Christmas in France

Today I'm writing from the comforts of a warm cozy home on the outskirts of Strasbourg. A little fun fact: the town, called Krautergersheim, is the capital of sauerkraut.

How I landed here was pure luck. I was discussing with my colleagues about how I was dying to come to the famous Strasbourg Christmas Market when *poof* another colleague pops in and casually says "my daughter leaves for Strasbourg tomorrow" and I jokingly asked "can I go with her!?" And the rest is history. Her daughter and I took off on a long (for her)/short (for me) 4-hour roadtrip from Hirson to Krautergersheim. When we arrived chez grandma Annie we were first greeted by the aroma eminating from the house of our dinner being prepared. Grandma Annie greeted us with big smile and two kisses, as is customary, and welcomed me into her house. And from the moment I arrived I've been getting spoiled by her over the top hospitality and the beautiful scenery I've been enjoying every which way I look.

I've now been the most famous Christmas market in France as well as other smaller yet quaint markets and I couldn't be happier with my visit to Alsace. Thanks for reading and Happy Holidays! Click on the link to see the full album. https://plus.google.com/photos/104446224397767955407/albums/5954770530430313009?authkey=CLOam9ntxJqVLQ

Paris

Hi guys,

I realize I haven't been a good reporter for you guys. Keeping up with my blog from my iPad has been more work that I had thought. It's not the same when you are used to typing at hyperspeed on a real keyboard and then transition to the onscreen keyboard of my iPad... But anyway, here's a brief update on what's been going on in my life.

About a month ago I arrived at Hirson, the small town in the northeast of France where I live and work. After three weeks of work we got a two weeks break (thanks French education system!). So I've been doing what I like to do best, traveling :) 

I started in Paris, the city of ♥. Also known as "La ville lumières", the city of lights. I met my cousin Carolyn and her friend Tanya there. 

*little side note: Robin Thicke happened to be arriving at Charles de Gaulle airport at the same time as I was waiting for my cousin and he casually strolled by me... It caught me so off guard that I didn't have time to react. For those who don't know, Mr. Thicke has become super popular recently. Most notably for his song Blurred Lines which stirred up some controversy by launching a very risqué music video.*

Since it was my second time in Paris I didn't go camera crazy like my cousin but I was able to steal some of her pictures of this beautiful city. 

Our apartment was a five minute walk from the Eiffel Tower.

This was in front of the Castle of Versailles 

We had a little picnic in front the Eiffel Tower complete with cheese, bread, champagne and a few extras.

To Paris

So excited to be a Versailles.

Afterall, it was Marie-Antoinette's official residence.

Eating snails is a lot more difficult for a leftie...

The Arc of Triumph on a sunny October day.

Still at Versailles outside the castle there's a super cute little village.

Tomatina Pictures!!

And finally the moment you've all been waiting for... *drum roll please* The Tomatina pictures!!!!!!!!!!!! Okay, so I kind of had to make it a big deal because it cost me (taking deep breaths) 13€. For those who don't know the exchange rate that's $17.62 DOLLARS!

Now, to the photos :)

 We survived! Sam's shirt was white at one point.

These police officers or soldiers were too cool for us. But at least we got one to smile!

Antoinette displaying her pearly whites :D

Taking cover!

Wine and Water Festival and La Tomatina

These have been the shortest three days ever (after the 20+ hours in transit that is). When I finally made it to Valencia I only had a few hours to rest and then we were back in the road again. This time to Requena where the Wine and Water Festival was to take place. My roommate, Sam, and I were very excited to see what this was all about.

Our first stop was the arena where everyone gathers to watch the brave young men prove their courage to their girlfriends by going up against young bulls. There was a cage at the center where they could take cover when the bull came close. I cringed as some of the boys got mauled by the bull, but the locals assured me there wasn't much danger because their horns had been wrapped. It was still pretty startling to watch the bull lower its heads, take aim and scrape its hoves on the ground. I could all but see steam coming out their nostrils like in the cartoons. To calm our nerves we turned to eating and drinking. Everyone brought little snacks and drinks to share. The locals were very welcoming and keen on sharing with us. 

When this all ended, around midnight, we joined the townspeople on a parade around town chanting and drinking wine which was provided by city trucks. Meanwhile, people were throwing buckets of water out their windows and hosing us down from their terraces. On this trip I met three American military guys based in Europe and two Australian girls taking a 2-month long trip around Europe. It didn't take long to feel at ease with them around. By the end of the parade we were feeling so happy it was contagious.

 Here's a small clip

After four hours of sleep, half drunk and half asleep, we were off to La Tomatina. The day was cloudy and gloomy but everyone was too excited to get discouraged by the imminent rain. When we got there, Sam and I were off to find our tall American friends, AKA our shields. But the search, amidst so many people (~20,000), was useless. Thankfully we met up with Antoinette and Gaby, our new Aussie friends, and we clung on to them for dear life.

The rules of the game were easy, squish the tomato before you throw it. Apparently, this wasn't simple enough and in the first 10 seconds of the fight, before I even had time to react, I was pegged in the neck with what felt like a small cannon. So painful, that I was ready to raise a white flag and surrender. But of course this wasn't an option so I retreated to the back lines and used my hands to shield my face. When it seemed safe, I would pick up all the tomatoes in my vicinity and fired away. After nearly an hour every square inch of our bodies were covered with tomato mush. In hindsight, it was a good thing it was pouring rain because otherwise the stench of tomatoes, and wet bodies being cooked up in the summer sun would have been a lot less pleasant. And that's it for now guys! Thanks for reading and if you have instagram add me #isscarissa

Now off to my next adventure!

Soon to come: pictures of the Tomatina from my disposable waterproof camera, pictures of Valencia and Granada. Stay tuned!

Spain here I come!

After much preperation the day has finally arrived to embark on another adventure! I couldn't be more excited to see what this voyage will bring. 

After my arrival in Valencia I will start my trip off at a Wine and Water Festival. I'm not sure exactly what that entails but I will be sure to let you know how that goes. The very next day I will be fighting the crowds in Buñol where the Tomatina will take place. Stay tuned for photos of this epic food fight and updates of my tour of Spain. Wish me luck!

Farewell Atlanta!

Europe Bucket List

I am very happy and excited to share the good news with you my fellow reader. I have been selected to participate in the 2013-2014 Teaching Assistant Program in France! I will be teaching in the North Eastern part of the country not too far from Paris. This program allows me to wet my feet in the realm of teaching in a non-invasive way. I will be working a total of 12 hours a week (not too shabby :]) at one or more elementary schools in the region. I am hoping to get a second job which will allow me more flexibility and add to my travel fund seeing as there is a great deal of vacation time... gotta love the French for that!

To prepare for all this free time I've started a Bucket List of places and things I want to see and experience. Here it goes:


1. La Tomatina in Spain

http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/la%20tomatina

 First and foremost I really really want to go to La Tomatina, the wild tomato frenzy in Spain. You know, the one where everyone throws ripe juicy tomatoes at each other? Doesn't that sound like so much fun? It's like the ultimate cafeteria food fight that you (well... I) were too afraid to start in school; except for this time you don't have to fret going to the principals office! This festival takes place on the last Wednesday in August and would be a great start to my European Escapade


2. Hogmanay in Edinburgh

After doing a little research I found out that THE place to be for New Years is Scotland! Apparently they know how to party. And well... I might need to do some investigating to confirm this statement. I'd say this would be a good way to ring in the new year :)

http://ehornsinedinburgh.wordpress.com/2011/12/31/edinburghs-hogmanay-torches-ceremony/

3. Wwoof in Italy

http://prgh.wordpress.com/2008/11/04/olive-picking-time/

To wwof (World Wide Opportunity on Organic Farms) is another must-do for me. This organization connects you with farms all over the world and lets you organize a trip to whichever one you choose from their database. Then, you go and help harvest or do other kinds labor and learn about organic farming. In exchange the farmers provide housing and food. Just imagine going to the south of Italy (maybe even as far as Sicily) and staying at an olive farm. Spend the day shaking all the trees to get the ripe olives like that scene from Under the Tuscan Sun. And after a day of hard work going in for a fresh authentic Italian meal. Yumm! Maybe I can even get a little cooking lesson :) Of course this would also be a great opportunity to bring back my rapidly dissipating Italian!



4. For the Spring I have one ULTIMATE destination, GREECE. Keeping my fingers-crossed, there won't be another meltdown and their economy will be back on its feet so that I can truly enjoy all it has to offer like the historic monuments, the beautiful beaches and lovely little coastal cities. This would be a dream come true! 

http://www.charterworld.com/index.html?sub=greece-yacht-charter

http://www.playersclubtours.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/shipwreck-beach-zakynthos-greece-wallpaper-1600x1200.jpg

http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/time-zone/europe/european-union/greece/athens/

Well that's all for now! Leave me a comment with your suggestions to add to my bucket list or if you have an experience you want to share.

Happy Sunday!