long overdue update- chronicles of my europe trip (part 1)

Since it has been 1 billion years since I’ve updated the blog, I’m going to update everyone by telling a long story short in reverse-chronological order. It seems simpler.  Also, I’ve heard writing can be cathartic and my life is sort of in shambles currently. Or something that closely resembles shambles, but is probably perfect little puzzle pieces that I just haven’t figured out yet.

Currently-

I’m practicing my baking as much as I can. So if anyone wants to come visit, I can make some Parisian croissants or pan au chocolat.  I’m working part time at a café in town, but am starting to get anxious to get back to work…  and out of the country a little bit. And I don’t mean “country” like USA, I mean like pastures and farms.  Don’t get me wrong, I love it! Baby farm animals on my commute make me squeal with delight.  But the house is pretty isolated and it makes it tough to get involved in any sort of community.  I was hoping and trying for a move to Portland but have made so many huge changes in my life, that I’m not ready to just leap into another huge decision.  And after an amazing weekend catching up with old friends in LA, I’m sort of considering moving back. Can you believe it?!!?! I can NOT. But it has crossed my mind and now there it is. I just don’t understand how you know what you want to be when you grow up! Am I grown up? Should I have it all figured out? At what age is this confusion no longer appropriate? See what I mean about being in shambles? And now I’m rambling, so before I go all quarter-life crisis panic attack style, let’s go further back in the update.

Sept- Nov

How can I make Parisian croissants for you, you ask? Because I learned how to... IN PARIS! This past summer when I was enjoying funemployment, one of my best friends, Monica, found out she could take some serious time off work and was thinking about traveling. So we made a plan for fall. Ten weeks of traveling to 7 countries, with an apt in Paris as home base. It was the trip of a lifetime. And yes, I did change my “Lives in” Status on Facebook to Paris. We took language classes and I took several baking classes. (Bonjour! Je m’appelle Morgan et j’aime cuire les crosissants et les macarons.). In addition to France, we made it to Iceland, Italy, Germany, Ireland, Scotland, and Amsterdam.  

Coming home from the trip was a bit of a shock. I went from hostels and castles to the harsh reality of being broke, living at home, and being unemployed. So now is the time to reminisce… 

Over the next few entries I will continue to write about the trip and share some stories and pictures from each country. Since home base was Paris (when you read it, please pronounce it “pah-rEE”. It will make you feel fancy), I will start with The City of Lights-

We got to do most of the fun things tourists AND Parisians do.  The Louvre, Eifel tower, Pompidou, flea market, cafes, fromageries, boulangeries, patiserries, figured out the metro (the key is to wear Beats headphones and avoid eye contact. Also, don’t get off at Chateau d’Eau), gardens and parks, shopping, macaron picnics… the list goes on. We took language classes at the Alliance Francaise. It was full immersion so there was no English spoken in the classroom… and none of the other students in my class spoke English anyway, so our only common language was the little French we were learning that day at school. There were a lot of quiet recess breaks. And as I mentioned, I also took some baking classes- my favorite things to learn to bake, if I had to narrow them down, were macarons, apple tart, croissants, financiers, and pan au chocolat. Since coming home, I’ve successfully re-made all but the financiers. I just got a baking pan for them so I will finally be able to try it! And a little honest disclaimer- the first batch of croissants was tasty, but not pretty. I’ve since improved my technique. And macarons are little devils to get right, but I’m working on it. I’m not going to claim to be super good at making them just yet, so don’t volunteer me to make them for a wedding shower or whatnot until further notice. Trust me, I will let you know. Probably via Instagram. 

Here are some pics! I took 619 in Paris alone, so this was really difficult for me to edit down. 

{Baguette, Fougasse, Brioche}

{Macaron! I made these... under the supervision of a professional}

{croissants, pan au chocolat, and danish}

{our apt courtyard. so cute!! and a safe haven from our scary neighborhood} 

{Shakespeare and co}

{flower markets everywhere}

{louvre and happy clouds}

{just a jazzy little band playing in the Latin quarter}

{flea market goodies}

{if i ever have shutters, i will carve a heart in them}

{i mean, i can't say i went to paris and not post an Eiffel tower pic}

{view of the rooftops from the Eiffel tower}

{rive gauche}

I'll write again soon with more adventures. I promise.