Happy birthday, Eiffel Tower!

Bonjour tout le monde!
While doing some reading today, I came across the fact that the Eiffel Tower turned 125 on March 31.  The second highest construction in France (the viaduct Millau is the tallest) is the most visited paid monument in the world.  When I was 19 and just fresh to Paris, my friends and I made the Eiffel Tower one of our first places to visit. It is everything that you hear about and see in the photos, but still awesome and breath taking.  Stand in the center of the square that the feet make, then look up to see how the different levels go together.  Try to avoid all the vendors who flock to the Eiffel Tower to sell toy birds that fly, and the souvenir towers that light up, the small tower key chains, and other tacky but fun stuff.

Michael and me in 2008

  

The Eiffel Tower at night, before sparkles

Now it's easy to visit the Eiffel Tower - well, easy is a relative term - with just a little planning.  If you know when you'll be in Paris, go onto the website (www.toureiffel.fr) and purchase your tickets.  That way you avoid at least one potentially long line.  The website will also tell you how many elevators are running; that gives you an idea of how long you'll be there.  I have found that the evening is better than the daytime, but you might also want to try to be there when it opens.
Built for the Universal World Exposition of 1889 as its main attraction, the Eiffel Tower was to last only 20 years.  Thanks to the then-new radio technology, the Eiffel Tower became a radio tower also, and was saved from destruction.
Now we can't imagine Paris without its iconic tower.

(Shamless plug - there is still time to come with me in September!)   jackiwilliams-jones.grouptoursite.com

Across the river from the Tower

Poisson d'avril - April Fool's Day

Bonjour tout le monde!
Today is April 1 or April Fool's Day.  In France, it is the Poisson d'avril, the time that kids make paper fish and try to stick them on the backs of unsuspecting people.  When I traveled with students, we were often in France on this day, and could see people walking down the street with little fish taped to their backs.  I even saw one attached to the front bumper of a car in Arromanches!
The origins of this day all seem to revolve around the change of calendars way back when.  Historically, April 1 was the start of the new year.  It sort of makes sense; spring is considered the season of renewal, so why not begin the year on this date?  People would celebrate with new clothes, and festivities that celebrated the return of warmth, flowers, and new life.  Charles IX reportedly created New Year's Day on January 1 to unify all the parts of France.  However, there were still those who insisted on celebrating New Year's Day on April 1.  They were called fools, and were the brunt of jokes and pranks on that day.
I am not very good at pulling pranks on folks, since I don't do very well lying (I don't have a poker face).  I do enjoy watching the television to see which jokes worked.
Here are several pranks that happened today:
http://www.thelocal.fr/20140401/april-fool-the-locals-day-in-gags

For more information on the history of le poisson d'avril:
http://curiousrambler.com/2014/03/28/april-fool-or-april-fish/

How about you?  Did you prank anyone today?  Were you the subject of an April Fool's joke?  Do tell!

Politique française

Local elections in France have created an interesting scenario in France, especially for President Hollande.
http://m.thelocal.fr/20140331/national-front

Au Cafe

Bonjour tout le monde!
France has a wonderful cafe culture. Although the total number of cafes has gone down over the years, it is still one of

Notice the sugar cubes on the left, plus the tasty croissants!

the greatest thing about Paris; sitting on the terrace of a cafe and watching the people go by.  Of course, you can buy more than a coffee - a croque monsieur (grilled ham and cheese sandwich, eaten with a knife and fork, bien sur) is almost always on the carte.
However, I came across this today, and couldn't resist.  It does a very good job of explaining all the types of cafe that you can order at one.  A cafe au lait is almost always an early day choice, after that, you'll want to order a "creme".
Most importantly, a proper lunch or dinner is not complete without a coffee to finish off your meal.  Why don't you try it this September while on my tour to Paris, Provence and the Riviera?  There is space for you, so check out jackiwilliams-jones.grouptoursite.com, start the process with a deposit of $300 and start practicing saying "un cafe au lait, s'il vous plait"!

How to order coffee in France: http://www.talkinfrench.com/order-coffee-fail-safe-paris/

Study abroad - it's good for you!

Bonjour tout le monde,
I got this link from a friend this morning, and was so excited that I had to spread the word.  Studying abroad is a wonderful opportunity to spread one's wings and to stretch one's comfort level.  So, if you haven't already done so, give studying abroad a chance.  Take an immersion language course, how about cooking lessons, painting in the style of the old Masters (or just go to Provence and channel your inner van Gogh)?
And if you need more excuses, oops, reasons to spend time abroad - learning a new language is good for your brain health!.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/25/travel/irpt-study-abroad/index.html?hpt=tr_c1
What suggestions do you have?  Post some here.  In the meantime, enjoy a couple of photos from my time in Paris as a student.

(there is still time to come with me in September to start your study of French!  Check it out and contact me to join us! jackiwilliams-jones.grouptoursite.com)

In my room in Paris.

Study group tour to Rocamadour

Cassis and Calanques

Bonjour tout le monde!
Spring starts tomorrow, and for some of you in the eastern part of the US, it can't come too soon.  We have been very dry out here in California, and have missed the rains that usually come in January and February, even March.  It is enough to drive some to drink, maybe something like a kir, which is white wine and cassis, a liqueur.  The red syrup is made from blackcurrants (cassis), and comes from either Dijon or Bordeaux, but not from Cassis, en Provence.

"Qu'a visit Paris, se noun a visit Cassis, pou dire: n'ai ren vist" - He who has seen Paris and who has not seen Cassis can say...I have seen nothing."

These words by Frederic Mistral (Nobel prize winner, literature, 1904), talk about the lovely town of  Cassis.  Cassis is located east of Marseilles in the Provence region.  It has been inhabited since 500 BC and is a fishing port. Rebuilt for the most part in the 18th century, the town is well known for its beautiful architecture and winemaking (but not the liqueur).  It is also celebrated for its calanques, steep walled inlets and bays that dot the region.  The most popular way to visit these beautiful inlets is by boat in the spring and the fall. 

Cassis is one of the towns that we will visit on our tour of Paris, Provence and the Riviera.  We will spend a beautiful part of the day walking through the town and then taking a ride through the calanques.  Although we might not have a kir, we will be able to buy the regional wine (an appellation known for its whites, along with reds and roses) and perhaps buy a tablecloth or two!

There is time, but not much, to reserve your spot on an awesome trip this fall to the south of France and Paris.  You are also invited to bring a friend; they don't have to live in the LA area.  

Visit jackiwilliams-jones.grouptoursite.com to see the entire itinerary.  There is still time to make payments, but don't wait much longer!  Space is limited.

If you have questions, don't hesitate to contact me: jacki.williamsjones@gmail.com.  
See you in Nice in September!

the beautiful waters of a calanque

The port 

Back at Stanford. All Right Now.

Bonjour tout le monde,
This past weekend I was back at Stanford for a meeting of class correspondents. One of the things we did during the meeting was come up with  6 word stories; hence the title of this post.  What about your 6 word story?  Try yours on for size in the comment section!
Most of the time when I'm on campus, I am only around the football stadium, the parking lot field, the Band Shak  and alumni building. This time I got to see more of the campus.  Man, there is pretty much an entire new school!  But it's all good. Things have changed so much since I was a student - there is the Engineering Quad right behind the original, the Bing performance hall, plus a beautiful Cantor Museum with the Rodin Garden (ah, the Gates of Hell). But while the outside might continue to change, what doesn't change is the student body and alumni that really make Stanford a special place to be and to be from.  So, my batteries are charged for a little while more, and I continue to be a proud Cardinal.

part of the Gates of Hell in Rodin Garden

D school wagon - so cool

nothing need be said here, love the perspective