Heinz spaghetti, clubs and fishies
Know it's been ages since I last did a blog, but I have been busy with homework and my dissertaiton proposal for Bangor =(
First thing's first, I finally found a supermarket that sells some British food!!! =D It is a Casino between the uni and Garibaldi metro station - I was so happy! So I now have Heinz Spaghetti and a big box of PG Tips in the cupboard! Explaining what Spaghetti on Toast to my family was hilarious!! They were making really weird faces, grimacing and all that. I thought at first that it was just a cultural difference, but in the end, I realised I must have said something wrong, because they thought that the spaghetti was literally INSIDE the toast and not on it... like a rolled up sandwich. Oooops =P
Last Thursday, I went out of my friend Jack's 21st birthday. It was a really good night and got to meet more new people, English and French - including some who know a friend from high school and college, and even an ex-girlfriend of a guy I knew at primary school! Small world eh?!
For part of it, we decided to go to the Erasmus party (there's one held every week) held at a club near Jean Mace. I've noticed that the clubbing experience is quite different to home. Firstly, the club was right in the middle of a residential area - and as a result the bouncers were telling everyone to shush all the time, which is impossible to do when you consider what drunk people are like - even threatening to pull us from the queue if we so much as whispered. The weird thing is... why have a club next to houses anyway?!!
Secondly the entrance fee is INSANE!!!! It was 12 __ euros!!! And 10 euros for a pre-paid ticket. True, the ticket they give you is also a coupon for a free drink, but it is still stupid!!
And finally, you have to pretty much leave EVERYTIHNG in the cloackroom. They do not allow ANY bags or coats inside, no matter how tiny!! Me and a friend I met that night were fuming. I didn't have any secure pockets, so I had to stick my phone in my boot!!! It wasn't exactly the most comfortable thing in the world and I was NOT very happy. So to anyone in Lyon, make a mental note to wear jeans or something with secure pockets when you go out.
After we left, I madly decided to try the night bus again - it was either that or wait for the metro to start again. And since I had to walk from Jean Mace to Hotel de Ville toute seule with only a few directions, and it took me about half an hour, I could have been absolutely out of my mind!! Walking along those streets at night is better than going around Bolton, but I miss the security in Bangor; over there, I walk all the time, and have almost never felt creeped out by going back home by myself. Fortunatly, I made it to Hotel de Ville fine with 5 minutes to spare and a blister on my little toe (my boot was rubbing)... AND THE BUS ACTUALLY CAME!!!!! =D It was about 5 minutes late, but that is certainly better than last time.
On Saturdays, Ellie and I have been going to a couple of the musums around here. The first one we went to was "Le Musee du cinema et de la minature" in Vieux Lyon, which was really interesting! The cinema section had props and costumes that were used in many different films: such as a pair of Wolverine's claw's in XMen, to one of the life-size puppets of Stuart Little, to part of Russel Crowe's costume in Gladiator! Then it went on to the miature section, which showed many different minature models and figurines. My favourite was the dusty opera house, as it reminded me of the opera house in Phantom - only no chandelier.
Then last Saturday, we decided to visit the aquarium. Going to zoos or aquariums is for me the same as going to the Disney Store; I love the sense of nostalgia and feel like a little kid again!! (Perfect example is I found a tank with a blue tang and another one with a clownfish - basically Dory and Nemo. =P) You could even touch some starfish at the end of the tour. I also came out of with one of those shiny turtles filled with sand, and, even better, a little wooden dolphin - I really love dolphins, almost as much as horses, so I was really happy! My only regret was not getting a penguin tooth necklace =P
Finally, I was talking to some French friends from my Japanese class and they said my accent is improving!! YES!! =D It truely made my day! On the other hand, I think my English is starting to go down the toilet... I noticed when doing my Anglais theme homework.... fandabydozy
Not that much else has happened that I can think of, but I am looking forward to the next few weeks. Next week, there is apparently a party celebrating 25 years of Erasmus that might be worth going to (and I know it's cheaper than normal). And in about 3 weeks, I am getting a visit from some very special people! My friend Heather is coming to celebrate her 21st with us, and in the same weekend, my parents are coming!! =D I have to admit, I am excited to see them, and hope that they bring some British food with them. I in the position of killing for some Cadbury's (they didn't have any in Casino)!!
Unitil next time,
Charlotte =)
First thing's first, I finally found a supermarket that sells some British food!!! =D It is a Casino between the uni and Garibaldi metro station - I was so happy! So I now have Heinz Spaghetti and a big box of PG Tips in the cupboard! Explaining what Spaghetti on Toast to my family was hilarious!! They were making really weird faces, grimacing and all that. I thought at first that it was just a cultural difference, but in the end, I realised I must have said something wrong, because they thought that the spaghetti was literally INSIDE the toast and not on it... like a rolled up sandwich. Oooops =P
Last Thursday, I went out of my friend Jack's 21st birthday. It was a really good night and got to meet more new people, English and French - including some who know a friend from high school and college, and even an ex-girlfriend of a guy I knew at primary school! Small world eh?!
For part of it, we decided to go to the Erasmus party (there's one held every week) held at a club near Jean Mace. I've noticed that the clubbing experience is quite different to home. Firstly, the club was right in the middle of a residential area - and as a result the bouncers were telling everyone to shush all the time, which is impossible to do when you consider what drunk people are like - even threatening to pull us from the queue if we so much as whispered. The weird thing is... why have a club next to houses anyway?!!
Secondly the entrance fee is INSANE!!!! It was 12 __ euros!!! And 10 euros for a pre-paid ticket. True, the ticket they give you is also a coupon for a free drink, but it is still stupid!!
And finally, you have to pretty much leave EVERYTIHNG in the cloackroom. They do not allow ANY bags or coats inside, no matter how tiny!! Me and a friend I met that night were fuming. I didn't have any secure pockets, so I had to stick my phone in my boot!!! It wasn't exactly the most comfortable thing in the world and I was NOT very happy. So to anyone in Lyon, make a mental note to wear jeans or something with secure pockets when you go out.
After we left, I madly decided to try the night bus again - it was either that or wait for the metro to start again. And since I had to walk from Jean Mace to Hotel de Ville toute seule with only a few directions, and it took me about half an hour, I could have been absolutely out of my mind!! Walking along those streets at night is better than going around Bolton, but I miss the security in Bangor; over there, I walk all the time, and have almost never felt creeped out by going back home by myself. Fortunatly, I made it to Hotel de Ville fine with 5 minutes to spare and a blister on my little toe (my boot was rubbing)... AND THE BUS ACTUALLY CAME!!!!! =D It was about 5 minutes late, but that is certainly better than last time.
On Saturdays, Ellie and I have been going to a couple of the musums around here. The first one we went to was "Le Musee du cinema et de la minature" in Vieux Lyon, which was really interesting! The cinema section had props and costumes that were used in many different films: such as a pair of Wolverine's claw's in XMen, to one of the life-size puppets of Stuart Little, to part of Russel Crowe's costume in Gladiator! Then it went on to the miature section, which showed many different minature models and figurines. My favourite was the dusty opera house, as it reminded me of the opera house in Phantom - only no chandelier.
Then last Saturday, we decided to visit the aquarium. Going to zoos or aquariums is for me the same as going to the Disney Store; I love the sense of nostalgia and feel like a little kid again!! (Perfect example is I found a tank with a blue tang and another one with a clownfish - basically Dory and Nemo. =P) You could even touch some starfish at the end of the tour. I also came out of with one of those shiny turtles filled with sand, and, even better, a little wooden dolphin - I really love dolphins, almost as much as horses, so I was really happy! My only regret was not getting a penguin tooth necklace =P
Finally, I was talking to some French friends from my Japanese class and they said my accent is improving!! YES!! =D It truely made my day! On the other hand, I think my English is starting to go down the toilet... I noticed when doing my Anglais theme homework.... fandabydozy
Not that much else has happened that I can think of, but I am looking forward to the next few weeks. Next week, there is apparently a party celebrating 25 years of Erasmus that might be worth going to (and I know it's cheaper than normal). And in about 3 weeks, I am getting a visit from some very special people! My friend Heather is coming to celebrate her 21st with us, and in the same weekend, my parents are coming!! =D I have to admit, I am excited to see them, and hope that they bring some British food with them. I in the position of killing for some Cadbury's (they didn't have any in Casino)!!
Unitil next time,
Charlotte =)
Comments
Post a Comment