Skiing the French Alps, Soirées and Annecy

I did laundry today. Very exciting I know. It was however nice to know that I was being more energy efficient. I don't know why we don't dry our clothes outside more in the US.

My Dryer.

This was all in all a very exciting and jam-packed week. Work was good, I made lots of progress analyzing data and getting samples ready to be tested. Now if only I could start writing my actual paper. Feel free to bother and pester me to make sure that I've done it. Thanks.

French Alps

On the day of the election here in France the Chamrousse ski resort was offering lift tickets for 1 Euro if you presented a voting card. The weather was beautiful and my coworkers had an extra voting card for me. This meant that I only paid for the ski rental and was able to ski in the French Alps. I wasn't nearly as bad as I thought I would be considering I haven't skied for at least two years. Unlike the US, most people here ski, not snowboard. Little kids were zipping down the mountain at top speed and I did the best I could to stay out of their way.

My coworkers.

Denis and I getting ready to ski.
You can see the city of Grenoble in the background.

The alps were "incroyable" the mountains here have a very distinct, rugged look to them. They look wild.

Concert 

Focus.

Ivan, my roommate, plays violin in the local symphony. His concert was this week so I along with his girlfriend and friend went to watch him perform. Before the symphonic portion of the concert a french women's choir sang four songs, two of them in English. I could not understand a word of the english songs. It was good to see what it's like to be on the opposite side of the stage for once. I've been in choirs where we have often sung in French, German, or Italian and had no idea if what we were singing sounded correct. 

The concert was wonderful, a very professional group, and Ivan did a great job soloing for two difficult Bach pieces. It was however also interesting to note that the French group did not seem to appreciate the audience as much as an American group would. The conductor barely smiled or bowed during the applause.

Brazillians and the Local Hospitality

Strangely enough, I have been meeting many many Brazilians here. It of course helps since my roommate's girlfriend, Danubia, is Brazilian. They were kind enough to invite me to their Caipirinha party last Wednesday. Beforehand however I had a videochat meeting with my advisor back in Seattle. It was the first time that we had met since I left Seattle and I had lots to say. The meeting went very well, so well in fact that I wanted to do a little celebrating and since no one was around I journeyed out into Grenoble in hopes of getting a beer. I stumbled into the local watering hole where I met some intensely stereotypical french people. Smoking, too much makeup, hats, wine, mustaches, the works. They took a shining to me and we whiled away the afternoon attempting to communicate using a melange of broken french, english and sign language. Four people bought me wine that afternoon. I got home in time for the Caipirinha party where there was French, Portugues, and English being spoken. It was difficult for my wine-logged brain to speak in French but I managed ok. 

Then on Friday there was a Brazilian cineclub soirrée where they showed French and Brazilian movies and had shots of Cachaca. Three people bought me beers that night, I don't know if they think I'm poor or my accent is cute or the people here are just nice but it has been amazing to me that warmth and hospitality of nearly everyone I have met. Although, I must say the beer here leaves much to be desired.

HTC Afterworks

There is something here in Europe called Afterworks. From what I understand, companies throw parties and only invite a few people in order to generate hype and get consumer loyalty. HTC hosted one in Grenoble (Thank you Sandrine and Denis for getting me in) our name was on a list and we were immediately greeted with swag and free food. There was champagne, wine, cheese, duck, foie gras, tuna tartare, salmon, and a huge array of desserts, and it was all free. HTC was also giving away free phones, didn't win one though. Secretly I was hoping I wouldn't win because I would have had to go up and say something in French, daunting. 

HTC Afterwork Party. Very little alcohol was involved in this picture.

Annecy

The town of Annecy is a beautiful city in the Savoire region of France. It is located about an hours drive north of Grenoble on lac d'annecy. Denis, Sandrine and I journeyed there for the afternoon to see what all the fuss was about. 

Annecy.

The bridges and canals of Annecy.

The city is very much like a tiny French version of Venice. There were canals and waterways everywhere. They are known for "mountain food" which seemed to mostly consist of lots and lots of cheese, meat and potatoes. The city was much more touristic than Grenoble. I heard more English walking down the street than my entire time in the streets of Grenoble. 

Lac D'Annecy

The beautiful church overlooking the town of Annecy and the surrounding region.
We arrived just 20 minutes to late to go inside and look around.

Foods of the Week

Tarte Tatin, apples and vanilla with lots of butter.
It was pretty spectacular.

Duck. So good.

I didn't actually try it but they are advertising it like crazy here. Sorry Selina.

Après Deux Semaine

Après Deux Semaine

Well I've been here now for two weeks and it is still wonderful. The frômage, the bread, the wine. All very good and cheap.  In this post I have attached many photos, mostly for my Grandma to admire.

In the past two weeks I have gotten a bike, explored Grenoble, hiked to the medieval bastille twice, learned how to play squash, took the train to Lyon and also I found some time to work and cook.  My french is also improving which is a plus.  Grenoble I have learned is a fairly small and very international city.  The french people also, countrary to popular opinion, have been very warm and inviting.

The Market

There is a daily farmers market outside my front door everyday but Monday. On weekends it gets enourmous. It streches for four blocks and it's packed full of local fruits and vegetables, meats, fish, cheeses, breads, honey, nuts, eggs, fresh pasta, and wine. Gahhh it's soo good. I already have my "cheese guy". I only buy cheese from him. He always has suggestions for what I should try.

I bought this awesome book of french tarte recipes. I'm going to try to make my way through the book while I'm here. My first trial was Tarte Tiflette. It's potatoes, bacon, reblochon (cheese) and onions. I used all fresh local ingredients from the market. I think it was very successful.

The weather has unfortunately been very Seattle-like. It's been wet and cold nearly every single day. I also heard that the weather in Seattle was fantastic. This reinforces my theory that wherever I am it is rainy and wherever I just was has great weather. There is still no end in sight for the rain but I managed to get some good sunny day pictures nonetheless.

I hiked up to the bastille on the mountain twice. Once with my coworker Denis and his friends and the other time by myself to take advantage of the one afternoon of sun. It was worth the sweat though to get the pictures.

Yesterday I journeyed to Lyon. A much larger city than I was expecting about an hour away from Grenoble. Lyon apparently is the center of french cuisine, I was expecting a lot out of lunch but I was sadly dissapointed. I mistranslated what the waiter was saying. Apparently "Parmetier de Caubillaud" means a cylinder of mashed potatoes with a tiny bit of fish mixed in. For 18 Euros = Robbery! Very disappointed. 

Wandering through the streets of Lyon was great though. Lyon apparently vied with Paris as the central power in France. You can see a lot of grandeur everywhere. The best part of the trip to Lyon however was the train ride back where I spoke with an older french woman for over an hour all in french. Then when I got home I found out that my roommate was hosting a wine and cheese party with some very rowdy french people. They kept pouring me wine and making fun of my french accent and asking about Hollywood. 

Mom - you should paint this.

Overexposed but I like it.

They have Starbucks, proof that civilization exists in France.

I believe the caption under this guillotine read that the blade was used
to behead nearly 30 enemies of the state.

Yes, I have eaten a baguette every single day. Sometimes a croissant too. 

J'arrivais

Bonjour à tous!

That mean's "hello all". After 21 straight hours of travel I arrived safe and sound in Grenoble. It was a long tiring journey but mostly uneventful.

The highlights of the trip were:

• Getting upgraded to "World Traveller Plus"  on British Airways
• British accents everywhere.
• "Do you want some nibbles?", "May I take your rubbish?"
• How everyone at Heathrow looked like Tom Haverford from Parks and Recreation
• Getting my bags entirely emptied because they thought the 120 g of white YSZ powder I was bringing was drugs for some reason

My first french breakfast. I got an additional two baguettes
from two gluten free french women (what a sad existence).

It's only been two days but I've accomplished an amazing amount of things.  There are a few things I've come realize though. If anyone ever tells you that "all French people speak english" they are lying.  It is a very good thing that I know the little french that I do, otherwise I would have a problem. My most shining moment was when I spoke with a stuttering french man with an indian accent about purchasing a phone. The other thing is that we Americans take our 24/7 restaurants and stores for granted. You literally cannot get food here between the hours of 3-6pm (13 - 19:00h). Grocery stores close after 8pm. I was very hungry today.

So far I have: 

• Purchased a cell phone
• Found an apartment and moved into said apartment
• Eaten 4 baguettes, 2 croissants and a "French taco"
• Met my coworkers and new boss
• Gotten lost
• Rented a bike for 3 months
• Went grocery shopping 

Along the way I was very nearly seriously injured about 3 times, two of which were on the bike.  

Grenoble

Grenoble, pronouced "gren-obe", is the largest city in the French alps. It sits in between three high mountain ranges. Unexpectedly, it is also the flattest city in all of Europe.  It's location makes it extremely popular for all types de sport. It also is the scientific center of France (that's why I'm here). They have many universities and fancy facilities; one of which is called a syncotron and costs 8,000 €  for 8 hours.  My project will need it for 24 hours (sigh).

It is extremely beautiful here, although I brought the rain with me.  I haven't had much time to take pictures yet but I've included a few here to give you the gist of the place.  

Appartement

That is the correct french spelling.

I found my apartment thanks to my housemate Cassy in Seattle who knows someone who knows someone that knows the owner of this apartment.  My new address is 15 Ave. de Vizille, Grenoble. It is within the city center overlooking the mountains and the medieval Bastille on the mountainside.

View from my living room of the bastille on the mountain.

View from my room. There is a huge looming mountain
shrowded in cloud on the right side.

My roommates's collection. Pour ma Maman.

One of the two pâtisseries et boulangeries situated beneath my apartment.

I finished the day with another delicious baguette, some quinoa and a glass of wine. Very french I would say. All of the wines in the store were less than 8 € but I got one that was 2 € just to try. Unfortunately it kinda tastes like Manishevitz. I will chip in the few extras euros for something good next time.  


Merci pour lire mon histoire. Je vais continuer écrire de temps en temps.