Friday, December 10, 2010

Last Minute Hello

Hi--I hear that oif you want to use a luggage caddie in Toulouse Airport, you need a euro coin for the machine BEFORE you get anywhere else, so you might pick up a few euros at LAX.  See you! Jane

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Please check your email from Euro-American re our boarding passes

Hi All,

The Euro American email we received today gives us the ticket number we need for the departure from LAX. PLease arrive at Terminal 2, KLM desk about 1:45 pm on Dec. 10 (Friday).  You can use the ticket number for the ticketing machine.

When you look at the ticket, it looks as if it's for Olivia Hayes--she is the staff member who made the reservations. Don't worry. See you soon!
Jane

Backpack anyone??

Hi All,
EuroAmerican just sent me a box of light backpacks--orange and blacka rather like Hallowe'en--but they are nice.  They would provide each of us with an extra bag to pack for acquisitions we make in France.  Now how to get them to you is the question.

If you tell me you want one in Comments here, I will bring one for you to the airport on Friday the 10th. If you do not say anything, I will not bring one for you:) and you can have it when you return, how's that?
Jane

Information on departure Dec. 10th

Hi All, Thanks for our patience on boarding info.  Today EuroAmerican will email each of you the ticket/boarding numbers you will need to depart. I will also post the numbers here on the blog for safekeeping:)

You need to arrive 2-2 1/2 hours before take-off at 4:15--so about 2:00 pm would be fine.  Go to Terminal 2 at LAX  and proceed to the KLM desk. You can be ticketed by machine with the ticket number and identification. Then we get to go through the body scanner and TSA gropers.
Can you charge you ipods, etc on the plane?  We do not know, but will have to ask at the KLM desk that day--come with devices fully charged, and we will find out about the plane at LAX.

Any more questions?  Remember it is between 47-50 degrees in southern France in the daytime, so dress warmly. Nights may dip into the high 30s-nippy!  Euro-American is sending one of their travel coordinators, Marsha, to meet at Toulouse airport and help to get us settled and "dinnered."

More later,
Jane 

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

alert on boarding information

Hi All, I am urgently awaiting the information about boarding passes/numbers so we know what we will be doing on the 10th.  Stay tuned -I will post this when I receive it from Euro-American tomorrow. Jane

Monday, November 22, 2010

Sunday, November 21, 2010

I need your help re travel study course

Hi All,

I have heard from most of you about your registration in the course.  However, I need to report this to Registrar's soon, so please respond as a comment below.  I think I know the people who are not taking the course for credit, and that's fine. You do not need to respond. 

Those who will take the course for credit, please respond (in comments) so I get it right.  Thanks.

Name   Grad or Undergrad?  Spring or Fall? English of History?

  

Reading Schedule for Travel Study Course

                          Reading Schedule for Travel Study Tour



Each day we will discuss issues and ideas based on your reading of  The Cathars (called Cathars) and several assigned selections from the anthology of medieval literature, Women and Writing in Medieval Europe (called anthology). As you travel and study, you will be thinking about a topic for your research paper, whether historical or literary, which will be due at the end of Spring Semester.

Obviously, it’s difficult the first and last day to do any reading on the plane, so I suggest you read ahead before the trip starts. Students are required to attend each class meeting if they are taking the course for credit. Class hours will vary, depending on the trip schedule each day.

Day 1/2 in transit

Day 3: ch 1-2 Cathars and Ch 1 in anthology: Intro, Good wives, Forward Young Woman, Duties of Bourgeois Housewife; Ch 3 Old English pregnancy charms, Trobairitz on child rearing, Horrors of motherhood, Mothers in Montaillou, Division of Labor

Discussion: The Midi in Middle Ages; real medieval women as maids, wives and mothers; French lit before 11th c.; chansons de geste

Day 4: ch 3 Cathars; and in anthology: Ch 2 Intro,  Sexual Passion recalled, Two Later love lyrics, About Love, The Trobaritz, About Love, Love Between Women, Il Dolce Stile Nuovo, An Alba       

Discussion: Revival of Europe 11th c: trade, towns, and trade; rise of heresy; “revolution of sensibility” in literature; theories of courtly love


Discussion: Growth of Catharism;  ethos of courtly love-elements and contemporary criticism; the troubadours I

Day 6: ch 5 Cathars and selected poems by two troubadours: http://www.trobar.org/troubadours/jaufre_rudel/, http://www.trobar.org/troubadours/cercamon/

 Discussion:  Catharist beliefs and practices; the troubadours II

Day 7: ch 6 Cathars and pp. 55-58 in anthology and Countess of Die: http://www.languedoc-france.info/190401_troubadoursong.htm

Discussion: Church’s first responses to Catharism; trouveres in Northern France and minnesangers in Germany; the trobairitz

Day 8: ch 7 Cathars and and in anthology: Ch 4 Intro, Hildegards’s Vision of the Ecclesia and pp. 238-42 and Clare of Assisi Letters
 
Discussion: The Albigensian Crusade; monastic women

Day 9: ch 8 Cathars and in anthology” pp.23-25  

Discussion: Destruction of Albigensians; courtly “novels” and “matter of Brittany”; Tristan and Isolde

Day 10: ch 9 Cathars and http://www.yorku.ca/inpar/eliduc_rickert.pdf  and in anthology pp. 20-22

Discussion: The Inquisition arrives in the South; the lais of Marie de France

Day 11: ch 10 Cathars and pp. 20-22 and in anthology: pp. 41-48   

Discussion: The Inquisition and its process; women’s religious love poetry I

Day 12: ch 11 Cathars and pp. 242-48 in anthology

Discussion: The last Cathars and their legacy; women’s religious love poetry II

Discussion: Heresy and the Church after the Cathars; the position of women by Late Middle Ages; modern poets of troubadour/courtly love tradition.  Review the “revolution of sensibility” of the High Middle Ages  

Day 14 in transit

Please bring along a journal (or a laptop) and do an entry each day we have class (11) reflecting your reading and learning on the trip.

There are 4 quizzes and a final. You may take these upon return to LA if you wish

The research paper will be due the end of the Spring semester. 10 pages for undergrads; at least 15 pages for grads. Instructor will help choose a topic.

Information for the lunch on the 21st

Hi, I will update this after our meeting:


Luggage--What about luggage?

Please bring only one carry on and one bigger bag--one that you can lift into the train. Weather is running around high 40s and low 50s, so you need one warm coat, sweaters for layering, gloves that are rain resistant, and rain resistant  footwear--it has n't rained much there, but you never know. 
The checked bag be one that is on wheels and standard in size. 

Illness--what happens if someone becomes ill? 

 We call the hotel desk, and they call a doctor --the person has to pay and then try to bill their insurance. Their passport should get them into a hospital if necessary.  Each person should carry the passport  at all times.  Make a copy and keep in your luggage and leave a copy at home.  Euro-American will issue  neck wallets.  Please check with your i insurance provider about coverage abroad. We don't expect illness or health problems, but we should prepare for them as with any trip. You can buy trip insurance right up to desparture...

Laundry--we are staying in smallish hotels-- how do we wash clothes?

Bring some laundry powder in checked luggage and wash in the rooms.  However, generally there are laundry facilities nearby the hotels.

What are prohibited items?

This list keeps changing.  Are there things you cannot bring back to US from France?

You can check wine in your bag but won't be able to carry it on (unless purchased from duty free in the airport).  To carry on toiletries, each must not be over 3oz and all fit inside a 1 quart baggie; otherwise toiletries like shampoo  must be in checked luggage.  If you've purchased $800 or more you must pay duty on it.

LAX is now one of the 68 airports with naked body scanners, and many people are not happy about this. If you "go off" there will be TSA body checks which are not good. We will discuss during the lunch. There is no such thing anywhere ealse in the world, including the "masters" of security, Israel.

At LAX, you cannot have anything sharp, more than 3 oz. of liquids, and shoes must be checked too--this list changes from time to time, so it's best to buy travel size items in the airport.

How much money should they change initially? 

.
I suggest carrying a small amount of euro (maybe 50 euros to start with).  You can get this in the Toulouse airport. Travelers checks arent really used any longer.  ATM/Credit crd is the best form of currency for most (any market shopping like outside markets probably only euros - they wont take cred crds generally).  Each person should alert the bank of their credit crd that they will be using the card abroad.  And, at that time have them check on transaction fees while there (generally they are as high as 3% but each bank is different).  Once we get into towns, we can get a better exchange rate.

Phone calls--buy prepaid phone card there??Yes you can buy phone cards there, but cell phones are still probably most popular.  Please check with your  phone carrier for international use and charges. Otherwise, buy a phone card-the hotel will tell us how.

Medications--bring  prescription meds in carry on  and do not expect to  replenish them in France.
.  If anyone wears contact lenses,  bring enough solution...  they may not be able to find the same brands there.  It is often a good idea to bring extra  glasses too just in case. 

Security--except for Toulouse, which is a port city and has always been known for a few risky areas, this is safe, conservative country; of course ALWAYS be on the look out and do not go out a night alone.

Cameras--Digital cameras are the best.  But batteries and the memory cards are expensive there.  Pack extra to start with.

Be sure you have an adapter for shavers and a converter for your laptop.

You should arrive at LAX at least two hours before take off.
-----Original message-----

New Information on Departures, Arrrivals and Itinerary and Hotels

Hi All, This just in from Euro-American Tours.  Remember our lunch today!

Hotel Information

Toulouse
December 11th- 14th and 21st -23rd
Best Western Athénée Toulouse
13, bis rue Matabiau 31000 TOULOUSE
Tél. :  011 +33 (0) 5 61 63 10 63
Fax : 011 +33 (0)5 61 63 87 80

We have in addition to complimentary breakfast buffet, a free drink on arrival and a free lunch the next day.

Carcassonne
December 14th – 17th
l'Hôtel des Trois Couronnes
2, rue des Trois Couronnes 11000 Carcassonne
Tél :     011 33 468253610
Fax :    011 33 468259292

Lourdes
December 17th – 18th
Hotel Angelic
2 rue du Calvaire
65100 Lourdes
Tel: 011 33 562942305
Fax: 011 33 562 948400

Montpellier
December 18th – 21st
Mercure Montpellier
218 rue Bastion Ventadour
34000 Montpellier
Tel: 011 33 467 998989
Fax: 011 33 467 998988


Flight Schedule

Departing Flights

Los Angeles to Amsterdam
Flight # KL0602
Departing Los Angeles Fri, 10 Dec. 4:15PM/ arrives Amsterdam Sat. 11 Dec. 11:30 AM

Connects with:
Amsterdam to Toulouse
Flight # KL1311
Departing Amsterdam 2:55pm 11 Dec? arrives Toulouse 4:50pm Sat.11 Dec.

Returning Flights:

Toulouse to Amsterdam
Flight # KL1300
Departing Toulouse Thurs, 23 Dec. 06:40am/ arrives Amsterdam 8:55 AM

Connects with:
Amsterdam to Los Angeles
Flight # KL0601
Departing Amsterdam 10:50am 23 Dec/ Arrives Los Angeles 12:50pm Thurs. 23 Dec.
Marsha Roderick
European Tour Coordinator
Euro-American Tours
P.O. Box 1388
Brooksville, FL 34605 USA
Tele: 001 352 799 3876
Fax: 001 352 799 8494
mrtours@eatours.com
This itinerary is just "bare bones" and does not include all the sights we will see:

Friday, December 10th
Today you will depart on your overnight flight to Europe.  Naturally meals will be served and optional in flight entertainment will be offered.  Please refer to you flight schedule for pertinent details.

Saturday, December 11th
Upon your arrival in Toulouse, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.  Overnight in Toulouse. Dinner is included.

Sunday, December 12th
*This morning you will enjoy a guided tour of the city including the Cathedral and Inquisition Museum, Overnight Toulouse

Monday, December 13th
Day excursion by train to Albi where you will be met by your personal guide for a tour of the city.  Spend the afternoon sightseeing with your advisor, including such sights as the Cathedral and Lautrec Museum. Return to Toulouse for overnight.

Tuesday, December 14th
Depart Toulouse for transfer to Carcassonne by train.  The afternoon is yours to spend discovering area points of interest at leisure. Overnight Carcassonne.

Wednesday, December 15th
*Begin today with a guided tour of the city, including the Basilica of St. Nazaire.  This afternoon you will enjoy sight seeing with your advisor. Overnight Carcassonne

Thursday, December 16th
*This morning you will depart Carcassonne by bus for an guided excursion to tour two of the Cathar Castles (Peyrepertuse or Queribus or  Montsegur).  Overnight Carcassone.

Friday, December 17th
Today you travel by train to Lourdes with guided city tour upon arrival.  Overnight Lourdes

Saturday, December 18th
Free morning in Lourdes.  Travel by train to Montpellier in the afternoon.  Overnight Montpellier.

Sunday, December 19th
 A morning guided city tour of Montpellier is planned.  Afternoon free.  Overnight Montpellier.

Monday, December 20th
Day trip by train to Avignon guided city tour including Palais des Papes.  Overnight Montpellier.

Tuesday, December 21st
Travel to Toulouse.  Free time in afternoon.  Overnight Toulouse

Wednesday, December 22nd
Today is a free day for personal sightseeing and last minute shopping.  Overnight Toulouse. A SURPRISE EXCURSION IS PLANNED TODAY AS A FINALE TO OUR TRIP.

Thursday, December 23rd 
Transfer to airport for your return flight to USA


* Guides included in Toulouse, Albi, Carcassonne, Cathar Castles, Montpellier, Lourdes, and Avignon. Guides planed on your day excursions will meet you at the train station on arrival.
Marsha Roderick
European Tour Coordinator
Euro-American Tours
P.O. Box 1388
Brooksville, FL 34605 USA
Tele: 001 352 799 3876
Fax: 001 352 799 8494
https://webmail.mount.msmc.la.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=ae15eb4a2cb1458ca9aed417361bc850&URL=mailto%3amrtours%40eatours.com

Friday, November 12, 2010

Course Info

Hi All,

If you are planning to take the course associated with our trip for Fall , please register for it ASAP.  Texts have changed due to unavailability and cost.  They are:

The Cathars (The Peoples of Europe)

·                                 ISBN-10: 063120959X
         ISBN-13: 978-0631209591  

Women and Writing in Medieval Europe: A Sourcebook

·                                 ISBN-10: 0415106850
·                                 ISBN-13: 978-0415106856    
 If you have bought the original books, please let me know email:jcrawford@msmc.la.edu
Thanks,

Jane Crawford




Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Lunch

Hi All,

I hope you will join us for lunch at noon to 2 pm Nov. 21, Sunday, at the French Quarter restaurant:

French Quarter Restaurant in the French Market Place
7985 Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90046
Phone: (323) 654-0898 
http://www.frenchquarterwest.com/history.htm


If you have GPS, this is the best guide--a map is available at google maps: http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4SUNA_enUS279US349&q=French+Quarter+restaurant+West+Hollywood

See you there!  Please leave questions as Comments here.  Jane
 

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Update

Hi All,

 I heard from EuroAmerican about the flights--we will be flying out of LAX about 4:30 pm. on Dec. 10.  This way we can sleep on the plane and arrive in the morning in France.  On the return trip, we will be arriving in LAX about 12:50 pm.

You will be hearing from EuroAmerican about the "deviations" (their word for going to Paris or Barcelona).  Since we only have two or three people interested in this, they are unable to offer group rates.  It would be pretty expensive to book individual tickets...basically, we would be going to Paris, then back to Toulouse, and then booking a new one way ticket Toulouse-LAX (outrageously pricey).

More later about lunch on Sunday the 21st!

Thanks,
Jane

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Our Lunch Nov. 21 Sunday 10-12?

I have not hear from you all, but the ones who have responded have leaned toward Sunday Nov. 21, 12-2 pm.   Is this impossible for any one (I know Anne is in Las Vegas)?  Thanks.

Jane

Question Thread--ask away!

Welcome Travelers

Hi All,

Welcome to our Blog.  We can keep ourselves updated before the trip, and during the trip, we can send posts about our experiences that friends and family can read (if they know they address).  Please go to msmctrip.blogspot.com.

I will add information, and you can comment or ask questions under comments.

More later about our lunch, itinerary, packing, etc.  Be sure now that you have a current passport, please--this is the most important thing at this point.
Jane