Paul Georges . Alterego Construction

Once again I find myself staring at my computer screen, overcome by blank page syndrome. I’ve been back from Russia for a week two weeks now but I still have not found neither the time nor the energy to post about my latest outting. I have no clue where to start… how about a brainstorming session. Ready, set, go!

• 55 students from Linköping
• On a bus
• From Linköping to Stockholm by bus, Stockholm to Turku in Finland on a ferry, Turku to St. Petersburg by bus, St. Petersburg to Moscow by bus, read backwards for return trip
• Crazy weather, took us way longer than expected to drive from Turku to St. Petersburg
• Ferries in Scandinavia are strange… but very amusing!
• Russia roads are bumpy, icy and just flat out dangerous
• Russia is, simply put, a very fucked up country (that one is for you Mom)
• Everything contradicts itself in Russia
• Organized trips are a pain in the ass
• Russia is a very historical country, everywhere you look you can perceive the embodiment of the country’s history and culture, whether it be a beautiful church, a large ugly apartment building, a run down suburb, a flock of armed military men, a constant flux of police vehicles on the streets, an amazed young couple, a paranoid store clerk, larger than life advertisments for nokia and samsung, hip coffee shops, museums galore, communist rallies, security guards in malls, security guards in bars, security guards [insert place here]…
• Things that you don’t see also tell you a lot about Russian culture such as the lack of tourist information offices

Alright, now I know what I wanna talk about. Before I get down to the interesting stuff, I’ll get the boring stuff out of the way, notably, the schedule. You can find it here (it is more or less accurate).

I’ll get around to writing this post sometime or another. I loved my experience in Russia but for some strange reason I just can’t get around to writing about it.

For all my pictures from Russia head on over to Flickr.

Linköping made the news… in Québec!

“Linköping, ville rêvée pour le vélo

Quiconque se rend à la gare de Linköping en voiture ne peut rester indifférent à la vue qui s’offre à lui. À perte de vue, des milliers et des milliers de vélos attendent sagement leur propriétaire.”

Read the article here.

P.S Working on the Russia post!

“Je suis un paradoxe!”

So things are somewhat back to normal here in Linköping: my stomach is feeling much better, another school semester has begun, in parallell there are just as many parties going on as there were at the beginning of last semester and I will soon begin packing my bags for another little excursion. The outting this time however, is to somewhere much colder and much more troubling. Russia it is my friends! 55 students from Linköping (most of us, if not all, are exchange students) shall be spending 1 week + 1 day travelling Russia by bus with major stops in Moscow and St. Petersburg! Should be a blast, yet I don’t quite know what to expect. I want to study a bit on the road but I don’t wanna look like a dork and I don’t wanna drink too much either because I don’t wanna miss out on Russia due to being too shitfaced or temporarily blinded from excessive vodka intake.

Now the most troubling part… Russia’s history is expansive and I’m supposing that a good background of historical knowledge is important to hold if one wants to get the most out of one’s experience in the country. Now… my history luggage most definately fits into a small tupperware container and I consider it to be quite mediocre but I still know my stuff; after all, I’ve read Animal Farm (way back) eh! Hopefully I won’t miss out on too much due to all this.

In smalltalk news, the weather in Linköping is pretty much indentical to Québec’s. Fall is rainy, cold, windy and ultimately, quite depressing. Went to buy myself a tuque and some gloves; warmth is good. I can’t imagine myself riding my shitty bike to school in negative temperatures… gonna have quite a laugh with that.

Otherwise things are good here in Sweden. However, whenever I find myself alone in my room for too long I begin to overthink things (my Mom and I overuse that damn word). I’ve realized so many things (proofread note: SEE!) being away, things (proofread note: damn…) that I would never have expected to be true upon departure from Québec. All this thinking has restructured my morals, my way of thinking. Being away tends to make you understand that home really does exist…

“You know that point in your life when you realize that the house that you grew up in isn’t really your home anymore? All of a sudden even though you have some ideal place where you can put your shit, that idea of home is gone.” -Andrew Largeman, Garden State

That’s exactly what I thought as well before leaving. In my mind, it was simple… travelling would not be difficult because one’s image of home gets so blurry after a certain period that one just can’t get a grip on it, one can’t see what and where home truly is. I know where my home is now, and I can’t wait to rediscover it.

Eh ben, je suis déjà de retour en Suède… que ça été vite, mais trop bien!

Let me pick up from where I last left off. Last day in Paris. Shitty weather unfortunately but I knew it was coming (la section météo du Parisien ne sert pas à rien). Starting at the beautiful Opéra National de Paris, I walked to the grandiose Les Invalides (oui Nadia, c’est vraiment d’une immense grandeur en effet). Afterwards I struggled to make my way to Champs de Mars where I caught a first person view of La Tour Eiffel. It is quite an impressive sight let me tell you but I was quite annoyed by the thousands of buzzing tourists. To add to the frustration caused by the loud visitors, I was just flat out tired from my week. I took the time to lay down for a few minutes on the stretching fields below the infamous tower and dozed off with one eye open to watch over my stuff. Not the most envigorating rest I must admit but it definately did some good. From there I took the metro down to Gare d’Austerlitz to revisit the Jardins de Plantes for the third time. This time I was going to get the shots I wanted. As I entered, the dark clouds cleared and a warm sunny glow covered the gardens within the golden gates. Just my luck I thought… I ended up getting the photographs I wanted.

At the closing of the parc, I trekked a little ways to meet Florent, a Parisien friend of mine that I met at Université Laval last year, at Place de la Bastille. On my way, I encountered a fire juggler (once again, just my luck). I had to make a brief stop to take some shots. The result wasn’t great but Alexandre turned out to be a really friendly guy who was taking some time off to relax by juggling along La Seine that night. I eventually met Florent, hair all trimmed to accomodate the new job (Touffe!), and we went to have some food at a Chinese restaurant which turned out to be quite good but may ultimately be the cause of my recent upset stomache. After dinner (supper), Florent lead me to la Rue d’Appe where we had a pint of Leffe in a perfect little pub. Great ambiance, really simple and charming place to have a beer. Afterwards we headed back into the suburbs of Paris together since Florent lives quite close to Loïc’s parents’ place. It was really great seeing Florent again. We talked about Québec, about France, about travelling and studying abroad… great fun. On se dit à bientôt mec, merci pour la soirée trop sympa!

The last night at Loïc’s was great as usual. He made me feel right at home. When I was just about to turn into his road, he turned out with the Picasso on a quest to find me. It was quite late… I should get a damn cell phone. Once again, thank you so much Loïc (same goes for your parents and brother) for having hosted me in Paris for so long. Your generosity is very much appreciated!

The next day… early awakening to board the TGV for Lyon. Boarding was simple. In no time I was off at 300 km/h for a city 600 km to the south of Paris. To say the least, I was there in no time. On top of that, the TGV has got to be the most pleasant, hassle-free way to travel I’ve ever experienced in my entire life. It’s fast, comfortable and smells great. The view that I got of the French meadows in the “Diagonale du Vide” was amazing, especially with the sun bursting through the thick layer of clouds. Unfortunately, taking pictures from a train travelling at 300 km/h is not as easy as it sounds.

I did not know what to expect in Lyon. What I found was a collection of souvenirs that I will never forget as long as I live. To begin, my first experience with CouchSurfing. CS is basically a website, a social network, where members offer a place (a couch) for people to sleep while travelling abroad. I was a bit skeptical at first but I had to give it a try. Goddam am I happy for being curious… it has finally paid off! The website allowed me to meet Thierry and Isabelle, two friends who work together in Lyon. To cut a long story short, Thierry and Isabelle offered everything they could to make my stay in Lyon unforgettable: a home, tonnes of great food, Pastis and wine, chats about everything and nothing, a private guide of the city and so much more. Thierry and Isabelle really made us (Tristan, a Californian surfer visiting Europe, and I) feel right at home from the very start. What a wonderful experience! Merci Thierry et Isa, vous êtes vraiment trop hottes!

Now; Lyon. Lyon is a city I dream of going back to. Why? It’s big but just enough. It’s small but just small enough. It’s old but just old enough. Lyon overloads with charm, culture, identity, presence and simplicity (the good kind). I get a little sick to my stomach (no it’s not the cramps) when I think about that fact that I could have studied in such a dreamy city. Lyon encapsulates everything I love about Québec City and everything that I hate corrected. From Les Traboulles to La Croix-Rousse to Rosette and Saucisson Brioché, Lyon is just a beautiful city. I really enjoyed my stay there and definately plan on going back, hopefully during an interval that I can catch a glimpse of La Fête de la Lumière!

So there you have it! France documented through my eyes. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

Photographs from Paris here.

Photographs from Lyon here.

Today was another excellent day. Once again I woke up quite late and headed into Paris a little passed noon. I visited le Cimétière Père Lachaise first. The weather fit the scene perfectly: greyish skies over thousands of beautifully crafted tombs and miniature crypts. Some would believe that the tour would be somewhat drap but on the contrary, the experience was extremely positive. The cemetery has a lot to offer from a photographic point of view so I was as excited as a kid in a candy store; Père Lachaise’s monuments are beautiful and make for great subjects. Leaving the cemetery, I had an ephiphany (not that grandiose)… my obsessions with journal entries and with photography are very much common to the monuments and graves I had before my eyes. We, as humans, all strive to be remembered for what we’ve accomplished through our work, our friends and family and through our own little legacy.

After Père Lachaise I met up with Nadia, my always radiant friend from Linköping. Upon meeting, we both reacted the same way: it was so strange to be together in Paris. Trouver l’erreur? Le petit Gaspésien au centre de Paris biensur! Nadia guided me through some beautiful corners of Paris that I would have overlooked due to the fact that we tourists, in general, tend to focus on the classic attractions rather than the little things that make a city so charming and enjoyable. It was great to see neighbourhoods that were less accostomed to receiving visitors such as myself. We started at Père Lachaise and went down to Place de la Bastille. Afterwards we walked to Gare de Lyon, followed by Bercy and then across the Seine to the Grande Bibliothèque National which happens to be extremely huge. We then went northwards passed la Gare d’Austerlitz to the Mosquée de Paris and afterwards to the Jardins des Plantes which I had been to the day before without having seeing it’s best parts. Le Jardins des Plantes is really beautiful; I plan on going back tomorrow to discover the zoo and the rest of the parc that I didn’t get to see. From there, southwards into the 13e arrondissement. It is at Place d’Italie that we made our ways back home. Nadia was really great… all afternoon she put up with my stupid questions and steered me through some cute little streets and booming commercial centers that I would have never seen without her guidance. Thanks so much for everything Nadia, I really enjoyed my time spent with you in Paris; t’es la meilleure!

Knowing that the last busses to get to Loic’s from the Sucy RER station departed at 21h00, I made haste to get my ass into the suburbs of Paris. On arrival, I saw the last bus leave the station without me on it. Now here’s the catch. I don’t have Loïc’s address, I have no calling card or credit card, no cell phone, no map of the town… I was pretty much up shit creek without a paddle. I had my PSP… but seems that Paris subarbians are quite informed about the dangers of having a non-secure wireless internet connection at home. Damn you Wanadoo! Somehow… I made my way back to Loïc’s place in one piece. What helped the most: Loïc’s pointing out of Sucy’s landmarks.

Hooray for surviving Paris!

Another beautiful day spent in Paris. Supposedly weather like this, at this time of year in France’s capital does not come along very often. Loïc drove me into Paris this morning from Sucy-en-Brie, the suburbian region where he and his parents live.

I kicked off my early afternoon promenade at the Notre-Dame-de-Paris cathedral where I must have spent an hour and half reading, observing and writing. The basillica is absolutely stunning to say the least. The fact that it was crowded with tourists was a bit of a turn off but it’s too late to write about how I felt within Notre Dame. My journal knows everything so no worries, if I ever I forget I’ll eventually read my journal and get back to this post.

I walked over to La Sainte Chappelle afterwards but didn’t go in. There was a Bacc concert tonight but I knew that I could not make it; I had supper with Loïc and his friends from school in the Quartier Latin on la Rue Mouffetard. I really enjoyed my night; I had a good laugh listening to Loïc’s friends’ anecdotes and their apprehension (with reason) of Québécois culture.

I kinda slipped off onto a tangent right there. Back to my afternoon… oh yes! I walked Boulevard Saint-Michel, randomly entering some stores that caught my eye, and ultimately made my way south to Les Jardins de Luxembourg. The parc and palace were breathtaking; I could not imagine a better time to visit the place but in fall when the fallen leaves create a fragile canvas for tourists and pigeons alike to walk upon. The sun was perfect as were the trees. People crowded the gardens, reading their books and doing their homework. Some even sat shirtless and soaked up the remaining Summer rays granted before the coming of Winter’s chill. Once again, lovers everywhere. I get so jealous when I feast my eyes upon them.

After the Jardins and Palace came le Quartier Latin and le Panthéon. The Quartier Latin has a lot to offer: great collection of little streets with cute cafés, retaurants and pubs. The Panthéon is huge but I did not have time to enter because I had to meet Loïc in the yard in front of the Latin Quarter’s central attraction.

Tomorrow I have no clue what I’m going to see… I’ll plan tomorrow morning. I also have to get my ass into gear if I want to visit Lyon.

Where to start… how about this: j’adore Paris!

Yesterday’s stay at le d’Artagnan was great except for this one Japanese guy that snored relentlessly throughout the night. Friendly and helpful staff, great room and warm showers. Not to mention the great free breakfast this morning! This morning I visited Montmarte and Sacré Coeur: photographer’s paradise! There are so many beautiful opportunities to capture, from kids chasing frightened pigeons to street performers to the beautiful architecture… and then some. Sacré Coeur, which lies at the top of Montmartre, is heavenly (literately and figuratively speaking). I assisted a mass guided by a priest preaching the good faith, accompanied by a choir of celestial resounding voices. Great experience. Montmartre, big highlight of the day.

Afterwards I travelled to the Louvre area on la Seine. The Louvre is larger than life… seriously, no wide angle camera lens could possibly capture it all in it’s immenseness. I didn’t go inside but I plan to sometime this week. I feel kind of guilty knowing that I will only be able to spend a few hours when I’ve heard that many people spend several weeks examining all the beauty that the museum has to offer. Parc des Tuileries which is located between l’Arc de Triomph and the Louvre was a beautiful place to walk. Everywhere I looked, I saw couples doing what they do best. On benches, lovers embracing. Laying in the flawless green grass, lovers kissing. Sitting near the beautiful ponds and fountains, more lovers. C’est l’amour quoi! Paris, c’est l’amour.

At one particular pond, children crowded around the borders pushing sailboats back into the dangerous waters surrounding the perilous fountain. Once again, beautiful place to take pictures. I headed towards l’Arc de Triomph, through les Champs Elysées. The stroll was wonderful, everyone seemed so happy and overwhelmed by what Paris had to offer, even those that seemed acquainted with the city.

Tonight I’m staying at Loïc’s place in the suburbs of Paris. I got here without any problems; I’m a Paris metro/RER expert now! Loïc and his parents are so great for having me… I’m so thankful and indebted to them. Thanks so much Loïc, you can’t even imagine how much I appreciate what you’re doing for me! Your generosity makes my stay in Paris so much more enjoyable.

We just got back from a friendly café Égyptien 30 minutes from Löic’s place. Au menu, chicha à la mangue, thé à la menthe et des superbes petites patisseries. Très sympathique quoi!

So all my battery powered necessities (toys) are being charged for tomorrow’s adventure to the Quartier Latin and le Parc du Luxembourg. More to come tomorrow!

Highlights:

• Friendly exchanges with Paris locals
• Constantly being told that I’m Québécois
• First French baguette
• Photography session at Montmartre
• Writing several journal entries while riding the metro
• Yann Tiersen playing in my ears as I traced the steps of Amélie
• The Louvre: ginormous!
• Café Égyptien super sympa

P.S Photos are just a sneak peak! Expect 100 from where these came from… and that’s just from today!

I finally made it to my youth hostel in Paris, France. The trip was long and exhausting but I’m convinced that it will be worth it. The hostel that I’m staying at, l’auberge Le D’Artagnan, is just fucking great; the vibe is extremely positive, the other backpackers that I’ve met seem really cool, the place is clean and guess what… three bed rooms! I’m so used to sleeping in endless dorms piled with beds… this is like paradise! This is gonna be a short post because the computer I’m using keeps complaining about something, don’t quite understand. So there you have it, I’m safe and sound in Paris. Exploring begins tomorrow! Expect lots of photographs!

It’s Thursday. I’ve been getting a lot of sleep lately and I’ve not been getting out enough. What I have been doing is studying most of the time, cramped up in my korridor room. I take a look out the window sometimes, the weather is never very cheery. All these things have taken their toll on my usual good humour. I’ve come to realize that time spent alone in a room with no one else but oneself is not particularly good for one’s mental health. Thinking is a good thing. Thinking too much, on the other hand, is definately a bad thing.

Let’s look on the bright side: one of my courses is completed, leaving but one more to go for this half-semester at LiU. Half a semester has already gone by… unbelieveable. My Design Patterns final is coming up, Saturday to be precise. If I’ve been spending so much time in my room, it’s due to this damn final. I knew that I was gonna have a week like this, so a month ago I planned a little excursion to France after my exams in order to relieve the scholarly blues and to keep my motivation at its highest. I’ll be flying out from Stockholm (not really) with Ryanair on Saturday evening and arriving in Paris (once again, not really) that night. I believe that my pilgrimage to France will bring much introspection… I’ve planned nothing for my week. All I really can count on is my camera, my IPod filled with new music, my journal and my blog. I have this need to discover and to evaluate. Ultimately, I’m looking forward to my first solitary journey away from home (not Sweden… my real home) but I’m afraid that I will acknowledge that travelling solo is not as interesting as it may sound. Only time will tell.

Expect many blog posts and more photographs than ever before. Back to Design Patterns.