kk

Genesea, I am really enjoying reading your posts. Thanks so much. I visited Paris in 2000 and Provence this year and found the French to be very courteous. I am planning a wedding for my daughter in Paris in 2004. Would late May, June, or September be the best time if she wants it to be warm, but hopes to avoid the main tourist season? Thanks. KK

Genesea

SA -- this is in response to your suggestion that I get into journalism .. it's a great idea, and I've always enjoyed commentary .. <BR><BR>This past weekend I wrote a letter to The Mustang Daily (my university newspaper) regarding the how the French view Americans. This letter was in response to another student freaking out because the French supposedly laugh at Americans. Well, my experience with the French has been very different ... so read on .. =)<BR><BR>French don’t really find Americans that funny <BR><BR>Editor, <BR><BR>Pamela Bodine—allay your fears: The French don’t really laugh at Americans. Well, okay, maybe some of them do, but I haven’t met any yet. Sure Laurent from Paris wanted to know why the government ALWAYS supports Israel, or why we want to pick on Iraq without also considering China, Korea or other Arab nations as threats. But then I talked to Fran&ccedil;ois, and he thinks that France should try to understand where America is coming from. <BR><BR>Yes, the French joke that all Americans eat McDonalds, and I can’t tell you how ANNOYING it is when someone asks me if I personally know film stars (just because I live in California doesn’t mean I know anyone famous.) But when it comes down to the nitty gritty, the French are just jealous. And that is straight from the horse’s mouth. <BR>The French students, in general, would LOVE to visit the good ol’ USA because to them the United States is adventure, great sports, fabulous movies and cool fashion. Every night there is an American movie on television, and I have encountered so many Billabong shops here, complete with Roxy, Levis, Vans and other American brands. And then there is music: By French law almost half of all songs on the radio have to be French. But believe me, I generally hear American hits all the time. <BR><BR>The French are very attracted to Americans—and especially blonde American chicks (like me). The blonde hair just turns the heads of every French guy passed. When my blonde friends and I were passing the bars, every French guy sitting outside the bars stared. <BR><BR>There isn’t a reason for Americans to think the French hate us; they don’t. They just don’t like American politics. So please breathe a sigh of relief. <BR><BR>Genesea Carter, currently studying abroad for the year in Pau, France, is an English super senior.<BR><BR>

SA

Sounds like you are having a great time as well you should. I have had much the same experiences as you w/the French. I am glad you continue to share your experiences w/all the less experienced on this board. Just as they stereo-type us we do the same w/them. It is unfortunate. Looking forward to your Geneva commentary as well.

Noah

Enjoyable!<BR><BR>topping

ttt

topping

Genesea

Part One about Geneva and the Italians:<BR><BR>Alrighty … well, this previous weekend was a long weekend for all the universities in France. So Ann, Paige, Kat, Brook, and I left Pau Thursday night by the train for Geneva. Originally we were going to go to Pisa, Italy, but there was a train strike in Italy, so we couldn’t get any tickets. We would have been able to get to the border, but not into Italy. So the girls decided on Geneva. I wasn’t all that thrilled with the idea because I had been to Geneva in 1996, and unless you plan on shopping at Cartier or Christian Dior, there isn’t a lot to do. But we went anyhow, and we slept in our reserved couchette (which was a great deal .. very comfortable) and arrived in Geneva Friday morning. We stopped and had coffee/hot chocolate (which, BTW, everywhere we went in Geneva didn’t REALLY serve hot chocolate. They served a hot cup of milk and then a packet of hot chocolate mix found in the supermarket .. I thought that was odd .. and I started missing my Starbucks hot chocolate) and then went to the tourist office when it opened. There we received some information on hostels in the area (because we were “real travelers” and didn’t reserve rooms .. we figured we’d find something .. which we did), and we found City Hostel off of Rue Lausanne. The prices for 2 nights were 56 francs which breaks down to 38.40 euros .. (the exchange rate was 1 euro to 1.43 francs). It was a great deal. <BR><BR>So while we were in Geneva, we walked EVERYWHERE looking for a discoth&eacute;que, but we never found one. And we also visited several museums: the International Red Cross (the free exhibit was photographs of the German camps during and after the war), the Mus&eacute;e Rath (which had a display on Japanese theatrical costumes), the Ariana (a museum of pottery and glass dating back to the 16th centuries), and the Saint-Pierre Cathedral (where John Calvin preached) and the archaeological sites underneath. Along with the museums, we visited a huge park across from the Mus&eacute;e Rath where Brook and I played a game of chess on one of the numerous giant chessboards.<BR><BR>... Part Two Next

Genesea

Part Two:<BR><BR>I really enjoyed watching all the people that were milling about the city. There were tons of people at the park on Sunday playing chess, checkers, or just walking around. And in the afternoon there were so many people walking along the water … people don’t just do that in the US. It’s really nice to see everyone out and about.<BR><BR>In Geneva there were beaucoup de tourists … so many Americans and English-speaking visiters. We were kinda disappointed that there were so many Americans, but it was also quite surprising to see. We hadn’t expected so many Americans. <BR><BR>At our hostel there was a variety of ages : young and old. It was nice to see the adults mixing with the young travlers .. and even their were a few husbands and wives that showed up. <BR><BR>Okay .. to the good part: about the Italians. =) Well, this is how it all started ….<BR><BR>On Saturday it was raining, and we had walked everywhere that day visiting the Red Cross Museum, trying to get into the United Nations (the signs said open every day – but they were closed; go figure!), so we were ready to return to the hostel and chill and cook dinner. So here we are cooking dinner (well, I was cooking dinner and everyone else was helping), and there is this Italian guy that walks to the kitchen door (which is at the end of the hall) and starts looking at us. So we say “bonjour” and then he leaves without saying anything. Then another Italian guy comes down to the kitchen and starts looking at us and then looking in one of our rooms which was directly across from the kitchen. We’re all thinking “okkkayy … what was that about?” but we continue cooking and doin’ our own thing. So then I leave the kitchen to change out of my wet clothes, and my room is down the hall. And there are all the Italian guys (about 4) talking with 2 other girls in the hall. I have to walk right through the middle, so I say “Excuse-moi,” and I notice that there is one guy who kinda starts following me down the hall and he’s speaking in Italian. Then I hear one of the girls say “you have to use English!” So then I go to my room and change, and I have to pass them again on my way back, and I just kinda brush the guys off. So a few hours pass and after we’re done eating, we have a ton of leftovers. So we decided we’d offer the food to the Italians (who were still down the hall making a bunch of noise with the girls) ...<BR><BR>Part Three Next! =)

Genesea

Part Three ...<BR><BR>So Kat goes down the hall to see if the Italian guys want the rest of our uncooked chicken, pasta, and salad, and she’s gone for a while, so the rest of us go down there to check it out. Well, as soon as I am introduced, the dude who was talking to me in Italian just rapidly offers his hand for a shake, and he has this look of “Yeah!! I have finally met this chick!” He looked totally happy to meet me. Then we meet the girls (ages 15 and 19) from England, and we’re talking to the girls – because the guys don’t know English or French, and we don’t know Italian. So after awhile, we offer the food the guys, and we all go back to the kitchen. Well, the dude (I think his name was Nello) is just totally looking at me, and then he tells me (via hand gestures) that he likes my eyes … and then, thankfully, a girlfriend of one Italian walks. She was the translator, I guess, because she knew English … and Nello was very insistent for me to know that they had to go to a party that evening, but he wanted to hang out when they got back. So we all agreed that they would knock on our doors when they returned. Well .. this is the part where the story becomes sad. =) I never woke up to hear any knocks .. I think I heard a knock, and the other girls did too, but they didn’t get up. And since we had to check out that day, we didn’t get to see the Italians after that. But we did see Melanie and Danni from England, and I was told that as soon as Nello saw me the night before, he ran into his room to gel his hair again (it was pretty long hair – and quite gelled already!) … ahhh … how nice it is to be hit on by Europeans (this doesn’t happen often for me in the US – I don’t think the guys are brave enough.). But as a parting note to the Italians, I had Melanie give the guys, when she saw them, a left over bag of pasta from the previous evening. Oh well .. I guess I wasn’t supposed to socialize with the attractive Italian … I know a lot of people say that Italians are just womanizers – and maybe they are – but these guys were really nice and polite. And what is better is that “Nello” was all into impressing me, and I didn’t have to do anything! I was dressed totally casual, and my clothes didn’t even match!<BR><BR>And even though I gave my email address, I haven't heard from them at all ... which isn't a big surprise especially since neither of us speak the same language! =)

travelin'

Glad to see an addition to the thread. Have gotten a big kick out of the escapades of a student abroad...reliving my youth!!

Rachele

You go girl -- keep having an amazing time and relish in the attention of Italian men -- they are the best at making you feel great about being a woman. Especially when you are not wearing makeup or matching clothes. You are bringing back memories of my trip backpacking around Europe in the summer of 1985 after I graduated college, and I really enjoy reading your thoughts. You'll look back on your experiences so fondly as you &quot;mature&quot; (get older!). I got married a year ago and my husband and I went to Europe together on our honeymoon. We took in a few places I haven't been since the big 80s -- it was a lot of fun!!!

Julie

Genesea - Don't listen to these people who reply negatively. i really enjoy your emails, and they also remind me of studying abroad 8 years ago while in college. Many Italian men are forward, especially when compared to many American men. I say you should revel in a little flattery/ego boosting! Keep up the letters despite some negativity by some. thanks, Julie

mimi taylor

Genessea, I'm realy enjoying your experiences, happy Thanksgiving to you.

xxxx

Just as an aside (&amp; not that it matters) Billabong is an australian brand of clothing not american

Genesea

Thanks for the supportive replies -- I didn't think I sounded narcissistic either .. believe me, it's a new experience to have guys hitting on me, and A LOT of it is because I'm American and Californian ... like my French brother explained, Californians are seen as &quot;WOW!&quot; ... they see Americans/Californias like we Americans see movie stars (or whatever gives you the &quot;WOW!&quot; feeling). And seriously, I can't tell you how often when Europeans find out my friends and I are Americans, the FIRST QUESTION they ask are &quot;Are you Californian?&quot; And I hang out with students from Ohio, and they're like &quot;Umm ... No ... but she is!!&quot; (pointing to me). The students from other states do feel a little dejected when people are freaking out about me being from California because it seems like that is the only state they care about (or know) .. and most people don't even know where Ohio is. Another example: I had one French lady listening in on a conversation I was having because (as she later told us) she loved my accent. It was so EMBARRESSING because she wouldn't stop talking about my accent, and how I have a TV voice, etc .. but then, last night when I was at the doctor, a man asked me if I was French, and I said &quot;No, I'm American.&quot; And the only thing he said was &quot;Ahh .. George Bush.&quot; (Umm, no I'm not George Bush -- the last time I checked!) <BR><BR>So, oddly enough, Americans are seen as celebrities .. and it's really weird, but it's the truth.<BR><BR>On the Billabong note: thanks for the heads-up ... I obviously had no idea.<BR><BR>I hope all you people have a great Thanksgiving .. I'm not really doing anything .. I would cook for my family but I have some kind of cold-flu, so I'm not feeling up to it .. but it is kinda sad that I'm missing out on the family/tradition time. <BR><BR>I used to think that I could handle living in Europe away from my family and friends ... but now I'm not so sure. I'd hate to have to choose between another country and everyone I love in California .. sure, I guess I could find a new family, but it's not the same .. I used to think I'd want to marry a European (I guess it's romantic), but I'm not sure I could leave everyone in California ...

x

Genesea, thanks so much, and I hope you have a fabulous Thanksgiving as well. Take care, and I look forward to hearing more of your adventures and observations after the holiday.

SA

Once again it is very nice to see your perspective on things. Keep up the good work. Anymore thoughts on that journalism career? Happy Holidays. Ciao, SA

Diedre

Genesea,<BR><BR>I agree with others on this post --- don't take the negative comments to heart.<BR><BR>You're refreshing!<BR><BR>Your observations and comments continue to be welcome.

xxx

<BR><BR>I've been all around this great big world <BR>And I've seen all kinds of girls <BR>Yeah, but I couldn't wait to get back in the states <BR>Back to the cutest girls in the world <BR><BR>I wish they all could be California <BR>I wish they all could be California <BR>I wish they all could be California girls <BR> <BR>-- Brian Wilson<BR><BR

Ginette

Genesea:Keep it up...your messages bring back such good memories. These past two years in September, my husband and I rented a `gite` in Bielle,a small village south of Pau, in the Hautes Pyr&eacute;n&eacute;es. We went hiking up there near the Spanish border, but often went to Pau for visits. Pau is truly a charming `ville anglaise`(a bar is named O'Gascon). The view of the Pyr&eacute;n&eacute;es on the boulevard des Pyr&eacute;n&eacute;es is absolutely stunning and the Jurancon wine is great! Enjoy you stay in Pau and thanks for the postings.<BR>Ginette

Genesea

It's interesting how my looks have become part of the discussion ... I'm more than happy to have you readers decide for yourselves: check out my Pau-Travels website (the link I'm providing takes you directly to pictures of me) at www.geocities.com/truckzter/moreme.html<BR><BR>Just so you know, before people start calling me self-absorbed again, or something, this site was created for family and friends who would appreciate and understand the comments and what I've created in the site. I also have an online journal you are more than welcome to read. Many events that I have mentioned here are mentioned in greater detail in the journal.<BR><BR>Anyways, I think I ALSO need to clear up the fact that I am not looking for a guy who is 20 because ... I'm 23. So I'm looking for a 24+ year old .. and just because I don't roam in the circles where there would be a lot of guys hitting on me (like parties) doesn't mean I'm ugly ... and no, I don't cry over the fact that guys *every-single-day* aren't hitting on me .. yes, it does happen that guys hit on me, but it's more frequent over here. Essentially my point was that it's nice to meet some guys who are BRAVE enough to approach a foreigner .. who happened to be looking quite disheveled at the moment. I just respect that .. <BR><BR>.. though I'm slightly insulted at Mike's post: &quot;I have a 20 year old sister who sounds just like her (i.e. me, me, me, everyone else is so &quot;dejected&quot; because I'm getting all the attention (you wish), blah, blah, blah.)&quot; I guess you really misread my posts because that's not at all what I'm saying. I said that it was &quot;weird&quot; to get the attention. That means that I don't *expect* the attention and that it is *embarrassing* like I also mentioned .. but, heck, if you want to think that it's all about &quot;me, me, me,&quot; you're free to do so.<BR><BR>Much thanks to Brian Wilson's posted song ... =)<BR><BR>And, SA, I'd still love to be a journalist ... we'll see what happens when I return to the states! =)<BR><BR>Well, it's quite late over here in France, so I'm off ... I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving; I ate with my New Zealand friend, Emily, at a Moroccan restaurant ... Moroccan food is wonderful!<BR><BR>One thing I appreciate about the French people (or at least in the circles I'm in) is that they totally could care less when I screw up their language. It's so nice that their face doesn't get screwed out of proportion every time I &quot;fais des faultes&quot; .. their patience has really helped me overcome my fears of sounding like an idoit. And maybe a lot of the time I sound like an idoit, but they are so gracious to compliment my french and want to continue talking to me ... it really does wonders on the self-esteem.