Intensive Phase, Check

Well I just finished with the scary "intensive" phase. I had both my German and Seminar tests, I think they went really well but we will see when I get back from Berlin and Prague.

Yes, Berlin AND Prague. One week of fantastic history and amazing opportunities. I am so very excited!

As I said in my quick last post, this week has been jam packed. Wednesday was a full day, but very fun. It was the first Field Study Trip and my second country of the semester. We traveled just over an hour, I think, to Strasbourg, France where the EU Parliament is. This was after a morning of classes, IES knows how to make life fun. Strasbourg was so pretty and cute, French feeling (I've never been to France before, so that is my stereotypical opinion).

We arrived at the EU Parliament building and the American in me came out. I was snapping pictures left and right. Saying "Here take a picture of me!" "Do you want me to take a picture of you?" I have never really been one to take pictures but when I do I go overboard, probably trying to make up for all the lost photo ops. I took a honors class about the US and its culture kinda, and my professor talked about how we as Americans take a picture of a place or something and then move on, simply documenting where we have been and that we achieved something, thats how I am. And I'm okay with that, because now I can brag to y'all and have proof.

This is me in front of the EU Parliament building with all the member states flags. Evidence I have been to the EU Parliament: Check. FYI I am the one not in front of the statue, I haven't changed that much.
This is Kayla, Colleen and me in front of a Deutschland sign (obviously) in the "Courtyard" of the building.

When had to go through security and all my picture taking put my friends and me at the end of the line. Ooops, they didn't mind. We were able to meet with Ms. Franziska Brantner who is a Memeber of the European Parliament and a part of the Greens. She talked to us about some of the going ons in the Parliament right now and some people asked questions. Then we were able to go watch a debate in the Parliament. So the European Parliament consists of 751 members, at the debate probably there was a total of 50 coming and going. They don't really show up... But it was still interesting. They were discussing Arms Exports, always a good topic. There was some clapping, some blue card holding, and A LOT of phone calls and boring looks.

This is my "illegal" picture of the Parliament. We were told not to take pictures, but plenty of people were doing it and all they got was a "No pictures."

After that we were able to take a group shot in front of all the EU member flags. It may be stupid and REALLY tourist, but you gotta do it.

This is the group. It's a good mixture of people. A lot of "Future Politicians of America." Many of my predictions were correct, thank you.

This is the "courtyard" of the building. My head is in the picture, but it adds to it!

Next we went to the Notre Dame Cathedral in Strasbourg. We were walking and I could see the top of it but was getting impatient to actually get then. Then I was enthralled with a Merry-Go-Round that I wasn't paying attention anymore. Kayla told me to turn around and BAM there it was. It was unbelievable. Some Cathedrals are just big, but this one was WOW. So much was going on in the detail and architecture of the building.

Whoop, there it is!
Beautiful.

We walked around for a little bit before our dinner. Mostly we were by the river that flows through Strasbourg into the Rhine, the Ill River (don't quote me on that).

I always seem to take the same picture in these wood cutouts.
Me and the Ill River. We just kinda chilled here for a little bit eagerly waiting for when we would go to dinner. I rocked the professional wear!

FLAMMKUCHEN!!!! I am seeing a trend. It's sooo good. I had it twice this week I believe and when we were in Strasbourg it was all you can eat. LOVED IT! It wasn't the best flammkuchen but it just kept coming so I kept eating, I had to I'm a Kist. There was wine and beer for us, which was very kind. The Rome Center really cheaped out on that when I was there last summer. Lindsay was supplied with fantastic wine at her dinners. What's up JFRC?

Most of the group was in this room in the basement with a big long table that wrapped around the room. It was good. Picking a place to sit has become very strategic as that you want to sit next you people you like, is that mean? I think I'm just being real with it. Once some people got some alcohol it became very loud and very American. I swear there were some moments when I thought the room was about to erupt in a USA chant. GREEEEEAT..... Love when you can make everyone's stereotype of Americans come true.

This was a bad picture of all us because the lighting was all weird. I tried to fix it. It worked a little bit.

Anyway, that's all I got. I think tonight we are gonna try to go to this biergarten that is "on top" of the city.

We leave for Berlin on Monday morning and then will be there until Thursday when we go to Prague. Then we get to take a overnight train home on Sunday. YAY overnight train!!!! So I will update with pictures and stories from Berlin and Prague when I get back.

Love yall

Cass

Cassidy Longhorn Update: Still trying to decide if my plan is the best way to do this. I need input or suggestions if anyone has any. Happy Hour crew, I need some major brainstorming tonight.