Norway - Preikestolen

Salut!

Okay, I know I'm about a week behind, but I'm going to work on my blog right now, even if I'm lacking the want to do so.

Preikestolen is a hiking trail (I think?) that leads to a huge cliff that is 603 m from the fjord below. Want more specific detail? Click here.  It's a 2.5 hour hike to the cliff, and 2.5 hours back.  It's rated medium, and is one of the most popular nature site in Norway.  There is a crack in the cliff, and as Joy told me, it will fall into the fjord when seven brothers marry seven sisters.  The hike there was the first time I had ever hiked anywhere, so I had no expectations of what hiking was.

Hiking is awkward stair climbing.

Alright, not that I have all my photos sorted in order, let's begin our hike, shall we?

Just so you have guys a feel of where I was hiking to, I stole a picture from Google to give y'all an idea.

This is the actual cliff.  This is the main goal of the hike, to get up there and stand on it.  (I don't know why Norwegians have an obsession with standing on things.)  This picture also give the height justice.  It's pretty fair down there, like I said, around 600m.

After a half kilometer steep hike, I wasn't sure this was going to work out for me.  But I saw some older women with lipstick on and nice shoes, and I thought if they can do it, gosh sammit, I could too.  So I took a picture of the map.

Our first real view.  Already breath taking.

Taking our first rest, my cousin Ron standing with me.  Yes, that is a fanny pack. Best. Thing. Ever.

Baby got back.

Look up the mountain.

You know you're close to the end of a trail or at the beginning when there is somewhat of an organized rock structure.

Another view from higher up.

Here is a little sample of the kinds of rocks we were climbing.  It's fun because there is no set trail.  You make your own as you go, which rocks you step on, etc.

Like I said, awkward stair climbig.

We started towards the top of the mountain, and I was fascinated by all the rock piles.  People make them all the time and when driving in the mountains you can see them on the cliffs.  It's a little way to say "I was here."  So, I decided to make my own little pile.  It's the one to the right.  And no, I did not make my own "pile" I made my own pile.

Joy looking victorious with the fjord in the background.

The views were incredible.

So this is before climbing down to the cliff.  This was a.. hmm. I don't know the word for it, but a good preparation for Kjerag the next day.  It's straight down between the two mountain sides.

Pulpit rock is right below me.  I'm just chillin' on a cliff above it.

My view.

Feets.

Almost there!

Finally made it! Yes, I am sitting on the edge of the cliff.  And yes, that is my "Hi Dad!" sign, which I took various places and took various pictures with.  Just letting my paw know I'm thinking about him while doing stupid things :)

Fanny pack on the mountain.

I like taking pictures from this angle to help show the depth.  I look like a maniac taking them, though.

My view from the edge of the cliff.

Another shot.

Other people were doing jump pictures, so I decided why not.  Also, pretty terrifying jumping that close to the edge.  I can here my father sigh with fear right now.

My gracious and lovely hosts :)

Search and Rescue.  Or, my father on his way to take me off the mountain.

They actually took someone off the mountain.

Trail downhill.

More views of the trail.

It was yucky muddy.

There you go.  Preikestolen in picture form.  It was a great way to begin my "hiking career."  After this hike, my ankles were swollen and I wouldn't walk, but something inside of me changed.  There is nothing like being in the mountains, it's quiet, and you have no worries.  I've never had a more clear mind in my life.

I learned a lot about life while climbing.  It's okay to take breaks, you don't have to rush to your destination in one go.  Stop to look around, you get some great views.  If you're constantly staring at the path, you miss what's around you.  And some of those views are pretty incredible.

You don't have to take the same path as the person in front of you. You'll get to the final destination anyway you choose to go there.  And if your path doesn't work, you can always go back and try a different route.  You are never stuck.  Some times the path someone else takes is harder than the one you chose, and sometimes it's easier.  Either way, you got to your destination.  And when you get there, the pay off is something else.

Who knew I'd get all philosophical while hiking?

It was an amazing experience- I recommend everyone do it.  It teaches you to be brave, it really does.  Since we went hiking I've become more adventurous, less cautious.  That's a good thing for me, I am constantly worrying about every detail of my life, so this was a good experience for me to learn how to let go.

Go hiking. Go climb a freaking mountain.  You won't regret it.

(Plus in total that weekend we burned 5,000 calories.)

Next stop: Manafossen.

Salut!

Hey y'all! I'm alive and well, back from Norway.

I've decided that I'm going to make separate posts with pictures of my adventures in Norway along with details about them.  So stay tuned- those are a work in progress.  I really need to find the motivation to do that and not do nothing :P

Just an over view: Norway was incredible.  I cannot thank enough my amazing hosts, Ron and Joy Lohse.  Ron is cousins with my father, and they've been living abroad for years now.  So I didn't know them very well until this weekend, but I'm very glad to have made the voyage and spend time with them.  I'm not very close with the Lohse side of the family, and I've never really understood why.  I'm very close to my intermediate family, plus Uncle Dan, Aunt Sofia, and Lohse side grandparents.  I don't know why things are this way.  We aren't hostile or anything like that, but we just meet up a few times a year and that's mostly it.

Anyway, I'm very glad to have gone and get to know family.  And it was weird walking into their home because on the outside it says "LOHSE" and I was like, huh! That's my name too! And I can say it correctly.

So I'm going to save the details of our hiking adventures for the individual posts, so I'll talk about the other things here in this one.

I left on Thursday afternoon, having a layover in Frankfort.  There weren't any hitches in my travels (which I am thankful for) but I realized I know no German or Norwegian.  The only thing I know how to say in German is "I love you" (which I did get to tell someone, after telling her that's the only thing I know.  She then taught me how to say thank you haha).  I can't really say I've been to Germany... but I think I'd like to say I was there.  I plan to go there sometime in the future, I know my European adventures are faaaaar from over.

Norway is a beautiful country.  If you love nature, Norway is a great place for you.  As I was told, it's a very socialist country, so a lot of things are expensive.  What is free is exploring nature- so that's what we did.  We hiked Preikestolen, Manafossen, and Kjeragbotlen.  Y'all will see pictures soon enough.

This isn't easy hiking, tell you what.  I have never gone hiking before coming to Norway, so I really had no expectations.  This weekend I found out that I don't have a real fear of heights, as some of you saw on the photos I've already posted on Facebook.  It was one of my favorite trips ever.

Luckily Ron and Joy speak English and so do most people there, but when I was in the airport on the way back, I knew nothing that was going on around me.  I'm sure I could have asked someone, but I didn't really need to.  For example, they had a TV playing pubs (advertisements, but the French word.. My mind is set in both languages right now) and they were in Norwegian and I had absolutely not idea what was going on.  I think this is what people who come to visit me in France have/will experience(d).

Once I got back to France, I immediately felt at home.  It was like coming back to the US after spending time abroad and not speaking the language.  It was like coming up for air after "drowning" in other languages.  The feeling made me feel at ease and back at home.  It's crazy to think France is becoming a home for me.  I know if I ever made it back to Montpellier I'd probably lose my poop and start bawling, because I know for a fact that place is home to me. (Just thinking about it is making me choke up a little.) To go back and wander around the Polygone, Place de la Comedie, that one park by their l'Arc de Triomphe where we'd eat baguette and cheese, the panini shop, kebab world? Ah. It brings back so many memories.  When I'm on the metro here, and they say the stop "Europe" I swear they're saying "Corum".

Le sigh.

I never planned on going back while I was here, the train tickets are rather expensive, but maybe me, Andrew, and Sarah can go for a day trip when they come, just so they can see where I used to live (I'd take you, Brad, but I don't think we have enough time :( but hey! We're going to freaking London!).  Maybe take the tram out to my old homestay, and see if Kaia is still running around. ;fiejfiaowejfaiow my feels.

I'll have to see what papabear thinks.

Anyway, tangents I didn't mean to go on.  But maybe that's the beauty of blogging? Who knows.

I never know what time it is back home.  I'm really bad at math :P

Still trying to figure out what I'd like to do when I get home, to live in Iowa City, Quad Cities (btw it took a lot out of me to not spell it "Quads Cities" if anyone else speaks a language with agreement, you'll understand) or somewhere else.  The world is my oyster. Wahoo.

Okay, I'm going to go look into trains to Montpellier! Maybe I will go back home, after all :)

A bientot et plein de bisous!

Quick Post!

Hey y'all!

Today, I go to Norway to visit some family on the Lohse side of my family.  I can't talk for too long, I need to get my final ducks in a row before I begin my travels.

Biggest concerns: I'm not going to be where I need to be, miss my flight, and have paid all the money for nothing.  I'm going to try to take money out of an ATM before I leave (I'm a little low on physical cash, I just hope my card works!) So that's a concern.  Also, I hope they speak some English before I find Ron and Joy (who I'm visiting) because I don't even know how to pronounce the language Norwegians speak.

I'll be bringing my camera, hopefully to get plenty of pictures in.  I know I've been lacking in taking photos of Paris.. as weird as it may sound, I'm really lacking inspiration.  I know the Eiffel Tower is impressive, but it's really hard to find a good angle when there are tourists EVERYWHERE.  Not that I'm not a tourist, but, I'm not... blatantly a tourist.

Also, one more thought: Take a moment and reflect back to what you thought of yourself when you graduated middle school.  I can't tell you that I'd be living in France, about to take a flight (by myself) to Norway.  I never thought I'd be "fluent" in French.  I always thought I'd learn Spanish.  I never thought I'd have a million piercing.  Or study math in college.  Or anything. I always figured I'd move to San Diego or something.. maybe.

I guess all I'm trying to say is keep your mind open, and your doors open to new experiences.

Studying aboard in Montpellier and doing an internship in Paris were both decided upon in about a minute.  When I saw the presentation of an internship in Paris over the summer, I looked at Melinda (friend from class) and said I was going to Paris this summer.  Et, voila.  Je suis a Paris.

You don't have to travel thousands of miles to be happy- you just got to do what's right for you.  For me, it's traveling.  I can't tell you what will make you happy, you need to do some self discovery for that.

Hoping you all realize your dreams!  Next time you here from me, I'll be in Norway!

Wish me safe travels! Love and miss you all!

New Kickz

Sup y'all?

I've decided to lessen the amount of video posts I do, I skyped with papa bear today, and he said he liked my text posts better, and I tend to agree.  I just feel that I can better express myself with written words instead of a rehearsed video.

My internship has been going well.  I will say, though, it's been a very humbling experience thus far.  Back in the States, I think, oh, I'm so good at French! Aw yeah! But then I try to ask my boss what I think to be a very simple question, and I sound like an idiot.  I keep telling myself over and over that I am NOT stupid, there is just a language barrier.  But, I would say my level of French is increasing.  I'm learning a lot of business vocabulary, which is good.  You take classes in school, but it doesn't stick until you get real life application.

For example, in French, the word "mail" means e-mail.  The would "courrier" means mail in the physical sense that English says.  That was a very confusing moment for me, when someone on the other line of the phone said to send something by "mail" I assumed he meant postal service kind of mail, but it turns out it was e-mail.  Incredible how much a little difference can tweak a concept.

French is good but bad because it has borrowed and given words to the English language.  Sometimes I just say English words with a French accent, and I can get my point across.  But it doesn't work all the time, as I found out.  But this is a good growth experience, right?

My big goal here is to determine whether or not people are: American, French, or Not One of Those Categories.  I look at how people dress, how they talk, the way their mouths move, etc.  I like to think I can tell if someone is speaking French by how their mouth moves.  It's been an interesting study of mine.

SPEAKING OF, I am slowly trying to transform myself to become more "French." For example, I bought me some new kicks today.  These things are baller.  (Photos below :D ) I also bought some black skinny jeans, like legging skinny, because that seems to be a very common type of pant here.  Dark dark wash jeans, black jeans, or bright or solid color jeans.  Like royal blue.  A lot of blazers, red lipstick, panty hose, French shoes (I don't know how to explain them, but you can definitely tell a difference between their shoe style and ours)  If you're wearing tennis shoes and jeans, there is a good chance you're American.  I'm not saying I have a problem with these fashion choices, but they're just indicators.

I have become the self proclaimed queen of cardigans and scarves. Come at me bro. (Thanks, Magdalena.  Now I can't stop saying that.)

Speaking of, Magdalena and I found a baller scarf and accessories store around Notre Dame, and these were the most beautiful scarves I have EVER seen.  And pricey, too.  Some ran for around 80 euros.  I think I might treat myself one day by stopping by and getting a scarf.  Not for 80 euros, but ya know.  Beautiful scarves.  Put all of mine to shame.

So with this whole.. blending in thing, it's a weird concept in my head.  I feel like I'm trying to hide the fact that I'm American, but that's not the case at all.  I came here to absorb the culture, so I think it's fitting I do so, or attempt to do so.  If I came over here and said, America is the best!, why would I have left the country in the first place?

When I first got to Paris, I immediately regretted coming.  I was stupid home sick, I was constantly emailing my parents and Brad, but now that time has passed, I'm obviously feeling much much much better.  I think it's very good to put yourself out of your comfort zone.  The learn about others, and more importantly, to learn about yourself.  Who you are. What is important to you.  Coming to France has made me realize that I'm a grown up.  I know it sounds stupid, but I've definitely learned that I'm a grown adult.  I'm young, yes, but I'm responsible for me.  When making decisions, it's no longer, would my parents be okay with this? It's more of... is this something that good for me? It's a weird transition in life, and I can feel it happening to me.  I like it.

Can we take a moment to talk about French food? I'm not talk about escargots or things like that, but just the produce here. The pop.  The vin.  The beer. All of it.  It's so freaking good.  The bread? Get out of town.  Whatever they sell at HyVee is nothing in comparison to this bread.  It's SO good.  It's so fresh, and just high quality.  It is more expensive, but it's worth it to me.  Fruit stands on every street corner.  Instead of fast good as to-go food, they has sandwich shops.  No fried anything.  And you feel so much better physically when you eat clean.  It's great.  I've been here a week and a half and I've already gone down a belt buckle hole.  I feel and look great.

Thursday I leave for Norway for the weekend, a week after that Brad comes, then we go to London, and then Andrew and Sarah come.  I am so excited for what this summer has in store for me.  I'm very much looking forward to going to Norway, and spending time with family.  I'm excited to explore London with Brad.  And I'm so excited to get Andrew out of the States.  So so happy.

Okay, picture time!

Finding places to go, yo.

Academie de la Biere.  Awesome find.  Brad, we will be going there.

Ahhh yes, Chauncy, Welcome to my paaarty.  Meet my son Nebroleon.

BAM - New Kickz! (and with high amounts of editting)

Here's a more accurate depiction of what they look like.

This is another extreme edit from when we went to Versailles.  I adore color.

Bisous! LEAVE COMMENTS!!!!

Days Go By

Hey y'all. Apologies for not updating as often as I'd like.  I've just been busy and when I get back home I'm usually tired or not wanting to update this thing.

Since I've last updated, we went to Versailles with the other Americans. Turns out it's the four of us Iowa kids, and two girls from Michigan.  Don't get me wrong, Versailles is incredible, but I don't think I'll be going back any time soon.  My blisters had blisters.  There is just so much walking to do, so if you go, do wear comfortable shoes.

I highly recommend that if you do anything, go back to Marie Antoinette's village behind her estate.  It's by far my favorite place in the entire palace (if it's a part of the palace.)  I'll include some photos I took below the body post.

I think this is the summer where I learn to drink coffee- and lots of it.  See, Hostess sets out a coffee mug for me in the morning, because I said I like coffee in the morning.  This isn't necessarily a lie, but when I get to work, they also offer me coffee.  I'm too... shy? to decline, so I take more coffee there.  So, for 4 out of the 7 days of the week, I'll be having two cups of coffee.

Also, European coffee is different than American coffee.  This is more like expresso, and it's served in a little cup with a little spoon.  I think I prefer this to American coffee, and I know when I get home I'll have to get an expresso machine like this.

I'm currently trying to update my phone with music.  I have a 16g, and I have much much more music than that.  So when it comes to picking artists, I feel like I'm choosing between my children.  I love you all equally!

(I've had one of my two cups for the day, can you tell?)

So I got into my internship!  I'm working for a non profit organization, and I'm doing mostly behind the scenes work, like submitting the correct paper work to the correct people, etc.  I only work from 2-6 Mon-Thurs, so that's really nice.  I have time in the morning to do things and I don't get off too late at night that if I wanted to go poke my nose around something, I could do that as well.  I'm not going to lie, the language barrier is difficult and a little bit intimidating.  Also, this is my first job like this- where I get assigned tasks and have to do them, as opposed to Kmart where I was told to go hang out around the garden center.  So this is real life, huh?

Also, I keep thinking that this internship will define my entire life- and it's totally not.  I'm an unpaid intern, this is about experience for me, and for them.  I only work 16 hours a week and was confused, and then I remembered this is just like when I went to Montpellier, some people did internships that only lasted about that much per week.  This is just an internship- this isn't my permanent job or anything like that.

My host family situation is working out very well for me thus far.  It's just me and a older lady (who doesn't act her age at all, she's still active and whatnot) and I have my own living room and bedroom.  I come back here and chill and she goes into her room and chills. We don't eat dinner together, she says she's trying to lose weight.  So on nights where she cooks for me, she leaves it on the counter and I eat it as I please.  It's really nice, actually. She's too nice to me, she's always getting me little things (like food) and always tells me we need to be chill, relaxed, at ease.  I really like her.

So recently, even back at Iowa, I haven't had that much of an urge to go out to bars or parties and get schwasty pants in awhile.  Luckily for me, French don't get drunk in public.  They do have a drink or two when out with friends, but it's not the goal to get hammered like it is in the United States.  So the other night we (Iowa kids) went out to a place called "L'Academie de la Biere" (The Beer Academy) and had ourselves a drink before we had dinner.  And let me tell you, I am very much a lightweight.  I had a beer at 50 cl and was tipsy.  So note to self, drink slowly, and don't drink too much.  I haven't drank too much wine since Hostess doesn't buy any, and I'm not sure how she'd feel if I brought a bottle home.  It's no big, I'll just wait until Brad then Andrew and Sarah get here to drink more wine (not that I haven't had enough in my lifetime thus far ;) )

I hope I can convince people I'm French, or at least not American.  I haven't seen one Mexican since I've gotten here, even as tourists.  I often get confused for being Turkish or Indian.  I mean, it's whatever, I'm not mad about it.  It's always strange to explain to people that I'm Mexican, no, American, but my mother's family is from Mexico.

Think about how you identify yourself.

I leave for Norway in about 9 days.  I'll be visiting my cousins on the Lohse side of my family.  They have been sending me licks form their blog about things I want to do.  Looks like we're going to be doing a lot of hiking, which I'm ecstatic about.  I'll bring my camera and hopefully get some good photos in while I'm visiting. I can't wait!

About a week after that, Brad arrives.  The plan thus far is to hang here for a few days, go to London for the weekend, then come back until he leaves.  Then, like, a day after that, Andrew and Sarah arrive for about a week and a half.  I'm so excited from them to come visit! Andrew's first time to Europe :) :) and then after they leave, I have twelve days, then I myself head back to the US to help Kathy get married.

Very very very eventful summer.  And easily shaping up to be my best summer yet.

Only thing missing is my parents coming to visit. I miss them.

And the kitties, of course.

Alright, I need to go do some stuff for work (lol I'm a big girl!) and whatnot.

A bientot et bisous!

Iowa kids in the Hall of Mirrors

Some random person.  She seemed to make a good model.

We made IOWA at Versailles. Go Hawks!

Walking around the gardens

I got called being a hipster for taking this photo.  Mango sorbet. Nom nom nom.

Paw said he wanted to see what my camera can do- here ya go Dad.

We got lost in the gardens behind Marie Antoinette's place, so of course, I took a selfie.

The ground was mostly like this.  Ouch.

In front of the orangerie. Incredible designs.

Leave me comments!

Life as a tourist.

Hey y'all.  Just another update.  Too tired to write much. It's almost 2 am.

Leave commentssssss!!!!

Hey y'all. Another update.  I'm kind of bored, so I'm working on my blog and stuff.  Things will begin to pick up tomorrow I imagine.

I'm pooped. I will talk to y'all later.

Bisous