I have found this past month to be wonderful weather-wise; still fresh in the morning and still breezy in the afternoon, but the sun is amazing. We have little cloud so the sun is always shining which gives me the impression of a summer's evening in Britain all the time here.
In the new term I have started at University, some lectures have changed. -A more relevant history module another i am to first try tomorrow about the history of french since WWII so I really hope it proves to be comprehensible.
I am really getting into my voluntry posts, the team i help whilst feeding the homeless are wonderful people, some of the kindest people i have ever come to know. I cherish the memories I have with them.
The homework club is a little boring as it's on a friday night, not too late so I can't go out but late enough to mean it will get in the way, and my mentor is rather rude when I cannot make it.
I've been rollerblading today- excited about the improvement (i can now roller backwards but very slowly). simple things eh?
since christmas I have been lucky enough to visit St Emilion; a wine town an hour out of Bordeaux (everything was shut but we had a great day in the newly returned sunshine.)
I got to Tours last week-end, and showed Andrew what I knew of the gay culture there. I think it was of a different generation from his own but we enjoyed it none-the-less. A lunch with Richard a teacher from Southport and Olly from Uni was much appreciated too.
As Jo and I prepare to start living very different lives, (when she moves out of the flat to live closer to town) I hope we still see alot of each other because I deeply value her company in so many wonderful ways.
I attend a church here; it has been great for meeting some dear friends but I find most of the congregation cliquey and very French about socialising, I do hope my opinion changes as I appreciate the way the services are conducted by the pasteur there.
I am sad to say I have lost a few friends here in recent weeks, but we have been able to celebrate and that has been good fun- I do hope to see them again though.
When thinking of my friends in Chester, I cannot believe that I haven't seen some of them in as much as 10 or 11 months. I really cannot wait to see them again.
xxmellyxx
Thursday, 14 February 2008
Saturday, 15 December 2007
the greves oh the greves
Well the greves have really hit talence and pessac really hard. I started lectures at 8 (well I arrived at 8:15) yesterday. At 10:15 I took the tram into town after 4 hours or so I read on the tram announcements that the line B (my line) was CANCELLED and so I wouldn't be able to get home. By even all lines were off and certainly no buses were running either. We ended up walking home which only took an hour and a half at a brisk pace. Certainly not a typical friday night out!!!!!
Today I did the same only walked both directions (estimated 12mile round trip). At least we know it's possible!
Earlier this month we had a "christmas day" at the flat, I cooked us a roast, Jo made some crackers, Nico baked a yule log, friends came and we did the feast as the french say.
The build up to christmas here is a little.... modest so it doesn't really feel like yuletide. My christmas shopping is reminding that time of year is approaching and the lights in town are a good reminder too!
Missing home only in terms of knowing I am returning soon. Still very happy to be here.
Today I did the same only walked both directions (estimated 12mile round trip). At least we know it's possible!
Earlier this month we had a "christmas day" at the flat, I cooked us a roast, Jo made some crackers, Nico baked a yule log, friends came and we did the feast as the french say.
The build up to christmas here is a little.... modest so it doesn't really feel like yuletide. My christmas shopping is reminding that time of year is approaching and the lights in town are a good reminder too!
Missing home only in terms of knowing I am returning soon. Still very happy to be here.
Thursday, 15 November 2007
That was then is now
Strikes.
As I arrived at my afternoon lecture on tuesday I found half the tables of the classroom had been used to barricade one of the main entrances to the building. None of my contemporaries had arrived, as I returned to the exit people were attempting to get in and others were restraining them. A girl shouted - please can all of those not 'blocking' please leave the building- I was aware that strikes were expected but I had no idea it would happen so instaniously.
Another entrance was being chained up at the same time.
So I am sat here twiddling my thumbs waiting for my erasmus grant to arrive so I can go and enjoy myself without fearing being overdrawn again. There is little I can do if I get into dept in my British account when I am abroad.
Right, I am off to make use of this day, perhaps some rollerblading.
Bye for now.
As I arrived at my afternoon lecture on tuesday I found half the tables of the classroom had been used to barricade one of the main entrances to the building. None of my contemporaries had arrived, as I returned to the exit people were attempting to get in and others were restraining them. A girl shouted - please can all of those not 'blocking' please leave the building- I was aware that strikes were expected but I had no idea it would happen so instaniously.
Another entrance was being chained up at the same time.
So I am sat here twiddling my thumbs waiting for my erasmus grant to arrive so I can go and enjoy myself without fearing being overdrawn again. There is little I can do if I get into dept in my British account when I am abroad.
Right, I am off to make use of this day, perhaps some rollerblading.
Bye for now.
Tuesday, 13 November 2007
Stepping into another dimension
In the second week of my Erasmus year, I managed to break a bone, the first of my life. I decided to take a friends newly bought bike for a spin, I misjudged a pavement and landed on my hand. After watching 'Sicko' at the cinema (being grateful to be in Europe) and night of discomfort, I finally accepted that I should get my hand checked out.
It was at the Hospital that I ran into a Doctor, M. Sananes who was keen to have somebody to speak to his children in English, I was interested and left him my mobile number. After two weeks I had'nt heard anything so I left him a note at his work, he responded the next day and I made a house call a few days later.
After 30 mintues walk on the other side of the city centre I arrived at a bourgeois town house. The door bell was exceptionally high for a family with young children. In the hall a white marble staircase lead to the front door, at the top of it, at my eyelevel- a small doll like creature with beautiful ringletted hair and clothed in a white victorian nightgown style cotton dress; their youngest child of two and a half. M. Sananes, on the phone, shook my hand and welcomed me into his mansionesque house.
I was soon ushered into the drawing room containing a long sofa of a floral cream upholstering and twin armchairs to match (Louis xiii, or so Mme Sananes claimed). A marble fireplace stood opposite a sideboard topped with marble also.
When it came to discussing what they wanted from me as a teacher I felt obliging. However things seemed to prove more and more unbelievable. They firstly wanted to know what sort of payment I expected, when I timidly admittted I had no idea they suggested a meer 6euros(4pounds or so) an hour, but I was keen to occupy myself, so politely smiled.
However what followed left me feeling hard done by; the parents wanted me to; show the children visual aids, to talk to the three of them whilst they ate their dinner and to teach the children english needed whilst visiting a city or vocabulary for household items. Baring in mind the oldest was but 7 years old and could only say his name in English, I had my work cut out.
There were so many things that made this whole experience seem out of this world;
-The suggestion of going with the family for weekends away.
-The Romanian piano teacher with inch thick make-up, fluffy white hair, a pink almost angora wollen cardigan and gold glitter glasses.
-The senile grandparents pushed into the playroom.
-The portugese Nanny
-The boys' en suite bathroom between their fancy bedrooms
-The cupboards covering the study/piano room walls in an eggshell blue.
-Friday evenings at 5pm were the proposed session times, usually before the parents would get home from their Medical and Psychiatry workplaces.
On leaving this dream, I realised that I wouldn't be able to enjoy this job; the parents seemed cold and distant, the children sweet but spoilt and I had a fear that I'd break the antique furniture in some way or another. It felt like a false reality and a return was dreaded.
I would gladly work for a family I felt I had something in common with; without pay. It was a shame that I went to so much trouble to get the job, but I couldn't justify 12euros as the only perk.
It was at the Hospital that I ran into a Doctor, M. Sananes who was keen to have somebody to speak to his children in English, I was interested and left him my mobile number. After two weeks I had'nt heard anything so I left him a note at his work, he responded the next day and I made a house call a few days later.
After 30 mintues walk on the other side of the city centre I arrived at a bourgeois town house. The door bell was exceptionally high for a family with young children. In the hall a white marble staircase lead to the front door, at the top of it, at my eyelevel- a small doll like creature with beautiful ringletted hair and clothed in a white victorian nightgown style cotton dress; their youngest child of two and a half. M. Sananes, on the phone, shook my hand and welcomed me into his mansionesque house.
I was soon ushered into the drawing room containing a long sofa of a floral cream upholstering and twin armchairs to match (Louis xiii, or so Mme Sananes claimed). A marble fireplace stood opposite a sideboard topped with marble also.
When it came to discussing what they wanted from me as a teacher I felt obliging. However things seemed to prove more and more unbelievable. They firstly wanted to know what sort of payment I expected, when I timidly admittted I had no idea they suggested a meer 6euros(4pounds or so) an hour, but I was keen to occupy myself, so politely smiled.
However what followed left me feeling hard done by; the parents wanted me to; show the children visual aids, to talk to the three of them whilst they ate their dinner and to teach the children english needed whilst visiting a city or vocabulary for household items. Baring in mind the oldest was but 7 years old and could only say his name in English, I had my work cut out.
There were so many things that made this whole experience seem out of this world;
-The suggestion of going with the family for weekends away.
-The Romanian piano teacher with inch thick make-up, fluffy white hair, a pink almost angora wollen cardigan and gold glitter glasses.
-The senile grandparents pushed into the playroom.
-The portugese Nanny
-The boys' en suite bathroom between their fancy bedrooms
-The cupboards covering the study/piano room walls in an eggshell blue.
-Friday evenings at 5pm were the proposed session times, usually before the parents would get home from their Medical and Psychiatry workplaces.
On leaving this dream, I realised that I wouldn't be able to enjoy this job; the parents seemed cold and distant, the children sweet but spoilt and I had a fear that I'd break the antique furniture in some way or another. It felt like a false reality and a return was dreaded.
I would gladly work for a family I felt I had something in common with; without pay. It was a shame that I went to so much trouble to get the job, but I couldn't justify 12euros as the only perk.
Sunday, 23 September 2007
Going loco down in Acapulco
I now have an address. contact me should you need it.
I can now say I live in an HLM!!!!
The flat is good as it our flat mate- Nico. So far getting on really well.
It was never going to be easy especially when drinking too much and not sleeping enough.
Jo and I are often in fits of laughter but occasionally nagging each other too.
We will need to get used to living out of the city but I reckon I'm just the girl to cope with it.
My compter is playing up again which is making me upset but I hope it shall sort itself.
We've come across this commune in the centre of town which is really exciting, they have such an amazing house, beautiful balconies, gigantic rooms. I hope to go back as the tennants are so laid back and down to earth. It reminded me of Norfolk sitting in the courtyard drinking tea and chatting.
I am missing people but not getting upset about it. I think this is a good mentallity.
bonne nuit alors.
I can now say I live in an HLM!!!!
The flat is good as it our flat mate- Nico. So far getting on really well.
It was never going to be easy especially when drinking too much and not sleeping enough.
Jo and I are often in fits of laughter but occasionally nagging each other too.
We will need to get used to living out of the city but I reckon I'm just the girl to cope with it.
My compter is playing up again which is making me upset but I hope it shall sort itself.
We've come across this commune in the centre of town which is really exciting, they have such an amazing house, beautiful balconies, gigantic rooms. I hope to go back as the tennants are so laid back and down to earth. It reminded me of Norfolk sitting in the courtyard drinking tea and chatting.
I am missing people but not getting upset about it. I think this is a good mentallity.
bonne nuit alors.
Wednesday, 19 September 2007
Nous sommes arrivées mais sans abris.
Well home hunting was not the dream we had anticipated.... no list of free accomodation provided at the youth hostel.
This country is sooooo bureaucratic; forms for everything, addresses needed to even find a home, you get nothing for just turning up- even this session i should have signed up for. It's so stressful and I cannot help feeling we hadn't been told enough, information had passed us by before we arrived.
Ahhhh I must go or i'll be fined a ridiculous sum.
I'm feeling fine though the emotional rollercoaster has not brought me to tears yet.....yet.
meyleesa
This country is sooooo bureaucratic; forms for everything, addresses needed to even find a home, you get nothing for just turning up- even this session i should have signed up for. It's so stressful and I cannot help feeling we hadn't been told enough, information had passed us by before we arrived.
Ahhhh I must go or i'll be fined a ridiculous sum.
I'm feeling fine though the emotional rollercoaster has not brought me to tears yet.....yet.
meyleesa
Thursday, 6 September 2007
Last week in Britain
Well, after a summer in Britain, I don't feel too prepared to return to brie land. I have nearly a week in Italy beforehand which should be good fun. I look forward to spending a little time with my father. However it only gives me a day to pack for Bordeaux. The packing concerns me little next to the rollercoaster of a week I have in store, as I attempt to find somewhere to live with little time to do it in. This is a task I vowed to not set myself again, but here I am. Perhaps I just love the adrenalin rush of facing homelessness.... Having Jo there will be excellent, I really cannot wait, we shall get each other through it. I am sure. So now all I can do is pshyque myself up for another race against time. It's just about the unknown rather than a fear of immigration and homesickness.
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