Just before going home...

So once again, I've been royally useless at keeping this up to date. I should probably remind myself more often!

Since I last wrote here, an awful lot has happened, including going home for 10 days and having my 21st birthday! But I'm going to start where I left off, luckily I have a note of what I've actually been doing! OK, so, having met some French people, I decided to go out to an Erasmus party to have a laugh and to meet some other people. So the party was from 11-5am, so getting there at about 11.30, we had our tickets and went in. Coat check is practically compulsory over here, and the most irritating thing about the whole experience was that they told me I wasn't allowed to take my handbag in with me, on a security basis, even though I'd shown them the contents of my bag. Not being prepared for this, I had to hand it over with my keys, wallet, ID and wordly goods in it...all for 2 euros. I kinda got the impression that it wasn't going to be the most important thing to them, so consequently I was slightly worried all night that I was going to come out and they'd have handed it to someone else, lost it or it had got stolen or something stupid. So always remember not to take the bag with you! More annoying though was that I later saw girls with huge handbags full of stuff inside the club. Obviously I looked suspicious, or it's just the French and their typical continuity problems! Other than that, it was a good night, I got chatting to some people, but didn't drink a lot, which was probably a good thing, bearing in mind some of the sleeeeazy French guys circulating the club. I felt a tad like I was an antelope and they were lions, they go there in groups and all separate trying to pick up women. As it was an Erasmus party one French guy tried telling us that he was from Finland and didn't speak any French and only spoke English, but he didn't bank on me actually being English and pointing out that his grammar was awful and therefore that there was no way English could be his first language! Nice try! Had a good night all the same, had to walk some of the way home but I was with friends so it was all ok.

The weekend following that, I decided to get out of the house and go for a walk. I realised I hadn't actually taken any photos of the place, and was sitting in my room doing nothing. I decided to get on a metro, pick a stop, start there, go for a walk and come home. Now, I'm not sure I picked the best day to do this, because as a thank you and apology to everyone for all the strikes that had been happening on the public transport, they'd given us a free day on the network, which basically meant that everyone found an excuse to use it! So I started in Croix-Rousse, the part of the city where silk used to be made, which has some good views of the city and where I knew there was a route I could take to get down to the city centre. Starting there, I walked down the hill, crossed over one of the rivers and walked through Vieux Lyon, which is a world heritage site. Crossed the river again, then walked back over the river and through Bellecour, which I suppose feels most like the hub of the place. Here I wanted to get onto a metro, but with it starting to rain and it being free, I had no chance and couldn't be bothered to battle my way through the people. So I walked back. I was wet and cold, but so contented with myself. 2 hours of walking but I was happy to have done it, and I had hot chocolate, put my PJs on and chilled out for the evening. The following day I went to Parc de la Tete D'Or, probably the biggest green space, with Olga. This park is huge, it has a big lake in it, a rose garden and a zoo! The zoo is free, but as it was starting to get cold some of the more interesting animals had been 'put away' because they are obviously used to warmer climes. But we did see some animals and after walking round the lake, seeing people on roller skates going round teeny tiny bollards and getting really cold, we went home. That weekend was particularly refreshing!

The day before I went home I went to the Mouillet's to go and see them and to collect some things I still hadn't retrieved. Anne took all the girls out for Sushi. It was really good, and really nice to see everyone again. I'm still so grateful to them.

Then, it was time to go home. And excited was an understatement! I was flying from Geneva, so I got on a train here, and went through the beautiful French countryside to Switzerland. Was an amazing train journey, with being on the top deck of a double decker train going through the mountains covered in trees with the leaves in autumn colours. I was there an hour earlier than I should, but knowing the French and how much they like to strike, I thought it was better to be safe than sorry! Checked in and all that, went through security and eventually went to the gate, but I wasn't banking on my flight being 2 hours late! I was stuck at Geneva airport for 5 hours in total, and what did Easyjet give us?!? A voucher for the café worth 5 swiss francs, of about £3. Great! But eventually got on the plane, and was actually a little sad when we took off. I guess it was that I'd done the first bit, and realised that I actually quite like it here!

OK, so I'm going to leave it there for now, I don't want to bore you to death, and hey, I have things to do!

xxx

Erm, where to start...

OK, so a lot has happened since I was last here, been a bit up and down, and have a lot to tell. Hopefully, it won't be too boring!
So, I moved into my halls, which is all good. Had major issues with paying for my rent because I didn't have a french bank account which basically involved me being on the phone to England for about an hour and my mum having to go to the bank for me...but whatever, it got sorted! Heather from Lloyds TSB Midsomer Norton sorted me out, and now I'm all paid for the next three months.

So, my room. Well, it's more of a 'studio' thing, have a bathroom and a tiny kitchen thing, desk and bed...oh, and a big Somerset flag on the wall. Good times. Here are some photos of my temporary home here! There is a man who works downstairs who is crazy! He obviously knows I'm English, and when he was first showing me my room, he was asking me loads of questions and seems to know the most random words of English, which I don't remember at the moment, but he's mad. Nice, but mad. Very helpful though and I think he takes pity on me because I'm English! Technically haven't met anyone in the building, I've seen people in the escalator and they're very polite saying hello and things, but not had a conversation with anyone yet. But it's all good. So I have 2 electric cooking rings, a fridge, and a microwave. No oven, which is a bit annoying, but I'm dealing with it and trying to be organised and freeze meals to reheat! It'll do me anyway!



























































So, I felt a bit rubbish at first. I've never lived alone for a start, so didn't know what to do with myself except put my music on and pretend not to be alone. It was not particularly nice, but gradually I've got more and more used to being by myself, and not having to worry about anyone else getting in the way! In fact, I'm almost enjoying being entirely independent! When I hadn't met anyone, I felt a bit down, but I had Aisling around, and she helped me sort everything out. I met up with someone I was speaking to before I left home who I met through a partnering scheme, to talk to about things. We went out for a drink in Vieux Lyon (the ancient and prettiest part of the city), and she was lovely. She invited me out with her and said not to hesitate if I was bored or fed up, much the same as the Mouillets said before I left. If I felt sad or lonely, I am welcome up there, which is lovely. To be honest, I never really got that down, just got a bit frustrated because I had no alternative! Even if I hadn't taken it, the opportunity to do something else would have been good! But that's all good. I signed up for another partnering scheme about a week ago, and met a girl called Shaista. She too is interested in music and gigs, and invited me to dinner the first night I spoke to her. She's really nice and last night we went to a gig at 'Le Sirius', a container boat thing, moored on the Rhone (Lyon has 2 river's running through it). Saw 'The Yeasty Kids' (yes, I don't know either), and Ravenhill. They were both pretty good, and it was good to be out again, even if there was not cider at the bar!

Finally having an address has meant that I've been able to do all the things I couldn't do before. I've opened a bank account and finally have a travel pass to use the public transport as and when I please. Yay! There is a bit of a weird system here with banks. The card gets delivered to the bank and you have to collect it, as yet I have no PIN number, and no card....but hopefully by the end of the week I might be able to access my own money!!! Oh, and the strike on public transport didn't go on as long as it was meant to. It ended about a week ago now, the strikers gave in and obviously saw that the chaos was driving the whole world mad!

Have made 2 trips to IKEA, which was a rave. One of which was a Saturday, I tell you, don't do it! It was a nightmare, but I have everything I need and it means that, like today, I don't do the washing up every 5 seconds! You'll be pleased to know that IKEA on this side of the channel is exactly the same as home, except all the price tags are in Euros. Simple really!

Had a lazy weekend this weekend, didn't really do a lot, just bummed around in my room, doind not a lot and enjoying it! On Monday I went to the Musée des Beaux-Arts, which is right in the centre of Lyon and is great. It's free for students under 26 so seeing as I can't access my own money, that was a bonus! It's fairly big, and has lots of ancient Egyptian stuff, the mumified head I found a bit morbid! My favourite part was the 19th Century art. Rodin's 'The Thinker' and Monet's 'Charing Cross Bridge' were my favourites. I love going to art galleries, they chill me out and make me think, was a very good thing to do. Went to sit by the side of the Saone(the other river) afterwards, and found a really nice spot, which is most likely going to become the place I go to sit when I have nothing else to do! A very calming spot. It's starting to become wintery here now though, so I couldn't stay there for long as I wasn't wearing a coat!

Helped out at a day for those who might be going abroad next year yesterday. Just speaking to people about what it's like in England, and what places are like. They put me on the wrong stand though, so I couldn't talk about Southampton because the people I was speaking to didn't have Southampton as an option...but I spoke about England anyway. :)

Lessons are slowly getting easier, they're not easy yet, but easiER. I'll hopefully get there eventually, just trying my best to concentrate these days!
Here endeth the lesson. It's a bit longwinded, but it's been an eventful couple of weeks!
Bisous!
xxx

I made a decision!!!!

Having been looking for somewhere to live for nigh on 2 months now, I've decided to go into independent halls for the time being. At the moment, I'm not sure how long I'll stay there- I am going to sign a 3 month contract this afternoon. They are fairly expensive and not particularly special, but it does mean that for the past week I have not had to look for houses, which has been so nice! Got to the stage where I was horrendously frustrated, didn't want to be looking anymore and didn't really see any new ads from one day to the next. Even if my solution is temporary, it is a solution and if you know me, this solution involved a decision....I MADE A DECISION all by myself. :)

So, apart from that, things have been good. Been going to my classes, which are interesting, but very difficult as well! I have one lecturer (for philosophy), who speaks way, way, way too fast. Had to ask her for a copy of her notes because I simply couldn't keep up. The lecture is on a friday afternoon for a start, in a big room with not many people. She doesn't have a very loud voice so some of the time I was straining to hear, and even when I did either I didn't understand or couldn't keep up! Never mind, she seems quite nice and very understanding. As regards to my translation classes, one is great, the other is dire. My english-french translation tutor is awful. He mispronounces english words and conducts the whole thing in french. I'm not saying I want an easy life and for it to all be in English, but if I was studying english at uni and my tutor spoke in French, I'd wonder what was the point. Anyway, his pronunciation actually made me laugh the other day, and for a uni tutor, that's never good! The whole class take the mick out of him, and to add to it, he has massive typos in his original english pieces, which just lead to everyone thinking that he's a bit of a joke! My tutor for french-english is, however, awesome. For a start he's english, and he's absolutely mad! Really entertaining- spent 2 hours going through 4 sentences, but somehow it was actually useful! So yeh, uni is going well, and so far so good on that score.

One thing that is majorly getting in the way at the moment is that the transport drivers are on strike. 2 days last week I couldn't get into town or uni, and it hasn't stopped there. Barely any of the lines/buses/trams are working properly, and if I want to come back here, I have to be on the bus at just gone 7pm. So basically, they're a pain in the arse, and they're talking about this strike lasting 99 days...I can't wait!!! Luckily, when I move (tomorrow), I'll be about 10 mins walk from the centre of town, which means that I can walk to places if I need to or I can use the bikes that they have to hire all over the city. That way, life will be much easier and I may be able to have a social life.

As yet, not made many friends at all. The french actually care about their uni work and with no equivalent to freshers, it's been a bit weird. There have been some erasmus outings, but due to my location, I haven't been, and I don't really want to spend all my time with english people, or with people who speak french as well as I do. I have my eyes on the prize and for now I'm just thinking that eventually I'll find some people! I'm going to meet someone I was put in contact with through a partnering scheme and hopefully she'll be nice and I'll be able to meet people that way. At the moment it's not bothering me, but in halls I'm going to be in a self-contained studio flat type thing, which means that I won't be surrounded by people like I am here. But it's halls, and there are bound to be people, so I'm thinking I might just have to knock on some doors and introduce myself! We shall see.

So far so good, I'm looking forward to having my own space and being able to come and go as I please because I'm not miles from everything. Have to make a trip to Ikea some time this week..hurrah!!!
A+
xxx

The first couple of weeks...

A lot has happened in the past two weeks...where to start?!?!?! OK, so having found the uni, I had to get to the first meeting. Me and the only other person from Southampton I know of here, Aisling, decided to meet before going to the meeting, strength in numbers (well 2) and so that if one of us missed something the other might have understood. We arrived and there were loads of people outside, all speaking different languages and chatting amongst themselves. When we were finally allowed into the lecture hall, we were each given a (very stylish!) bag, full of leaflets and important documents to fill out. I know how much the French love their bureaucracy but this was crazy! We then had to each be given something to say that we were allowed to enrol, where and when this would happen, and a notice about a meeting with our tutor. But being French, they distributed this in a very disorganised/weird manner. They called out each person's name and had people running to give things out. Bearing in mind there were at least 150 of us, this took some time! Whilst we were given our documents we were asked whether we had somewhere to live, and I duly said no, but in fact this did nothing. I've been here two weeks now and not a word from them regarding the fact that I am in effect homeless!

So having completed that, and feeling proud that I had understood the majority of what they said, I proceeded to look at what uni life would really be like. Lectures are at least 1 hour 45 minutes long, start at 8am and finish at 21:45. Not too long a day then... In addition, each Erasmus student has to make their own timetable. This means going to the secretary of each unit and asking for the timetable of classes and finding out if they clash with anything else. So far I have a provisional timetable, but we were also told that teachers could refuse to have us in their classes if they didn't see fit. I'm waiting to find out if someone is going to cause a problem!!

Had another meeting followed by a tour of the Campus. There are actually 2 campuses, one in the centre of the city and the other about a 40 minute tram ride away. My challenge, to make sure all my classes are at the one in the city! 40 minutes is ok, but if a lecture is at 8am, that means a very early start! The campuses are, however, very confusing. The one in the city is a bit of a maze, but the buildings are very old, and it is almost beautiful. The other campus is, well, not anywhere near as nice. The buildings must have been built in the 70s or something and are not very well cared for. So good plan to avoid Bron at all costs! So after being lost in the campuses, I wonder how I'm going to find anything!

Then met my tutor, who teaches English, which means meeting in English...SCORE!!! Aisling and I have our meetings together, and it was then that we realised we actually had to get on with our timetables. Pierre took us to some of the secretairies and he made sure that we had at least some of the info we needed to get on with it. It was up to us to find out about the other courses we may want to do, because some of the secretaries are at the other campus. He is, however, very, very helpful, and wants to know exactly what we're doing.

Enrolment was an interesting process, typical French making it more difficult! Arrived and someone checked my form, then had to take a ticket and wait for someone else who would put the details (incorrectly) into the computer. Yes, for about 15 mins I was registered at the university as Sarah Balliston-Ticke. Clever. So having got that changed, in everything but my email address, which still holds the mistake, we then had to join a queue for student cards. I wasn't sure how this would be done, as we had not given in any passport photos for the card, so goodness knows what was going to happen. In fact, they take the photo with you there, and you have to wait for the card to be made. As a result, my photo is awful as I didn't know the photo was going to be taken that day!

So, I have a provisional timetable. I have monday and tuesday off, which is great. It means that I can get on with stuff those days, and that if I want to go anywhere for the weekend, I can. :) 8am start on a Wednesday though...ouch! So currently, I'm doing English, well translation, a philosophy unit I found (the uni doesn't actuall have philosophy as a course), a classic french literature course (which I may give up...) and a course in French for Erasmus students. Hopefully everyone will let me do what I want and then it'll all be sorted, watch this space!

The weekend just gone, the Bridgers (friends from home, sort of like adoptive grandparents) came here, it is through them that I met the family I am staying with. We ate a lot, including various sorts of cheese, and went to Beaujolais (how French is that?!!?). Beaujolais is really, really pretty. Saw all the vines for wine making. Was veritably French. Then went to a maze on Sunday, which was fun, for about an hour!!! When they left I was a bit down, but I don't think it was just the fact that they'd gone. I'd been thinking of this weekend as something to look forward to and now I guess I know that I'm not likely to see anyone from home for a while, which makes things harder. But it's all good, I'm trying to think of it like I'm in Southampton, and that it's not as far as it feels.

As regards to housing, progress is slow. I'm so lucky that the Mouillets are so so generous. I have been to see some places and 2 of them I really liked, but there are lots of people looking and it's down to the people with the flat to pick between at least 4 people. I think it's just hard to find somewhere, but hopefully I'll get there soon. I'm going to have to!

So, end of the essay, had a lot to write about as a lot has happened recently!
Hope you are all well.
A +
xxx

I'm here!!!

Well, I made it! After several hours of travelling, feeling ill from the turbulence of the plane and working out how to get through Lyon in the rain, I managed to make it here. Been here two days now and I have found the university, and the relevant places for meetings and stuff. Success!!!

Took a taxi to get to the Mouillet's, friends I am eternally grateful to for having let me stay here while I still don't have a permanent place to live, and remembered that the French are crazy drivers. When your taxi driver spends more time looking at the radio than the road and uses the handbrake to stop the car, you remember what driving in this country is like. But hey, I made it here alive and all will be well! I've managed to suss out some of the public transport system now, which is a bonus, I may not have to get in a taxi with a driver like that again!

I'm gradually getting used to this whole language thing, and it's good living with French people because you realise that you actually have to use it from first thing in the morning. It's all good. Feel very tired at the moment simply because there is so much French and other information to take in, but I'm getting there. Now armed with a map of the town, a trusty French dictionary and a French phone, I have a feeling that I have all the equipment needed to survive in this city, as long as it doesn't demand too much of me!
A +
xxxx

1 day to go...

So here it is, I leave tomorrow. Not sure what I'm supposed to think, going from hyperactivity to insane worry within a matter of seconds. But everything is pretty much ready to go. I have a supply of teabags, marmite and cheddar cheese on its way to Lyon in the form of some family friends who are heading that way on their holiday tour of France. Soooooooo glad I can get the important things to France in decent quantities. I mean, how could I possibly survive without a cup of tea first thing in the morning and when I'm feeling stressed. I'm just so British I couldn't do it! Of course though, any visitors are welcome to bring me more as I'm sure I can get through it fairly quickly, I am something of a tea addict! I'm also hoping to acquire some Cadbury's chocolate tomorrow so that I can have it when I'm feeling a bit homesick. So with the vital things on their way, I have packed all my clothes. I booked to have extra weight on the plane, and I just hope that I haven't gone over. I have luggage scales but I'm really worried that they've not worked properly...aw well, I'm getting there early so if I need to have extra all will be ok. I have vacuum packed my clothes to give me more space, and my very clever mum has made everything fit :).

It's weird to be actually leaving. Been thinking about it for months and now it's here, just seems to have come so quickly but also feels months away. I hope the French people are nice, but I do suppose that they are French! And I hope I don't get lost trying to find the uni, that wouldn't be so fun!

Well here it is, I leave tomorrow. Will miss everyone loads and loads. Don't go enjoying yourselves too much without me!
Lots of love.
xxx

Just one week left in the UK!!

Only have one week left at home now, and getting very scared and very excited!!! Things are slowly coming together, think I've pretty much got everything done, but no doubt something will crop up. Still don't have anywhere permanent to live but I have somewhere to stay from when I get there for the time being, which is always a bonus! Realise that I've got lots to do when I get there now, non stop at the moment!

I'm thinking now that it might actually be quite hard to leave home now!! The excitement has been great so far but now I've realised that I actually have to leave, and go to another country for a while and don't know exactly when I'm going to come back because I don't know what I'm going to be getting up to. Argh, hate not knowing what I'm doing.

On the other hand, I can't wait to be out there. I've waited a few years for this and absolutely can't wait to be where I've always wanted to! I know, I'm going to be surrounded by french people, but it'll be cool to be somewhere completely different, and not even different in the idea that it's somewhere new, it's a completely new culture and lifestyle. :D

Can't wait!
xxx

3 weeks to go...

Only 3 weeks left until I leave for Lyon now and things are slowly coming together. OK, so I still don't have anywhere to live but I think that's getting sorted, it's only going so slowly because the French enjoy their summer holidays so I'm waiting to hear from someone who is probably on holiday somewhere really nice.

I've done a spot of shopping this week, have a few new clothes, a few other bits and a sleeping bag. At least I know I have something to sleep in, even if I have nowhere to put that sleeping bag! I've got all my forms and sheets ready and sorted to go, but somehow my list isn't getting any shorter. Hmmm, how does that work.

Well, that's about all the news on my plans for the moment.
xxx

4 weeks to go

So now there's only 4 weeks until I leave and I'm still totally calm about it, so much so I'm scaring myself! Still don't technically have anywhere to live but I'm in contact with two different people, each with rooms to spare so hopefully one of those will work out. I know which one I'd rather live in but I will just have to see what comes of it.

This week I have been sorting out all the little bits of paperwork that need doing, stuff like birth certificates, photocopying all the documents that I'm going to need, including all my A-level certificates and stuff, the French really do seem to love their paperwork! Hopefully though I'm getting there with all that stuff. I've become really particular about it all, they're all in files nicely organised and ready to go, goodness knows how long that will last, probably not long.

Still have a fair few things to sort out, stuff I need to buy and other little bits. I'm hoping to buy a few more clothes because despite going to a country of couture, I'm not sure whether clothes over there are going to be as cheap as some of the stuff over here, and at least here I know where to shop for certain things!

In all, it's going well, still have flights to book. Think I'm going to go Gatwick to Lyon and get to Gatwick by train. It seems to be cheaper that way, and I do plan to fly easyjet. Will have to make sure that I don't take too much stuff though, I'm going to have to plan this all out properly.

So things are getting there, just very eager to go now!
xxx.

5 weeks to go...

Ok, so I'm now a week closer to leaving and not a lot has changed, my list is still there and I don't have much to tick off of it! I'm in the middle of sorting some fairly important stuff out but none of it is, as such, done, which is possibly a bad thing but at the moment I don't really mind.

I've been spending a bit more time with friends which I think is a much better use of time, keeping everyone up to date and enjoying myself rather than worrying about what I haven't done. Can't believe it's nearly August though...where did July go??? So I'm gradually getting there I think, though there's nothing I can say I've done, things are definitely becoming clearer which is good. At some point this week I should be getting some stuff from the uni in Lyon which will be good, will get maps and timetables and stuff so I know what I'm doing. I bought a very important thing as well, a pocket dictionary of French! Normally I wouldn't bother, because I tend to use bigger dictionaries these days, but it's always useful if you're out and about to have a dictionary so that I can look it up...it was only £2 and will, I believe, be invaluable.

Well that's pretty much it for this week, I hope I'll have a bit more to report next week!
xxx

6 weeks 'til departure...

It's about 6 weeks now until I have to leave the UK and go to France for a year...scary stuff! I've just written a list of things I need to do before I leave, there's a lot I need to get done which I wish I'd already been in the process of. My major concern is that I don't officially have somewhere to live. There's an appartment in the pipeline. It's in the more industrial area of Lyon, but it's very near to the main train station and the big mall there, which is good for both travelling and my vain hope of finding a part time job whilst I'm over there to help with the rent I'm going to have to pay!!

This blog is basically here so that I can bore you all to death with all the mundane things I'll be doing day to day, but hopefully there will also be a few stories to tell from this year. After all, this is the year that I finally get to do the thing I've wanted to for years (live in France), I'm turning 21, I'm going to live in a different culture AND I'm going to have to communicate with people every day in another language! I'm soooooooooo excited to finally be doing this. I can't wait to be out there with all the fantastic food, drink and people (despite the fact they're french), and who knows what will happen.

So whilst I sit and stare at all the things I need to do, and the money I need to spend, before I leave, I'm thinking about how exciting its going to be.

6 weeks and counting!!!
xxx