Field Trip = Wine Tasting QED

This week has been "Hell Week." Well at least that is what I would call midterm week at Loyola, but it wasn't as hellish as I thought it would be here. I had a midterm on Tuesday, 2 tomorrow, and some outlines due here and there. Seemed like a lot on Sunday when I was looking at my week, but it has turned out okay.

Today some of us went to Strasbourg again for a field trip. We first went to EuroCorps for the Foreign Policy class, which I'm not in but starting to wish I was if they talk about security and defense all the time. But the speaker there was a guy from the Belgium army. He was hilarious! I think I probably laughed at least every 3 min.

Then we went to a winery back in Germany closer to Freiburg where we had a tour and a wine tasting. I think we ended up having 8 different kinds of wine. I did a wine tasting in Italy last summer, but I don't think I appreciated it enough. I wish I could go back and do that over again now having more of a "taste"(not like i know what i am tasting but actually liking it) for wine.

The winery was Zeller Abtsberg. It produces mostly white wines, so that was the majority of what we tasted. I definitely got my 8 euros worth by taking people's wine when they didn't like it. Added to that I think our professors and the owner were pretty liberal when pouring our wine, not a bad thing. We finished our tasting with Ice Wine. Delicious!!! It was like candy.

Then it was time to get back on the bus and head back home to study. THAT DREADED BUS! I swear it does bad things to me. The ride from EuroCorps to the winery I already needed space, the bus must have magical powers or something. I don't know. Luckily I brought some chocolate snacks so that made me feel better. The ride home after the winery was fine, I feel asleep...

Currently trying to decide if I want to study more or go to bed. My dad voted go to bed, but I think I have a solid 45 min left in me. Maybe.

We have a 4 day weekend and my mom, Brent and Livi should currently be on a plane over the ocean to come spend the weekend with me. They are going to be here for a week, but do their own thing when I am back in classes. We are going to Fussen. Mom planned it, she wants to see castles so that is the plan.

Sorry this post is boring with no pictures but I will post pictures from the winery later because I need to steal them from Kayla. And I will make sure to post pictures from the weekend's trip when I get back!

Love

Cass

PS. I don't know why people told me Europeans don't wear sweatshirts/hoodies. They do, therefore my mom is bringing mine because I have been in extreme withdrawal.

Well then

So the Texas Rangers are in the World Series and the Texas Longhorns lost to Iowa State.

If I would have said this a year ago people would think I was absolutely out of my mind. And right now I feel that I am actually out of mind.

I had two friends from Chicago let me know immediately that the Rangers were going to the World Series. Which I appreciate but I have never really been a fan because there was no need, they always suck. But now I guess I should take a quick crash course on them.

And then this morning I thought I would see how the Longhorns did this weekend. I had to read the heading probably 5 times to really understand. Now I always thought Iowa State was not a valid football team, at least have always been under that impression. And I am sure Brent is saying right now, "No, Iowa State always has a good team. They are a Midwest team with all the farm boys." Which is an solid argument but "We're Texas!" No excuses.

Now I am not sure if it should rest on Garrett or the defense, so please someone give me the update.

Confused Texan.....

Paris (I can't think of anything creative to title this)

So Paris...

I was really worried about going to Paris in the fear that I would not like it. I have had many friends that have said they didn't like Paris when they went, because it was so crowded and dirty. I on the other hand really enjoyed Paris. Thank you Chicago. (I need to give more props to Chicago. The city of Chicago will be proud to know that a girl here has started calling me Chicago...I rather be called Texas or Austin, but I can deal.)

As everyone knows there have been the Terrorist Alerts and what not. Honestly, I wasn't too worried. If I am going to die from a terrorist attack might as well be somewhere enjoyable. The only signs of extra security that I saw while we were there was 3 military men walking around with large guns at Sacre Coeur and Notre Dame, two big tourist destinations.

Anyway.

We arrived in Paris on Thursday night around 9:30-10. By that time I was cranky and needed a break from the large group. I ended up standing off to the side in the lobby as people got room assignments. Sometimes being an awkward loner isn't bad, embrace it!

We(Me, Colleen, Kayla, Mina, Jack and Sean) decided to buy a couple bottles of wine, baguettes and cheese and go eat across from the Eiffel tower. Considering Brussels was so expensive and Paris wasn't going to be any different this was a nice way to start off.

We navigated out way down to the Palais de Challot and began our Eiffel Tower photo shoot.

Unbelievable. We were standing there taking pictures and I couldn't believe I was actually standing in front of the Eiffel Tower. You see it in books so you are familiar with it, but I was ACTUALLY there. Crazy.

We walked down from the Palais and found some grass and sat down and enjoyed our dinner and the view of the Tower. We were able to see the tower sparkle on the hour.

Sparkle on the hour

We had a lot of fun talking and just being in Paris. It was a great way to start of the trip. It was a mix of super touristy American but also felt like something nice you would do with a couple of friends if you lived in Paris.

Typical tourists....

Colleen, Me and Kayla.

After we finished eating and drinking we walked to the tower to walk under it and get some closer pictures. We were there when the tower lights turned off and it sparkled for the last time of the night, I think. (I am saying sparkle a lot and feel like I am talking about Edward from Twilight)

Sparkle, Sparkle

We ended up walking to the Arc de Triomphe where we grabbed a cab home.

The next morning we had a meeting with the Deputy Director for EU Affairs at the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. Interesting meeting. Could really see the French stereotype come out in him.

We then had some free time and could get out of our business formal clothes!!!!! We had been in them everyday so far and I was getting tired of them. All I wanted was jeans and sweatshirt. More reason to find a job where I can be casual all the time.

The Sacre Coeur was near our hotel so we walked up towards it and stopped at a bakery here I had a FABULOUS pizza, croque monsier(ham and cheese) and a brownie. So I eat a lot but all this cost me about 7 euro, a steal considering how much I was paying in Brussels. Everything was so delicious. I was so full and then proceeded to walk up hill, so it all evened out!

Sacre Coeur was so beautiful. The outside was incredible but when I went in I had a religious moment. I am not one to go pray in every church I go in, but when I walked into this one the only thing I could do was go kneel and pray. I have only experienced a moment like this one other time in my life. It was pretty special. I didn't walk all around in the church mostly because I was overwhelmed, but I know it was beautiful throughout.

Sacre Coeur. Couldn't take pictures inside, sorry.

After that we had a meeting at Notre Europe which is a think tank dedicated to European unity. This meeting was a complete bust. I feel like it could have been interesting but they were not prepared to present and were all over the place and didn't make any sense to me. Unfortunate but the end meant we were done with our meetings!!!

I really enjoyed all the meetings, but I also wanted some free time in the city. I realize the program revolves around the meetings, so don't think I'm ungrateful. I'M NOT I SWEAR!

After the meeting I took a nap so I guess I really didn't utilize my free time all that well. Haha. But everyone is entitled to naps.

We were going to go out to eat at a nice restaurant on St. Louis en L'ille, one of the island on the Seine. But one our way my friend Mina got her wallet stolen when we were on the Metro. We went back to the hotel so she could check to make sure she didn't leave it there, she didn't. She stayed in calling to figure out everything that needed to be done to cancel cards and what not. Luckily she loves Paris, so it is only a bump in their relationship.

Kayla and I ended up getting dinner at a little restaurant near Notre Dame. We both had a fabulous salmon. I used to complain about how much salmon my family eats, but they finally wore me down because I love it. Also, French men are much more attractive than the German men I have seen here, therefore making them more intimidating when asking for the check...

We then went to Notre Dame and snapped some night pictures and then called it a night because we needed to get up early tomorrow for our Versailles field trip!

So in typical French fashion when we got to Versailles it wasn't open because they were on strike. REALLY FRANCE REALLY!!!!!

We were given the option of walking around the Jardin and wait to see if they would open up. The Jardin was beautiful and so expansive. Ridiculous to think it was private. They ended up opening up the building but we didn't have much time before the bus was leaving. Could have stayed longer but wanted to spend more time in the city. The inside was nice, just like you expect a castle of sorts to be.

Versailles before we could go in.

Me and Versailles once they decided to stop the strike.

Once we back into the center. A big group of us decided to walk to Louvre and maybe go in. We didn't.

Me in front of the Louvre.

Then we walked to Notre Dame and walked through there. Impressive, but I felt like it needed more. I don't know. I guess it has been built up in my mind for so many years. Still beautiful but...

Me and Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

We then walked to the Pompidou Modern Art Museum. I'm sorry but some modern art I can just not do. I walked around for about 45 min but then had to call it and go sit in the cafe. I understand that some people can appreciate it but when I come across a room with crap all over the place that looks like my bedroom and can't appreciate that as art. Sorry.

After that Me, Kayla, Sean, Colleen, Kelli (from Lubbock) met Mina who had to go to the Police Station to file a report (a new tourist site she can add to her list). We went to St. Louis to have the nice dinner we had planned the night before. It was a 3 course meal in this little restaurant. I had veal stew with rice. YUMMMMMM, so delicious. It was a great way to end the trip. The restaurant was Les Fous de L'ile and was decorated with chickens everywhere. Good environment good food, recommend it if you go to Paris.

The American chicken. They had different painting/sticker art of maybe 8 other countries. All with stereotypical depictions.

We hung out a little when we got back to the hotel, but then hit the hay to wake up, pack and get on the bus for our 8 hour trip back. Glorious!

Well that catches you up on my past week.

I have a couple papers due this week, so I should be working on those.

My friend Lindsay from Loyola sent me about 7 RedEyes, which is the free Chicago newspaper. At school it was a daily routine to do the Suduko and crossword puzzles and I have been really missing them, so I am excited to procrastinate a little while doing those! I was walking yesterday and riding the tram doing one, just like Chicago. Also it has gotten colder here,it is now in the 40s. Apparently there is talk of some snow, but my HT says the earliest it snows is November but most of the time doesn't. But we are getting pretty close to November. I cannot believe how fast the semester is going!

Alright, I am procrastinated enough.

Love

Cass

Bussing it to Brussels

I am back in Freiburg!!!

Happy to be home, but I had a really good week!

So Monday morning we loaded onto the bus at 6:30am and headed off to Luxembourg.

On our way to Luxembourg we stopped at Saint Avold in France, which is the largest US military Cemetery in Europe. It was very powerful to see all the Crosses and some Stars of David. We had time for a quick walk through but I was glad I got to see that.

The European Court of Justice is headquartered in Luxembourg so we met with two clerks who talked to us about what all goes on there.

We had a little over an hour of free time in Luxembourg and most of that was devoted to finding a place to eat, so we didn't have much time to explore. Therefore, I don't have anything fabulous pictures to show of Luxembourg.

We then hopped back into the bus to go to Brussels. Total of about 7-8 hours on the bus!! I was okay most of the time, but I took my headphones out about 20 minutes too early and had to listen stupid upon stupid comments from people in the program. By the time we got to the hotel I was fuming. I needed food and a beer.

We walked around a little and ended back by our hotel and had a good pasta dinner and a good Belgian beer Leffe. Walked around a little more but called it an early night.

Town Hall during the Day.

Town Hall at night in Grand Place.

St. Michael and Gudula Cathedral

Our first full day in Brussels consisted of us meeting at the Council of the EU with a Language Coordinator. It was pretty interesting. I then had some free time so me and Sean walked around Brussels snapping photos with the intention of looking up what we were seeing later.

Our meeting room at the Council.

The Palace Gates

The Palace. Extend this picture the other way and you get the whole Palace.

There were special meetings depending on your classes. So that afternoon I had a meeting with the Representative of the Flemish Government and the Permanent Representation of Belgium to the EU. Belgium is a really weird country when it comes to government. There really isnt a central government but rather broken up into three governments. The northern half is Flemish Region and speaks Dutch. The Southern half is Walloon Region and speaks French. And Brussels is its own little section too. Plus there are communities too. Its really confusing. So the representative talked about that.

Then we had a meeting at the Security & Defence Agenda think tank. We actually were able to meet with the Director of the think tank. He was so knowledgeable as he should be, but it was really fascinating to hear the European side to security and defense. I am so used to hearing it from Dr. Williams (my fabulous retired Navy professor at Loyola). That was probably my favorite meeting of the whole trip.

That night we walked around again looking for a place to eat. Brussels was so expensive so it was difficult to find a good value dinner. We then found a Irish pub that was playing Soccer games, yes I'm saying soccer sorry. We hung out there for a couple hours maybe and then went home. But on our way home we ran into some people from our program and one of them told us where we could find Dr. Pepper. OOOOHHH MMMMMYYYY GOOOOSSSHHH!!!! I was so excited. Some of us here are addicted to it and have been missing it. So we went and bought a can. I ended up never drinking it,I'll get to that, but I was told it didn't taste the same as expected. But maybe it was good I didn't have it because I would be craving more.

Wednesday we were able to sleep in a little and had the morning free to explore. Some of us went out from the center to see the Atomium. It is the huge atom structure for iron crystal magnified 165 billion times. You can go to the top but it costs money and Brussels was already taking so much of our money anyway.

We then went searching for the Manneken Pis, which is a statue of a peeing boy. They dress it up sometimes be we were not lucky enough to see it dressed up. Honestly it was a let down.

Once we found it, it was a huge let down. Size really matters.

As we headed back to our hotel we stopped to get our first Belgian Waffles. YUMMY!! The one i wanted was 5 euro...um not gonna happen. So I went with the simple Waffle and chocolate. PERFECT!

WAFFLE!!!!

We then at a meeting at the European Commission. We met with two people who talked to us about EU enlargement and then the function of the EU. Interesting and repetitive because a lot of the stuff we talk about in class. But hey I was at the European Commission.

We asked one of our professors for a good neighborhood to find better valued food options. He worked in the EU Parliament so he had to come to Brussels often so he gave us a recommendation of a neighborhood to try. We ended up finding a Chinese and Cambodian restaurant. Good food, good price, good time. And then once again we ended the night at a bar near our hotel. It was good company and conversation.

I wasn't able to get the feel of Brussels until we went on the Metro, which I find to be really funny. I still can't make up my mind up about Brussels. I didn't love it, I didn't hate it, but I would go back to give it another shot. Cause you know I have all the time and money in the world to go to all these places again.....

Thursday we met with an Information Officer from NATO. He was American so that was kinda nice. He was a really interesting talk. Actually I have to adjust my statement from earlier. This meeting and the Security & Defence Agenda meeting were my favorite.

Then had some more free time. Got lunch and food for the trip to Paris.

I had one more meeting for my EU & the Muslim World with the Permanent Delegation of Turkey to the EU. SUPER INTERESTING. It was so interesting to listen to the Rep. phrase his answers concerning controversial topics. Some people from our group were disappointed or something because they didn't like how the guy was "so Turkish." What does that even mean? Do you expect him to answer the questions as we have been told the answers are? Sometimes, Sometimes. Anyway it was a really informative meeting.

Frites break before last meeting with Jack and Mina. Jack is from Portland, Oregon and goes to school in Walla Walla, Washington. (So now I really want to go to Oregon!) Mina is from Minneapolis and goes to school at Augsburg. (So now I can bug someone else when I'm in Minnesota besides my cousin!)

After that we met the bus and left Brussels for Paris. No big deal, just another 5 hours in the bus.

Well that's a good amount for one post, so I will post about Paris later today or tomorrow.

Hope everyone is doing well and it was good to see the Horns pulled it out over Nebraska.

Huh. I am seeing Texas will be retiring Colt's jersey......That's legit. Unfortunate that he cannot add a National Championship to the list of his qualifications, but all-time winningest quarterback in NCAA history will just HAVE to do. I think I owe Colt an explanation for my behavior throughout his Texas career: "I screamed at you because I care. Very proud of your achievements and its unfortunate that you got hurt but believe it or not I stood up for you. So see, I was a true fan. So now can you introduce me to JShip?"

Cass

Quick Update

Howdy,

This week seemed to last forever.

Classes, classes and more classes.

Tomorrow we begin our week trip to Luxembourg, Brussels and Paris. We have a bunch of different meetings everyday with different representatives of different organizations. It should be interesting.

Just finished packing and getting everything together. We are taking a bus. Yuck, think MegaBus but not as nice. Yay, good fun!

New things keep popping into my head that I need to do, so I better get on them.

I will update when I get back!!!

Love yall,

Cass

More Cowbell

Switzerland is unbelievable. Paige has said that taking pictures just doesn't capture it. I found myself all weekend saying the same thing. We would get to a spot where you wanted to capture the view, but I would just stand there and look around trying to figure out how to do that. It never worked the way I wanted it to.

Friday morning I got up early (for me ) and went to catch the train. I was supposed to leave at 8:02 however my train was 20 minutes late. Now I thought Germans were supposed to be punctual to a fault. So I missed my connecting train in Basel, but it wasn't a horrible I was able to catch a different about 20 min later.

Now Germany is pretty, but my ride through Switzerland was beautiful because of the lakes. Amazing. Beautiful. Beyond words.

I got to Nyon where Paige takes her classes and we ran into each other arms. It wasn't that dramatic or romantic, but it was really exciting to finally see her. I met some of her friends and partook in their lunch tradition of going to the grocery store and buying lunch to split. We then walked to the Nyon Castle and ate lunch overlooking Lake Geneva. Is this real life?

After a quick lunch we went into Geneva because Paige had a meeting for her research project. With Paige's program she will write a 30 page research project, her's is about the cross-cultural barriers between Nurses and refugees in Geneva.(I think that is right)

We then went down to the lake and sat for a while talking, catching up and enjoying the scenery.

Paige and me by Lake Geneva with the Jet d'Eau in the background.

We then ventured home to Gland, where she lives. Cute little town, it felt like Harry Potter's neighborhood even though that's in England. I met one of her 'sisters' who is 15 and her 'mom.' All very nice, but the language barrier made me feel bad. I was impressed with how much Paige knew, she kept saying she didn't know a lot but I think different.

At dinner I met her 'dad; and 8 year old 'sister.' The little sister is really funny and entertaining, she does the laugh where she ends up laughing at the fact she is laughing. Olivia does it all the time. It was fun to be around a little kid again. Her mom made a fantastic dinner, food kept coming out of the kitchen. So much better than me trying to make dinner at my apartment.

OH and before dinner we got to skype with LINDSAY!!! It was very exciting! Plus we got to see Mama Addy too!!! It was definitely a great day!

The next day we got up early to catch the train with her friends to go up the mountain to St. Cergue where they have a festival every fall when they walk the cows down from the mountain for winter. All the cows have large cow bells. Some are larger than others, some HUGE! The ones with the large cow bells also have Flower head dresses on. Not sure how they pick which ones get to wear the flowers, maybe good behavior. We were going through different scenarios all day.

It was difficult to get good pictures because they were moving quickly and we were so close, but I got some. I also took a video that hopefully shows it better.

Start it then pause it to let it load.

They would come down in small herds and there would be about 10-20 minutes between each. I think we ended up seeing about 6 herds go by maybe. Paige's mom said it was very Swiss. I was glad I got to do something unique and Swiss. It was already a great trip.

Cow with flowers and HUGE bell!

More Cow Bell!

These men had these chairs strapped to their butts...and then there was this cute boy with lederhosen. So cute!

After that we went to Nyon and did the lunch routine and then went off to Lausanne.

Lausanne is HILLY! Wow! And women are wearing heals walking up steep cobblestone roads. Are you crazy!?!?!

We walked up to the church, Notre Dame. I get to see the real one in a week! There was a beautiful view from it and the inside was nice and cool. We sat in the church for a while and were able to listen to part of a tour that was passing through. Gotta love the free tour.

Notre Dame on the hill

Bell Tower

We then ventured down to the lake and walked along there and went to the Olympic Museum and Park. The Olympic Headquarters are located in Lausanne. The Museum was closed but the Park has many statues. So we walked through there and again sat and enjoyed the view. I really enjoyed the Olympic Park, I was drawn there because its the Olympics and Popo. I definitely felt him there.

This is probably my favorite piece. It wasn't in the park but instead right by the lake.

View from Olympic Park

Lap pool?

Go Lance Go! (I can't believe I just said that)

Ballin'!

The rings

After the Olympic Park we went down by the water and all had photo shoots. I desperately tried to capture the lake and mountains and sky and everything. But my pictures are just not enough.

Pretty, but Fail.

Paige and Me in Lausanne. We will have to photo shop Lindsay in somehow.

We then ended up walking around a lot to find a place to eat. Switzerland is really expensive making it difficult for college students to find a good place to eat. Once we found some quick food we went back to Nyon so we could go to their bar spot, Fisherman's.

We walking into Fisherman's and what is on? TEXAS OU!!!! Texas was already losing but I was so exciting to see some of the game. I was able to see most of the 2nd quarter and all of the 3rd. One of Paige's friends is from Plano, so we both were into it. Got some weird looks from the Swiss guys there, don't think Swiss girls are into American Football. Once again Texas I am disappointed. Not sure what to make of all of this.

But lets pause: I was watching the Texas OU game in a bar in Nyon Switzerland. Still can't believe it.

Anyway. Caught the train home and exercised our skills of being quiet when we got home, but Paige told me apparently we weren't as quiet as we thought we were, because she got told to close the doors quieter. Oops, but I guess this is an on going issue. They really need to get a fan, it would solve all problems. Maybe all the worlds problems.

Sunday we slept in and then discussed out Spring semester classes. Seems early, but thats how we are.

I left around 2 and met a really nice guy on the train. He was 66 (he told me). He first started talking to me cause I was reading something for class and he wanted to know some of my opinions. He mostly talked, which was just fine because he was super interesting. He is a mathematician, hah. He is now a professor, before he did work with computer modeling and operation research. He knows 6 languages. Europeans amaze me with how many languages they know. I kept saying this weekend that I am going to force my children to learn another language, not like they do in school but really really learn it.

I talked with this guy for a while and didn't get through my reading, but talking to him was so much better.

Once I got home I had the grand intention to do homework, but let's be real that didn't happen. Luckily I did most of it before I left, so that was good.

Tonight I have to write a response paper to the movie Goodbye Lenin. We watched it last week in one of my classes.

It was a fantastic weekend, but also seeing Paige was a tease. I got back to Freiburg and was a little friend/homesick. But I guess that's to be expected.

Bis spater

Cass

Sanctuary