »
Tags: Living in France, Manila, new life, Paris
Categories : Ramblings

The City of Lights

17 09 2008

Paris again. I woke up with butterflies strongly fluttering in my stomach. My first thought was, “Today’s my job interview” – the last interview I would have for the Technical Writing position. I was dreading it. My hair was a mess because my blow dryer wouldn’t work with the outlet switch and the hotel blow dryer was not working. Super. It was ok. Think positive. I wore a business suit for the first time in so many years. My boyfriend was reassuring me all the time that I was gonna get the job and kick a lot of ass.

So I did. They emailed me the next day and I accepted the job offer. I hope that this will be a very good experience for me. We celebrated by going to all the good places of Paris – The Louvre, Eiffel, Notre Dame, Montmartre, etc etc.

My heart cries out for Montmartre. I want to rent my apartment here while I am on my job mission here in Paris. I haven’t seen a place as dramatic as Montmartre. As you walk up the highest area of Montmartre along the cobbled streets and hills, you will find Paris laid out ahead front of you.

The Sacré-Coeur basilica in Montmartre

View from the Sacré-Coeur basilica in Montmartre

We also saw a film shooting in Montmartre and a famous French actor, Gerard Lanvin, who played Moltes in Le Boulet!

Gerard Lanvin (in the black suit) -Moltes of Le Boulet

Most of my friends asked me if I have been to the Louvre. Well, not yet but here is the outside view! I have yet to go inside and get a 3-day pass.

Outside the Louvre Museum

The famous Moulin Rouge! A few steps more is the Pigalle Place, the red light district of Paris.

Moulin Rouge

When I was a kid, I have watched The Hunchback of Notre Dame several times. Looking at this place, I imagined the gargoyles on the rooftop going alive.

Notre Dame

Gargoyles on the roof

The Champs Elysees reminds me of New York’s Fifth Avenue, where all the expensive shops are. It’s a shopper’s dream, but you gotta have the dough. Otherwise, it becomes a nightmare. To look at all those shops without having to buy! But oh…strolling down Champs-Elysees at night! Aux Champs-Elysées, aux Champs-Elysées!

Champs-Elysees at night

Another favorite is the Eiffel Tower. If you stand underneath the Eiffel in a windy day, it feels like the tower is swaying right in top of you. As the night falls, it becomes blue and it sparkles…like the stars, contributing to the many, many lights of Paris. Its history also fascinates me. It was built by Gustave Eiffel in 1889 for the International Exhibition of Paris and was supposed to be taken down after 20 years. According to my boyfriend, excuses kept coming up for the Eiffel Tower not to be destroyed such as its antenna is used for military purposes..blah blah. And well, it just looks so damned good.

It has also become a national symbol because during WWII, The Eiffel Tower was so great that when Paris fell to the Nazis, French rebels cut the cables to the elevator of the tower so Hitler would have to climb the stairs. When the Nazis hung their swastika flag from its summit, a determined Frenchman climbed up the tower and replaced it with the French flag. Despite poor acceptance during its first few years, the Eiffel Tower has been embraced by French citizens, and stands as one of the most recognizable structures in the world. (Source: http://weuropeanhistory.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_eiffel_tower)

The Eiffel Tower becomes a starry blue at night

The 12 stars symbolize the stars in the EU flag

The 12 stars in the Eiffel tower symbolize the stars in the EU flag

Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: Champs Elysees, Eiffel Tower, Gerard Lanvin, Living in France, Montmartre, Moulin Rouge, Notre Dame, Paris
Categories : Just Nice, Living in France, Travels

First Day in France

16 09 2008

After almost 16 hours of flying from Manila-Doha-Paris, I saw a glimpse of the French Alps. I took a photo of the famous snow-covered alps while thinking to myself that my life in France was about to begin!

view from the plane - The French Alps

As the plane landed Charles de Gaulle airport, I felt my heart beat fast with nervous excitement. I didn’t have any problems with the airport, immigration, and customs. Everything went satin smooth! Am I dreaming and is it even possible to have it all: career, love, good food, fashion, and the Eiffel Tower! This is my boyfriend and I’s second trip outside the Philippines.

It’s strange how you imagine yourself in a foreign place and when you’re finally there, it just feels so normal. The sun and the sky are still the same. The air you breathe – maybe fresher, but it’s the same! What the heck was I looking for again? Oh yes, the Eiffel Tower. Anyway, Paris is great, but it was too crowded. And expensive. And most people are rude. Not a smile in sight!

Lugging behind almost 150 kilos of baggage behind us was also annoying. We were so cheap because airport taxis cost like gold! From the airport, we took a bus to Gare de L’Est and tried to find Rue de Chateau d’Eau. After maybe 2 hours of finding the hotel 3 seasons, all the excitement I had in me before was long gone due to exhaustion. My boyfriend was shouting all kinds of curses in English and French! He had to run from Gare de l’Est to the other street just to find a map that did not want to be found! There was one lady though, who noticed me with all the luggage almost eating me and spoketo me in French. I answered back in rusty French, but she understood me! Thank you Alliance Francaise de Manille for all those lessons!

Anyway, the hotel was terrible and it was around 80 euros per night. It was very small, the wallpaper was peeling, the bathroom was uncomfortable, and the elevator fits two people and one luggage. 80 euros spent in Manila is worth it compared to this hell hole. I won’t complain anymore. I need to stop converting money!

After resting for an hour, we began to explore the city and I discovered kebab. Cheap! And I saw the Champs-Elysees. We did not explore all in one day coz my legs felt like a ton of bricks from exhaustion and all that walking. We hit the bed at 20H30. The sun was still up. Super, but it was good to sleep for 12 hours!