Jes’ Weblog

As I’m sure I mentioned somewhere, in Montpellier, there are les Estivals every friday night, with a regional wine tasting (3 Euros = 3 glasses). And this was a general time of merriment for all.

Further, as my ability to generally converse in Japanese allowed me to make friends with those Japanese in Montpellier, I have been able to practice some Japanese traditions here! Namely, to wear the Yukata to a summer festival. Twice.

The Yukata are summer kimono. They are much lighter and consist of much less fabric. In Japan, they are commonly worn by girls and boys to festivals and, especially, fireworks. In the spring, they are quite readily available at affordable prices. (I have a preference for UNIQLO, where not only are they acceptable priced, but they typically have a fabulous selection.) You can see them in all fashions and patterns, old and new. I have a preference for the older designs personally, but the newer ones catch my fancy as well.

Principally, Saki and I found the temptation of wearing our Yukata (I had one of my own with me from Japan, and she had two) to fun to resist. And why should we have? It hurt no one and gave us quite a good time! We even ended up tempting others to go with the next weekend.

There were a number of reasons for this to be enjoyed. First, it inspired interest in Japanese culture between some of friends, as well as strangers. I really enjoyed this because it almost felt like we were famous. Quite often we’d be talking to some people, and someone would take a picture from afar, or even ask to take pictures with us. There were also many times where, in passing, people would say something they’ve picked up from asian culture; about half got it right that we were doing something Japanese.

It was also just really good fun to enjoy a time out being special within our own group. It was a nice bonding experience with those people we went out with, even if they weren’t dressed in Yukata themselves.

Some notes for meeting with Japanese:

Greetings:

おはよう – Ohayou [Pronounced "Ohio" like the state]
こんにちは – Konichiha [Pronounced "ko-nee-chee-wa"]
こんばんは – konbanha [Pronounced "kon-ban-wa"]

Bowing:

Japanese bow with both hands at their sides.
Or, for girls, with their hands folded in front of their legs.

Other useful phrases:

ありがとう – Arigatou <thank you> [pronounced "a-ree-ga-toe"]
すみません – Sumimasen <excuse me> [pronounced "sue-me-ma-sen"]
頑張って! – Ganbatte <good luck> [pronounced "gan-ba-t-A"]
かわいい！* – Kawaii <cute!> [pronounced "ka-why-eeee]
私は＿＿＿ – Watashi ha ___ <I am ___> [pronounced "wa-ta-she wa"]

Billy came to visit me in France for a week, just after his final exams. We met up in Paris on Monday (the 21st of July) and toured around the city a little bit. He really enjoyed the Eiffel Tower, but as I was terrified to go up to more than the first level, we left it at that.

That afternoon, we went to Montpellier (which is a four hour train ride away), and arrive just before midnight. We were both exhausted, and slept most of the way here.

The next day, and several other days, we went to the beach. The first we went to together was the more touristy. There are actually about 4 beaches you can easily reach from Montpellier, but I prefer the one that you need to take a bus (32) and then a bicycle to reach. On one particularly windy day, we went there.

Billy’s visit also coincided with one of my friend’s last weeks, so we had a couple adventures with her. Particularly, we made curry one afternoon. This was really good, and the girls all found my brother cute. I think he found them cute as well. (^_~)

We also went shopping. This was interesting. Billy amazingly found a pair of pants in the first store we looked. I found a jacked I really like, and am debating with myself on buying it or not. At the mall, Billy also found a shirt that looks really good on him.

And then, time was up, and it was back to America for him. I accompanied him back to Paris, and we slept in the airport. That was an interesting experience if ever.

When Mom and I were in Paris, we checked out the car show-rooms, one of which was Renault. I saw/ sat in the CLIO, and really liked it!

Sitting in this car felt really great. And, if I don’t find something I like more, I’ll probably buy this car as the first new one I’ve ever owned.

Here’s the Overview, curtosy of the Renault Team.

Following in the footsteps of the much-admired Clio Renaultsport 172 Cup and 182 Cup, the Clio Renaultsport 197 Cup has arrived.

The key feature of the Cup 197 in terms of its performance is its offering of the same chassis set-up as the limited edition 197 F1 Team R27. With its lowered ride height of 7mm and stiffer springs and dampers (27% at the front and 30% at the rear), the Cup ensures pinpoint handling on the road and for drivers wishing to use the car on track. Electronic Stability Programme comes as standard, but can be disconnected by the driver to enhance the thrill of driving this stunning Renaultsport car.

The Renaultsport 197 Cup gearbox now features a taller 5th and 6th gear ratios, raised from 16.1mph/1000rpm to 17.1 in 5th and from 18.9mph/1000rpm to 20.5 in 6th. This new specification will also be fitted as standard to the Clio Renaultsport 197.

Colour wise, the 197 Cup answers UK customer demands for white to be available as an option for the first time. Racing Blue will be the standard colour of Clio 197 Cup, while the car sits on 17” anthracite wheels. Nimbus is an optional metallic colour, with the new optional matt black 17” Speedline alloys sure to strike a distinctive pose with the new option of Renault i.d. Glacier White.

To reduce the car’s weight and improve performance, Renault Hands Free Keycard and electric door mirrors have been removed whilst air conditioning is moved to the options list. Other interior features such as the soft touch dashboard and padded door panels, standard on Clio Renaultsport 197, have been removed to ensure a competitive price for the 2.0-litre hot hatch.

As ever, safety is at the forefront of Renault’s design with driver and passengers, front lateral and anti-submarining airbags as standard.

Options are limited and include curtain airbags, air conditioning, the new matt black wheels and of course, the highly acclaimed lightweight Renaultsport Recaro seats.

What is essentially the French Independence Day. It’s known as Bastille day because on the day in 1789, the Bastille was stormed. The Bastille was a prison of the time. (It’s much written about in the Three Musketeers, which I found much more thrilling than I expected.)

Essentially, this day symbolizes the end of the King’s power, and the allocation of that power to the people. In French, it is officially called Fête Nationale <national celebration>, and casually, quatorze juillet <14th July>.

This year, the 14th of July was on a Monday. And, therefore, the parade in Montpellier was held on Sunday evening. This was really a new experience for me. There was a military marching band, and a group of fire baton twirling girls, the leader of which was a women who had to be in her early 70s!

After the parade past the spectators, everyone walked past them on the sidewalks and stopped again! It was really a fun way to have a parade.

On the actual 14th of July, there was a fireworks show, that was really really good. They kept up a constant flow of fireworks, and several times I thought we had reached the finale when it was only the middle. This went on for half an hour, with an ending that had so many fireworks, it was hard to see them all.

After, we walked back to the tram station, and went home. It was about midnight.

On Sunday, the 13^th of July, the school went to Avignon. I enjoyed visiting here as well, because it’s still an enclosed city. I really thought this was cool, and I wonder why more haven’t survived.

The first thing you can see upon arrival is the12th century Pont <bridge> Saint Benezet. This bridge is really pretty great, because it’s built across a point where the river merges, and essentially controlled all trade in the area. There’s an island in the center, but until modern technologies allowed for a damn to be built, it was uninhabitable due to constant flooding of the river.

This bridge also led directly in front of the Cathedral de Notre Dame des Doms, which is one of the oldest churches in France. This meant that all patrons of the bridge not only had to pay a tax, but walk by the church as well. It is said that the bridge was built here partially so that the church would protect it from the many floods. Sadly, this bridge was largely destroyed by the floods of 1668. One of the remaining tiers bears the tiny Chapel Saint Nicolas.

There is a famous song about this bridge, taught in French elementary schools:

Sur le Pont d’Avignon,
l’on y danse,
l’on y danse.

Sur le Pont d’Avignon,
l’on y danse tout en rond.

Avignon is dominated primarily by the Palais des Papes <Palace of the Popes>. In the late 12^th/ early 13^th centuries, Philippe IV of France was excommunicated by the then current Pope. He wasn’t so thrilled by this, and made penance by travelling to Rome. He also built Avignon as a present to the church.The building was originally the summer house for the pope, but confronted with the factional strife in Rome, and Philippe IVs offerings, Pope Clement V moved the papal court to Avignon in 1309. The architecture is rather militaristic in general, but the design was a vital part of its survival.

Seven official Popes reigned in Avignon until 1376, despite Urban V attempting the move in 1367. There were two Anti-Popes after the move, and, finally, Anti-Pope Benedict XIII was forced to flee in 1403. Few of the popes or Anti-popes here were known for their sanctity. Clement V was prescribed powdered emeralds as a cure for indigestion, and consequently died. According to Clement VI, the best way to honor God is through luxury.

Today the Palais des Papes is empty of the original luxurious trappings from 14^th century court life, but it does serve as something of a museum. You can see some of the remaining sculptures and paintings built into the architecture. And the building itself is a wonder to visit. If you climb to the top, you can see all the views around it.

The Cathedral de Notre Dame des Doms is magnificent. Looking up at it from its base is awing and nearly impossible at mid-day due to the sun. Before the main entrance is a giant cross. Once you enter, you are surrounded by art. Most of it is Italian art, due to the Pope having come from Rome. I really enjoy the effect of the light coming through minimal windows into the old stone churches.

That particular weekend was the first of the three-week theater festival in Avignon. According to a few of my friends, it is the biggest in Europe, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s the biggest all around, but I’m not sure about theater festivals. This is definitely a sight to see in the South of France. The streets are practically littered with fliers for daily shows. And the streets are crowded with performers either performing, or advertising their performances. I liked the actors with the masks, though the guys walking around in pink angel wings and diapers were also rather amusing. 笑

The second week I was here is one of the biggest weeks for my school. There is a program for the French equivalent of TOFEL, as well as the beginner class for summer. (Thanks to being misinformed by CSA, I was here a week early, but it all worked out.)

That Friday night, the 11^th, they sponsored a party at Point Zero. There was also a lecture, but it was over crowded, and in French that is still impossible for me to understand. I really had a good time. There was a three course meal, though the first was of Tuna, and I didn’t eat it. And they played a lot of music. Some of it was really old, and not the most popular, but I really liked it. I think it all had a good beat to dance too, and really fit the atmosphere pretty well.

It was also very multicultural as well, as the students here are from all over the world. The nationality I noticed missing the most was French. But, that makes sense as the only French people in contact with the school are the teachers and administrators. Anyway, here’re some pictures from the night.