Orientation

January 10, 2014

            Today was orientation.  Woke up early, walked to the chateau, and went to the amphitheater where orientation was being held.  We had breakfast, which consisted of croissants, Danish, fruit, coffee and tea.  I’m going to have to adjust to such a small and unhealthy breakfast while I’m here.  Then we were introduced to another group (French Pastry Winter Group), which consisted of twenty-three students, from all over the globe, all at ENSP to learn pastry arts for two months as well.  We all introduced each other, why were here and what we hope to gain from this experience.

           

            Finally the orientation began.  First we took a French test to determine our group for classes.  I was placed in group-one, the beginners.  After that, we received our student IDs.  Then we learned the history of the school, met some of the chefs and administrative staff, the layout of the program, and our schedule of classes.  I begin with AM labs, which are 6:00am-1:00pm for four weeks, then switch to PM labs – 1:00pm-8:00pm.  After lecture it was finally time for lunch.  We ventured upstairs to the restaurant at the chateau.  We ate chicken, salad, green beans, shredded carrots and celery root, lentils and of course baguette.  For dessert we had an assortment of tarts and a raspberry white chocolate cake. 

            Next it was time to tour our new school.  We got to see the different kitchens our classes will be in as well as the library, common room, billiards room, and classrooms for our French lessons.  Finally we were given our knife kits, which are really large toolboxes full kitchen utensils.  We went though them to see if we’re missing any tools, we signed the sheet and were done with orientation.

            Hiked back to our apartment, and immediately started researching traveling the globe.  We decided to keep it small first, to venture to a neighboring city and explore.  We concluded to Le Puy, a forty-minute bus ride away.    Next it was time to go grocery shopping, but had to find the grocery store first.  We investigated the town, Yssingeaux, and came across our local grocery store.  Bought some things including wine but nothing to heavy as we had to walk all the way back to our place with the bag of groceries.

eggs aren't stored in the fridge

            Tonight we stayed in, drank some wine, had few friends come over that are part of our group.  After drinking at home, Kristina and the gang went out to a bar, I stayed home and called it a night as tomorrow we begin traveling!

my student id