The history, the castles, the scavenger hunt

Ciao! I apologize for the lapse in updates. It was recently brought to my attention just how much work I have to do and how little time I have left! It seems like this first semester has been going by... slowly is not the correct term here, because it's been incredibly fast-paced and busy.. it just seems like the first three months have gone by quickly.. and now all of a sudden I have over 50 pages in essays and projects and finals to prepare (excluding all of the draft work that needs to be done) and I have a month to get all of that done.

However, a silver lining in that dismal abyss of paper-writing is.....

I RETURN TO THE STATES ONE MONTH FROM TODAY!!!

That's right, folks. Thirty days from today I will be somewhere above the Atlantic Ocean on my way to the grey and dreary JFK International Airport! 

I cannot wait to see each and every one of you, and am working on some sort of a surprise for y'all... assuming I have enough time to get it done by the time I'm home!!! :]

ANYWAY! BACK TO TRAVEL UPDATES!!! [the point of this blog, after all!]

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I left off in St-Luc after the bread making, so that takes us to Day 4, when we departed from St-Luc in route to Lausanne!

I have to say that my favorite overall location, in terms of personal experience, was Lausanne. It wasn't just the city itself, or the sites we saw, it was just a collective experience that left me feeling incredibly satisfied with the city. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

On our way to Lausanne, we headed over to the Gianadda Foundation in Martigny. This was an interesting stop because the museum was hosting an exhibit on Claude Monet! There were over 70 pieces on loan to the Foundation, and it was incredible to see some of the works by Monet in person!
We weren't allowed to take photos, but I tried to sneak a few, but they didn't work!

(shh don't tell anyone, though!)
(that last one looks pretty artsy, huh? no pun intended..... :p )

From the Gianadda Foundation, we made a stop at the Château de Chillon.

The Château de Chillon is Switzerland's most visited historic monument, and it was very interested to see the history of a single building, and how various eras of Swiss history affected the building.

There were three main influences on the castle that we learned about; the Savoy's, the Bernese, and the Vaudois (people of the Swiss canton of Vaud). 

One interesting fact about the castle is that it consists of over 100 rooms that have been added onto each other one after the other throughout history.
One of the sites we saw in the castle was the dungeon/prison chambers. We learned of Lord Byron, the English writer/poet who made the castle infamous with his long narrative poem "The Prisoner of Chillon." There is a myth that Byron carved his name into one of the prison pillars while there, though there is no supporting evidence and is more than likely a gimmick to attract tourists. It's still fun to think of someone with such standing, like Lord Byron, and how he may have left his mark on the castle, both figuratively through his poem, and literally through a carving!

The Château de Chillon is located right on Lake Geneva, a strategic advantage that made it easier to defend / more difficult to attack. It also allowed the royalty within to escape through the dungeons onto the lake and sail quickly to France without detection.

I also learned that if you are in Lausanne, or practically anywhere in Switzerland/France that isn't Geneva? You are actually on Lake/Lac Léman! 

From Château de Chillon, we finally headed over to Lausanne where I was (finally) able to reunite with my one true love.....

a venti white chocolate mocha with whipped cream in a mug that you could probably use to knock someone out with.... beautiful, beautiful way to end the night...

Oh! and Kaitlin and I got kebabs, which are great! (check out the post about Bellinzona to see a kebab!)

The next day started off with a SCAVENGER HUNT throughout the entire city! SSB (my Travel Leader; Sara Steinert-Borella) split us into groups and gave us clues to various sites around the city, and things that we had to find out about them that were interesting, and not necessarily related to travel writing, but still very interesting things to know.

I was with my RA, Dani, which was a HUGE advantage because she is fluent in French! We were able to communicate with locals and find out where we were going and had so much fun!
One stop we had to make was to a cathedral, and the interesting fact about it was that it had actually be converted to a Protestant church, there is no saint buried or remains there, and it was not even dedicated to anyone as it was no longer Catholic.

We had to take a photo of our favorite window in the church to prove we were there: 

The city is just so vibrant and beautiful and I recommend that anyone in Switzerland should visit Lausanne!

(Part of a panorama of Lausanne. I edited the two parts different and didn't splice them together, though)

(Dani reading a French newspaper about Occupy Wall Street / Zurich)

(The Lausanne Harbor)

(Mimi, SSB's daughter who was in our scavenger hunt group, chasing the pigeons!)

(Lake Léman/Geneva. Beautiful.)

(at the Olympic museum.)

(Another view of Lake Geneva. The mountains in the background (very faded) is Evian, France! (Like the water bottles!))

(A beautiful shot of the lake.)

(I like this one because of the seagull in the center!)

Well, that sums up Lausanne, very briefly. My group won the scavenger hunt, which had a little added bonus that I'll talk about in the update about Geneva! I think going on a scavenger hunt is a great way to explore a new city. It was great way to adjust to the culture and figure things out on your own. 

Have a great rest of the week! Can't wait to see everyone back home in a month! :]

The Classes pt. 2

So I'm just going to interject between travel posts (I have a few more photos to edit before I update about Lausanne, Geneva, and Neuchâtel) and update about the future of my Franklin College career!
I don't know if it's actually a big deal, but on Tuesday I had to register for classes for the first time on my own. It was really exciting and somewhat stressful, but I'm really excited for it. I got the classes that I wanted (that were still available by the time Freshmen were allowed to register) so I'm actually pretty happy with that I'll be taking next semester. So, without further adieu.....

POL 253 - United States Foreign Policy: Credits 3.00
This course will describe and analyze the political, strategic and economic dimensions of American foreign policy. Special focus will be directed toward the issues that have confronted American decision makers since 1939. Examples and case studies drawn from American relations with the USSR, Europe, the Far East, the Middle East and Latin America will be studied in detail. The global implications of American influence and hegemony in the international system will be analyzed from the standpoint of trends and developments since the end of the Cold War and the attack on the Twin Towers. 


LIT 242 - Contemporary African Literature: Credits 3.00 
This course is a study of fiction, drama, and poetry from Africa. The course will focus on contemporary literature and our main concern will be the work of the postcolonial African writer. The continent of Africa includes diverse peoples, cultures, languages, customs, economic circumstances, and responses to colonialism. With such diversity comes a broad wealth of literary production. Thus we will read texts from various countries and from different cultural or gender perspectives. Although the subject of our study is literature, we will adopt an interdisciplinary approach, understanding literary works as products of cultural, historical, social, and political circumstances. Our understanding of each text will be complemented by a study of its context. Throughout the course we will explore such themes as the relation of English-language writing to indigenous languages, to orality, and to audience, as well as images of pre-colonial Africa, and the issues of creating art in a world of suffering and of de-colonising the narrative of history. At the end of the term, students will be expected to have gained insight into contemporary African literary tradition and will have been introduced to literary criticism of African literature.


FRE 101 - Introductory French, Part. II | Credits 3.00 
The beginning courses stress the understanding and speaking of the language. As students progress through elementary conversation, more grammar study is introduced, and reading and composition skills are developed. 


LIT 208 - Shakespearean Drama | Credits 3.00 
An introduction to Shakespeare, and Shakespeare studies, across the full range of his work: poetry, history play, comedy, tragedy, and "romance". The Shakespearean universe is approached through a consideration of the society and thought of his time in an endeavor to place the work in its living context. Special consideration is given to the texture and detail of Shakespeare's language and its relation to characterization and theme in the plays.


CLCS 110 - Reading Cultures: Intro to Cultural Studies | Credits 3.00 
This course has two primary goals: to introduce students to the history and theoretical writings of various strands of cultural studies, and to acquaint them with some of the intersecting axes - race, class and gender - that energize the field. Close attention will be paid to issues such as the shaping of identity, forms of representation, the production, consumption and distribution of cultural goods, and the construction of knowledge and power in a host of cultural practices and cultural institutions. 


And finally (MOST EXCITINGLY!!!) My Travel course for next semester is......


TVL 285 - Hamburg/Baltic Sea/Copenhagen | Credits 1.00 
Hamburg prides itself on being Germany's "Gateway to the World". It is Germany's largest harbor and, historically, it connected the Baltic Sea region with North Sea access. In recent years, Hamburg has had to manage the challenge of globalization by developing new economical areas in cooperation with the surrounding communities. Copenhagen has to face the same situation and its answer is similar: building a metropolitan area with a diversified economical structure. We will spend several days in Hamburg, visiting the harbor, wharfs, the Airbus site, a publisher, and an advertising company (Hamburg is Germany's center of print media and is a leader in the field of advertising). We will also visit Luebeck. Then we will travel to Copenhagen, enjoying the countryside and the Baltic Sea on our way. Students will study how major cities deal with economic changes and will consider the problems harbor cities face as they make the transition to a global market. 


I am so incredibly excited for this travel. I originally wanted one to Bloomsbury, London/England because it focused on publishing, which is something I am considering doing with my life... however, I want to see as many countries as I can, and England is a place I can go on my own, though the experience is still something I want from a publishing aspect.. regardless. This travel goes to Germany (Hamburg), and Denmark (Copenhagen), and from what I hear from upperclassmen, it also goes to SWEDEN! I am so excited to go to Sweden because... well, I' Swedish and I think that would be awesome. My RA, Dani, who is a good friend of mine, told me that one of her friends went on this travel and fell in love with Sweden that she actually "dropped out" of Franklin, moved to Sweden, and is currently studying as an undergrad in a Swedish University. I'm so pumped. 


That's all for now - I'm trying to finish editing tonight so I can update about the rest of travel tomorrow, hopefully, or this weekend at the latest! 

The French, the Alps, the food, the travel.

Well, I've been slacking with this blog, but the fact that I'm back says something, I feel.

I've been home from travel for a week, and I miss it more than I can explain.

It's a very strange feeling, to take two weeks off from "college" to travel around to different places in the world, but still have it be academic in some sense...

Coming back last week was very strange, walking around campus and having this weird feeling of "oh, I still have classes.. I'm here for.. for an education?! What is this nonsense!"

However! When I did return I was privileged to have this waiting for me:

Five packages were waiting for me when I got home! I'm sure reception loved me.....

Thanks to Mommah, Aunt Ellen, Hannah/Aunt Rani, and Kelly for the gifts, even though it did make me miss you all terribly! (44 days until I come home for winter holiday!)

For my travel, I was on TVL-297 Lausanne, Geneva, and the Alps with (Dean) Sara Steinert-Borella.

It was truly an incredible experience and if you haven't been to Romandy (the French-speaking sector of Switzerland) I highly recommend it. Even if you have, I suggest going back (and bring me with you!) I feel that this trip was very beneficial to me for two broad reasons: 1. I got to experience more of the country that I am living in, and will be living in for the next four years of my life. I think it's crucial to see as much of where you are, to get a better understanding of it and appreciate everything that the place has to offer. That being said, 2: French-speaking Switzerland is drastically different from Italian-speaking Switzerland. The Swiss-French are friendly, they are interested in having a conversation with you, whether it be French or English, and they seem like they enjoy social interaction, to be frank. The Swiss-Italians (or Swi-ties, as we unaffectionately call them here in Lugano) are not so friendly. They are very focused on what they are doing and don't really want you to bother them. So, if you have only been to Ticino, that is not a very reliable impression of the Swiss.

Moving onward, to the actual trip!!

We left Monday, 17 October for St-Luc, which is in the canton of Valais. The bus ride was breath-taking as we climbed into the mountains. We took a route through Northern Italy, as the Swiss pass was already closed because of snow.

(Swiss Alps and the Moon)

(the Simplon-Pass into French-speaking Switzerland)

(you see these kinds of roads in the movies)

(but we actually drove on them in a coach tour bus.)

St-Luc is a beautiful place. Rather than going right to the hotel (La Gîte de Prilet) we took the tour bus up to Chandolin, which is a tiny village with about 100 permanent residents. We then hiked down the mountain to St-Luc, where we were staying for the first three nights.

(chalets in Chandolin)

(a view while hiking down the mountain)

(a view of Chandolin)

The food in French-speaking Switzerland is PHENOMENAL. The place we stayed at gave us amazing food and the portions were huge! Each meal was served with a salad, the main entre (with a glass of wine, of course!), and then dessert. My favorite was probably the lasagne (go figure - more pasta.) but some other notables were: cheese / tomato fondue, pork, pumpkin soup (delicious!), and lamb stew.

The next day, we hiked up to the Hotel Weisshorn, which is in the Swiss Alps! We were 7,667 ft above sea level at the end of our hike, and it was incredible. I'll let the pictures speak, because it's impossible to describe the beauty of being atop the Swiss Alps.

(tvl-297 group photo)

(my RA, Dani, and I)

(Kaitlin and I)

(Kencho and I)

The third day, to wrap up St-Luc was spent with travel Anne Deriaz, who took care of Ella Maillart, another travel writer, up until her death in 1997. It was a very interesting day to spend with an author and learn new techniques for writing, as well as her own experiences as a traveller and a writer.

After our six hour workshop with Anne, we headed over to a local bread-making shop and made wheat break just like they did hundreds of years ago!

That's all for St-Luc. 

I figured I would break travel up into a few different posts, 

since the updates tend to be rather photo-heavy!

Hopefully I'll have time to update about Lausanne, Geneva, and Neuchâtel 

later tonight after my computer graphics class!

The Train, the pizza, the art, and the Duomo.

Ciao! 

As promised, here's the post on Milan!

On Saturday, September 24, 2011, I went on a class trip with my IS199 (White Lies and Timid Heros, Italian Storytelling on the Stage) class to Milan.

This trip was led by my professor, Fabio Ferrari, who is easily one of my favorite professors at Franklin.

He even received his Bachelor of Arts degree at Connecticut College, which makes him even greater.

The train ride to Milan was an experience in itself, as we had to take a train with reservations on it; while this seems efficient (as the Swiss are known to be) it was not. First we had to find the seats that were for us, and people would sit in them if they did not have a reservation of their own.

I finally got my seat, only to be blessed with a group of people speaking in Italian, and I quickly gathered they were talking about me.

Turns out they had made an agreement with a girl from our group before I got there and switched seats so their friend could sit with them, so it was actually no longer our seat.

This actually worked out for me because I got to sit with our Academic Mentor, Melissa, as well as Professor Ferrari on the hour-long train ride!

He asked Melissa and I for music recommendations, so we quickly suggested our favorites.

Some of them included: Pitbull, Sara Bareilles, Adele, Mumford and Sons, The Fray, and Maroon 5.

We arrived at Milano Centrale, and Professor Ferrari informed us that it was actually designed after Union Station in Washington D.C. which I thought was interesting because I took a train to Union Station in the summer of 2010!

The pictures I have aren't great, as they're from my iphone and I was walking while taking them, but here area few of Milano Centrale:

Our first stop in Milan was to get some lunch! Professor Ferrari led us to this restaurant called The Factory. It was a nice immersion experience, as the menu was in Italian, which was fun to order off of, not knowing what everything was.. 

I ended up getting Eggplant Parmigiana pizza. Like a true Italian restaurant, we were served massive pizzas, individually! It was pretty much like if you ordered a small pizza back home. That's a typical single-serving Italian pizza! So good! 

From the restaurant, we headed over to a pre-screening of an Art Exhibit. It was an interesting experience, and it was definitely not for everyone. The artist described his collection as a modern-day hero, and whether or not there was anything he could do to prevent the second plane from hitting the World Trade Centers. It was a very critical piece on American culture, and done in a very... dramatic fashion. 

I can appreciate art in a variety of different views, and I'm sure that this artist had his reasoning for why he portrayed his art the way he did, but it was not something that I fell in love with. 

Perhaps it is because I'm an American and September 11 is viewed differently for me than someone from Europe... 

It was a great experience, but not one of my favorites. 

After we left the art exhibit, we started to make our way to the Duomo di Milano, the largest Gothic-styled cathedral in Italy, and the 4th largest cathedral in the world.

Professor Ferrari told us that he was actually taking photos from the roof of the Duomo on September 11th, and that's where he was when he found out about the attacks on America.

(Duomo di Milano)

(S. Dionigi - preserved inside the Duomo)

(the alter of the Duomo)

(view from the roof)

(sideways view of the roof?)

Milan really is a great city. It's not your typical major city like New York or anything, but it has character. I'm sure I'll be back in the future, and I'll make sure to bring my camera so I have better photos! :p

Well, that's it for now. I'm caught up with the most exciting events so far..

so updates won't be as often, unless something exciting happens in the city.

The next big event, that I can think of, will be Academic Travel, when I will be traveling to Lausanne and Geneva (October 15-27).