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Written by Rachel and Ken Sunday – Left at Noon – drove to Virginia (which I hear is for Lovers.) Rain, rain, and lots of traffic. Five hours of driving got us a whopping 200 miles. Stopped for a lovely little pizza shop, and taught the restaurant a new concept: eggplant pizza! Like eggplant…as a topping…on pizza. Crazy! (That’s what happens when people travel – culture spreads) Bought a half gallon of ice tea at wawa which really came in handy four or five days later. But wawa really doesn’t know sweet tea. I’m not sure anyone north of the mason-dixon line is licensed to say they really know sweet tea. It’s a southern thing; import some. At some point on Sunday, Rachel successfully pumped gas for the first time. Thankfully, this was a task that ... read more

With the volcano, flights had been canceled all over Europe, and my host parents were stuck in Italy. My host dad had taken about 10 trains in a very roundabout route, but got home at some point on my in between traveling day. I spent the day resting, mostly...I was sick from Morocco but determined to go on the rest of my travels. I also spent several hours trying to get my pictures from Morocco onto facebook. Either my internet connection or facebook was having major issues with that idea. I wound up taking forever to unpack and repack, and didn’t sleep at all, not wanting to miss the night bus to the train station or the train itself, and figuring I could sleep on the train. I took a shower around midnight, then packed up ... read more

Saharan Adventure Most of the next day was spent on the bus, in various stages of sleeping or reading. We had a rest stop at a very nice hotel where they offered us tea and pastries, and we found out we would have lunch there on the way back from the desert! img=http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-sjc1/hs504.snc3/26469_1319006178622_1334790173_30957525_7174626_n.jpg img=http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs484.snc3/26469_1319006258624_1334790173_30957526_560232_n.jpg img=http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs484.ash1/26469_1319006338626_1334790173_30957527_5310723_n.jpg img=http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs484.ash1/26469_1319006378627_1334790173_30957528_7503192_n.jpgMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM Lunch wasn’t until four PM, but we didn’t exactly exert a lot of... read more

Hello everyone! I am sorry it has taken me so long to type up my adventures from Spring Break...once I got back from traveling I was quite sick and took a few days to go to the doctor and recuperate! The next thing I knew, classes had started again, and now my grandparents are here visiting the city of lights! I thank you all for your patience....enjoy the adventures! Casablanca We safely arrived in Casablanca and the flight was uneventful. We would learn later that we were one of the last flights to leave Paris before the volcanic ash cloud closed airports all over Europe, so we were very lucky we got to come at all! We were met at the airport by the ISA Meknès director, who was to be our guide for the day. ... read more

Yesterday, I met Catherine for lunch in between classes. She took me to a wonderful restaurant in the latin quarter, which she said is a favorite of students, particular med students and law students in later years who have started making some money. It is a traditional French bistro called Polidor. We started with Escargot for me and some paté for Catherine. The escargot were cooked inside their shells, and Catherine was very amused watching me fight to get some of them out. The sauce they were in was absolutely amazing, as well. Catherine's paté was also quite delicious. For a main course, I tried steak tartare. I had heard the name before, but I had never known what it was or tried it. Catherine told me it is raw ground beef with capers, and seasonings. ... read more

CHENONCEAU It seemed as though we had stepped out of the bus into a fairy tale. The castle and its grounds are absolutely beautiful. A moat is formed by a river. The castle is small, but wonderful. I chose to follow the French speaking tour guide, and understood quite well! I will let the pictures speak for themselves. I had fun walking in the labyrinth, though it was quite easy. img=http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs411.snc3/24848_1310474885345_1334790173_30936895_2228864_n.jpg The flower garden from which they make the fresh bouquets all around the caste. img=http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs431.snc3/24848_1310475005348_1334790173_30936896_6688898_n.jpg img=http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs411.snc3/24848_1310475125351_1334790173_30936897_3381826_n.jpg img=http://sphotos.ak... read more

EASTER WEEKEND On Easter Sunday, I went to chez Catherine for lunch, and found a surprise chocolate egg waiting for me! A big Merci to Catherine! WE had several types of Charcuterie with bread, butter, and salad, followed by several types of cheese. Afterward, we headed to the musée Marmotton Monet. The paintings were mostly Monet's, with a few other impressionist paintings that had been donated, some presented in period rooms. It is a small museum, so we were able to see everything in one trip while really being able to appreciate the paintings. I bought a magnet of my favorite Monet painting to go with my Renoir one, though I could have had it also as a puzzle, placemat, mug, apron, scarf, or various other forms. It was a fun little boutique. After some ice ... read more

I have officially been here for 2 months, half way through! I can't believe how quickly the time has passed. April is going to be a crazy month, full of traveling! TUESDAY Tuesday was full of fun things even though I was in a weird mood most of the day. Kind of anxious and annoyed. It might have been exacerbated by sleep deprivation since I had returned home so late the night before but still managed to wake up and go to class. After class I ate lunch alone, since the girl I usually eat lunch with was not in class that day. The pasta man seemed surprised that I wanted just veggies instead of pasta, but did give me what I had ordered. I don't know what else I could possibly do for lunch during ... read more

The seder on Monday night was wonderful. The apartment was absolutely beautiful. Claudia had told me not to bring anything, but I am glad I sprung for the flowers because they were quite appreciative. I walked in and was greeted in the very French manner with kisses, and greeted by their golden retriever, Orion! Mme M was surprised by the size of my Jewish star necklace and asked me if I was not afraid. I assured her I am not. I have not had a single anti-semitic experience here, contrary to what I had heard. Although I would probably still wear the necklace, because I am proud of who I am, and I am not going to live in fear, refusing to expressing myself because of something that might happen. Most of the family had not ... read more

This week I bought some more scarves! I love getting them secondhand, in stores the cheapest I've seen a VERY cheaply made one is 1,50€ and most are at least 5, but usually more. All of these were 1 or 2€! I'll probably use this style to prevent massive scalp burning in the desert! peacocks! On Friday after class, I went an... read more