10 Things that are different about France

Hi friend and family!
Things are going really well here. I have started two of my classes now: French methodology and French phonetics. I really enjoy the phonetics class so far!
My french has been drastically improving the last couple weeks. I was so excited that I could have an actual phone conversation today! When I first got here it was very very hard (and still is a challenge) to communicate on the phone with friends in French.
Okay so here is my 10 things list for this week....

10. Everything is closed on Sundays. Grocery stores, restaurants, everything.
9. People don't say hi (or smile either) on the street, on the metro, or in the stores unless they know each other.
8. People wait patiently in long lines at the grocery stores. More cash registers do not open up when the lines are long.
7. Phone calls are expensive! Every one uses text messaging to avoid it.
6. People are super polite. Please and thank you always always.
5. There is NO snacking between meals. There are commercials with health safety warnings about snacking between meals.
4. Rollerblading is still super cool.
3. Bikes are well respected in the streets.
2. There is no word for dating in French; you are either single or you have a boyfriend.
1. Macdonald's is the cool place to be!

Living with the French

The kitchen and living room


Finally! I am out of the dorm rooms and in a home with an energetic French woman named Christine. She is a director of a local travel agency(which by the way are still a good business in France) and a brilliant cook! Lucky me! Living with Christine helps me to practice my French a lot. She speaks Spanish but not too much English, so I get to work on my french grammar constantly. Love it!
My room is quaint and has a door that opens to outside. I am so happy with my surroundings. Part of my stay includes having dinner with Christine each night. It has been a great way to get to know the french culture and french cuisine and, as I've only been here for 5 days, I know it will keep getting better and better!
Dinner usually consists of the following: 1st: the hot dish (crepes, salmon and mushroom tart, etc.), 2nd: crudites (salad, tomatoe salad, green beans etc), 3rd: bread and cheese ( fresh bread from bakery, and leerdammer, camembert, chevre, brie or whatver other cheeses we have), 4th: dessert (fruit tart, yogurt, pudding, fromage blanc)
What a paradise!!!!

Beautiful beautiful wine country---
So many wineries Wine tasting at a chateau

Dune de Piyla Eating oysters by the ocean
The biggest sand dune in Europe. Salty slippery little things
Way more impressive in person as always.

bordeaux photos

First days in Bordeaux

So here I am, living in the dorms again. I am in a building with just about 80 people from california. I feel quite at home, it feels natural here so far. When I arrived I couch surfed with a man who lived in the northern part of bordeaux. He took me and another couchsurfer on a beautiful night walk and out for a glass of vine. The city is so historic and beautiful.

My first night out, I was walking around the town alone and happened to wander upon the beach volleyball courts. The next thing I knew I was playing a doubles game and learning all of the words for "set", "pass", "block"....
After the game a couple of us went out for a beer on the town. Surprisingly, I found myself surrounded by algerians and Italians, but not one bordelais (person from bordeaux). They say that the people here are quite reserved. And I confirm that I have yet to go out with a french person from the town, but I can say that I've been grateful to meet many people from africa.
I did go to one event called jeudi bordelais last thursday. I would describe it as a large group of musicians and circus people having a picnic in the park until nearly 2 in the morning. I played my harmonic with the music crowd and then joined the juggles for some tricks. A very fun party.
Today was the first day of class and it was a long day. A full 6 hours of just French.
Things are different here but I must say I have yet to be fully immersed in the culture. Living with 80 Americans I find that I have spoken french just about half of the time. I can't wait to move in with my french family! (just 10 more days in the dorms)

Trinity college The river that runs through the city

3 days in dublin

I understand why people say the Irish are so friendly. I was on my way to a lookout point (30 minute uphill walk) when a 70 year old gentlemen pulled over and offered to drive me up to the top. As soon as I had finished at the top a group of people offered me a ride home. I love the Irish people.
I stayed with 2 Irish fellows in my own bedroom, in a house located in the Northern part of Dublin.
On my first day on the town, I went wandering though downtown. Met a genuinely nice fellow on the bus and he guided me to the tourist center to ge a map of the area. I wandered through the very old yet still functioning Trinity College and guided myself through the lively shopping area and to the lovely park.

I thoroughly enjoyed seeing St. Patrick’s Cathedral, a grand Catholic church that marks the spot that St. Patrick baptized many of the Irish. But I know what your thinking…. Where’s the guinness? Well, I did spend one evening trying to keep up with an Irish buddy and his Spanish mate. We hit some of the local pubs which most surely have a pub feeling. But no Irish music… my friend says that “ thee Celtic music tis a show for da tourists.” (i'm trying to replicate the accent)I went to quite a nice beach town called Howth, about a 20 minute DART (Dublin area regional transit) ride from where I stayed. Fresh fish and chips never tasted so good. Took a brilliant walk around the area and met some nice Irish guys who drove me back home.
I felt at home on my stay. I thought it would be a bit more of a shock or change but really I felt quite comfortable. I adore the Irish! CHeers

The "plan"

So here I am with just two weeks to go before my journey. I feel excited but at the same time calm. I have learned that I like traveling better when I go with the flow and do NOT make extensive plans for my days abroad. With no expectations I find I don't have dissapoitment, only surprises. But, I do find myself daydreaming of eating croissants and du vin on occasion. I have been wanting to take this trip for a couple years now and the time is finally here. My first stop will be Dublin. I am arriving on the 21st of August and get to spend 4 days with the Irish. I have found someone to host me there through the program couchsurfing. AFter that I have one free day in Bordeaux France until my orientation begins on the 25th.
I have been reading through my program guide and finally recieved the calender of my school schedule. Aparently the school system is a bit more relaxed and dates are not established as early as they are here.
<---- My year long visa---

Anyhow my tenative calender for classes for University of Bordeaux III, Michel de Montaigne*:
Semester 1--- October 12, 2009
Xmasbreak---- December 19 2009-January 4 2010
Exams---- January 25-30 2010
If I decide to stay for a full year, my Semester II would look like this:
Semester 2--- February 1, 2010
Easter Break---- April 24- May 2
Exams---- May 3-14
Last day--- End of May
*I am attending University of Bordeaux, however it is broken up into numbers depending on the major. Since I am a linguistics major I will be in III.
My actual classes (which are all taught in French with French students!) dont start for nearly three weeks or so after my arrival, I will be taking a two week long language intensive course. During this time it will be back to dorm life living until I am placed into a homestay with a French family.
I suppose that is the "plan" for now.
A tout a l'heure (Until later)

I've never blogged before

So I am starting this blog just so that I can tell all those who are interested about my experiences abroad. I hope you enjoy hearing my tiny tales!