tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55557911943271610782024-03-08T07:21:45.015-05:00Travels and TravailsEmilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645184965256288037noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555791194327161078.post-26566505996475040522009-09-01T13:57:00.000-04:002009-09-01T13:58:33.917-04:00A Literary MovementComing to London to hang out with L gave me a very pared-down agenda. I had been there twice before and therefore had already been to most of the tourist highlights. I also was missing my art-loving husband, and so I did not want to spend time visiting art museums to which I would surely return. I had only a few things I wanted to accomplish in London: the Portobello Road market (a bit of a Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645184965256288037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555791194327161078.post-48640479147529101902009-08-04T13:50:00.003-04:002009-08-04T13:57:53.274-04:00The Bridge ProjectWhile in London, I was morally obliged to take in some theatre. After a bit of research as to what was available and immediately crossing off anything I’d be able to see on tour in the states (Spring Awakening or Avenue Q) or anything I believed Kander and Ebb would scoff at (Sister Act, the Musical or We Will Rock You), I settled on and convinced L to join me for The Cherry Orchard.Some of you Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645184965256288037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555791194327161078.post-66998347030398429012009-08-02T18:49:00.002-04:002009-08-02T18:52:25.581-04:00"Fox news on LSD"We visited the Parliament building for a tour and a meeting with a member of Parliament (MP). The building itself is, of course, lovely. The main chapel area is the oldest part, having survived the London fires, at something like 1200 years old. Here is where kings and queens lie in state after they die but before they are buried, and Winston Churchill was the only non-royal to do so (Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645184965256288037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555791194327161078.post-30275873057102016192009-07-29T09:58:00.004-04:002009-07-29T10:06:07.212-04:00Fashionable MarketingL lived in London for a few months while studying fashion in undergrad, so it was particularly fun to explore fashionable London with her. On Thursday we spent the afternoon in Soho, stopping in fabric and trims stores, as well as RD Franks, a fashion bookstore. Of course, we also browsed boutiques and clothing shops that were out of our price range to dream the day away. And I bought tea, forEmilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645184965256288037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555791194327161078.post-89584981742069434952009-07-20T22:24:00.001-04:002009-07-20T22:27:00.855-04:00St. Vincent, Rockin' OutLeaving Paris, we headed to London for the beginning of a week-long tour of Western European political institutions. I’ve always enjoyed London, but never loved it, which is okay. It makes other places better when not everything is amazing, right? A friend of mine, L, lives in Cork, Ireland, and she decided to meet me in London for the four days I was there, and I’m so grateful! She is a Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645184965256288037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555791194327161078.post-61999449435287519152009-07-18T18:10:00.002-04:002009-07-18T23:31:22.849-04:00Moments in ParisThis is my last post about Paris for this trip, as we left and traversed Western Europe for the last week and a half of the trip. In honor of this, here's a slideshow of moments in Paris. I tried to capture a bit of the feel of Paris by taking photos of moments around the city (a few of these photos are from one of our students, KW).During the last week or so in Paris, it was outrageously hot.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645184965256288037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555791194327161078.post-78021949035287565072009-07-13T17:03:00.003-04:002009-07-13T17:30:11.470-04:00Parisian CinemaDuring my last week in residence in Paris I was able to take in a few films as part of the Parisian experience. First I saw Woody Allen’s new movie, Whatever Works (not Parisian), at La Pagode (very Parisian). La Pagode is a movie theatre that was built by the owner of La Bon Marche for his wife over a hundred years ago. It resembles, surprise!, a pagoda, with Japanese style roofing and a Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645184965256288037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555791194327161078.post-87694848041723633942009-07-11T18:57:00.003-04:002009-07-11T19:06:44.628-04:00StrasbourgWe went to Strasbourg in order to view a hearing in the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights and talk to someone at the Council of Europe. We arrived late on Tuesday with only enough time to walk to the old town and have dinner. On our walk, though, I was reminded how quaint and beautiful Strasbourg is. It's so lovely, and so very quiet at night. We walked past the Cathedral, Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645184965256288037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555791194327161078.post-43318428075207005462009-07-10T04:30:00.005-04:002009-07-10T05:07:42.331-04:00Dancing FleasWe visited Les Puces on a Sunday morning (L&D plus me) for a bit of antique shopping. Les Puces, or the fleas, is a gigantic market composed of (I think) 15 sub-markets that branch off the rue des Rosiers on the very northern perimeter of Paris. Each sub-market has about 150 vendors in booths in winding alleyways. The place is just fascinating. Every booth has something different and new.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645184965256288037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555791194327161078.post-47509141120263019862009-07-06T12:29:00.001-04:002009-07-06T12:34:22.993-04:00A Circus IndeedWith L&D in town, I had an excuse to put work aside for a few days to explore the city with them. L has exceptional fashion taste and interests, so we spent a day shopping in La Marais. La Marais has both the best food and affordable fashion shopping in all of Paris, in my and others' opinions. We also happened to be wandering during the semi-annual sales in Paris, so it was a good time toEmilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645184965256288037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555791194327161078.post-34307519046371444442009-07-05T11:50:00.003-04:002009-07-05T12:06:00.818-04:00The Grand Duchy of LuxembourgWe took one of our three classes of students to a meeting at the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg City two weeks ago. Wow. Does that even seem possible? Anyway, it was. After our briefings, we had lunch in the lovely, very European cafeteria, and had a tour of the building, which was amazing. The theme of the building is transparency, so the spaces are very open and filled with glass.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645184965256288037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555791194327161078.post-11001002554708580082009-07-02T18:00:00.002-04:002009-07-02T18:15:31.440-04:00Midsummer's NightOn the 21st, midsummer's night, Paris celebrates the Fete de la Musique by suspending its noise laws, running the metro lines all through the night, and throwing a gigantic party with music in every place a person can imagine music being played. It's on every street corner, in every cafe, in museums, churches, parks, universities, government buildings...everywhere. There's a vibrancy in the airEmilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645184965256288037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555791194327161078.post-45622477422401240202009-06-24T06:06:00.002-04:002009-06-24T06:18:59.809-04:00Human Rights OrganizationsWe took students to Geneva for our first set of site visits, which was a great success. Apologies in advance, I took no photos. I just enjoyed.When we arrived we took students to La Terrasse, the bar along Lac Leman, which was absolutely packed with people, even on a Wendesday evening at 11pm. I was a bit taken aback. However, the students either weren't impressed, were hungry, or were tired,Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645184965256288037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555791194327161078.post-55842173053011589492009-06-20T08:02:00.002-04:002009-06-21T04:06:43.278-04:00Group Outings and AdventuresI've been mostly working on my dissertation, getting out only for runs and grocery trips. However, I have eaten out and led group trips, so here we go.A week ago Friday, we took students for a group dinner to Brasserie Julien, which is an establishment now over 100 years old. It is more exciting for its atmosphere than for its food. The food was quite pleasant, though not as pleasant as the Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645184965256288037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555791194327161078.post-14981407546679823582009-06-17T04:04:00.008-04:002009-06-20T08:19:52.953-04:00Tea with Friends and More DoorsLast year I made a new friend here in Paris, a person we hired to help the program, and I met her for tea at L'Heure Gourmande on a rainy afternoon. The tea was lovely, though not anything particularly inspiring. It was, however, a nice tearoom. Located in an alley off of a main street in St. Germain, it felt tucked away, with tables under low ceilings and populated mostly with locals rather Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645184965256288037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555791194327161078.post-18988003465743667152009-06-14T17:03:00.003-04:002009-06-24T06:19:24.960-04:00Long Runs, Churches, and MusselsI've been staying in most of the time working, but I have taken breaks every other day for long runs around the Luxembourg Gardens. After getting used to the broken sidewalks of Atlanta on my runs, the park is heavenly. I'd never watched for exercisers before in Paris, but lots of people have the same idea. You see marathoners and housewives and dads with jogging strollers. The loop that Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645184965256288037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555791194327161078.post-13891349233883035592009-06-10T15:07:00.003-04:002009-06-10T15:27:22.199-04:00Je reviensI'm back in Paris again for my third summer as a travel agent/computer lab assistant/camp counselor. I do so love this city. I was/am not looking forward to the trip in the same way I usually am. I adore Europe, Paris, baguettes, and even the French, but I have some pretty severe school deadlines and financial restrictions that will limit the fun aspects of this trip. However, I'll keep Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645184965256288037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555791194327161078.post-6543431614415449922009-06-09T17:32:00.002-04:002009-06-09T17:41:45.796-04:00The Trustafarians of ColoradoI went to Colorado last week for a work-related trip but managed to have a fantastic time in the midst of all the work. Our friend S lives in Boulder, and A lives in Denver, and I managed to visit extensively with both. I arrived in Denver with a plane full of people wearing Keens and steel water bottles, so I was already looking forward to an environment of recycling and nourishing food, Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645184965256288037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555791194327161078.post-30642006102382573562009-04-22T21:01:00.005-04:002009-04-22T21:33:01.254-04:00Dolly and the TitanicIn August D and I spent a week at home in Missouri with our families. For a short trip, we went with his family to Branson, the down-home, country music center in the Ozarks of Missouri. A land of antiques, family fun, country music shows, and tack. If it is one thing, it is tacky and a magnet for those who love tacky. Luckily, I LOVE tacky. Yes, I hate chain restaurants, but I'll take a Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645184965256288037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555791194327161078.post-62193721185803621612009-03-09T10:37:00.003-04:002009-04-23T09:45:24.464-04:00Markets in MarrakechIn the morning, we struggled with Moroccan stubbornness and bureaucracy in an attempt to mail ourselves the pottery we had purchased. (Update: one bowl broken, two bowls in tact.) Finally succeeding though paying exorbitant prices, N and Is walked us to the bus station to send us on our way to Marrakech. This time, we took a more reliable bus, which was a relief since we would no longer hand Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645184965256288037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555791194327161078.post-34586264134125860282009-02-08T13:33:00.005-05:002009-02-08T14:03:09.116-05:00Sunset on the wallOur second day in Essa (we decided to stay there an entire extra day and night, sacrificing time in Marrakech, because we loved it so much and were having such a great time with N and Ism), was mostly spent shopping! We had spent the first day scoping and then returned to do the shopping on the next day. We bought terracotta bowls, three beautiful rugs, silver jewelry, scarves, thuya boxes, andEmilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645184965256288037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555791194327161078.post-35702873047867861392008-08-06T13:39:00.000-04:002009-02-08T13:40:14.570-05:00RecommitmentOkay. I'll do better. I'm going to finally finish our Moroccan trip and then update on smaller trips we've taken throughout the year. Sorry.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645184965256288037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555791194327161078.post-73449102250598670422008-08-04T22:39:00.008-04:002008-08-06T15:41:15.079-04:00A Castle Made of SandSo we didn't see the actual castle. But we were near it.After dawn broke over the wedding, we took a taxi back to Casablanca, from where we took a Moroccan bus to Essaouira. This was a five hour bus ride, but the bus ride was a mess. It was an old bus, but functional, and open windows made it pleasant to ride in. However, it was smelly, and it was very sketchy. We stopped very often, pickingEmilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645184965256288037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555791194327161078.post-19793985696130575712008-08-02T12:22:00.004-04:002008-08-02T12:33:16.181-04:00A Moroccan WeddingAfter lunch, we checked out of the hotel and took a harrowing taxi ride to the Gare Jelel, to then catch a grand taxi to Ben Ahmed, where our friend (well, my cousin's friend) lives and works. Grand taxis are the workhorse of the Moroccan public transportation system. You pay for your place in the sedan-like vehicle, usually a Mercedes from the 80s, and when the taxi is full (6 people plus the Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645184965256288037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5555791194327161078.post-3839433072097712652008-07-30T16:06:00.005-04:002008-07-30T16:23:50.004-04:00Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.After that crappy ordeal of flying Jet4You, we rode a taxi into Casablanca and arrived at Hotel Kizmi Basra around 1:30 Moroccan time. The staff was very friendly, the hotel was beautiful and comfortable, and the price was great for a 4 star hotel: 68 euros! It's also in a nice location, close to the Medina and the Marche Central. A relief after disappointment. In the morning (we only had a Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06645184965256288037noreply@blogger.com0