ibiza weekend getaway

image.jpg

we started our trek to Paris Friday afternoon. with the recent Brussels attacks, security has heightened and we were anxiety filled about making our flight. we trained from angers to massy, a train station in Paris. we needed to get from massy to orly, an airport in Paris. there was a bus, but the public transportation is entirely unpredictable here (as is most travel in Europe) so we we're pretty worried about getting there in time. we chose to uber, and trusty Philippe got us to the airport with traffic in about 20 minutes. merci & bless you, Philippe. 

image.jpg

ripping into the airport (not sure what security would be like) we hustled through to our hall (or terminal as we'd call it in the states) and zipped through security, which was a real relief. holly was patted down, again, but my backpack made it through without being checked (unlike last time) so that was superb. we grabbed a sandwich, had time to use the bathroom (I couldn't figure out the dang hand dryer, and came out of the bathroom cracking up and immediately hol knew I had a story) and boarded our flight. for some reason everyone around holly and I both had a ton of people around us with seating problems. there was a couple with a baby split up next to me, and currently the baby is bawling (but fake crying. we all know what I'm talking about) and holly is next to a lady with a cat. A CAT ON A PLANE. leave those disgusting things at home lady. it popped out and she was talking to it and petting it and I about vommed. in case you weren't aware, I can't stand cats. I am a dog gal through and through.

image.jpg
image.jpg

Holly's Corner:

  • a into g. meaning: ass into gear
  • flannel. meaning: washcloth
  • avo. meaning: afternoon
  • maccas. meaning: McDonald's

we landed, went to the exit of the airport and there were no buses or taxis or anything in sight. the taxi line was a mile long, and I swear in the US there are millions of taxis looking for business and when their services are needed they're no where to be found. we saw a bus pull up after about 15 minutes, and a bunch of people dashed in that direction. so we did what any sensibly lost and poor college student would do - we ran too. we hopped on the bus with absolutely no idea where it was going and hoped for the best. we asked the bus driver after being on the road for a bit if the bus was going anywhere near (showed him our hostel address) and he replied with a "si" so we're like ok cool. well he blew past where we wanted to get off and didn't stop for another 10 minutes by bus, a solid 20 walking. thanks for leading us astray bus driver..

we made our way to the hostel, which had closed prior to our arrival and we notified them in advance and there was supposed to be a girl to let us in. surprise, there wasn't. they weren't answering phone calls or emails so we waited for about 45 minutes (hungry tired and it was already 1030pm) and so we surrendered. I found us a hotel to stay at nearby, for cheap, and it was the perfect location. we went to the hostel the next morning (hostal Ibiza in case you're thinking of traveling. don't stay here, just flip them the bird and keep walking by) and tried to get a refund since we didn't even STAY there because we had no way of GETTING IN. as you could guess, these two women were awful. I mean they accepted zero accountability for the situation and holly and I firmly stood our ground and the "pit bulls" as hol called them just wouldn't budge. in the end, we were charged that night and cancelled our booking for the rest of the weekend. we went back to the hotel we stayed at the night before, and our gal at the front desk was confused why we returned, we explained it to her, and when we got to our room we realized she upgraded us without an up charge. YAY for good people, right?

image.jpg

after we settled in again, we went out to shop a little bit. venturing around the little shops was really fun, the buildings were beautiful and the sun was shining. we had lunch by the water, and cheers-ed to a sunny day with warm weather and great company. we sat by the pool for a bit after we shopped, and then made our way to dinner (we we're starving) so we both had pasta. we hung out in the room for a bit, showered and got ready to venture out for the evening. hol did my makeup, so I felt like a total celeb. I skyped with Mom, Dad and Tessie as they were in Cleveland with the family for Easter. they asked what I was doing and I was laughing saying we had to kill some time because clubs don't open until after 11 or 12. we had a little Ibiza vodka, a little wine, and made our 25 minute walk to pacha, a big club near the port. I about died at the steep entrance fee, and I will NEVER complain about a cover charge at tim's again. the inside was super cool, insanely huge and decked out and people everywhere. my biggest complaint (anyone who knows me will be able to guess this): THE MUSIC. it was heinous! just like the same techno beat over and over again. you can't sing or dance to it at all and after a drink and some people watching hol and I called it quits. the music.. so disappointing. unfortunately hol wasn't feeling too hot, so we were up a bit hoping her stomach would settle. we eventually fell asleep, I awoke the next morning feeling okay not great, but poor hol was having a seriously lost day. she ended up sleepingmost of the afternoon, and I relaxed by the pool. when she woke up we went for a little dinner, and then giggled our way into bed reading tweets and funny articles.

image.jpg

Sunday we made our way to the beach, and it was so lovely. blue water & blue skies - I'm all about that. it would get overcast and breezy to the point of it being chilly (it was only about 65) but compared to angers it was summer hot. we were thoroughly entertained by all of the kiddos on the beach, free entertainment to say the least. we split a calzone at a table on the water and made our way back home just in time for the sun to permanently hide behind the clouds. we both had ourselves a bath, and tucked into bed for the long day of travel ahead.

image.jpg
image.jpg

travel day - our least favorite. found our way to the airport on the hottest and longest bus ride we've ever been on, cruised through security and sat around for our flight.  it was delayed (peachy) so then the anxiety kicked in about making our train because we have to get from orly airport to massy train station. had time to start tallying general expenses.. my bank account is currently weeping. plane ride was a mare. someone cut some serious fromage (who does that on a plane.. it's recycled air people, honestly) in response to the shifty smells, hol goes, "humans are filthy. I'm ashamed." and these two little Spanish girls were yelling and talking coughing and moving around kicking chairs behind hol and I. we were over the flight real quick if you can imagine. holly is sitting next to me and goes, "they said snakes on a plane was bad. how about tots? tots on a plane: a horror story." and you wonder why I want to be around her constantly - she's a crack up.plan ride was a mare. someone cut some serious fromage (who does that on a plane.. it's recycled air people, honestly) in response to the shifty smells, hol goes, "humans are filthy. I'm ashamed." and these two little Spanish girls were yelling and talking coughing and moving around kicking chairs behind hol and I. we were over the flight real quick if you can imagine. holly is sitting next to me and goes, "they said snakes on a plane was bad. how about tots? tots on a plane: a horror story." and you wonder why I want to be around her constantly - she's a crack up.

in total, we were at the airport for 2.5 hours, on the plane for 2, and on the train for another 2. joys of travel, eh? we utilized a plane, train, automobile and bus today - transpo gone mad. getaways are a blast but returning to home sweet angers is still my favorite part. until next time, Ibiza.

cheers, jkro

image.jpg
image.jpg
image.jpg
image.jpg
image.jpg

SPD bar crawl

image.jpg
image.jpg

as you (hopefully) well know, the dayton flyers are quite keen on the holiday of st. patrick. the flyers in angers were feeling a bit of fomo (afraid of missing out) not being in the 937 for this sacred holiday, so we decided to celebrate only the most american way possible - flip cup and a bar crawl. it was a blast! mom is the bomb and when she visited she brought tattoos & beads, so we we're all decked out. augustine, a french student who joined us even let me put a tattoo on his face (he picked it out) so we we're all definitely festive. the day was gorgeous and the squad made their way to a few irish pubs around town, cheers-ed to a holiday really only the american's celebrate and it was definitely a SPD for the books.

image.jpg
image.jpg
image.jpg

dayton is the place to be for st. patrick's, but i was happier than a leprechaun with a pot of gold to be surrounded by new pals in france for it this year. oh, and sarahjane and i are the only actual irish ones (if it wasn't obvious enough that we have the fairest skin in all the land.) shoutout to the irish ancestors, you're pretty fab.

cheers, jkro

image.jpg

j'adore angers

image.jpg
image.jpg
image.jpg
image.jpg

nothing too crazy lately - been living the life in my sweet hometown and on saturday (two weeks ago) we decided to explore it a little bit more. jibri, juan, sarah, mary and myself took a stroll along the river as the sun was going down. people were out exercising, sitting drinking a bottle of wine (open containers are a blessing) and enjoying each other's company. angers is such a cool city, and i wouldn't want to live anywhere else (unless of course more sunshine and warmth was an option.. it rains A LOT in angers, and the sun has barely shined the last three months.) we popped into the massive glass building to see what it was about (concluded it's a theater and other random little things) and jibri and i found a hidden gem taking an elevator to the top of the building (we didn't know where it went.. element of surprise) and up there was a big patio, a retsaurant and a killer view of the city. we walked our way to the city centre to grab a kebab, and headed home to play a little heads up and sip on some french wine. 

school per usual. ridiculously long classes, professors spitting off in french when the class is to be taught in english, and more group projects than you'd ever want to deal with in your lifetime. if i'm not in class i'm probably watching an episode of new girl (for the second time around.. and i still crack up) wrestling a week and half's worth of laundry in the tiniest washing machine you've ever seen, or messing around/being lazy with the girls. it's pretty great that hol is only a floor below me, and i am already dreading the day that comes when she won't be.

image.jpg
image.jpg
image.jpg

i've also been lucky enough to skype with a bunch of loved ones from home the last three months. shoutout to: liz, madi, syd, lan, em, abby, meg, alex, brit, tessie, dad (most frequently), mum, risa and kel. thank you SO much for taking time out of your busy schedules so i can see your lovely faces. makes my day every time. i've shared many giggles, stories, and even meals (@lizzybear) over skype and i am forever thankful for technology and it's ability to give me familiar faces & voices. a real treasure for eurojules

image.jpg
image.jpg

this past weekend we went to the chateau, finally, and the weather was perfect. so sunny, a bit chilly but in the sunshine it was divine. we ventured around town and went to a patisserie which had some delectable pastries - and the smell of the place was so enthralling i never wanted to leave. fresh bread smell is enough a reason for me to stay, let alone the rest of the goodies. we hung out on the steps by the river, people watched some guys struggling to get into a kayak, and giggled our way back to the apartment. we had another wine night, singing and chatting and enjoying each other's company. days like these make me feel so warm inside, and totally blessed to live in angers with the people that i do. 

image.jpg

holly's corner: 

  • punnet. meaning: container 
  • taking the Mickey. meaning: mocking someone
  • rowl. meaning: fight
  • waffley, or waffle on. meaning: it's fluffy, padded or bull. "The test will be waffley." 
image.jpg
image.jpg
image.jpg
image.jpg

in class the other day some french guys were asking about my school and what it's like (sort of in comparison to essca) and where I live etc etc. bragging about UD is probably the easiest thing ever, so I was happy to oblige. I showed them pictures, tried explaining the ghetto to them, how close it is to campus and all that. they asked what house I live in so I told them I live in a sorority house (uh, what the hell is that their face says) with 11 other girls and they are floored by this idea. it's pretty funny when they react in that way and I am trying not to laugh but it's nearly impossible because the concept of a bunch of houses next to each other with 12 girls in them is simply moronic to them (shoutout to my zistas, love living at 464 kief.) but they're so interested in how different things are, it's pretty cool to share my life back home with our intertwining lives here in angers at ESSCA.

cannot believe i only have two months left. bien sur (of course) i miss friends & fam on the home front, but i think i'll have wanderlust forever after living abroad and i'll be honest and say i never want to leave. may 31, you can pump the breaks.

cheers, jkro

Holiday - Bordeaux & St. Émilion

fun with #kromarsinfrance continues! we took a little trip down to bordeaux on wednesday and thursday, since i didn't have class (weird to have that chunk in the middle of the week.. ESSCA scheduling.. weird.) the drive was pretty stinkin long - a solid 4 hours and traffic when we hit the city. before arriving, my idea of the city was a sleepy town surrounded by vineyards. well, that was pretty off. it's a bumping metropolitan city, felt bigger than angers, and the vineyards though they exist they're a solid half hour, fourty five minutes at least outside of the city. we had a tasty dinner wednesday night, stayed in a very mid-evil creepily dark wall-papered hotel, and ventured out only a little bit thursday morning before deciding we wanted to check out a vineyard in st. émilion. it was GORGEOUS, and it's still winter here so i can only imagine what it would be like in the summertime with everything colorfully bloomed. it was pretty stinking cold, if you can't tell from the photo we were shivering on our private tour of the chateau croizille, the most modern chateau i think i will ever see. the view was so incredible, our tour guide was really sweet and we learned quite a bit. we had a small tasting at the end, and i didn't totally hate it which is pretty surprising since dry reds are the bread and butter in that region of france. maybe eurojules' palate is expanding.. that would be pretty cool my friends. 

having mom and dad as travel pals for the last week has been really fun. we've had countless slumber parties and giggles, i am so lucky they were able to take a quick pause on their crazy busy work and traveling schedules to fly across the pond to see me. i think they're both relieved to be sleeping on a real bed (not an air mattress on the floor of my apartment bedroom) and be back where english is the native language. they both rocked their "merci's" and "bonjour's" all over france, and for that i'm totally proud. thank you for the many meals, the extra toilet paper, and the mems you two. love you more than eurojules loves baguettes

cheers, jkro