September 29th, 2009 by Rachel | Country: France | No Comments »
Rather than just an ordinary bus ride to school every day where I only see modern buildings, lots of traffic, street lights, pedestrians, and chain-stores, I’m in a van with my art history class riding through a winding road and viewing the beautiful mountains of the Luberon region. One of the greatest benefits of studying abroad is having the opportunity to immerse myself in an unfamiliar setting and to enjoy viewing a different surrounding. I often feel that I’m traveling inside an impressionist painting where I can see a variety shades in nature created by the sunlight and clouds and even appreciate nature as a whole.
September 29th, 2009 by Rachel | Country: France | No Comments »
As I stand in front of a gorgeous building with green leaves adorned on the wall, I knew there were going to be charms inside Cezanne’s altalier. After entering inside the building and going to the second floor where Cezanne’s stuido is located, I feel as if I stepped inside one of Cezanne’s paintings. The object are so familiar. On a table, there is a bowl of fruits. Looking at it reminds me of Cezanne’s painting called “La Dessert.” Glass bottles rest on a wooden board that acts like a coffee table. Cezane’s coats hang on hooks by the wall.
His studio was truly a a “home” as Cezanne worked there from 6 AM until 10:30 AM everyday. His space was the place where he focused on painting still live. According to the readings at the museum, he would not allow any people in his studio except for his friend, Emile Bernard. Cezanne purchased the property in 1901 for 2000 francs.
“I am constructing a studio on land that brought for his perupose.” – Cezanne.
In addition to visiting Cezanne’s studio, I visited another important site in Aix. No one can miss viewing Picasso’s and Cezanne’s artwork when one heads to this city. WHile the Granet Musee already has an incredible collection of Picasso’s and Cezanne’s work, I was fortunate enough to be in town to see a special exhibit on Picasso and Cezanne. The main point of this exhibition was to see how these two painters had connections. Picasso invented a “pictorial language” known as cubism which means simplifying the forms. Cezanne followed Picasso’s ideology by saying that he must treat nature by depicting cylinders, spheres, and cones. Both artists used thick brushstrokes to convey the colors in the image and also the simplicity of the forms.
September 28th, 2009 by Rachel | Country: Greece | No Comments »
Staring out the window from a bus or a train while I’m taking a road trip and viewing the unknown scenes is one of those moments where I cannot be disturbed. I’d never know what phenomenal scene I could be missing. Passing by the mountains in various hues created by the sunlight situated in the ocean and architecture in an assortment of forms resting on the land were images that I captured in my mind that will not be forgotten.
While the ride to Sounio was a worthwhile trip, Sounio itself was a huge disappointment. I expected to find a village with various shops and restaurants, and of course an ancient Greek site. When I arrived there, there was only one restaurant that was overrated, which is expected as there is no competition, and if tourists are hungry or want to have an eating moment at Sounio, they are forced to eat there! There was also one shop with a collection of garbage.
Viewing the artifact was still interesting as I was able to see a three-dimensional view of the architecture by having the ability to walk around to view the artifact at all angles, something that we cannot see in books.
Reaching to the destination was disappointing; however the road trip was not regrettable as I was treated to a magnificent view that will always be remembered.
September 28th, 2009 by Rachel | Country: France | No Comments »
Last January, when I was returning to school in my hometown where there is nothing but skyscrapers, big box stores, suburban homes, and polluted air, I said to my mother, “I feel that I should be on the plane right now heading back to France.” Spending a semester studying in the heart of Provence last year fall is the first time I truly felt that my school was a home. I was so attached to the place, the lifestyle, and the people whom I’ve met. When I went back to school in my hometown in beginning of this year, I felt that taken away from “my homeland.” Without any doubts, I had a very difficult time finishing the rest of the school year.
Fortunately, I am able to return to the school where I belong for the fall semester, and here I am looking at the beautiful backyard!
If it were possible, I would choose in a heartbeat to study here until I graduate.
September 20th, 2009 by Rachel | Country: Greece | 1 Comment »
Vivie said to me, “We’re going to have Domino’s Pizza at a friend’s tonight for dinner.”
“I think I’m going to tweet tonight, ‘An AMERICAN is eating Domino’s Pizza in Greece!’”
“Huh?!” Vivie looked completely perplexed.
“Domino’s Pizza is an AMERICAN pizza!” I said.
“I didn’t know that!”
I was certainly complaining about having to eat an American mega-corporation pizza in a foreign country where I should be eating the pizza produced by the business people who are native of that foreign country or any food that is not found in the US, as I can eat Domino’s in my own backyard anytime. Isn’t that what traveling is about?! Trying new food?!
As Vivie and I were talking, she said that many small pizza business places are going out of business in Greece because of the mega pizza companies such as Domino’s. This is seriously a scary thought! One of the reasons that I love Europe is that there is normally a bounty of non-chain commercial places where I can purchase unique products, products made at the store, and/or have a personal relationship with the staff. I really hope that Europe does not follow the US’ path where big, mega corporations are creating problems in American society. For instance, I read a very interesting article in NY Times about how Amazon is affecting society. One man who owns a small business is already struggling because “it is Amazon that has helped depress profit margins and snagged sales for basics like silicone swim caps, undershirts and running shoes.” He also stated that he had to lay off a “quarter of his 75-member staff.”
Scary, huh?!
September 20th, 2009 by Rachel | Country: Greece | No Comments »
One night, as I was strolling in the city of Thessaloniki where the city was well lit by lights that consisted of small little light bulbs lining next to each other creating shapes of stars and snowflakes, I said to Vivie, a friend of mine in Greece, “It’s hard to believe that Christmas decorations are already up! I thought that the US was the worst since Christmas decorations will be up in many places by October, before we’ve had a chance to celebrate Halloween and Thanksgiving!”
Vivie laughed hysterically. “Those Christmas lights are from LAST YEAR’S Christmas!”
I froze and my eyes popped out! “What a waste of electricity!”
“I’m paying my taxes for this!” I cannot believe that Vivie is paying taxes for unnecessary electricity and helping us run out of fossil fuel! Talk about how Greece’s inefficient government is affecting the country AND the world!
September 16th, 2009 by Rachel | Country: Greece | No Comments »
A year ago, I was at the British Museum in London where I saw artifacts from the Parthenon. In the past four years, I’ve seen a handful of Greek pottery at the Louvre. I also spent a good few class sessions in Survey of Western Art History at my university learning about ancient Greek art. After seeing all those ancient Greek artifacts and learning about them in the classroom, I knew that I needed to get to Greece at some point.
Seeing the Parthenon today was nothing like seeing the pictures in the textbook. Just seeing carvings of the columns and the size just made me ponder how the Greeks were able to construct this incredible design. Having the opportunity to touch the marble of the artifacts and walk around them is something that cannot be done learning in the classroom.
There was more than just the Parthenon on top of the Acropolis. There was a stunning view of the city of Athens from the Acropolis which not only included buildings, but also mountains.
Now, I have finally finished putting the puzzle pieces together.
September 15th, 2009 by Rachel | Country: Greece | No Comments »
“We can take a night train to Athens,” said my friend.
“No, I prefer to go during the day so that I can see the country out the window,” I said.
While I understand that night trains can shed some bucks on travel expenses as it takes away one night in the hotel, trains are more than just a means of transportation. I think of trains as an amusement park ride. They allow me to discover the incredible phenomena, such as construction workers building bridges, architecture of the homes, and mountains. Every country has their own unique landscape and taking a train is a great way to explore it.
September 14th, 2009 by Rachel | Country: Greece | No Comments »
As I was looking through a travel magazine, I came across an advertisement that made my eyes sparkle. There was an image of the sea in the color of BRIGHT aqua with umbrellas made of straw. I used my powers to magically step inside the advertisement and spend a day to take a dip in the water and relax under the sun.
The minute I arrived there, I removed my clothes and splashed into the water and enjoyed gawking at the scene that seemed to be “too good to be true.” The feeling of the warm sun and the cool, rippling water kept me from wanting to get out. I laid on my back as if I was lying on a reclining chair. It was so comfortable, I have to admit.
I can swear that this advertisement did not mislead me. This image was absolutely not photoshopped at all. Seeing through my naked eyes, the sea was indeed in the color of aqua. It was seriously hard to believe.
Yesterday, I took a few buses to reach the destination in Chalkidiki, Athitos with a friend. Chalkidiki is a beautiful region in northern Greece filled with sparkling aqua seas! This was a travel moment where I truly felt as if I was living inside an advertisement and also inside the movie, Mamma Mia. My Greek friend told me this sea is nothing! I was stunned when she told me! I cannot imagine any other beaches more beautiful than this one. She said I need to make a trip to the Greek Islands. I will another time…
September 12th, 2009 by Rachel | Country: Greece | No Comments »
Watching Meryl Streep dance as Donna by the sparkling, blue water and white concrete buildings in Mamma Mia and Alexis Bledel as Lena in the Sisterhood of Traveling Pants walking through a beautiful town perched on a mountain totally inspired me to travel to Greece. However, I am not seeing that scenery on this trip to Greece. Those views of Greece are only in a small portion of the country, and they’re simply stereotypical images of Greece. I’m in Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece, where I am seeing some true images of Greece. As a traveler, I need to go outside of the touristy zones to see the true lifestyle of the country. The true purpose of traveling is to break the stereotypes portrayed in the media.
Thessaloniki is simply a big city with lots of simple apartments and shops. At the edge of the city, a stunning harbor stretches for miles. People bustle through the city on buses, mopeds, and in cars like any other fast-paced city. Bus are packed as they can be during rush hour moments. Vendors sell fresh fruits and vegetables at market stalls. Ancient ruins nestle sparsely throughout the city. Mountains surround the city creating a beautiful view from the harbor.
