Principled Man Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 Way back in 1998.....a lifetime ago.....I took a deep breath and signed up for a semester of study, travel, and exploration in Caen, France, in Lower Normandy. I was 36 years old, and had never been anywhere outside of Kentucky, Ohio, and Wisconsin. It was the greatest experience of my life...... Le Cathedral de Notre Dame, Paris. http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab88/unclemonteee/La%20France/Cathedral_zpsfa12fc60.jpg http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab88/unclemonteee/La%20France/CathedralII_zps192bafb5.jpg More to come!! :) :) 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Principled Man Posted January 29, 2014 Author Share Posted January 29, 2014 (edited) L'Arc de Triomphe http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab88/unclemonteee/La%20France/ArcdeTriomph_zpse8a6c338.jpg Awesome high-belief scultures on the walls of the Arc.... http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab88/unclemonteee/La%20France/bas-relief_zpsf7739b12.jpg?t=1390907882 La Basilique de Sacre Coeur http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab88/unclemonteee/La%20France/Basilique_zps46cafa19.jpg Le Parc de Luxenbourg http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab88/unclemonteee/La%20France/Luxembourg_zpsd2b47b2e.jpg Edited January 29, 2014 by Principled Man 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Analog Grownup Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 Wonderful pictures How was your experience being in Europe, let alone being outside of the states age 36? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Principled Man Posted January 29, 2014 Author Share Posted January 29, 2014 (edited) Wonderful pictures How was your experience being in Europe, let alone being outside of the states age 36? It was life-changing...... :haz: I lived with a French host-family (non-English speaking), took a full load of courses at l'Universite de Caen, traveled thru much of France as well as Germany and Switzerland.....and I gained 20 pounds from the food and drink..... Not one bad experience with the French people, but then, I could speak French well enough that I could communicate effectively. Speaking the language makes a BIG difference..... And it really opened my eyes regarding the world, its greatness......and its problems. I wish that I could live it all again.... :haz: Edited January 29, 2014 by Principled Man 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Analog Grownup Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 I think it's inspiring that you did that at age 36. Too many people seem to be in a hurry about traveling around the world as soon as they turn 19-20, but you can do it just as well when 30-40 or even older. I have been to France around 10 times total, and I have only had great experiences with the french. Well, except one time my dad got pulled over by the gendarmerie and got yelled at. We never found out why, but we suspected it had something to do with our foreign numberplate. They're really not that arrogant as people think, and if you just show a minimal effort at saying something in their language they lighten up. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goose Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 I think it's inspiring that you did that at age 36. Too many people seem to be in a hurry about traveling around the world as soon as they turn 19-20, but you can do it just as well when 30-40 or even older. I have been to France around 10 times total, and I have only had great experiences with the french. Well, except one time my dad got pulled over by the gendarmerie and got yelled at. We never found out why, but we suspected it had something to do with our foreign numberplate. They're really not that arrogant as people think, and if you just show a minimal effort at saying something in their language they lighten up.I've found them to be quite friendly as well...in fact, I'd say they are a lot like people, Nothing quite like traveling the world, and staying for an extended period of time. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Analog Grownup Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 It reminds me that when you strip away different cultures and skin color, we still have the universal things like a smile. :) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Analog Grownup Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 I think it's inspiring that you did that at age 36. Too many people seem to be in a hurry about traveling around the world as soon as they turn 19-20, but you can do it just as well when 30-40 or even older. I have been to France around 10 times total, and I have only had great experiences with the french. Well, except one time my dad got pulled over by the gendarmerie and got yelled at. We never found out why, but we suspected it had something to do with our foreign numberplate. They're really not that arrogant as people think, and if you just show a minimal effort at saying something in their language they lighten up.I've found them to be quite friendly as well...in fact, I'd say they are a lot like people, Nothing quite like traveling the world, and staying for an extended period of time. So many great places to see and so many beautiful people to meet This year will be a decrease-your-big-ass-debt and get a job, so hopefully next year I'll have enough for a plane ticket to USA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Principled Man Posted January 30, 2014 Author Share Posted January 30, 2014 It reminds me that when you strip away different cultures and skin color, we still have the universal things like a smile. :) One of the funniest things about my semester in Caen was that my Host Parents were eerily similar to my own parents. A retired couple, whose children had moved out years ago. "Dad" was distant, old-fashioned, and expected his wife to be dutiful. "Mom" was very friendly, more modern, doting, and a little too overly-mothering.....like wanting to do my laundry for me..... :eyeroll: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Analog Grownup Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 It reminds me that when you strip away different cultures and skin color, we still have the universal things like a smile. :) One of the funniest things about my semester in Caen was that my Host Parents were eerily similar to my own parents. A retired couple, whose children had moved out years ago. "Dad" was distant, old-fashioned, and expected his wife to be dutiful. "Mom" was very friendly, more modern, doting, and a little too overly-mothering.....like wanting to do my laundry for me..... :eyeroll: People aren't so different after all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finding IT Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Very jealous. I have travelled a good but internationally on business but never as a student. Definitely one of my life's regrets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Principled Man Posted June 20, 2015 Author Share Posted June 20, 2015 OK, I found my way back to my photo album, I dusted it off, and I found more goodies to share....!! Here is St. Stephen's church, in the city of Caen, where I went to university. Commissioned by William the Conquerer, it was originally the Men's Abbey. William wanted to marry his 1st cousin, Mathilde, so he built a men's and women's abbey in Caen to suck up to the Pope....... :o http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab88/unclemonteee/La%20France/2%20-%20Caen%202%20-%20Abbaye%20aux%20Hommes_zpshrmrl8yc.jpg St. Peter's Church, in downtown Caen. Classic Gothic architecture, with gargoyles, too!! http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab88/unclemonteee/La%20France/3%20-%20Caen%203%20-%20Eglise%20de%20Saint%20Pierre_zpshrx8ezlm.jpg Dramatically Gothic style in the Cathedral of Notre Dame, in the city of Bayeux http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab88/unclemonteee/La%20France/Bayeux%202%20Cathedral_zpsga4iapcv.jpg 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Principled Man Posted June 20, 2015 Author Share Posted June 20, 2015 Some of my best shots came from an easy target - Monet's Gardens in Giverny http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab88/unclemonteee/La%20France/Giverny%201_zpsmolwqgsd.jpg http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab88/unclemonteee/La%20France/Giverny%202_zpsusyxlyhb.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tombstone Mountain Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 I too have this experience. Different places, same feelings. Keep it coming young man! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Principled Man Posted June 20, 2015 Author Share Posted June 20, 2015 (edited) Off in the distance, we have the island monastery of Mont Saint-Michel, one of the more famous landmarks in Normandy and all of France. Its beginnings were in the 8th century, and it has served as a monastery, a fortress, a prison....whatever the rulers at the time deemed fit! It even served as Peter Jackson's inspiration for Minas Tirith in The Return of The King. Don't walk out there during low tide! You won't come back. Quicksand is everywhere..... :o :o http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab88/unclemonteee/La%20France/Mont%20Saint%20Michel_zpsljxk9fm6.jpg Down south, in the region of Provence, le Pont du Gard is a magnificent Roman aqueduct. People used to be allowed to walk on the very top, but not anymore....for obvious reasons. http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab88/unclemonteee/La%20France/Nimes%201%20-%20Pont%20du%20Gard_zpsmwxzgy6l.jpg The Romans loved to build their gardens and plazas, like this one dedicated to the goddess Diana. http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab88/unclemonteee/La%20France/Nimes%202%20-%20Jardin%20de%20Diana_zpsknko1c1w.jpg Edited June 20, 2015 by Principled Man Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Principled Man Posted June 20, 2015 Author Share Posted June 20, 2015 My first weekend in France, I went to Paris, and I headed straight for Eiffel. Standing before it, up close and personal, I got really emotional. The reality of this 36-year old man, who had never been anywhere, actually being in France hit me like a ton of bricks...... http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab88/unclemonteee/La%20France/Paris%201%20-%20Tour%20Eiffel_zpsey4wtpuv.jpg Luxembourg Park, near the Senate building. One of the more beautiful places in the city of Paris. Playgrounds for the kids, lots of space for us adults..... http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab88/unclemonteee/La%20France/Paris%203%20-%20Luxembourg_zpstrytotg1.jpg Over 3,000 years old, L'Obelisque de Luxour was a gift from Egypt to King Louis Philippe in the 1830's. http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab88/unclemonteee/La%20France/Paris%205%20-%20Obelisk_zps7olifroq.jpg And I just HAD to go see Jim, ya know..... :ebert: :ebert: http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab88/unclemonteee/La%20France/Paris%207%20-%20Mojo%20Rison_zpsjzjkdoeq.jpg 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Principled Man Posted June 20, 2015 Author Share Posted June 20, 2015 Strausberg, on the French-German border, was stunningly beautiful http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab88/unclemonteee/La%20France/Strausberg%20I_zpsbcuwxnat.jpg But nothing took my breath away more than ascending the Swiss Alps..... http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab88/unclemonteee/La%20France/Swiss%20Alps%201_zpsj7ypqote.jpg How is the air up here? It's THIN......VERY THIN........!!! http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab88/unclemonteee/La%20France/Swiss%20Alps%202_zpsabrmzglz.jpg 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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