Familiar Faces In Foreign Places

So get this, I’m now FILLING IN time. Wow. Miraculous. The last ten days have been pretty insane… As they seem to be these days.

 Last week I passed all of my tests for the end of the semester. This was preceded by a number of STINKY cheese parties that Aziz (my housemate) was throwing. Apparently in France during the winter months it's common practice to buy a ridiculously foul-smelling cheese called raclette, invite all your friends around and eat it melted with potatoes. Admittedly it's not that bad - but it stinks out your house. I, for example left all the windows open during the night to air the place from the smell - regardless, the stinky cheese smell lingered. Here's a picture of Aziz being enthusiastic about his cheese.

On Friday Julia joined me in Lyon (I may have squeezed all of the air out of her tiny lungs when I hugged her on the platform). Really, life without miss Hastings wasn’t quite as bright. It was awesome to have her in Lyon. Saturday evening I picked up Dominic from the airport with Julia and my friend Jérémy (who kindly drove us).

Sunday we set out to Fourvière, went to the basilica, visited the old Roman theatres (I’d been to La Croix Rousse with Julia the day before, so we didn’t go back). We went on the ferris wheel at Bellecour (fantastic views of the city. Mother, don’t freak out… I’m still here). We walked along the Rhône river and ate a bit of pasta that day…. It was good. It was all very nice.

IT SNOWED ON MONDAY! So, there wasn’t much… but I saw snow falling from my window when I woke up! That was pretty cool. The cars in the parking lot were covered lightly and when we went to the park there was a bit of snow around. It was all very exciting for me, my Malaysian friend and Julia…(we haven’t seen a lot of snow in our lives).

 On Monday evening Julia and I said a sniffly goodbye and Dominic and I took the train to Paris. The hotel we stayed at wasn’t exactly how I had thought it would be… meaning that it was in a pretty dodgy area that was difficult to access via metro. OH WELL. It was $30 a night anyway and was in Paris, after all. Tuesday we climbed Notre Dame (which was my first time up there!) and there were great views of Paris. We could see the Eiffel Tower, Sacré Coeur… many fantastic things. We also saw the famous bell (which, by the way is nearly 850 years old!).

After Notre Dame we had lunch at Hôtel de Ville (we walked past the ice skaters zipping around on an outdoor ice-skating rink. To my disappointment, Dominic couldn’t be convinced to give it a try). We went to the outside of Le Louvre, to Place de la Concorde, Les Tuilléries, then walked across the bridge and went to the Eiffel Tower. Many photos were taken here. Again. We then met up with my dear friend Nettra and had tea on a cute street before walking to the Champs Elysées. Dominic and I then saw l’Arc de Triomphe and Dominic did a bit of shopping at H&M. It’s funny. I know that this all sounds really cool and amazing, but I feel like I’ve done it so many times now that going to Paris seems like going to Melbourne. Is this bad? Maybe I’m just becoming a bit French.

 This brings me briefly to the funny thing about being surrounded by your second language 24/7. It drills into your mind (in no way is this negative)! The other day, for example when praying in English with my Brazilian housemate, I said ‘aussi’ instead of ‘too’ systematically. I had to stop praying while we just laughed. Then late last night when I wanted to sleep, I spoke to him in French. I was half asleep. Does this mean that French has entered my subconscious? I often find myself thinking in French, or imagining situations or conversations (with people who can in no way speak French at all) and they’re conversing with me in French. Wow. Language is weird, but cool! It’s kind of like a magic power. No, I’m not mad – perhaps a slight abstract thinker though, yes.

So where was I? Ok, so after the Champs Elysées we went to eat a crêpe. It was good. Montparnasse did not let me down.

Yesterday we did Versailles. This time I got to see Marie-Antoinette’s estate that was really amazing. An ancient, twisting wooden staircase that is no longer accessible was particularly intriguing. We then went to the city again and then went on an adventure trying to find a Chinese restaurant. We eventually ended up down a small, dark street in one. Dominic had rice and was happy. I was just relieved to be able to stop walking.

Finally now I'm in Denmark. It is dark. 4.15 pm now and I can't see anything. It's weird...I feel like I should be eating dinner and going to bed now.

Enjoy the sun, guys. Right now though, I'm not jealous. I'm with family.

Lyon Lights Up

There comes a time after having been away from home for a while where you start thinking that you're seeing people you know from back home.

I've seen European versions of cousins, close friends and people I know from Melbourne uni. It's quite fun, really. I can only smile and tell myself that it's impossible. This was until miss Lauren walked off a train from Paris and into my arms on Wednesday night. This was, of course planned, only it was so nice to see her!

On Thursday we went around Lyon. All over the city. Thursday was a special day. The 8th of December is a religious holiday here in Lyon (more on that later). It meant that people were out on the streets and the churches were even more beautiful than usual.

We went to La Croix Rousse (my favourite neighbourhood in Lyon), Vieux Lyon, to the basilica at Fourvière, the town hall, Bellecour, the main street... we walked a long way!

This is what we saw

 A juggling monk and a heart from paint spray cans. I'm proud of my little city.

The same picture I took in August looking down over Vieux Lyon, only this time it's wintery and the balloons are up in Bellecour for la Fête des Lumières

Fourvière

The sunset near my place, candles for December 8 in the basilica and a shrine to Mary in the St Jean CathedralSo where was I? Oh, yes. The 8th of December. According to the most reliable academic source, which of course everyone knows is wikipedia, the history behind the Lyonnaise tradition of December 8th is as follows: The origins of the festival date to 1643 when Lyon was struck by plague. The municipal councillors (échevins) promised to pay tribute to Mary if the town was spared. Ever since, a solemn procession makes its way to the Basilica of Fourvière on this day to light candles and give offerings in the name of Mary. The event thus commemorates the day Lyon was consecrated to the Virgin Mary. In 1852, it became a popular festical when a statue of the Virgin Mary was erected next to the Basilica, overlooking the city. Now a focal point of the festival, the statue was created by the renowned sculptor, Fabsisch and was sponsored by several notable Lyonnais Catholics. The inauguration of the statue was due to take place on September 8, 1852. That day, however there was serious flooding of the Saône River and this prevented the statue from being ready. The archbisop then decided to move the date to December 8. On the morning of the 8th, however a big storm stuck Lyon. The master of ceremonies decided to cancel everything and move the date to the following Sunday. In the end the skies cleared and the people of Lyon, who had been waiting for the event lit up their windows, went down into the streets and lit flares to illuminate the new statue and the chapel of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, later superseded by the Basilica. This tradition has been repeated ever since.So every year here in Lyon, the tradition of leaving candles on window cils still continues. And the crazy thing is that EVERYONE does it. And I mean everyone. Here's a picture of ours.

More recently, artists and engineers have flocked to the city to put together impressive light displays. People flood into the city (which makes it hard to move)! and there are holograms, sparklers, candles and impressive and spectacular shows which take place on famous Lyonnais buildings. This year the theatre looked like a pin ball machine, then it went underwater. The cathedral flashed different colours and sang opera... and at Place des Terreaux (where the town hall is, museum of fine arts and a famous fountain), the fountain came to life, horses ran onto the walls of the buildings, the buildings melted, were haunted by an opera singer and eventually fell down. Have a look at what we saw -

This is a video of part of the display projected onto the Museum of Fine Arts.

We stumbled across a pretty cool band -

View of the real city of lights (The festival in the film 'Tangled' was totally based on Lyon)

 We walked along the banks of the Rhône river

And went back to my cute little kitchen.

 The next day we went to Lyon's gourmet food market, owned by the world's greatest chef (no exaggeration), Paul Bocuse.

Saw a deer....at the park of course (yes, we did sing doe a deer...)

And then I dropped Lauren at the station... and made the walk of shame home as I had yet to have started revising for my upcoming exams and essays due this week... and wondered when my next Fête des Lumières would be.....better get back to it, guys. Until then!

Un Weekend dans le Froid

Thursday afternoon I boarded the train again. I think that SNCF (France's national train company) should give me some kind of discount. So I boarded the train and made the 5 hour trip to Metz, where I met Sophie, (who was the assistant in my French class in year 12). It was lovely to see her again.

Friday morning I took the train (which this time only took 10 minutes) and I arrived in Germany. It was COLLLLLLDDDD. I was wearing tights, 3 pairs of socks, a woollen skirt, knee-high boots, a long sleeved top, wool jumper, wool cardigan, wool scarf, hat and my huge woollen coat. I still had goose bumps. I'm trying to climatise... it's not easy for an Australian girl like me to adapt to European winters in December... in spite of my pastyness. I stocked up on warm socks from H&M, bought some cosmetics (which are significantly cheaper in Germany), practised my survival German and walked around the little Christmas market that was set up in Saarbrucken.

Sophie and I later watched a movie (a children's animation, titled 'A Monster in Paris', which was cute - and in the evening I helped her correct work from her English class (she's now an English teacher at a local high school). We laughed a lot while doing this, and thought I'd post one of the student's papers (this is a year 12 class). Their English is shocking... Sophie started teaching them a week ago and is panicked already about their final exams which will take place in March.

The real question: The girl finally reveals her identity. Imagine the conversation she has with him when she says who she is

           ~ The student's paper ~

The girl finally reveals her identity. Imagine the conversité she say him who she is.

Why want you was who I'am?

Because when your chat with a one personne I like know her identity

Ok, it's so good. My name is Brook you are satisfait?

Yes...good.

Why? You are know

Oh yes, the university of Mariland three years before her say?

Oh!!! No is impossible you is Brook Chase?

Yes!! It's me (funny, funny)

It's been a long time, I very happy the see.

Me too. You are no change, it's incroyable.

Neither do you.

What are you become?

I'am is teacher of language and you?

I'am headmaster of the compagny

Waou you have good job.

Thank you Brook, anyways, I'am happy the have to see.

Oh!! Is very nice mme too.

Good bye Brook

Good bye et good lucks.

Saturday was the highlight of my time away. We drove to Strasbourg, a beautiful Alsatian city with a river running through (so small that it's like a little canal). For those who don't know, Strasbourg is the Christmas capital of....the world it seems. The streets are full of little Christmas stalls, smells of cinnamon, nutmeg and everything else that tastes like Christmas waft through the freezing air.... And there are colours of red, green and gold everywhere. There's even a street where the Christmas decorations were designed by Swarovski. The place is Christmas heaven. The day was spent wondering through this.....well, wonderland and gazing at the beautiful cathedral too. It was Christmas holiday perfect, complete with an outdoor ice-rink.

Sophie had booked lunch for us at the best Alsatian restaurant (which was completely booked out) and there we ate good, heavy, wintery local food. Brotwurst, potatoes and sauerkraut. It was actually pretty good and helped us to heat up a little bit from the cold. Lunch was followed by a boat cruise along the river.

When the sun set and the cold, winter darkness crept in (at 4:30 pm of course), Strasbourg underwent a transformation and somehow became even more magical. We bought some gingerbread and drove back home... The perfect ending to a perfectly Christmassy day...

On Sunday we went to Le Centre Pompidou in Metz, which is a contemporary art museum. It was interesting to see the exhibition that was on. It was very original. There were a lot of sculptures, lights and mirrors. I quote that I liked from it was "To go straight ahead is scary, to go back is embarrassing."

I then went to the station to start the 5 and a half hour journey back home... And now I'm in Lyon, writing an analysis of a text by Lévi-Strauss in French. A small sacrifice for the amazing things I'm doing in Europe. Needless to say, I am SOOOOO excited for the Christmas break. 

Take care, missed ones.

La Lyonnaise Va Au Parc

I'm back! It's been a while, I admit. This morning was my first oral presentation in French, the dreaded 'exposé', which was in my French class for foreign students. My teacher seemed impressed enough, so I was thrilled that the first articles that I found on Islam and the Suburbs online, doing a simple google search seemed like the right ones!

After a quick lunch with a friend, Laura (also from Melbourne) in Vieux Lyon at a quirky pub/café, I strolled along the cobble stone streets in my new Italian leather boots with numb hands shoved deep in my pockets and was happy that there was a little bit of sun in spite of the cold. I walked along past the cathedral, past all of the lynonnais 'bouchons' (which are small brasseries) and then over the bridge to the centre of town. I then had one of those 'I LIVE IN FRANCE!!! THAT  IS SO COOL!!!!' moments, did a lap around the town square and took the metro home.

Last week I went to Le Parc de La Tête d'Or for the second time since I came here. You may remember it featured in a post published in August. The last time I went there I didn't really walk around though, as Chloé was eager for us to get some sun and read... so when I went back last week I was blown away by how beautiful it is and how much there is as well! Unfortunately last week I forgot my camera, so today when I went on my walk (yes, I am trying to walk some of the excess bread fat off), I tried to capture how alive and magnificent the park is...

And if you're tired of seeing  photographs of autumn leaves... I suggest you don't scroll down.

                                           I crunched through crunchy leaves...

I saw great animals...

Thought about buying some fairy floss...but kept walking

I saw children playing in the leaves and the autumn sun peeking through

  

Soaked up the atmosphere...

There were hungry ducks and setting suns at 4pm...

 

I thought about waltzing lonelily through the rose garden..

This lake is a 10 minute walk from my house...what have I been doing at home all this time?

I wasn't the only one marvelling at our beautiful autumn...

In Lyon we recycle our leaves and our doggies have their own 'doggie business' space at the park...only in France.

 So à la prochaine...tomorrow I am off to Metz to visit Sophie (an old French friend) and spend up big at the Christmas market (thank you Gran for the spending money). I'm excited ! (unfortunately the 4 and a half hour train trip isn't short enough to justify not studying...we all know why I'm really here and YES! I'm getting on that!)

Miss you guys.... it's cold here (don't let the sun make you think otherwise)

Alice


PS. The photos wouldn't sit straight. I tried to fix it... sorry.