Images

Get to know Caroline Heath  

Caroline Chun Robison Heath is a 16- year- old rising junior in Austin, Texas. She is accompanying her mother, Professor Jena Heath, in The Art of Travel SEU Paris study abroad program this summer. Though this is her first time in France, Caroline is no stranger to traveling abroad. Caroline had the opportunity to travel to Italy and China in her younger years. In this interview, I got to learn about Caroline and her experience traveling abroad. 

Q: What has been your favorite part of the trip?

A: I think my favorite part of the trip has been seeing things and understanding the history of Paris and France in a broader sense. I like going to the museums. My mom and I went to the history of Paris museum which was all about Louis XIV and the French Revolution.

I really like doing our group activities and going to places with our group.

Q: Have you traveled before this trip?

A: Towards the end of my kindergarten year my mom, dad, and I went to Italy. We went to Rome, Tuscany, and Venice. Since I was in kindergarten I don’t really remember much of it, but I do remember that Tuscany was very fun. We were in a vineyard and there were like 15 houses. They were so cool. I remember there was a donkey. It was very cute. In Rome, we saw the Coliseum and of course, we did lots of things. In Venice, we took a gondola ride. I wanted to do that so we got to do that.

In the summer of 2017, we went to China with three other families who were in my fifth-grade class. Our neighborhood high school teachers, my mom, and [other] high school students also went. It was kind of like [The Art of Travel] but it wasn’t studying abroad. We did have an itinerary and we visited five cities. We did a lot of stuff in China. It was really fun to go back. 

Q: What have you taken from this trip so far?

A: I think seeing you guys, college students, in the study abroad program. I think doing study abroad would be very fun. Also, I like taking in a different culture and different lifestyle. The history. The history is so amazing and interesting.

Q: Where would you study abroad?

A: Maybe in China since I know Chinese. I guess somewhere in Europe because that always seems fun. Maybe somewhere in England or Germany. Or like a whole totally new different country! 

Q: What’s your favorite subject in school?

A: English. I think 10th-grade kind of like established that for me. English was really fun. We read some really good books and we had group discussions. Since I’m more of a quiet student I kind of listen to discussions, but I did speak up once in a while and that felt good.

I study Chinese. I’ve been taking it since I was two-three years old. Throughout elementary from second to fifth, I was in a Chinese immersion program. Half of our day was in Chinese and half our day was in English. Since my middle school was bigger, they couldn’t make a Chinese immersion program for us so they just had us in a more advanced Chinese class. Since I go to a private high school, and most of my friends are at our public high school, which is Anderson High School, they’re in a Chinese class. So I take two classes, one on Sunday and one on Saturday outside of school. 

Q: What do you do for fun?

A: I play guitar. I started playing guitar in second grade. Then for a moment, I wasn’t really practicing so my mom was like, ‘Hey, if you want to keep this up, you need to practice… and if you don’t,  stop taking lessons’. Then I guess I just thought about it and was like ‘I want to stick with guitar’. So I have and I just love playing guitar. 

Q: How do you feel like going back home after Paris will be like for you?

A: Definitely the scenery will be very different. Our neighborhood [in Austin] is hilly. There’s lots of green trees. Here in Paris, you have buildings, roads, the city, and people walking everywhere.

I guess the food. Like if we go downtown [in Austin], we won’t see bistros and cafes every block. 

Q: Is there anything you want to add?

A: It’s just been really fun being in a new country and being able to travel since the past two years being in lockdown and all that.

I think I would come back to Paris. I would definitely come back.

A Passion for Preservation

Prior to visiting The Albert-Kahn Museum and Garden, I had no idea who Albert Kahn was and why he had a whole museum about him. I love museums however so I was excited to learn about Albert Kahn and why he was so important.

Albert Kahn was a philanthropist and a banker. Kahn was largely influenced by the rapid changes happening in the world during his time. The transformations brought by the Industrial Revolution, wars, and the fear of “[of the world] disappearing under the power of modernity and imperialism” led to Kanhs vision of preserving the world as it was. From the years 1909 to 1931, Kahn sent out photographers and cinematographers to about fifty countries to capture the lives of human beings.

A quote by Albert Kahn located in the Albert-Kahn Museum and Garden.

The Albert-Kahn Museum and Garden is composed of The Archives de la Planeta (1909-1931). These archives contain images and clips from around the world of human beings capturing geography, ethnology, travel, and current events (Archives de la Planeta). The Archives de la Planeta is the largest collection of autochromes in the world. The museum is located on Kahn’s property and contains his gardens. Khan’s gardens are constructed with influences from different cultures and traditions. The museum and gardens reflect Kahn’s passion for the preservation of the world.

Though the collection is simple. The archives are composed of day-to-day aspects and practices of the lives of individuals. Kahn offers a candid lens, capturing societies as they were rather than adapting to a romanticized lens. Kahn focuses on the parts of history that are often overlooked as they do not seem to have historical value. The archives capture the importance of the seemingly mundane aspects of human lives.

Kahn valued harmony and cultural diversity. This is reflected in Kahn’s preservation of cultures in his gardens. The gardens contain Japanese, English, and French influences creating an array of sceneries. The gardens create a sense of harmony amongst cultural differences. Oddly enough, a couple I interviewed while walking in the gardens reflected Kahn’s vision of bringing people together. 

The couple I interviewed was a French woman and an Italian man who were on a date. The man had come from Italy to visit his “girlfriend”. They were sitting on a bench in the gardens when I approached them. After sparking up a conversation, the woman mentioned that “[The museum] is interesting but [the work is] missing indications of certain countries”. Though the woman only offered this opinion about Kahn’s work, the fact that she was on a date here with her Italian boyfriend fulfills Kahn’s vision of wanting people to enjoy and understand the importance of the preservation of history. 

Kahns’ dedication to his project of preservation led him to bankruptcy, but it was not in vain. Kahn has inspired many people with his vision and project. So much so that Kahn’s legacy and work are preserved for people to experience and enjoy.

https://www.sortiraparis.com/arts-culture/walks/articles/220543-albert-kahn-museum-s-garden-takes-you-on-a-journey/lang/enhttps://museemagazine.com/features/2019/10/22/feature-albert-kahns-archives-of-the-planet#:~:text=To%20preserve%20the%20memory%20of,years%2C%20between%201909%20and%201931.

The place for the good boys

The shop didn’t look like much from the outside. There was a rack of denim long-sleeve tops, all looking identical, but somehow it made you want to look for something that was different. The shop owner (I assume, since he was the only person standing outside) stood out among all the dark denim outside. He was wearing khaki pants with green patches, a white graphic T-shirt layered with a light wash denim long sleeve, and a white sailor hat. Another man walked up to the shop but did not go in, he just casually started a conversation with the owner. The owner made big hand gestures and occasionally tipped his head back with laughter, showing that both men were exchanging funny stories.

The denim outside all had different kinds of textures, the soft feel of the shirts against my fingertips showed that a piece was worn out, while the rougher texture showed that it was newer. As I began to look through the denim, trying to find something different in shirts that looked identical, a boy walked up and began to do the same. He went through every single piece of clothing before grabbing one shirt and observing it for a while. He decided to keep the shirt and it made me wonder if there was something special about these shirts that I was just not seeing. It all looked the same to me.

I followed the boy into the shop and a familiar smell wafted through the air. It smelt like dust and old clothes, the smell that exists in thrift shops. Despite the smell of dust, the clothes seemed clean and did not have any dust in sight. New York, New York by Frank Sinatra played loudly through the old speaker in the shop, which surprised me since I couldn’t hear the song when I was outside. Inside the shop was the difference I was searching for while I was looking through the denim. There were furs, wicker baskets, and camouflage/earthy toned jackets inside. On one side of the shop was a red, black, and white feather headpiece. There was a hammock that drew attention to the center of the shop, where there was a table with two signs, a pair of shoes, some files, and a duffel bag. I also spotted a flag in the far-left corner of the shop. A flag that I hadn’t seen since I left the Rick Husband airport in Amarillo, Texas. The place made me think of hunting or camping clothes.  The black sign on the table said, “Place des bon garcons,” which translates to “place of good boys.” In that second, it all made sense to me. It’s not just clothes, it’s uniforms. It’s belonging.

As I kept wandering around the shop, I finally came across two small purses. One was black and the other was maroon. They were hidden in plain sight among the clothes for the good boys.

 

Kessly Salinas is a rising senior at St. Edward’s University. She is majoring in Global Studies and minoring in Journalism and Digital Media.

Exploring The Marché aux Puces de Paris Saint-Ouen

Flea markets are a big part of my childhood. So when I learned we were scheduled to visit the largest flea market in the world while in Paris, I was really excited. When we first arrived at Marché aux Puces de Paris Saint-Ouen, colorful murals of artwork and lined storefronts filled with unique vintage objects greeted us. The stores were held in garage-like rooms which reminded me of the flea market from back in my hometown of Wichita Falls, Texas, and of those in Mexico.

There weren’t many people in the area where we arrived.  It was quiet and eerie like in some of the areas as many of the shops were closed. However, in walking deeper into the market area, the atmosphere became more lively. It was more like what I have experienced other flea markets to be like.

Walking toward the sounds ahead of me, the peaceful setting shifted to an energetic environment. Vendors with tents joined the mix of lined garage storefronts. There was music playing at almost every stand. The quiet environment shifted to the chatter of vendors and buyers. Every stand you passed by there were vendors who called out to you and insisted that you buy their merchandise.

Before entering the more lively section of the flea market, there is a vintage clothes shop called Avant Garde. This vintage shop was located in a solid black building with a captivating neon sign. It was not what one would expect in a flea market. It was, as the store souvenir buttons stated, SO CHIC. Compared to the other stores in the flea market, this shop was orderly and more modern. Being in Avant Garde transported me from the rustic, homey flea market to a cool, retro environment.

Walking in you are greeted with bright lights, neon signs, colorful items, and music from the ’60s. It was decorated with smooth white arches, pictures of models in hip fashion and bold makeup, and fun furniture such as a bright red lip-shaped couch. The shop was inviting with the smell of sweet perfume and old vintage clothes. The store wasn’t crowded but people would stop by every so often to sift through the vintage clothes racks.

The Marché aux Puces de Paris Saint-Ouen is not just any old flea market. You get a mesh of both modern and rustic vibes. Considering it’s the world’s largest flea market, it makes sense that this market would have it all.

People or Place? Let’s find out what Mary has to say

Mary Eiserloh is a college student at St. Edward’s University and is currently a Religious and Theological studies major with a Writing and Rhetoric minor. She was born in New Orleans but due to hurricane Katrina her family moved to Baton Rouge where she grew up. As the daughter of two adventure-seeking parents, Mary has had her fair share of international trips. This trip is her second time in Paris and her umpteenth time in Europe. Below, Mary delves into her love for travel and what she considers the true excitement behind travel.

Q: Would you consider yourself independent?

A: I would say I am independent, there are of course still things that I struggle with but the older I get the more I learn about myself. My parents have taught me that I must do things for myself, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t supportive or there for me. Through them, I have learned that if I don’t do something for myself then it will not get done. I am also an introvert at heart which is the inspiration behind my new life motto: “I am going to make a decision for myself and like that’s okay I don’t need to be making decisions for other people”.

Q: What is the most spontaneous/independent thing you have ever done?

A: I skipped my high school prom with my friend, and we took a trip to New Orleans for a music festival. We didn’t have a plan or tickets, so we tried to sneak in but couldn’t find any way. Eventually, we bought tickets at a reduced price from two ladies who were leaving for the day. It is one of the best memories I have from high school.

Q: How many solo and friend trips have you been on?

A: I have been on two friend trips that really stick out to me. One was a spring break trip through west Texas and the other trip was in Tennessee. So far, no solo trips but usually when I travel “I’m gonna wanna go experience it with someone” which is part of the reason I believe it is not where you go but who you go with.

Q: What kind of traveling have you done? Tell me about where you have been.

A: In terms of out of country I’ve been to Canada, Ireland, Austria, Germany, and France. They have been a mix of family trips and friend trips. My family typically travels with another family of five which are long-time family friends. As far as the France trip goes, that was a high school trip to Paris. I got to spend it with my closest friends and we were able to do all the touristy attractions in Paris.

Q: How has your family influenced your love for travel?

A: It has definitely given me a basis but I’m always excited to travel and I don’t think it is something I necessarily got from taking family trips.

Q: What is your experience in Paris so far? How does your comfort level compare to your first trip to Paris?

A: I love my experience in Paris so far. I could not compare these trips together as they are so different and I love different things about them, however, my comfort level was higher during my first trip. We had our teachers planning everything out, I was around some of my closest friends, and the language barrier wasn’t that noticeable as people quickly noticed our group of fifteen girls was American and spoke to us in English. For this trip I love the independence I have and how I can be my own person in Paris, however, the awkward interactions I have with people assuming I’m French and talking to me in French does put my comfort level lower for this second trip. Despite this, “I’m not as uncomfortable as I thought I would be”.

Q: Where does your excitement for travel come from?

A: It is the people, “like I could be in a shithole with the best people in the world and have an amazing time or I could be in Monaco with like by myself and not enjoy it, you know? So, the people to me are like the only thing we really have in this world so it’s all about them.”