Le Cirque Pinder

This past Sunday, for the price of only 1 euro, I attempted to live out all my 1920s-esque fantasies of going to a real circus with real striped tents and circus folk running around juggling real fire. Unfortunately for me, I was way too cheap to attend the actual circus and thus my euro only allowed entrance to the menagerie. I read Water for Elephants and I must say, even at its darkest points, the circus in the book sounded like a magical event. So this was not quite what I expected.

Note: The entrance to the zoo is where that sad little van off to the right is

 The menagerie itself was nothing to write home about. For the weeks before as the circus had been setting up, I would walk by and see camels, llamas, horses- even a tiger. I got excited, imagining that there must be much more, that they wouldn't allow common folk like me to see everything without paying.
There wasn't much more.
There were some lions.
And I'm sure that if I had craned my neck over the hastily put up fencing I could have see them as well.

By far the most interesting part of the circus were the rows upon rows of trailers housing the performers. Very reminiscent of a gypsy encampment, clothing lines strung themselves out between the white RVs, while extension cords wrapped every which way.
What was strange (though nice, in my opinion) was there was no barrier to separate the living quarters from the 'zoo' area. One could walk wherever he or she pleased.

 And as I was there during the mid-afternoon, and peak hours didn't start until night fall, I was lucky enough to witness the circus people going about their daily business.

 Though I wouldn't necessarily want to go back, I don't regret spending my little euro. It was more interesting than anything else.

A little field trip

Through the Education Abroad Program (EAP to those who already know and loathe it) my fellow UC students and I were recently taken on a field trip out to the beautiful Bassin d'Arcachon. The journey started in a sleepy fishing village where the tide had gone so far out the boats were floating on nothing but sand (my first thought was tidal wave, but it turned out to be normal).

 And after a tour of a small oyster museum, we were then given the opportunity to watch the tide roll in as we sipped white wine and tasted the famed shellfish. 

 

The French refer to such tastings as a dégustation, and from a personal standpoint I found it a very fitting title. Maybe it was knowing my little oyster was alive while I chewed on its rubbery skin, or maybe it was just that I don't enjoy eating sea water: no matter the reason I would not call myself an oyster fan. I tried two- just to be sure- but sadly I'm just not a shellfish girl.


 The next stop on our trip took us to the largest sand dune in all of Europe, Dune du Pyla.  

                                        It was really big


After some much needed playtime (which really just meant building a human pyramid, among other circus tricks), we move on to our final destination. Swimming at the beach! The water was warm enough to splash around in without a wetsuit- which was definitely not something I've experienced in a long time- and the beach itself was just beautiful. I would say all in all a job well done by EAP. Finally.

  

The French do it right

I am having a love affair with food, and the farmer's markets here are just feeding my obsession. There is something about the fresh air mixed with the vendors yelling about their great deals that just brings a smile to my face.

 The Capucins Market is fantastic to walk through. A covered market, it has natural light coming in from all sides while still protecting shoppers from the elements (great especially on rainy days). With a surplus of beautiful cuts of meat and piles and piles of oysters and mussels, it's quite a blast to explore. Not only that, but it's right next to the farmer's market at Saint-Michel. Endless amounts of food.

I think though, that my all time favorite place to buy fresh produce would be Sunday mornings at the Quai des Chartrons. The market is the perfect size- just enough stalls to allow for options, but not too many to feel overwhelming.

The best part is the feeling of familiarity between the vendor and the customer. I would keep going back just to get to know the people there (though the food is definitely a plus).

Bordeaux Adventure Time

 After two weeks abroad I've finally set aside time to make my first blog post. It's been a very drawn out process, involving lots of staring at the computer screen while wishing I were more creative and pretending I'm just too cool to try yet. I feel like my young self years ago starting my first (and only) diary where I made cute but false promises to write in it every day, and then promptly forgot within the following 24 hours. I'm hoping this will be a different experience.



 Anywaysss, I'm in Bordeaux. It's true. Sister city to Los Angeles and the wine capital of France, it's
a city full of character and really cool cathedrals. And if the original 18th and 19th century buildings don't steal your heart at first glance, I'm sure the free newspapers and readily available public transit will quickly change your mind.
 I'll be kind and spare you all the excruciating details of the affordable farmer's markets filled with delicious fresh food- and the baguettes baked every day- and the chocolate-y delicious croissant treats- and the fruit tarts...

Everything about this place is just incredible. I've already had to kick myself multiple times for missing perfect 'french' photos because I forgot to bring a camera. That brings me to my new goal for life: a picture a day. I'm hoping to at least get one good shot out of every day here. I guess we'll just see how it goes.