The Viewpoint of the Angels

March 2nd, 2011

Top of the Duomo, Milan, Italy

The views from the precipice are beyond spectacular! The thousands of statues seem to guard the massive, Catholic cathedral as they face outward toward the grand city of well-dressed and fairly friendly people. Though it might be easy to assume some theory of protecting religion, something about the separation of Church and state or religion becoming a relic, I see the 2000 some statues in states of study, worship, repose and communion. The gold pieces surrounded by brilliant types of marble stand as beauty and grandeur against the surrounding storms, as it has for hundreds of years. Lesson application possible and that I choose to see today: we all stand together in the house of the Lord; grand, strong, and beautiful. Most importantly, however, we stand together with arms raised towards the heavens. I soak up the sights, sounds, memories and lessons as I stand amongst the statues in awe.

Adventuring on "Winter Break"

March 1st, 2011

Milan, Italy

What a journey! Lushuana and I just spent the last two days in Paris, France seeing the Louvre, l'Arc de Triomphe, les jardins des Tuileries, la Seine river, le Musée d'Orsay, la Bastille, la Défense, and les Champs-Elysées. We met up last night in a sketchy area in search of a little jazz club with my new American friend Clint, French alias 'Claude,' and our French friend, Ben, from ESC. Unfortunately, it ended up being closed, so we went to the corner bar where the local crowd danced, sang, and chatted. We did not fit in at all but yet I did not feel uncomfortable; at least the atmosphere was acceptable because the neighborhood itself was a different story. The next hour or so was then spent trying to find a way home to our hostel near Moulin Rouge because the metro was halted due to a suicide somewhere down the line. It was a mad rush of maps, buses, directions, questions, metro lines and long walks. We finally arrived just before the hostel closed the doors for the evening. The boys eventually got home, too, as we were on the phone with them the entire way just to ensure that everyone was settled and safe. Thank goodness for them. When we came to our room, there were two girls asleep who we found out the next morning were Stephania from Venice and a girl from Argentina who had decided that it would behoove her more to keep sleeping all day than to shake our hands.

Breakfast was typically French and typically delicious. The hot mint tea felt good on my throat as my bronchitis couch seems to be holding on like a weed in an old well, probably due to my overcapacity of adventures. We had a wonderful day in Paris and I absolutely love le Musée d'Orsay! Impressionism seems to hold a secret of my heart, perhaps because it is the only art where the artist can add his opinions and expression directly into the art, thus communicating his inner spirit and not just what the eye can see. I saw two of my favorite paintings in the whole world: Renoir's "Le Moulin de la Galette" and Van Gogh's "Starry Night" in their original grandeur and my senses tingled with both excitement and inspiration. There were famous paintings one after another and the museum was one of the most beautiful things that I have ever seen! Photos were forbidden, but we snuck in a few on Lushi's iPhone just because we could barely believe our eyes! The coolest thing is that, as we are residents and students in France, we get into the Paris museums and a few attractions for free. We received free entrance into l'Arc de Triomphe on Monday the 28th and several other things as well. I really want to take advantage of this superb opportunity and will go back to Paris soon to see the rest of the Louvre, le Centre Pompidou, the Picasso and the Musée of Contemporary Art. Why not? That has become my motto over these last few months. I may never again have this opportunity. In fact, I'm learning to take advantage of any and all opportunities in order to push myself to new horizons.

After all the fun, we took a shuttle for Ryanair, 15 Euros, and arrived at Paris Beauvais. After having arrived in Milan, we took a shuttle to the train station and had to hire a taxi to take us to our hostel because our cheap flight arrived very late in the night and the city had shut down. Because of this, we couldn't buy a map so we went off of Google Maps that we had printed before the voyage. We made the last minute call, however, to go for the safety option and hire a taxi driver to escort us there. Finally, we reside happy, exhausted and ready for more adventures.

Letters to Home, Part 4

January 1^st, 2011

Chantepie, France

My Dearest Mother,

My new home! Chantepie, France

I am so sorry that I haven’t been highly in contact. I can’t figure out whether or not I have access, limited or not, to the internet and things are very different here; it takes some getting used to. Today, Madame Deschamps is taking me to see my school and understand the bus system. I am very tired and have not yet completely adjusted to the time change. I fell asleep around 5 pm my first day, Friday, and slept until 3 am. Then, I couldn’t sleep and it was dark and quiet so I unpacked, got settled into my room as quietly as possible, and journaled. I just started my new book with which I am sure you are very familiar. H.G. Well’s Time Machine. The lofty language is intense after speaking only French, but I like it. The introduction was 30 pages long, so I really have only read that so far. I figure this way, I can keep my nightmare of forgetting English from coming true!

Understanding the metro system in Rennes, France

Madame Deschamps is very nice! She and a friend picked me up at the train station, la gare de Rennes, and drove me to the house. It’s fairly big for a French house and there are artifacts from all over the world that scatter the walls and surfaces. She’s a widow of 8 years and she lost her mother 7 years ago. We talked about it a bit and she said that the holidays are very hard for her. She’s probably 60 years I would guess; yes, you called it!

I still have not heard English spoken since I left Texas, but I met some tourists along the way and some sweet, older French people who helped me find my way. I suppose this immersion thing will happen faster than we counted on!

Apparently my Hungarian roommate is no longer coming because her father was diagnosed with cancer, so I will have the room to myself and a higher rent payment. She says that there may be more students coming and one of them might share my room, so I will see what happens!

It’s cold here, but no worse than Colorado except for the sea being so near that the air holds a denser and more chilling humidity level. Yesterday it was about 32 F and today it warmed up to 40 F. We watch the news everyday so I am learning to understand the relative temperatures in Celcius and to catch the weather descriptions in rapid French.

Happy New Year! Bonne année! I hope that you did something fun and are thoroughly enjoying yourself. It’s nice to write in English! At least my language skills are being challenged; I can understand most of what people say but it’s very difficult, especially since I’m still so jetlagged. They told me that I am doing very well and am responsive. I try to ask a lot of questions in order to comprehend the context and underlying meaning of their comments; French humor shall soon be mastered! It at least helps me to understand how my International students feel! Empathy is a powerful tool and emotion.

I miss you so much already and wish that you could see these beautiful and different things with me! Please tell everyone that I’m ok and share my stories because I cannot write to everyone.

Toujours/Always,

Bethy Ru

Letters to Home, Part 3

December 31^st, 2010

Chantepie, France

Dear Daddy, 

My daily bus stop, Chantepie, France

I am finally, safely tucked into my host home! My host, Raymonde Deschamps, is a lively, spunky older lady around 65 years old. I am so excited to get to know her. She had everything ready and prepared for me when we got home and she even picked me up at the train station. We had arranged before what color and types of coats we would be wearing so that we could easily spot each other, since we had never before met. She and her friend speak incredibly quickly but are equally sweet and concerned with my well-being and background. The house is beautiful! There are three others staying in the house right now.

1.)    Sylvie: a middle-aged woman who is feisty and funny. She has a little dog, too, names Aeole (after the Greek god of wind).

My room and all my things!

2.)    Tony: Sylvie’s son. He is apparently Mexican in some way, though I have no idea what their story is. He is just visiting for New Year’s but will be back around later.

3.)    Thierry: a policeman (le policier) I haven’t met him yet but he’s staying a few weeks. At least I feel safe!

Everything is different here except the juice and the bed, both with which I became immediately acquainted. I just finished a 4 hour nap after my 30 hours of travel and I feel miraculously better. I am not sure what to do for the next three hours until midnight. Raymonde has gone out with her friends and the others are going to bed. I don’t have a bus pass yet and I don’t know the city well enough to venture out on my own yet. The party may just be me and my pillow tonight.

Tomorrow, Madame Deschamps says that we’re going to take a tour of my school and the city, figure out the bus and take care of some business. Thank goodness because my converter doesn’t take my American three-pronged cord for my computer and I can’t figure out the internet. I have about 20% power left which is definitely not enough. My phone doesn’t show time because I’m seriously roaming and there isn’t a clock in my room. Thus, I feel really isolated. However, I’m fine. No one needs me and I have the things that I need to survive. Maybe a little society black out is just what I need. Also, I have a few days until my orientation on the 5^th and school doesn’t start until the 10^th of January, though my classes may start even later than that.

I haven’t eaten a meal since breakfast on the plane, but for some reason I’m not hungry. I’m going to try not to eat unless I’m hungry. That way, I’ll be healthier and I will probably thin out and tone up with all of my walking.

I am excited to take some me time. I’m going to read for a bit and then sleep some more. Hopefully there are fireworks to wake me and I shall wish myself a Happy New Year slumber. All is well with my soul. God is looking out for this girl!

Traveling Tips: France

December 31^st, 2010

Paris, France

Wow, navigating the Paris Charles de Gaulle airport by yourself is not easy. Future warning:

·         Pay attention and always be aware of signs! For instance, when you go through customs, greet them in the language you wish to speak, otherwise you might end up with an international crisis as they believe you are refusing to answer their interrogations.

·         After passing customs, STOP. Do not go to the doors that say exit because you will be passing baggage claim altogether and may need a security escort to return to this area and they generally speak French coupled with an angry tone.

·         Ask for help! There are information desks in each terminal and, as long as you can understand a French accent, you will have your questions answered (though maybe not in the preferred or expected way).

·         It may take 30-40 minutes for your baggage to arrive on the belt. It’s not the same efficiency as US airports, so take that into consideration and keep your frustration levels to a minimum. Drawing attention to yourself is generally a negative thing in airports.

·         There are few clocks around and most of them are in the 24 hour setting. Just subtract twelve. Also, don’t be afraid to ask strangers, “Quelle heure est-il?” This will prevent you from missing your train. That’s the plan, anyway.

·         ATMs are tricky and may not like you or your card for some unspecified reason. Deal with it. You’ll find one eventually that appreciates you and your money.

·         The train stations may be under a roof and look like a building, but they are freezing in winter time. Dress warmly and be prepared for the seasons into which you are traveling.

·         Find your seat according to the platform and car locators before the train arrives. This way, you can jump right onto the train when it pulls up; they don’t wait long.

·         “Parlez-vous l’anglais?” This question will pull you out of trouble if you’re confused. Most people speak a little bit and, by combining your knowledge of the two languages, you can figure out where to go and what to do.

If you have a ticket like boarding pass, be sure to validate it before getting on the trains. If it’s printed at home with a barcode, you don’t need to validate it. The conductor, if he ever comes by, will do this.