Thursday, November 26, 2009

Riots + Paris


Amazing array of patisseries in Paris...

Dinner with the girls at 'La Fregate', Paris


Eiffel Tower, on the hour

The French flag @ Champs Elysees

La Grande Roule, Paris

Pre-dinner pictures @ hostel, Paris

Pretty cakes @ Miss Manon, Paris

On the TGV to Paris with Rita

Algerian football supporters @ Les Halles, Avignon. They had qualified for the World Cup and celebrated with abrasive car horns and flares. We then went to watch France vs. Ireland at L'Electro. Well done for qualifying France, what an honest game.



So the last week has really flown by. Tomorrow we are going to an 'Al El-Kebir' celebration at the Tunisian girls' house. The trip to Paris was amazing, and now Vietnam is drawing closer.
Exciting times!
Not before exams though. A lot to sort out before though - accommodation in Vienna, travel plans for Vietnam and going to the pretty Christmas market which seem to have popped out of nowhere!


Thursday, November 19, 2009

Recommended II






King Crimson - Walking On Air

close your eyes and look at me 
i'll be standing by your side 
in between the deep blue sea 
and the sheltering sky 
if we find no words to say 
to the rhythm of the waves 
then we'll both surrender there 
walking on air 
and the worries of the day lie down 
under cover of the fading clouds 
the secrets of the night 
come alive in your eyes 
you don't have to hurry 
you don't have to try 
cause you don't have a care 
you're walking on air 





Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Just another day


Another day in Avignon - wake up far too late, go and run some basic errands, go to uni, come home to some yummy warming stew and play some HOMMIII. Still having a mild panic about sorting things out for Vietnam/Austria. 
    Am really keen to take on some volunteering projects whilst I am still here, but alas, it seems like I'm a few months late :-( 
Exams and deadlines are looming, but on the upside, in a month's time, we'll be in Vietnam! 
Also Paris in 3 days time! 

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Recommended (Part One)



Sleepwalkers by Van Der Graaf Generator

This song has it all. Bizarre existential lyrics, dubious falsetto, extended saxophone solo played by man in leather hat. One of my personal favourites. Prolific front-man Peter Hammill released two or three dozen solo albums until being momentarily held up by a heart attack in 2003. He has now recovered (three new albums) and is back on the road with some old relics of the 70s art rock scene. I hope to see him before his inevitable death from acute Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.


At night, this mindless army, ranks unbroken by dissent,
is moved into action and their pace does not relent.
In step, with great precision, these dancers of the night
advance against the darkness - how implacable their might!
Eyes undulled by moon, their arms and legs akimbo,
they walk and live, hoping soon to surface from this limbo.
Their minds, anticipating the dawn of the day,
shall never know what's waiting mere insight away
- too far, too soon.


Legs akimbo? Shine on Peter, shine on.

Sex and the City // Vietnam


So... We're off to Vietnam in about a month and no plans as of yet. Typical. Tomorrow, a visit to the travel agent = crucial. I can't believe that in a month's time, I will have finished my time in Avignon - except for the few days where I have to return and do one exam.... It's quite sad that it has gone so quickly. I have met some incredible people here, people that I'd like to remain close to, but given my rather nomadic lifestyle this year, this will be impossible. 
Things I'll miss: the lovely Tunisian girls, shopping for seasonal goodies at Les Halles, the terrible hole also known as Red Zone, being walking distance to everything in the city, the rather slow pace of live around here....etc.
They're putting up lovely little wooden huts at the Place de l'Horloge, a sort of Christmas market thing and every time I walk past them, I let out a little excited shriek (in my head).




Also, I have never watched the first season of Sex and the City, so I downloaded it. It's awful, it's clumsy and awkward. I don't like it. Oh dear, I feel like a man saying that, but it really doesn't appeal to me. I think I'll try to brave a couple more episodes to see if I warm to it. When I watched the other seasons at Eun-Ji's flat last year, I felt the same emptiness. What's wrong with me? Why don't I like cult TV shows aimed at my sex? Why can't I watch things? 

...and Sunday mornings



Friday, November 13, 2009

What is Psychology?



I am writing out my "Introduction a la psychologie" notes and I have no idea what is going on. Words are being written into the word document, but I have no idea what they mean. This is most bizarre. Perhaps it is because I haven't the faintest idea about psychology. Oh dear, I think that in the next few weeks I am going to have an exam on all this stuff and I don't know where to begin... 
   What is psychology? - The study of human and animal mental function and behaviour apparently. I think Wikipedia will have to be my saviour on this one. Again. 

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Some people I'd like to meet


1. David Bowie - many many questions to ask - music/fashion/personality related




2. Ginette Neveu - would ask about how she managed to get such a sweet tone in Chausson's "Poeme" 



3. Freddy Mercury - take a closer look at his teeth to see whether they influenced his musical genius. Also would ask him to sing me "Die Forelle" by Schubert, I think he could turn it into the best lullaby





4. Franz Kafka - ask him why his books are so full of all sorts of innuendos/ ask him what really happened between him and his father to spur such a barrage of literature with dominating father figures. 



5. Charles Baudelaire - I want to know what went through his head when he wrote "Les Fleurs du Mal" - also to ask him what he really means when he writes about "L'Ennui" - what/who is he describing? 

many more to follow

Winter is creeping up...



L'eglise devant notre maison! 

L'ete vs. l'hiver


Although we are in the South of France, the cold is really getting to me. The wind here is particularly fierce and violent, so warm coats, scarves and wooly hats it is! (What a contrast to our super-bronzed skin in summer! ) 
             Taught the kids again today - they were super-excited about the "London Quiz", and I am starting to connect with them, even the difficult ones! Yay, I think that when I go back to London I will volunteer to do some tutoring, I really enjoy it in a strange kind of way.
Tried to go shopping but unfortunately the shops here (H&M, Zara and Jennyfer) do not have much variety. I was some warm but cute winter clothes! Maybe I should wait until I get to Austria - don't want to be lugging around extra baggage on our epic trip out of Avignon.
           Wow- Paris and Vietnam soon! I am so excited about both. Paris will be a nice girly trip with Rita and Dana - meals, jazz clubs, tea at a mosque, and maybe even some tourist-y things!
Vietnam is going to be such an exciting experience, I cannot even begin to imagine how much fun I will have there. Then back to France for my 3 (!) hour History of Art exam - then the next stop might possibly be Switzerland...

This year has been amazing so far, it has had its downs, but overall I am extremely excited and happy! I can't believe that it is already mid-November! 

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Recipe for Asian-Style Salmon Salad

A perfect recipe for those cold winter nights in the South of France.

Preparation Time 10 minutes
Cooking Time 15 minutes

Ingredients:
Sauce-
1 Orange
1 Lemon
1 Red Onion
5 Cloves Garlic
1 small knob of Ginger
Soy Sauce
Olive Oil

1 Salmon Fillet
1 Lettuce
1 Red Onion
1 White Onion
100g Oyster Mushrooms
1 Head of Chicory (Can be replaced with something less horrible)
Soy Sauce
Rice Vinegar


Sauce-
First crush the garlic and ginger. (If like me you posses very few kitchen utensils you can cut and mash them as best you can with a blunt knife. Chewing a hunk of ginger sinew is satisfyingly authentic). Save a little of the garlic, maybe 2 or 3 cloves worth, for later on.

Add the garlic and ginger to the juice of the lemon and orange.

Cut the red onion into rings and add it to the pulpy juice. I used a very small red onion so if you have one of the brutish large varieties you might want to dice it.

Now add a dash of good quality olive oil and a generous wallop of soy sauce. I recommend using expensive Japanese soy sauce however I can't comment on this with any authority, I could only afford the less expensive Chinese equivalent.

Leave the sauce aside for the flavours to proliferate. 

Heat some oil in a pan and add you garlic you saved from the sauce. When the garlic starts to soften add the white onion. I like the onion cut into big chunks but this is a matter of personal preference. 

As the onion turns transparent douse them with a large amount of soy sauce (about enough to cover the bottom of the pan). When the onion has taken on a nice brown colour add the mushrooms and cook until soft. While the mushrooms are cooking add a little rice vinegar. In a few minutes the onion and mushroom should be wilted and the soy and vinegar should have coated them in a nice thick slime.

Prepare the lettuce and chicory in a big salad bowl and rub the sauce through with your hands. I like to serve the mushrooms as a side dish but if you like your meal as a competition of overwhelming flavours you might like to add those in too.

Finally poach the salmon and place it on top while still hot. Drizzle some good olive oil over the salmon and serve with a carton of 'Extra Choc' chocolate milk. 






 

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

L'Epicerie, Avignon




As I am waiting for some food cooked by Adam, I couldn't help but look at these pictures from the delicious meal at L'Epicerie...
a) L'assiette de l'Epicerie
b) Magret de Canard
c) Huge beef fillet with cepes sauce
Tonight, we're attempting to cook bulgogi without any Korean ingredients :/
I am really missing my parents at the moment, a very unusual occurrence, but not seeing them for such a long time is really getting to me...
Oh well, at least I'll see them in 2 months or so.... and hopefully Vienna will provide me with easier travel routes to Pescara/Rome.
Must get on and fry some meat!

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Poetry

To eat the food and 
Slurpeth the wine
Mayhap upon some 
Once in a lifetime

That us have chance
Here the South of France
And forth it brings
All of it and some other things

Like stinky towels not quite dry
And turkey breast not enough fry

With oh what joyous luck
For us that it does not suck

Winter in France is nearly here
To Wien our life we shall steer


Dedicated to my dear Melanie




More pictures











Some more pictures from Barcelona. 
1. Adam at the covered markets
2. Random boy falling out of fear
3. Moving hair in front of Casa Batllo 
4. Me and my two Kikkomen
5. Piercings @ the Modern Museum

    

Just watched "Location, Location, Location" - I think it's nearly time to go to bed. Have my favourite "History of Art" class tomorrow... Went to look at the archives today at the Musee du Petit Palais, at least I have loads of information on my painting now. I guess that means that this weekend will be spent analysing a whole load of info on the "Annonciation" by Bartolomeo della Gatta! Yay! 
       Tomorrow night, we're heading out with some Tunisian girls - time to finally speak some bloody French. I can't wait... This week has flown by - only 3 more weeks then PARIS!   (Unfortunately, Adam won't be coming, but it'll be worth saving those pennies for Vietnam!) So many exciting places to go and see in the next few months... I'm loving this year out, what a contrast to London. 
I do really miss London sometimes, there's nothing quite like the buzz of walking around Soho, getting coffee in Borough, shopping on Bond Street and finding little secret gardens in Kennington. I especially miss the choice of cuisines, although I must admit, Adam is a VERY good cook. Unlike me, he can actually cook food. I made beans with "Knacks" on stale bread the other day - needless to say, it ended up being thrown in the bin :( I wish I could cook - maybe I'll pop along to some cooking demonstrations at "Les Halles" on Saturday (free food!). Yummmy...

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Some pictures from Barcelona

Some snaps from Barcelona - more to follow!

Parc Güell




Me with some creepy Jesus figure @ MNAC
Us, infront of the Sagrada Familia



Yummy Food



I'm hungry so here are some photos of food I'd like to be eating right now.

1. Sushi + Sashimi



2. Bags of Macaroons




3. Korean food (Bulgogi especially!)



4. A funky tie-dye cake



Monday, November 2, 2009

Barcelona

Nous sommes allés à Barcelone pour 3 jours pendant les Vacances de Toussaint. Je dois écrire en Français parce que sinon, je pratique jamais mon français écrit (sauf dans les examens, bien sur).

Nous avons marche beaucoup, presque 50 (!) kilomètres, et maintenant = douleur dans mes pieds. Barcelone est une ville intéressante, mais pas très spéciale... Je pense que si on vit a Barcelone, ça pourrait être fantastique, mais pour une visite courte comme nous avons fait, pas fantastique.

      Donc, les points positifs de Barcelone:

L'architecture - les maisons de Gaudi, Parc Güell, la Sagrada Familia - comme dans un conte de fées. Je me sentais très jeune et libre quand j'étais dans les travaux (oeuvres d'art) de Gaudi. J'aime beaucoup aussi le mélange entre le vieux et le nouveau dans le sens architectural

 J’ai sommeil et demain, les cours commencement de nouveau.  xxx