Bonjour! Over the past two weeks I had the opportunity to embark on a culinary journey of France and Italy with 17 fellow CofC students and two CofC professors. This trip was a very unique experience and a memorable one for sure. We began our journey in Lyon, France. The city itself was a combination between classical and modern architecture blending the city into a European paradise where the old meets the new in a balanced way. We spent six days here and explored the corners of the city. Some notable adventures we embarked on included a tour of the Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourvière, a french pastry cooking class, a dairy farm tour, winery tour, street food/street art tour, and a Gerard Pelisson Campus tour. It was really interesting visiting all these different places and elements of Lyon that embody French culture.
This was my first time in France and all the activities we were able to do really opened up a whole new world of life that I had yet to experience. From seeing the architecture of churches that took 40+ years to build, to understanding the in and outs of a dairy farm, I was able to immerse myself in a culture that values art, sustainability, and the pleasures of life. Along with this discovery, I also explored the cuisine of Lyon. Lyon is a food capital filled with a rich history of chefs who truly represent the most influential people of their past. Even in the current day, recipes and techniques of these chefs live on. With such admiration for these figures, I obviously had the opportunity to try some of these dishes. Now I am a picky eater, however, I tried my best to keep an open mind heading into this trip. Although I did try everything put in front of me, I did have my hesitations for some items. Nonetheless, I could recognize how cuisine is seen as a pleasure here in Lyon.
One interesting observation I picked up on is the style of the locals. Fashion makes up a huge part of the people of Lyon. As soon as I stepped into the train station after my voyage to Lyon, I recognized a distinct admiration for fashion among the public. As the week went on, I saw more and more people dressed to impress. I have a real appreciation for this, as I enjoy the creativity in fashion. With that, I felt very comfortable walking around Lyon and observing the different outfits and styles that have now inspired me moving forward. I’m sure as I experience France more in the future, this observation will continue to live true.
Overall, Lyon was a very special place and as my first experience in France, I will never forget my week here. Thank you to my peers and professors who made the trip enjoyable and of course CIE for the support in funding this trip.