Giverny

I spent the day in Giverny on an IES-led day trip. Giverny is located about an hour and a half southeast of Paris. It is a popular destination as it once served as the location of Monet's gardens, studio, and home. My visit was divided up into two sections: first, a tour of the museum of impressionism (currently exhibiting Pierre Bonnard), and secondly, a promenade of the gardens and old house of Monet.

I do not feel the need to go into the particulars. If you have ever seen a painting by Monet of a blooming landscape, you have the right idea. Though it was only late April, and the flowers are at their peak in the summertime, the views were nonetheless exquisite. You probably know I'm not nuts about flowers, but I couldn't stop looking at them and touching them.

I had about two hours to spend in the gardens before meeting the group (most of which, regrettably, consisted of idiots and loons). Though the narrow paths were teeming with tourists, I felt so calm and could not help smiling as I walked and watched the blossoms move with the breeze. I sat for a few hours and worked my way through all but the final twenty pages of Northanger Abbey (not as bad as everyone's been claiming, so far). I befriended a middle aged Russian-American couple and now have a place to stay in Philadelphia if need ever be (also I think they were trying to set me up with their 22-year-old also-a-psych-major-! son back home.

I'm really thankful for IES having organized day trips like this for us. What a great opportunity to get out of the city (not that I need to or anything... more like plzmoretimehere!) and spend a day somewhere I would not have ventured on my own...