Weekend in Normandy

So my work weekend in Normandy was pretty fucking spectacular. Probably because my job required me to be hosted by fabulous people in a fabulous country home and be shown around the region so that I could know it better and recommend it to future clients.

Not a bad deal if you ask me.

Our hosts treated my friend (and co-worker) Stephanie and me to a weekend that essentially felt like a mini holiday, exploring the small town markets, the famous historical sights, and just generally enjoying the quiet life in a  beautiful region of France to often ignored by Americans for the bright lights of Paris or the relaxing lavender allure of Provence.

While I can’t say Normandy is my favorite region of France (too many fields not enough trees) the history of the region is something not to be missed and it is an absolute ideal place to go if you’re looking to really explore France as a country and a culture. Overall, an amazing weekend all around and I’m hoping to get back at least one more time to visit my hosts and go with them on an organized trip to the Normandy beaches. Here are some pics, if this doesn’t sell you on Normandy I’m not sure what will.

The house where we stayed in the Normandy countryside

Country Kitchen

country horses

Country cheese!

Typical Normandy town

country cocktail made with Calvados, a wonderful Normandy liqueur

more amazing cheese

Rouen

adorable bed and breakfast in Rouen

Inside the Rouen cathedral where Richard the Lionheart's heart is kept

The Rouen cathedral made famous by Monet's many paintings

honorary statue at the sight where Joan of Arc was burned alive in Rouen

A Naked Art Show…Sort Of

For once this blog is not about school or food. I’m branching out! It is however about a French person. I can’t cut the chord, I’m sorry.

Apparently there is an art show currently running downtown featuring a French photographer who likes to take pictures of herself, naked, in New York. Like naked at Gray’s Papaya, or naked on the sidewalk pretending she needs money for clothes. Or naked shoveling snow like in the picture above.

The Parisian photographer, Erica Simone, bascially ran around NYC in nothing but a bathrobe and a camera and chose opportune moments (like the middle of a crowded subway car) to disrobe and take a picture of herself. Interesting, non? The show is supposed to speak to society’s plights, like discrimination, so I’m curious and plan on going before the exhibit is over. Besides, it never hurts to stare at naked ladies.

For more info on the art show and the artist, click here.