Since my last blog, I have done a lot of very interesting things. I have driven around France, spent two very crazy weeks with Matt, and moved apartments (again.)
My mini vacation between intermediate and superior went like this. "Hey Lesley, let's drive somewhere." "Okay!" says Lesley. "Call Kate." "Kate let's drive somewhere." "Okay!" So Lesley, Kate and I drove around France. Our first stop was Burgundy, where we stayed in the city of Dijon. The city is a lot like most mid sized cities, it reminded me of Sioux Falls, with a little Southwestern US involved, very strange. We toured the Cote du Nuits, where some of the best wines in the world are produced, and had a tour of all of the Grand Cru wineries, and a tasting at two different cellars. For anybody that is into wine, this is the thing to do. Just google Burgundy wine tours, and you're sure to find a good one. That day/night, we decided our second stop would be Strasbourg, near Germany, about 4 hours drive away. After arriving safe and sound, we went to a local Winstub, or wine bar, and had wonderful Alsacian cuisine. Mostly pork, cabbage, potoatoes and sausage. Let the poopensteining begin! After that, we went to the "Academy of beer" and had some various brews, then to Zanzibar, a local club. This picture describes Strasbourg.
Waking up the next day, ready to fight the day, and after a little late night planning by Lesley (pictured) and I (pictured), we decided to surprise Kate with a trip to a Chateau in the middle of Champagne. We arrived in Etoge about 3 hours and 6 bottles of free mini bar drinks later. Don't ask. We pulled up, and for lack of a better term, Kate shit herself.
Kate in front of the Chateau
"Dad, were at a Chateau, with a Moat!"
Vineyard bike rides, champagne tastings, and wonderful meals are a hard thing to leave, but we had to. So we made the 1 hour, I mean 4 hour drive back. Stupid traffic.
The next day, Matt arrived. Let the walking begin. Looking back, it was the most I've walked in my long 20 years. On average, about 5-10 k a day, lots of times more. We'd look at a map and go, "Hey that's not bad" and it would take 4 hours! but it was great seeing him, and having him there. Took him to places I hadn't even been to like Sacre Coeur, and some restaurants. We drank, and dined, and did things a college student doesn't do in Waukesha County, Wisconsin. 2 weeks of meandering came to a close, and he left early Thursday morning. Later that day, I picked up my keys to my new apartment, WAAAAAY over on the east side of Paris. My friends and I refer to it as Saudi Arabia, but it's home! And I love it.
The semester, and my Culinary School days, are coming to an end soon, and I'm scared. Scared of work and life, but ho boy am I ready for it. When most kids are studying for their Business Admin. tests, and Psych exams, I've been trying to figure out how to keep a parmesan custard inside a thin tube of leak in the oven without it all falling out, and howsmall to slice my asparagus for my tempura. We have a mini exam of sorts on Tuesday, where we are given a list of ingredients, of which we have to use 6, and then make two courses out of it. I'm nervous and excited at the same time. I should probably start making dinner. Happy Springtime everyone, hope to see you soon!
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