I am in London!!!

I am staying in London with my friend Dhivya at Imperial College, Beit Hall! Red double decker buses! Cup-o-tea! Biscuits! Big Ben! The London eye! Jaffa Cakes! Red telephone boxes! People speaking english again! The London Underground! Car's driving on the left hand side of the road. again! South end on sea!

It's so much fun here. I love it! I have changed/found another flight to stay here until Sunday morning! My flight cost me 00.01 GBP (unfortunately plus tax) but how cool is that! I like it here! I like it!!!!!!!

Photos of my wonderful day

My friend Alexandra on the left (French) et Alisa (Canadian) on the right


The second 'natural curiosity' for the day. A cross between a giant pile of rocks and a mountain...how curious! I like it!



The group atop the second 'natural curiosity' (left to right): Alisa, Jens, Moi, Sebastian et Mathise. This shot looks like a post card with everyone placed so nicely.



The most beautiful Autumn leaves I've ever seen. This is the part where we all stopped and got out of the car with our cameras.



The thrid 'natural curiosity'. A cascade/waterfall. Look at the hillsides behind us, covered in colours. This waterfall was extraodinary and different to any others that I have seen. Tired in levels and 'fat' if you can describe a waterfall as overweight.


Alisa and Cara is a castel built atop this jagged rock in the background. Incredible! I've never seen anything like it and Alisa siad it was Mordor from Lord of the Rings.


The last town we stopped at night on our way home. It's amazing. I've never seen anything like it. A church perched on a giant rock or as I like to say a rocky outcrop that goes up instead of out!

The Cara at night in her natural habitat.

Un jour euphorique!

It is hard to decide weather to write in French or English. My English is so much better (naturally) and if I want to express myself properly with the kind of langauge I like (not correct English but creative/fluent...you start analysing these things when you are learning another language) then I have to write 'en angalis'. However, if I ever want to be able to write that way in French then I have to write in not-so-good-French and badly translate for all which takes a lot of time as the translation software is appaling and also actually means that I am not documenting properly in either language! And a day like today must be remembered and documented to the best of my ability because I never want to forget it. I don't know if I have ever had a day like it. Well here goes nothing:

ENGLISH:

Sunday, Oct. 23rd, 2005: Today was one of best the days of my life. One day incredible. One day euphoric. Night last, right before I slept (2:30 in the morning), I went to set my alarm clock on my mobile and I realized that I received a message or 'texo' as they say in French. The texto, sent by Jens (German exchnage student) asking if I would like to 'tour' the area of St Etienne. He has a car and has spoken to me in the past about going for a drive/tourist foray. Texto: Cara hello, do you want to make a southern tour of St Etienne tomorrow? One will leave has 8h. So yes, one needs telephoner to speak about the details! Jens.

I thought that it was a good idea (especially because this weekend I am free and not traveling) but Alisa (Canada) slept over and it seemed a little impossible to say to her at 8am in the morning` I am leaving but you saty here and sleep' thus I had to answer the texto that I am interested but speak to you in the morning. In the morning, Jens called (7:30am - Oh la la!), and asks whether I would like to come. I said ` No, not possible with Alisa staying at mine and she was sleeping'. 15 minutes later Alisa's alarm clock went off (a mistake, normally it for university during the week) and I have awoke. I decided that since Alisa was awake I would ask her about the trip. Normally, I don't think she too spontaneous and asked how many hours is the tour? I wrote the following reply to Jens: You left already? The girl awakes! How long is the tour? Can this girl come too? I'll ask demand? As I was speaking with Alisa about possibly going

Jens replied: Be there to get you in 15 mins! I thought Alisa would continues to debate but instead she said ` My Gosh, 15 mins!' and we began to move quickly! Throwing clothing on, run to the boulangeie/bakery to buy a baguette, scoff small lunch/breakfast, make the baguette- add tomatoes, cucumber and bree (cheese... of course... It's France!) in 2 seconds flat (lol, thats not a French expression) and run outside. The weather was rainy. Met Jens and his 2 German friends- Sebastian (a friend also on exchange in France) and Matise (his colocator/housemate). And we' re off. Everyone is very nice! Alisa and I in the back seat with Matise. First stop, small village. I am certain that we were the only people who did not live there. The weather started to fine up and some sun! Around this time, Cara and Alisa start to become euphoric. It was indescribable. The countryside so pretty and I am in France! In France! Really in France! No, really! Incredible. I am very happy that I have decide to come today. I fell in love with the countryside at that moment. I think it was one of the happiest moments during my life. Indescrible It was. My eyes drank in everything and I became intoxicated with the landscape. Gerogrous, fresh and raw. I was smiling uncontrollably and I felt that same feelings of being in love with someone. My soul was free. My soul was. My soul was euphoric. My soul was singing.

After that hiking on a hill/mountain. If I knew that hiking was a possibility I have would have chosen better shoes. But, 'sans soucci/no worries'. Hike, anyway! The view at the summit was incredible! Alsolutelyt! It was covered with ladybugs too. Then, a second more difficult hike at a mountaine/big rock thing called 'Saint Martial'. There were arrows spray painted on the stones of the montain and you follow the arrows up and another series down. There were ropes use to go up and decend. Nonie, you would have been ` Oh Honey-ing' all the way!

Next stop, a look out: Countryside and Mountains. Very very pretty. Drive through the stunning mountains with the leaves changing into the colours of autumn. Alsolutely amazing. I hae neer seen the colours of Autum like this. I think each person in the group said at different times that they now thought autum is best time to see this region. At this point we actually had to stop the car and get out to see the leaves. I do not know weather it was the time of dayor the the angle of the sun as it hit the leaves but it was breathtakingly beautiful. Lookout: Waterfalls. Lookout: nature/sceanry. Lookout: Another waterfall. Lookout: cute village. Amazing landscape. Alisa sleeps in the car. She is tired beacsue we were up late talking with my French friend Alexandra. Next stop: Lake and to see the Ardechoise mountain. U turn. Find a chart. Encounter a heard of cow. After that a dog tries to attack the car. Literally he threw himslef at the car... I said that he must hae thought we were a giant sheep beacause the car is ight in colour and 'Alisa added with lots of eyes', ery funny/cute except for the mark we found later on the car from the dog! Next stop: castle/fort on a rock mountain (really medieil looking). Cara's toilet experience...small iallge, weird toilet. Lets not go there. The last village by night. Also ery medeil looking. This area seems to be characterised by rocky outcrops but they go up into mountain like rocks instead of out! Amazing, really amazing.

Now, its 2am but it was important for document this extraordinary day. Good night.

P.S. I saw the photographs as I was posting this and and I am so happy. Should I say it again? Incredible!

FRENCH:
Dimanche, Oct 23^rd, 2005:

Aujourd hui etait une de le mieux jours de ma vie. Un jour incroyable. Un jour euphorique. La nuit dernière, juste avant j’ai dormi (2:30 au matin), je suis allé a set mon réveille-matin sur mon portable et j'ai réalisé que j’ai reçu un texo. Le texto a ecrit de Jens (etudient é é étrange d’Allemand) et ca demand ci je voudrais faire un tour de St Etienne. Texto: Salut Cara, as-tu envie de faire une tour sud de St. Etienne demain? On va partir a 8h. Si oui il faut telephoner pour parler des details! Jens. J’ai pense que c’est une une bonne idée (surtout parce que cet weekend je suis libre et pas voyager) mais Alisa (Canada) a reste avec moi cet soir et c’est un peu impossible pour dire à elle dans le matin à 8 heures ‘Je suis partir mais tu reste ici et dormir’ donc j’ai repondre à la texto et j’ai ecrit que je suis interesse mais parle au subject du tour dans le matin. Au matin, Jens a apelle moi, a 7:30 heures du matin (Oh la la!), et demande si je voudrais venir. J’ai dit que ‘Non, pas possible avec Alisa chez moi. Elle dort’. 15 minutes plus tard le réveille-matin de Alisa sonne (c’etait une error, normalment le sonne pour l’universite) et j’ai reve. J’ai decide que depuis Alisa etait reve, demande avec elle au subject du tour. Normalment, je pense que elle n’est pas spontaneous et elle demande combine heures est le tour? J’ecrit un texto a Jens: Tu a parti deja? La fille rever! Est ce que le tour est pour le jour? Peut etre cette fille viens aussi? Je luiu demand? As je parle avec Alisa au sujet de peut etre faire j’ai recu un response de Jens:Tres bien, nous serions la pour vous aller chercher dans 15 mins! J’ai pense que Alisa would continue to debat mais no, elle a dit ‘Mon Dieu, 15 mins!’ et nous commence bouger vite! Jetter les vetements sur ma corps, tenir les choses dans le firgo pour petit dejeuner, courir a la boulangeie et acheter un baguette, scoff/mange petit dejeuner, faire baguette- addjoutez moutard, tomatoes, concombre et bree (fromage…bien sur…C’est la France) dans 2 seconds plat (lol, pas un expression francais je suis sure) et courir dehors. Le temps ne fait pas beau, il fait pleuie. J’ai rencontre Jens et ses 2 ami d’Allamande- Sebastian (un ami aussi sur exchange en France) et Matise (son colocateur). And we’re off. Tu le monde sont tres syampa et nous conduire ensemble! Alisa et moi dans le siège arrière avec Matise.

Primere arête, petit village. Je suis certain que il n’a y pas any autres gens la sauf les gens qui habite dans la village. Le temps fait beau by this time, pas pluie…soeil! Arund this time, Cara et Alisa commence devenir euphorique. It was indescribable. Le campagne so joli et je suis en France! En France! Vraiment en France! Non, vraiment! Incroyable. Je suis tres heureuse que j’ai decide pour venir aujourd hui. I fell in love with the countryside at that moment. I think it was one of the happiest moments pendent my life. It was indescrible. My eyes drank in everything and I became intoxicated with the landscape. Gerogrous, fresh and raw. I was smiling uncontrollably and I felt that same feelings of being in love with someone. My soul was free. My soul was content. My soul was euphoric. My soul was singing.

Apres ca un randonne sur un colligne/mountaine. Si j’ai connu que randone est un possibilite j’ai would have choisir mieux chassures. Mais, sans soucci. Randone, anyway! La vue de la l’aiguille est incroyable! Alsolument! Il y aux coccinelles partout sur la terre.

Apres, un deuxieme randonne, plus difficile bien sur! Le nom de la mountaine/grand piere chose etais Saint Martial. Il y a les fleche spray painted sur les pierres du montainge et c’etait necessarie pour suivre les fleches pour montee et une autre série decendu. Il y les cordes aussi pour tenir et utliser pour monter et decendre. Nonie, you would have been ‘Oh Honey-ing’ all the way! Arrete a une petit point de surveillance. Les compangne et mountaines. Tres tres joli. Conduire vers/traverse stunning mountines avec l’abres ou les feuilles est changer les colours. Alsolutely amazing. J’ai jamais vu les colours d’Autum comme ca. Je pense chaque personne dans le group a dit que l’autume est le mieux temps pour voir cette region/endroit. At cette point we actuslly had to stop the car and get out to see the leaves. Je ne sais pas weather it was the time of day or the angle of the sun on the leaves but it was breath taking. Lookout: Cascade. Lookout: la natures/sceanry. Lookout: Cascade Lookout: mingnon village. Amazing paysage. Alisa dormer. Elle est fatigue. Lac et voir la montagne Ardechoise. U turn. Trouve une carte. Vache. Chien. Voir castle/fort. Cara’s toilet experience. Le deniere village.

Maintenant, c’est du matin mais c’etait important pour document cette jour extraordinaire. Bonne nuit.

P.S. J’ai vu (juste maintenant) les photos que j’ai prend heir et je suis heureuse.

Ca va cet weekend/ It goes this weekend!

I am trying to write things in French so I practise. It is hard swapping all the time and I really need to learn and therefore should swap to French for good right? Small problem? You lot have no idea what I'm saying! So I wrote my last journal entry in dodgy french and underneath is a automatic babelfish translation but it doesn't work so well me thinks. Here it is:

BORKEN FRENCH:J’ai amiees francais! Aujourd hui j’ai awoke lazily et j’ai prend un douche. Apres ca, j’ai ecrit un project pour mon cours qui s’appelle tutorat geographique. Pour moi, j’ai un sens de je travaille duree. Je voudrais finir cette project donc dans l’avenir ce ne pas necessaire pour inquiette au subject de ca et aussi j’ai trove le temps pour aller au muse. Un bonne idée pour ‘cease le jour’. Apres ca j’ai visite maccdo pour utilier l’intenet. Je voudrais contacter Stuart qui travail avec mon l’universite. Il est ici a Lyon just 4 jours mais j’ai envoie un email au subjet de si c’est possible pour lui pour prenderais un cadeau pour ma mere a Melbourne. C’est lourd et peut etre c’est possible pour addjouter les autres choses aussi! Ma mere a telephoner moi! Youpi!

Ensuite, j’ai partie a maccdo et prend le bus a Carrefours (en anglais c’est crossroads). J’ai achete les choses pour le diner et rotuorne chez moi. Kristine (Danois) et Alexandra (Francaise!!!) ont arrive après ca et ensemble ont cree le diner. J’ai fait le stirfry avec le riz. Claire (francaise) a arrive avec frommage pendent la cussiner! Deux gens francaise! Bien! Diner est un ressuir avec toutes le monde et après c’est fromage- le petit munster, coulommiers et rocquefort avec pain et les raisins. Les formages sont tres bien. Bonne choix! Ben parti pour travail et Loubna (Francais) a arrive. Nous parlons ensemble! C’est bien! J’ai comprend un blague et faire un blague aussi! Alexandra est de Dijon et Calire d’Orange. Je pense que elles voudrait rencontre les gens a l’universite comme moi. Touts le monde exchange les numeros de portable! Loubna parti et après Kristine aussi. Calire, Alexandra et moi parle pour longtemps. J’ecrit les mots francais que j’ai apprend sur un affice pour mon mur. J’ai beaucoup maintenant. Les deux filles parlent anglais un peu et doce c’est bien pour apprendre francais. C’est le meme chose que le soiree la nuit denierre, le Franco-American soiree.

A le Franco-American soiree, J’ai rencontre 2 freres et leur ami qui parle francias courrant mais aussi angalis parce que leurs parents sont American! Tres bein pour parler. En ce moment je trove c’est plus facile pour parle avec 1, 2 ou 3 gens. Pas un grand groupe. A le soiree la nuit denier j’ai parle avec un group des 3 filles un plus ages de moi et c’est facile pour parler avec elles. Je pense dans l’avenir je lui verrais encore. I am looking forward to it. La soiree etait un peu triste parce que je suis le seul American etudiant qui bothered to come! Slackers. Il y avait les demi American garcons mais pas le meme chose. J’ai pense que comment touts les gens dit les Francais est rude et pas syampa et il y a les gens Francais qui faire un grand effort et les Americans n’est pas la!

Apres, le soiree la nuit denier je pommande avec mon velo avec les hommes francais avec parents American. C’etait facile pour parle avec un homme at a time. Et j’ai l’opportunity pour parle avec toutes les homme pendent le prommande, one at a time. Bien! Apres ca j’ai fait mon velo chez Niki. Elle n’etait pas la donc j’ai decidee pour fait mon velo a ‘transborder’ un discotheque entre du Parc de la Tete d’Or et Lyon 1. J’ai vu une amiee sur la route (What are the chances?) et nous venions ensemble parce que j’ai accune idée ou est transborder. It’s a good thing I went avec eux parce que I was way off. Transboder c’etait pas mal mais il me manqué le mood pour moi. J’ai vu beaucoup des gens qui je connais et obtenu un pince, t-shirt, lanyard et trouver d’argent (presque battre le pince), toutes advertising la ville de Lyon. Je pense la ville est tres keen/plein d’enthuasim pour promotion de Lyon. Sur un grand screen, il a monte une film pour promotee Lyon avec beaucoup des sports est la musique vite. J’ai decide pour chez moi a 2:30 heures je pense a peut pres. J’adore mon velo est le liberte avec ca!

EVEN MORE BROKEN TRANSLATION (which I have fixed to make it barely comprenhendable):

I have French friends! Today I have awoke lazily and I have takes a shower. After that, I have written a project for my course which is called tutorat geographic. For me, I have a direction of I work duration. I would like to thus finish this project in the future it not necessary for worry for the subject of Ca and also I have found the time to go with the Museum. A good idea for ` cease the day'. After Ca I have visit mcdonalds for use the intenet. I would like to contact Stuart which work with the my university. He is here has Lyon just 4 days but I have send an email to the subjet of if it is possible for him for take a gift for my mother to Melbourne. It is heavy and can be it is possible too for add other things! My mother has telephoner me! Youpi! Then, I have leave have maccdo and travel by the bus has Carrefours (in English it is crossroads). I have buy the things for the dinner and return at home. Kristine (Danish) and Alexandra (French!!!) have arrives and together have make the dinner. I made the stirfry with rice. Claire (French) A arrives with frommage good choice! Two Frenchwoman people! Well! Dinner is one to ressuir with all the world and after it is cheese small the munster, coulommiers and rocquefort with bread and the grapes. Formings are very well. Good choice! Ben left for work and Loubna (French) arrives. We speak together! It is well! I have understands a joke and to make too a joke! Alexandra is of Dijon and Calire d' Orange. I think that they would like meets people at the university, just like me. Everyone exchange numbers of mobile [phones! Loubna left and after Kristine too. Calire, Alexandra and I speak for a long time. I write the French words that I have to learns on a poster for my wall. I have much now. The two girls speak English a little and is good for learning French. It is the same thing as the evening the night denierre, Franco-American evening. In Franco-American evening, I have meeting 2 brothers and their friend who speaks francias flently but also english because their parents are American! Very good to speak ot them. In this moment I find it is easier for speaks with 1, 2 or 3 people. Not a great group. With cocktial party I spoke with a group about the 3 girls and it is easy to speak with them! I think in the future I would still see them again. I am looking forward to it. The evening was a little sad because I am only studnet American which bothered to come! Slackers. There were the half American boys but not the same thing. I think how alot of people says the French are not nice and here there are French people who to make a main effort and Americans is not! After, the evening I walk with my bicycle with the French men with American parents. It was easy for speaks with them one at a time. And I have the opportunity for speaks with all the man during the prommande. Well! After that I made my bicycle to Niki's. She wasnt there so I decide to ride to ` transborder' a club between Park of Tete d' Or and Lyon 1. I saw a friend on the road (What are the chances?) and we came together because I have no idea where it is. It' s has good thing I went with them because I was way off. It was okay but was not really the mood for me. I saw many people who I know and obtained a pin, tee-shirt, lanyard and found some money (almost beats the pin!), all advertising the town of Lyon. I think the city is very keen/ enthuasim for promotion of Lyon. On large a screen, there was a film for promotee Lyon with much of the sports is the music quickly. I have decide for at home at 2:30 hours I think approx. I adore my bicycle is freedom!

P.S. My favourite translation is: Two Frenchwoman people! hahahaha all the way home!

Cara's room!!! after extensive decoration

Okay to appease the masses here are the 'after' photos of my room! Before can be found by scrolling down a fair bit. I am putting these up beacause this morning I managed to get a personal courrier (a Melbourne University exchnage coordinator) to accompany a presnt for my Mum and my Italien photos back to Australia! Absolutely amazing...that present was heavy I tell you! But yeah, I didn't have the time to transfer the photos to my lap top so I don't have them, they are in transit! I have a back up in Italy on Simone's (the family friend I stayed with) computer no one panic!


Cara's room! Thats then best bed in the world and wll worth dragging it on the tram, train, pushing it down the street and hauling it up 4 flights of spiral stairs! My coat rack, how posh (never had one before...oh so novel), thank you landlord!




















Cara's room...the other direction. There are my nice big windows which let the morning sunlight in which warms up my house! The big blue worm is from Ikea and is filled to breaking point with clothes (say no storage space). The hooks on the back of my doors are a life saver. The blue bobbles/beads hanging from the ceiling are a house warming present from a French friend!



Cara's 100% free book shelves made from real French wine boxes!

Random Lyon/French facts:

Random French Facts:

-Cobbled streets make ridding a bike very bumpy and make you feel like your teeth are going to fall out of your head.
-I get discounts from my little local shop because the guy thinks I am ‘vraiment joli’(really pretty)
-Everyone tastes/eats the grapes here at the supermarket and as a budgeting student Cara gives that the 2 thumbs up!
-The 2 rivers (Rhone and Soane) that run through Lyon are massive. It makes the Yarra blush and run for cover.
-Wearing a skirt that is shorter then knee length says ‘I really really want you to start up random conversations with me, preferably starting with a sleazy-ish Salut/Hey’.
-It is not compulsory to wear a helmet when ridding a bike here and French driving is a little nuts.
-When people honk here they do so with dedication! I mean serious honking like ‘That’s not a honk’ *with Crocodile Dundee accent*. It’s push and hold, all the way! And continue to do so for as long as necessary until things go your way….okay maybe a little exaggerated….
-Dogs: Most dogs here are little what I call ‘Benji’ type dogs but terriers probably makes more sense to most people. In general people hold the leashes too tight I think. Lyon is full of dog poo because no one picks it up.
-In response to ‘Je suis Australienne/ I am Australian’ everyone replies with one or both of ‘C’est loin. C’est beau/It’s far. It’s beautiful’.
-At the flea market people gave me things becasue I was Australian (hairclips from one place and a necklace at another). People here like Aussies! Keep up the good work guys!
-In the international office at uni people smoke in their offices.
-On the news here they have really good maps that show you exactly where the country in question is. It really educates you on geography.
-At my uni there are co-ed toilets. At my uni it is common not to find toilet paper or a holder in the stall. In these situations it is necessary to take your toilet paper in with you from on main dispenser. So far I have not forgotten….lol. At my uni it is common not to have toilet seats….no idea…don’t ask….saving on plastic? Maybe because they are co-ed the women can complain about the toilet seats being left up?
-In the majority of buildings here have ‘push button lights’ in the corridors and stairwells. Push the button, the lights turn on and then after a while they go off. Finger crossed you are not still in the stair well at the time. Power saving. Also, particularly fun when intoxicated I imagine!
-Pretty much all sandwiches are made with baguettes.
-There are some funny names for shops here: 'Pin up' (not really what I want my clothes to shout), 'le dressing' (Italian, vinaigrette or blue cheese?), Tati (lol again...not my image), 'Sinequanone' and 'Mephisto' (would you like that un tablet form or injection?), 'Slipissmo' (A crazy Italian verb: 'Oopso! I slipissmo ona bananana peelo'...oh this is now my new favourite word... when I return I will use it to describe everything!)
-I found a store that sells American food: jello/jelly: 3.50Euros/5.50USD.
-There are Hagendas ice cream cafes here that are expensive but really good. I now wish I had binged in the USA when it was 2 500mL tubs for 5USD (in Hawaii with British hostel friends).
-At the moment I have 7 different kinds of cheese in my fridge!!! I challenge anyone to a cheese duel! En guard!
-When I look out of my apartment windows there is a big white hotel across the road and at night they turn on lights in the windows which all change colours at once.
- I think that the word ‘poissonnerie’ is funny. hahaha
-Last night a man played the accordion at the bar/resto below my house….the one where my pants fell on the roof.
-You cannot buy peanut butter here or over the border in Italy. Americans, forget peanut butter and chocolate! Oh shock horror!
-Most cheese here is made with un-pasteurized milk.
-You can buy boxed crepe mix.
-Roquefort cheese looks like it is decomposing literally it is ALIVE…and it’s yummy.
-Guys sometimes wear headbands if they have longer hair here.
-There are ATMS which allow you to borrow DVD’s.
-There are supermarket ATMS too.
-You cannot use payphones here with change. You have to buy a card. My friend Aura (Finish) thinks it’s funny to see payphones because in Finland they don’t seem to have them. Everyone has a mobile phone!
-It is hard to find an internet café here.
-The other day a guy told me in French that ‘he speaks with God’ but he meant it in a ‘I am o-so-powerful kind’ of way not a ‘I am a nut case’ type of way. Uhuh? What a charmer! What a pick up line ladies! Catch’em quick!
-Sometimes I see swans swimming on both of the rivers.
-There are long barge like boats that sail the rivers. Sometimes families live on them and that have plants on the top and a picnic table. Imagine living like that for a while. Sailing the world! It is now on my list of things to do!
-I think my English spelling is getting worse.
-Try understanding French with an Italian accent, or a Japanese accent (I admire the Japanese students…how hard would it be to learn French. French and English are similar, French and Japanese?….not really).
-To avoid men’s propositions I usually ignore them however when confronted I have so far pretended to be German (because a lot of the youth here speak English and can continue converse) and on another occasion, deaf (yes, I started signing on the train!). Next time deaf and German?
-Cara got a big package from her Nonie today!!! Thank you!!!
-Cara loves mail....and blog comments!
Cara is tossing up going to England this weekend ...so spontaneous!

Cara getting her first packages in Lyon!

Here is Cara with first mail ever!!!! SOOO excited! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Scroll down to see pictures of my university

http://www.univ-lyon3.fr/

My first time in Italy!!!

I am in Italy everyone and I cannot believe it! I randomly decided to come and visit Simone (family friend) in Italy for the weekend with Niki! We got a lift to Annecy, spent the night there and then took the train into Italy (with a stopover in Chambery). It's the first time that I have visited a forigen country where I do not speak the language! I am in Torino which is near the French border. I thought my French would help me a bit here but that doesnt seem to be the case so much! I leave for Lyon tomorrow at 9:30am so I will post more info about this TURLY crazy adventure soon. This trip has been the most random and crazy so far!
Cara =)

Ma vie quotidenne/ Daily life

Rode to uni. Today I went to my FLE class and did my expose oral on Midnight Oil. Didn’t go as well as I wanted it to since the ipod wouldn’t actually play the music so I don’t think anyone knew what I was talking about. Then, since I had my lap top I went on wireless internet at uni! Found a class room all to myself, what luck since they seem to lock them all and looked at mail without having to sign up at the computer lab! A worthless process of French bureaucracy which involves you having to line up, have your student card taken and the details written down and then being assigned to a computer. And there are 2 people working in each small computer room who know nothing about computrers! Maybe if they worked in the offices then something would get done here faster then a snails pace. Then I rode North to Lyon 1 to once again battle it out and try to find a science class. I want to know if it’s a option or not. I want to know. So I went to Microbiology in Apitheatre 3. Snuck in the back and ate a bagette sandwich while listening to a French professor talk about transcription and translation. Hearing ‘le sigma factor’ and ‘le promoter’ made me laugh…on the inside. Try saying topoisomerses 5 times fast with an accent Francais. After speaking with some girls I found out that you have to do this class both mon avo and tues morning which doesn’t work with my schedule. I then went to the lab/prac just to see what it was like. The guy running it said I shuld come back and see after the prac, which finishes at 7!!!! Oh I walked out of there so happy that I could clearly not have to do anything there! It’s a pity beacsue I like the capus, it is more open and spacious and the people eem freiendly and more casual too. Its more backpacks and jeans rather then hand bags and heals. Lyon had business subjects and I think that snobs them up a bit. Also, the trams drive right through the university which is a bit fn. So I left for Lyon 3, stopped at Niki’s on the way but she was absent. Went to the bank, they think it’s odd that I have still I haven’t received mine. I don’t, C’est la France! Chatted to people and looked to make another ppointment for mon carte de sejour (the card that gives me money for housing) but of course the person I needed to speak to wasn’t there! C’est la France! I went to Rachel’s and swapped Nice/Marsaille photos. Then road to Part Dieu to meet up with the Italien’s and Nikki to shop for this evenings Oven Party (none of the residences have ovens so I decide to have a small oven party to celebrate and the Italien love the idea since they both love to cook). Marta, Lara (with a rolling r) Nikki and I bought yummy things and went back to mine to cook. We made 2 quinces – the first with layers of cheese (emmental, motarella and bree-trois fromage is very popular here), mushroms and prosciutto and the second with veggies, cheese and for desser chocolate cake! All baked! It was SO good! Yum. All those cheese! Walked the Italiens to the train, chatted with Nikki, ummmed to the Budda in a shop window, returned home, checked out traveling and talked way to late into the night!

Marseille

Cara on the tarin to Marseille.


Arriving at Marseille.



The Vieux Port of Marseille.


The girls and I are lost!


The church is on the top of a hill whihc has panaramic views of all of Marseille. Incredible.

Vieux Marseille- I fell in love with this place. At first it looked a little dinky but it is a photophers dream.

Nice

Cara, Natalie(USA), Rita (Aust), Greta (Aust) and Kate (USA) departing for Nice on the 9:15am train. YAY!


Me and the Nice sunset our first day there.


A Saturday morning book market in Nice at le Palais du Justice!


Rachael (UK), Nikki (Aust), Jane (Canada) and Cara at the Saturday flower market (which also has all sorts of food and art). These 3 girls are not in the photo at the start as they were in the 2nd wave and arrived friday night instead of firday afternoon.


Morning of departure. Goodbye Central Nice.

Goodbye Dhivya!