Fraaaance

So yesterday was a pretty good day, the weather was good for the most part, the building we saw were amazing, and the small community we stayed at was the exact opposite of every other place we have been since arriving in Europe.

Yesterday started by visiting Le Corbusier’s Villa Savoya, pictured above. I’ve seen this building many times during my studies at WIT, but to actually be there was incredible. It is one of those buildings you just never want to leave. It is hard to believe this house, like the Shroder house, was built in the 20’s.

Next was the Versailles Garden, which is by far the largest garden I have ever seen! You should probably Google it. Unfortunately the weather was not cooperative during my visit, but it was still nice to wonder the gardens. The gardens are over 1,900 acres and were built by the order of Louis XIII. Like I said, find a map on Google and check it out, it’s HUGE and pretty amazing. I wish the weather would have been nicer and we had more time, a bunch of us were going to rent segways!

After the gardens was another beautiful house called Maison Carre’ by Alvar Aalto. This another building that is studied a lot in school, but again, it is nothing that you ever imagined when you finally visit it. This space was amazing, even with the vegetation overgrown to block what use to be views for miles. Though this building was built in the mid to late 50’s, it still looks pretty modern for todays time.

Anyway, after all that, it only got better. Last night the group went to this very little village in the mountains of southern France. I believe it was a place called Vézelay, though I am not 100% sure at this point. But in this village, way at the top of the hillside, was a beautiful cathedral. We just so happened to get to the cathedral just in time for mass and I sat through my first Catholic mass. Though I had no idea what they were saying because it was in French, their voices and singing carried through the 12th century building so clearly and beautifully.

After mass, a few of us went out to get dinner and stumbled upon this relatively fancy restaurant. I was served a 3 course meal for 19 euros, which contained a little bit of chicken, pork ribs, duck, potato vegetable soup, and raspberry mousse. Ya, that’s right, I ate duck and it was pretty good. I thought it was a cross between steak and chicken, not sure if I’d ever order it as a meal, but I’d definitely eat it if it was readily available.

So overall it was a pretty good day, a lot of fun and adventure. Also a lot of driving on the bus! This trip is almost over and Berlin is only a few days away. Soon I’ll start chatting more about my experiences in Europe and how they differ from US, but I’m just letting them build up right now so I can post an entire blog about them. I will say it is almost 100% different, that is my opinion.

But that concludes another night. Just past 11 pm here. Sorry for the lack of posts. Internet in Paris and France in general was weak if existing at all. Hope all these post make up for it. Take care all!