'Il est temps de vivre la vie que tu t'es imaginée'

Despite the copious amounts of paper work and endless power-points about how much money you will (but so painfully currently do not) have, daydreams of your impending Year Abroad, as a second year student, do not cease. A whole year dedicated to discovering the vast corners of a new country (or two or three, depending on how far that elusive Erasmus grant stretches!) and not only learning but living your language- how could it be anything but incroyable?

The days of Friday 29th November to Sunday 1st December alone made this second year dream (and so many Starbucks-latte-catch-up-afternoon-daydreams) come true. My best friend Ellie and I spent the weekend in Paris- truly, it was everything we had imagined and more.

What an eiffel...

Bright and early Saturday morning we walked to our nearest metro station and hopped on: destination Tour Eiffel. Of course, there was no other logical/more perfect monument to kickstart out Parisian dream- it more than lived up to expectation. The autumnal spectrum of the day seemed to be mirrored in the Tower's brassy finish- it was something extraordinary. Obviously, in true Ktenas-Fox style- equipped with cameras, phones and visionary outlooks- it took us the best part of an hour to make it from one side of the Eiffel to the next but who's complaining...

When we finally reached the other side we were greeted by the usual Parisian crowds (tourists, eiffel-keyring-shaking mecs and ladies who (probably) swore at us but in neither French, English nor Greek) but one guy with a clipboard caught my eye... Selling his 'artistic impressionist drawings' I was sold- a win-win situation if ever I heard one; either an absolute masterpiece (unlikely but tout est possible in Paris) or a truly hilarious souvenir. The final product speaks for itself. Despite her reservations (and deceptive facial expression) Ellie couldn't have thought of a better way to spend 10 Euros (negotiated down from thirty- did I mention I was Managing Director of my school's Young Enterprise team?) 

This not only started our Parisian journey but also led the way for us to be duped by many more salesmen in various forms along our path- start as you mean to go on and all that!

'Arc! Who goes there?

The only next step was to metro-it to Arc de Triomphe and waltz down the Champs Elysées...

Of course we (but mostly Ellie) had to stop at every postcard stand going- for anyone who has walked this very street, you may have noted it offers a postcard for every sentiment you truly/sometimes/potentially-could-one-day-in-the-future feel for every moment for the rest of your life... 

We eventually made it to the bottom, nonetheless, and hopped back on the metro to visit one of the worlds' largest art museums (the outside of it, at least- cue panorama shots, typical tourist poses and a man with both a Polaroid camera and a rather tactical ability to mispronounce prices)...

It was Louvre at first sight!

The sun was just peeping over the Louvre as we made our way out from the station (what an incredible underground tour it was, too- everything from SWATCH to Starbucks, absolutely nothing that you would want to unsee [a rather unfortunate staple to a trip to Paris with use of the metro!]) and it was stunning.

A few snaps upon the miniature platforms and two Polaroids later, we headed Seine-bound...

Seine and sensibility...

All we have to say about this part of our adventure is 'THE LIGHT, OH THE LIGHT!' It was gold, I tell you. Absolutely, undeniably gold! Light beams were streaming in from behind the buildings over the other side of the water, the leaves were dappled with sunlight and the Seine glittered. Even people most unlikely to be inclined to poetry would be moved to it! 

We followed the Seine until we crossed upon the Pont des Arts (aka. the padlock bridge), which provided a dream-like reality of it's very own; a perfect microcosm of Paris.

Little fish, big Pont...

 There were paintings, chalk drawings, an accordion, a brass band and choir, couples, families, friends all cocooned by a bridge glittering with padlocks adorning all languages and all types of love. 

Paris, nous t'aimons. 

Flowing downstream / Caught in the current / I carry you / You'll carry me

So we crossed the bridge and walked along it's right side all the way to Notre Dame- what a magnificent monument she is. This is my favourite place in all of Paris. Maybe it's the link to my childhood love of the related Disney movie (forever and always Esmérelda, sorry Mads) [apologies to Victor Hugo, too, I know you got in there before Walt and co. but what's a girl of 5 to do?] or maybe it's the fact that my favourite film Before Sunset had this spot as it's prime location, complete with famous Shakespeare and Co. book shop. 

Whatever the reason, this part of Paris feels nothing less than fairytale-like.  

Vin Chaud and Nutella waffle accompanied us from Notre Dame to bookshop- unfortunately no pictures can be taken inside but I am quite grateful in a way- we didn't see it through a lens and completely lived it! Definitely part of the charm- needless to say, this shop (more like BOOK-LADEN HAVEN) leaves a lasting impression on a lover of all things whimsical. 

"Metro, Boulot Sushi, Dodo"

...for what would any trip to Paris be without seeing the Eiffel glitter followed by an underground serenade and a Japanese feast?

Sacré cœur, sacré bleu...

Using my all too evident business acumen (what larks!) and a good ol' helping of first-time-hostel-booker cunning I managed to nab us a room [we'd recommend it! http://www.caulaincourt.com/] within 10 minutes walking distance from the Sacré Cœur - the last monument on our Parisian journey! We'd clocked a boulangerie on the corner of our hostel's square and bee-lined to it first thing on Sunday morning, then on our way up Montmartre a Starbucks glittered in all of it's consumerist delight (how we love it so!). Le dernier petit déjeuner- sorted. We weaved between artists and their canvases to our chosen Breakfast Bench (brilliant view of both church and city, and in perfect earshot of atmospheric melodies from a nearby harpist [oh Paris, you truly are so belle.])

The next few hours of our weekend were spent doing what we do best- picture-taking, memory-making and discussing life over lattes. 

PARIS, THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING...

Afterall, where you invest your love, you invest your life.

Happy 21st Birthday, my darling girl!

'Quand la vie te donne de la limonade, la boire...'

This blog entry's title has been inspired by a birthday card sent to me by two of my favourite people- Sam and Shauna-

Phil Dunphy, Modern Family
 [More quotes can be found at http://abc.go.com/shows/modern-family/lolz/philsosophy]

Okay, so I adapted it a little. But it provided very sound groundwork, as I'll explain...

I have been back in France for a couple of weeks now and, whilst I have been continuing my French adventure, I can't say it has been an easy fortnight. Don't get me wrong, I have done and seen some fantastic things, but in between there have been times of 'reflection'. Some of the other assistants and I have concluded that coming back after being home for the holidays/having family over to stay and then return to England has made it a little more difficult to not miss our English lives. I suppose the first term was brand new and shiny and so jam-packed that we didn't feel the real effects of living abroad, away from home comforts and family. Now the 'honey moon' period is over and a 'real-life' has begun.

This is where my title comes into play. I miss my English life at times (I never thought I would find myself having small reveries about slogging out the hours in Hallward and sitting through lectures, and yet I suppose these things are part of a much bigger picture, one that defines Home). But instead of focusing on what I miss I should acknowledge what I have right here, right now. 

I am learning a language I love. I have met and will meet incredible people. I have beautiful landscapes, architecture and cities to discover. I have a wonderful opportunity and I should take it.

In short, life hasn't given me lemons, it has given me lemonade and I should drink it.

To toast to that, here is a glimpse into my fortnight;

Saturday 8th November

Some of the Brits Abroad ladies decided that it was time for us to have a cultural excursion; to rummage within the roots of our Bordelaise experience; to dig to the depths of new discoveries, to plunge into the abyss of adventure...

Wine tasting, bien sûr

We hopped on the tour bus with a few groups of tourists and were taken to a couple of chateaus where we learned all about terroir (Global Context people, you'd have been lapping it up!) and the mechanics of wine-making. This provided perfect material for Sylvette's next soirée- Manou and Pascal, Anna and Jean-Claude (honestly) were very impressed by my knowledge of 'jambes'. I thought it would be too much for one evening if I recounted the tour-guide's poetry of how the experience of drinking wine mirrors an orchestral masterpiece. I think I need to go to the drawing board with that one.


Tuesday 12th November

This was a monumental day because I applied for my Senior Citizen Bus Pass (i.e I turned 21).

So full of hope and wonder!

Who would have thought it?!

After a full day of attempting to get French teenagers to learn English (I'm surprised I didn't age a few more years within those 9 hours), Sylvette treated me to a lovely meal at a restaurant in the village.

Two essentials to ma vie française ; wine and Sylvette

Soupe de potimarron avec chorizo / Côte de canard / Poire pochée au thé avec chocolat
... definite food envy of my birthday self

To top it all off, I received birthday love in the post from my people at home-

Rob Ryan (and Mum)- you've done it again
Moonpig, you're a keeper (you're not bad either Farrell/Puntan) 

And here's to the next year!


Wednesday 13th November

So every Wednesday, Sylvette and her friends congregate in our living room to carry out a secret Art Expo that they have been planning for a few weeks now: Yarn Bombing. I shall explain- in St Macaire there is a whole row of trees, 43 of them to be exact, in the middle of the village. The idea is that Sylvette and co. are knitting 43 'robes' (dresses), one for each of these trees. In effect, they are carrying out knitted graffiti. The whole plan is to be executed in complete secrecy/anonymity (so if you know anyone in St Macaire- you'd better keep schtum!... and also tell me who you know!) ready for the new full moon... I don't know what makes more sense- knitting dresses for trees or celebrating the new moon but this is my life right now so I shall not question it.

Luckily, my repetoire of skills includes knitting, sewing and placing pom-poms on patchwork blankets in a creative way so the ladies allowed me 'in' on this venture and so this is what our living looks like every Wednesday...

'Yarn Bombing' In Progress

I'll be sure to update you with the final stage- Tree Fashion Show- in a few weeks time!


Thursday 14th November

Due to my school hours and transportation availability (cheers, Geraud!) I am in school Monday afternoon, Tuesdays all day and Thursdays all day. So, my responsable (the less said the better) thought it would be a grand idea for me to take an hour of my 12 to hold an English Table for some of the kids that I don't get to teach.

But really I just think she wanted to make me sit in the canteen alone for an hour for the past two weeks. Not even my wonderfully enticing poster did the trick!

wonderfully enticing poster

So I am taking a new initiative.

I am going to go full out English on these kids- I'm thinking table cloth, I'm thinking flags, I'm thinking scones, I'm thinking the Queen. Every Thursday, between 12:05pm - 1:00pm, from now on shall now be known as British Patriotism 55 minutes. Catchy, huh? Definitely material for my next poster...

Wish me luck. Please.


Friday 15th November

Each Friday morning at 10:30am, Sylvette has a coffee date with Jean-Claude and Anna at Langon Market, so when I am not in Bordeaux with the Brits I like to tag along for un petit café noir, a cheeky chi-chi and a show-and-tell of the day's purchases; last week it was pig's brain and this week was some form of flat fish. Right there, on the coffee table. Now I'm not squeamish but it's hard to keep a hold of the chi-chi sometimes.

Langon Market - a world of wonders

I hope they just fancy a nice salad this weekend.


Saturday 16th November

As a remedy for my mild homesickness this week I have been trying to sort out my exercise. Lacking in a gym, St Macaire doesn't provide much by way of fitness options. So I decided to jog...

... Then I also decided to buy this at Langon's market last week.

What I bought. / Me looking at what I bought.

It was 8 Euros from a second-hand shop, what can I say?! Thought it would make a nice addition to the painting shed (or, what should now be known as, home gym) in our garden, and needless to say, it has provided great banter for Sylvette with her friends- 'aah la petite anglaise et ses trucs!' I'm here all week.

But yes, the jogging. It was the first sunny day within a very grey week in the region, so I took full advantage of it and took my camera in my fanny pack (I stand by this fashion choice).

Okay, more photography than jogging might have occurred this time but just look at it! Who could resist?

This weekend also saw Round 2 of Birthday Celebrations, so I sauntered off to Bordeaux to be with the Brits. We ate, we drank, we bantered and we danced... And it was brilliant.

Brits Abroad dealings

Thanks for a fantastic night, guys!

----------------------------------------

There you have it, my fortnight. The lesson that has been learnt is to appreciate the opportunities that you are given. Be present! So I shall make an effort to 'garde le morale' (our neighbour Marivonne told me to do so due to the impending bad weather, but I think it applies to everything!), and in doing so I shall remember why I am here and what I am capable of doing...

First step: Develop interest in life as you see it. 

Cue birthday present to self-

I'm going to drink the lemonade.

Until the next time, mes copains!

'Je voyais le ciel virer d'un rose orangé au bleu'

Well, my loyal Blog readers, since I last overwhelmed you with all things Year Abroad related I have made a vast advancement in my independence. I, Elizabeth Fox, travelled over two countries, entirely on my own (give or take the vast crowds of other passengers). Please, save the applause till the end. 

Luckily for us Language Assistants our Year Abroad is complete with frequent fortnightly respites- kudos to you, educational system!- so our very first holiday (La Toussaint, aka All Saints') was just around the corner before we could begin complaining about how tiring teaching is (it is, trust me. Even as a 12 hours per week Assistant the headaches set in around Week 3. New found respect for you, Mum). So, after a morning of lessons, I commenced this grand voyage on Thursday 18th October approx. 12:20pm CET from Langon due to arrive in Newark 11:30pm GMT. 

Along my journey I updated a lucky few with a compilation of 'pit-stop snaps'.

I present to you- 'Elizabeth Fox; Langon to Newark- The Great Trek';

Stage 1: un petit café noir- coach, Langon - Bordeaux / Stage 2: standard Orangina, 'jambon fromage' baguette combo - TGV, Bordeaux - Paris Montparnasse
Stage 3 : metro, Paris Montparnasse - Paris Gare du Nord / Stage 4: white Kinder Bueno, Coca-Cola - Eurostar, Paris - London
Stage 5: Pret fruit salad - Eastcoast, London King's Cross - Newark North Gate 

Nevertheless, I was glad to be home and before you ask, yes, I have been informed by various loved ones of my crazy transport choices.. and yet it remains unconfirmed as to whether I shall retrace these exact rail tracks or venture into the vast skies, so watch this space.

But, I was home and what more could I have asked for? On the other side of the Channel are some of my favourite people in all the world.

So, without further ado, and the help from Lomogram and my trusty companion Paint (never underestimate it) I present my 'Back Home' photo montage:

visiting beautiful Maddy at University / father and 'sons' outing to Lincoln / standard Mooch-ing with Sam and Shauna
peacockin' with my favourite Brazilian / Rob Ryan exhibition in London with my wonderful Eleftheria / my bedroom (and personal gallery) / Forum antics with the girls
seeking out the classic family photos / Halloween with my girl, cue fake blood and cut up bed sheets / the undeniably talented and amazing Josie

Thank you all so much, it was magical- let's get planning for Christmas, please! 

Now, I am back in my room in St. Macaire and my life has resumed to its current reality.

Tout Va Bien if you ask me.

 

"Faire des petits riens de la vie"

I am now half way into Week 3 of my Year Abroad and I've already learnt some valuable life lessons;

1) The little French-English Collins dictionary that you were handed at your leavers' assembly at primary school- the one you took for granted and most likely sneered at- is your most valuable possession. (Thanks, Coddington!)

2) Whether you have tried (so, so hard) to put on your best french accent, no matter how many 'r's you roll, people will know that you are English. So- ALL HAIL, FRANGLAIS! (For the meantime at least...)

3) Just because you're in the wine capital of France it definitely does NOT make cheap Rosé any better than in England... (Miss you Blossom Hill.)

4) Never forget about the power of people; there is a vast expanse of kindness, creativity and energy in the world. Find it, embrace it, nurture it.

My last blog entry left you at 29th September-  since then I have met my fellow British Council Language Assistants (shout out to my Brits Abroad), been to the cinema (twice), had two of the scariest walks of my life (one complete with high-vis excellence- hope you're proud, parentals!), started at my Lycée and Collège, tasted the Bordelaise nightlife and fallen asleep on the sofa of Sylvette's relative's house due to a two-helpings-of-tiramisu coma.

Are you sitting comfortably? Then I shall begin...*

*This week also marks the first out-loud usage of this very phrase... unfortunately, I kid you not...

Tuesday 1st October: La réunion des assistants

This was the morning of the first 'scariest walk of my life'. It had somehow slipped my mind that at 6:45am (the time of which I had to leave for a 20 min walk to the bus stop) that it would still be dark... Dark? IT WAS PITCH BLACK! Thankfully due to my expansive knowledge of Road Safety I had remembered to pack a high-visibility jacket in my luggage to France (such a good girl). So, I put it on over my rucksack (the proper way to wear it, obviously) and off I trekked. Now, I have decided that the French... they don't like paths. People have disputed this with me. But these people don't know, man, 'cos they weren't there.

You'll be pleased to know that, despite this ordeal, I made it to Bordeaux in time for my meeting. We had a day full of admin (N.B. admin even in the french language doesn't make it any more interesting) but then a few of us went for a cheeky (really very nice) rosé.

Overall impression: British Council has chosen a seriously great bunch of Brits Abroad.

(Then I had Scary Walk: Revisited as an 8pm return Chez Sylvette meant the return of the high-vis- however, this was nothing compared to the morning's effort or what was awaiting me the next day...)

Wednesday 2nd October: Qu'est-ce que c'est le pont?!

In preparation for starting at Jean Moulin and Toulouse Lautrec the next day, I decided that today was the day to take on THE BRIDGE. You see, between St. Macaire and Langon flows La Garonne. Now, I needn't delve into ancient architectural or motor-vehicle evolution, but somewhere down the line this of course created the need for a bridge between the two towns. So, lacking car or bus transportation the only method is By Foot which I have seen executed with my own eyes; people- actual civilians- walking over this bridge. Can you blame me for feeling so blasé? 

The start of my journey was enjoyable...

funky St. Macaire concert poster / great old house / this one reminded me of the house in Madeline where the orphans live- childhood memories!
(felt like I was on the set of Downton Abbey with regards to the electric cables, though- shame!)

I had this DOWN. I had my camera at the ready, the sun was out, what more did I want? This was MY TIME.

Then I hit the bridge and this is where my pictures stop... mainly because I had to conserve all my energy into delving into the crevices of my ancient gymnastics knowledge (thank you, beam) in order to navigate my feet on the 'path'. This 'path' then led into a grassy bank (on the other side of the road barrier!) which, allegedly, is an extension of said 'path'. I had to JUMP at some points to cross over from one part of the bank to the other, dodging the massive road signs that I had to duck under and subsequently narrowly avoiding rolling down the hill to a farmland fate!

So by the time I saw this view:

no can-do with Panorama when on the Pont / nearly kissed this sign

I could have cried.

Safe to say I'm taking the bus from now on. High-vis and all.

The silver-lining was that I didn't have to make the return journey (THANK YOU, POWERS THAT BE!) because Sylvette had offered to pick me up afterwards- retail therapy was on the cards.

probably have just come all the way to France to buy postcards / book with a wonderful hand-written note; 'Livre en forme de kaléidoscope fait des petits riens de la vie. A lire pour la musique des mots...' / Sylvette's encouragement for my first day; 'Libby va en cours aujourd'hui courage'

Thursday 3rd October - Saturday 5th October: Qu'est-ce tu aimes faire pendants ton temps libre?

I went into my schools on the Thursday and I was feeling ready. I was looking forward to seeing the kids, to get a sense of the school, to get stuck into the job that has brought me out here! Thankfully, I was greeted with friendly faces and a good mixture of French/English- as an assistant you can only speak English to the class, so I'm pleased some of teachers indulged me (in all of my franglais glory). I was only observing classes on Thursday and Friday morning- my Assistant Reality started this Monday morning, so you'll hear all about it in my next post- complete with a 'French kids say the Funniest Things' feature and many tips on how to utilise all of your listening faculties in order to avoid answering a question other than the one you have actually been asked...

cinema excursions with Sylvette; Blue Jasmine (interesting one there, Woody) and Eyjafjallajökull (honestly- full of antics of a lunatic divorced couple) / I am officially in France and/or heaven / arc-en-ciel (at least there was something beautiful to come from the down pours that left me with one less pair of plimsolls)

British Language Assistants livin' it up BDX style at cuban bar Calle Ocho / mojit'oh go on then / Eleanor and I (cropped out the leery guys in the background- a bit better, Dad?)

'Next Day' pictures - I am in love with this city 

blue skies and beautiful buildings = Bordeaux 

Sunday 6th October: tirami-sumo

Pauline (Sylvette's niece) invited me to lunch to meet her sister, her four nieces and nephews and her parents. We ate, we drank, we played badminton in the garden and then we fell asleep in front of Bear Grylls (or should I say 'Seul face à la nature'). I felt so welcome and part-of-the-family: it was more or less the mirrored image of a Sunday at home, complete with over-table debates (love and miss you, Family Fox!) A fantastic end to a brilliant week.

And this is just the beginning.

'Quand le soleil se lève il enflamme les feuilles'

As promised in my second post this entry is about my profound experience of Thursday 26th September '13- my outing with Sylvette to Les Dunes du Pilat in Arcachan. It was a day unlike any other. It was a day of reflection; of hopes and happiness; of pure, natural beauty. It was a day that dreams are made of.

Upon this day, I found my favourite place in all the world.

It's okay, I'll allow you to think me melodramatic and crazed for now because, until you have seen this place with your very own eyes (despite my best efforts, no photo could capture what I was seeing!), you could never believe the beauty that lies before you, here, upon this earth!

The first glimpse... ready for the climb!

The dense and vast forest behind the dunes / lovely Sylvette, being my muse (I told her that and she said I was cute) / a snippet of the view from our sitting spot

part of the enjoyment was knowing we'd survived these steps / my secret snap of a man with his dog- too great to miss

photoshoot sur les dunes

J'ai vu le paradis, aujourd'hui