Organic Farming in the South of France

     Because we are students, aka we are poor, we wanted to do something in Europe that would be enlightening and cheap. So naturally we decided to work on an organic farm where they feed and house you for free in return for 5 hours of hard labor through a program called WOOFing. We stayed with a man and a wife who own a small organic farm in the south of France between Toulon and Hyeres. We were given a small cabin away from the main house with beds that were probably definitely better suited for the dumpster.
      We picked weeds throughout their many fields of sweet potatoes, watermelon, basil, beef steak tomatoes, onions, etc until our backs and legs were too sore to move anymore. Then we picked fruit and assorted vegetables for a special order from an organic market in a town nearby. We also made confiture (jam) from the hand picked plums in their yard.
      Everyday after work we would go to the beach on the Mediterranean that was only a 15 minute walk away from the house. Sitting amongst topless locals and enjoying Magnum ice cream treats, we definitely knew that we made the right choice for our week of 'cheap' enjoyment.

Dear Paris,

Dear Paris,

     I don't know how to tell you this, but I think that it's time that we part ways. But don't think of this as a permanent goodbye, just a simple separation. We've had a really good run and I want you to know that I'll always remember the time we shared and all the wonderful memories we created together. You've been too good to me and I want you to know that it's not you, it's me. I'm young and don't think I can be exclusive with you right now. I mean I have the rest of Europe to see and I'm running out of time. I hope you can understand where I'm coming from. I know this is kind of bad timing, especially because you are supposed to meet my family in a few weeks. Can we keep it cordial for them though? I hope you know that I'll always love you, and hey, maybe we can get back together sometime.

Yours Truly,
Ali

"Art"

     Pretty much everyone that I knew from Paris is gone now, so I've had a lot of 'me' time these past few days. Most of this time is consumed by long walks on the beach strolls around the city, reading, and museums. I went to the Orsay and Pompidou museums and have had my understanding of art completely revamped. I loved the Orsay museum, but cannot say the same about the Pompidou. While many can appreciate the modern art of the Pompidou, I just feel dumb being there. Maybe it's just me, but I can't understand how someone can conclude meaning from a urinal with a signature on it. I walked the halls for nearly three hours and still couldn't find a piece that really moved me. In fact, the only piece I really liked was one that was a brand new shade of blue that glowed in normal light. Above are some pictures of the 'art' in the Pompidou Center (I would have put some from the Orsay, but you are not allowed to take pictures there).

Praha, Little Germany?

The most amazing Astronomical Clock....

The Lennon Wall

    Last weekend we were able to go to Prague for an amazing two, but much too short days. We took a three hour free tour of the city and found out that although the Nazis occupied Prague, they left the city mainly intact because it reminded Hitler of Germany. Because of this, there were a ton of old fascinating buildings throughout the city center, including the much over hyped Astronomical Clock in one of the main squares. 

    While most of our trip consisted of site seeing, we did come away with one "crazy" story from it. The first night at our hostel we met two guys from the states who we thought we decently cool/normal. The next night they went on a bar crawl and came back pretty intoxicated. Meghan, my roommate, woke up to one them inched up to the side of the top bunk and peeing off the side, right next to where my face was and everyones' phone and computer chargers. She started yelling at him and woke up everyone in the room, and then they all started freaking out too. I was lucky to not get peed on, but everyone else didn't fare as well. In the end, we didn't leave with those boys' information to contact them again.