Cramming. But not the type of cramming one would think of around finals time, rather the type that involves fitting in as many activities and trips into their final weeks abroad. Attempting to do all the things one said they would do throughout the semester in two weeks. In my defense, I visited most of the sites I hoped I would while abroad, however I've realized all the small things I wanted to do but never got around to because I was more focused on planning big trips to other countries.
In Reims, there is a cafe I bike past every day to get to class named Gust. The glass windows of the two-story cafe make it stand out amongst the Romanesque architectural buildings which surround it. From the first day, I laid eyes on it my first week of classes I've been intent on going in one day for a meal or coffee. However, life took over and I only realized in my last few weeks in Reims how I hadn't gotten the chance to pay a visit. Therefore, on the day my sister arrived in Reims I insisted we ate at Gust. The food was as good as most cafes, but the aesthetic of the inside made eating that much more enjoyable. The spiral staircase, random book shelves scattered about, and the massive glass window added to the experience. Next on my list of things to do is visit the Fossier biscuit factory, which holds tours 5 days a week. After talking to my host mother, who is the CEO of Fossier biscuits, about how I've been meaning to plan a visit. After hearing this she insisted on giving my friends and I a personalized tour of the factory. Our tour is scheduled for the 14th, and I am really looking forward to learning about how these biscuits, which are a staple to Reims, are made.
Two cities in France I hoped to visit during this semester, which I am now cramming into my last two weeks here are Chamonix and Strasbourg. Chamonix is famous for being home to Europe’s highest peak, Mont Blanc. Mont Blanc sits on the boarder of France, Italy and Switzerland and stands at a height of 4,810 meters. In a spontaneous last minute booking I organized a weekend trip to Chamonix with my sister this past weekend. We were lucky to have good weather on our first day, for we could see picturesque views of the French alps, and Mont Blanc's peak. However, in the following days it snowed all day, and our trip up the mountain on the gondola was met by blistering cold winds and snow up to my knees. Nevertheless, the trip was unforgettable, for everyone me met was extremely friendly, especially when they could hear that we were foreigners.
My upcoming trip to Strasbourg on the 16th is just for a day trip to see the city and the Christmas markets, which are the biggest ones in France. Christmas markets are a German tradition; therefore, it is no surprise that Strasbourg hosts the biggest ones in France as the city lies right on the French German border. While cramming my last-minute travel plans into my final weeks in France seems to be going smoothly, I can only hope the same happens for my final exams which are due to begin next week.
