School, food, and so much more

I've been in Lyon for three weeks now, and I definitely feel as if I know the place. Getting around is easy and I am still in awe of all the beautiful architecture that is around every corner.

After having all of my classes at least once, I can say that school will probably be on the easy side. I am most excited about my Art and Architecture class. We pretty much just go around to museums and other places and look at art. I've already been to a couple places (like the museum of the Lumiere brothers who made the first movies) but you can never spend too much time in a museum. Some people may beg to differe, but I love history and knowledge.

On a different note, I have now done laundry twice. Laundry is a....fun experience. There are two washers and one working dryer. I heard the dryers don't even work that well. Both times, I have had to hang all of my clothes around my room; on my heater (the best place for them to dry), on my desk, hangers, door, pretty much anything that will allow them to hang. The downside (besides having my "laundry aired" literally) is that this creates humidity in my room and it fogs up my windows, Titanic style. Just kidding. I can open my window up, but then I let in cold air, and that's not really the best for drying laundry. I definitely do miss some things from the US.

I've also been to a lot of outings/events in these last two weeks. One of them was an international event. It felt like more of a fund raiser or something. Apparently it was some sort of international club that they have in Lyon. The ages ranged from 70's to my age. They had wine there and also a bunch of different cheeses. I definitley enjoyed all the cheese and the bread to go along. Free food - I'm there. I went with two girls I met, who live in the United States, Katie and Lauren. Katie ended up becoming friends with a french girl who invited us over for dinner the following week.

At that dinner, we had Lyonnais food. We started with a Lyonnais salad, which is a poached egg on top of lettuce and I think ham. There was also a really good vinaigrette sauce on it. Then, we had potatoes and deli meets with melted cheese on top of it. They call this cheese Raclette, and the girl who's house we were at, had this contraption in which you put a piece of cheese on a little plastic spatula like thing. Then, you put that in this oven-like warmer, like you would put a pizza in a brick oven fire, except much smaller and electric. It thens heats up your cheese, and then you pull it out and put the gooey, delicious cheese on top of your potato/meat. It was just plain awesome.

I also was able to watch the NFL playoffs at St. James Pub again. I had to watch the SF-NYG game on my computer and wasn't able to stay up late enough to see the end. I hate how the games come on so late over here. The Super Bowl will not be fun, as it starts at 12:30 at night, but I will watch the whole thing, even if I need to chug some energy drinks.

I've also found a church that speaks English. I visited them last Sunday. The service is a little old school (catholic/episcopalian) but not bad. I've found another one that I will try out tomorrow.

After going to church last sunday, I wondered around the city some more, finding my way to Notre Dame du Fourviere. I have wanted to go there since I stepped foot here, but just had not made it there. The cathedral sits up on a hill, and you can see it from anywhere in the city. The main chapel area is closed until March for restoration, but I was still able to go inside a lower chapel area and get a look around. I also snapped some photos from the outside.

I also made it to the Galo-Roman ruins, which is not very far from the cathedral. I was excited to see those as well. There are two ampitheaters there along with other ruins. It was so cool to be walking on and touching the same stones that people did thousands of years ago. It just kind of blows my mind. I was literally walking through history and touching it.

The IBP also had an event during which we ate some "Galette de Rois." Translated, it means Kings cake, and it is something that people have in January, usually the 6, to celebrate the coming of the three Kings. They bake a little figurine into the cake, and whoever finds/eats the piece with the figure gets to wear the crown. There were lots of cakes at our event, so lots of people got crowns. I found one of the figurines. I bit into a piece of cake, only to find something hard obstructin my bite. My figure happened to be a little baby Jesus lying in a manger. I felt a little bad for biting Jesus. I ended up eating a lot of cake/bread that they had. It was pretty good. It's not like cake that we have in the US, but it was more like a flaky~apple tasting thing. Food is so hard to describe. Again, you give me free food, and I will take advantage of it.

Also, me and the American girls had a pizza night last Friday. One of the girls has an oven where she lives, so we bought pizza, french fries, and these awesome chocolate covered waffle things for dessert. Yes, I know, very American. After figuring out how to use the oven, we were able to cook the pizzas that tasted pretty dang good. We ended up talking, eating, and playing card games until 3 in the morning. Lauren asked me if this is what I pictured myself doing in France, and I had to say that it was not something I had thought of haha. On a side note, the American girls call me "The Navigator" as I end up leading them anywhere that we go. Yeah, I know Lyon like the back of my hand. The same cannot be said for others.

This past week, I received a package from home. I forgot some of my snowboard stuff, so my mom sent it to me, and I was able to pick it up. I am so pumped to go snowboarding in the Alps! Only a week and two days now. I was also excited to hear that my mom had booked her flight to Paris. I am going to meet her there just after I am done with school. I am so happy to see her realize one of her dreams. I would like to be able to show her Lyon (my stomping grounds), but I just don't think that is going to happen.

So far, I am loving being in Lyon. I hope to take it in even more; become one with the French. One of my teachers made a really great point. She said that you don't know your culture until you leave it. I totally agree with her. You don't really know your culture until you leave it and see how it is different than other cultures.  She also asked if we feel like we are more our nationality here than before. I have to say that I definitely feel American. Sometimes I wonder if it is tatooed on my forehead (I hope they can't tell I'm American that easy).

I am lucky that English is the world language. Everyone here knows at least two, if not three or four languages. It almost feels arrogant to know only English. It's like saying, "Yeah, I know my laguage is the dominant one, and that you have to learn English and I don't have to learn anything." At least I know enough French to get by, but I am still a long ways off of where I would like to be. I really hope my French will improve while I am here. I will also be forcing my child to take another language as a kid, whether it be French, Spanish, whatever. It is definitely better to be bi-lingual.

I took a good step towards being French today. I got myself a jersey of the local team, Olympique Lyonnais, as well as tickets to a game. I can't wait to see how the French do football. I will definitley be brushing up on my "football" knowledge while I am here. GOOOOAAALLLLL!

P.S. Yes, I know this was long, and I will try to update my blog quicker to prevent such things from happening again.....I hope.

Mon premier semaine (My first week)

I can't believe that it has been a week (plus some) since I first arrived in Lyon. What a difference a week makes. I went from not having the slightest clue to where I needed to go Friday after I got off the plane to feeling like I know this place like the back of my hand. Well, at least I know how to get around.

I am pretty much settled into my residence now. Over the past week I have been able to slowly but surely pick up a few things. I went to IKEA on Friday and I was able to finally get a blanket and a pillow. I had been sleeping with only sheets and my pillow I used on the airplane. I am now more comforable when I sleep.

On Thursday night, I bought a pot at a grocery store and was able to cook some dinner. I had raviolis and some pasta sauce, but that was not my first meal. The first meal I had at my place was a sandwhich and some microwave-able rice. No cooking utensils required.

I finished getting things for my place yesterday when I went to the mall. I went to a place called Carrefour, which is like a french Walmart. I was able to get most everything on my list: razor, shampoo, conditioner, cleaning things (swiffer, trash bags, sponge, soap), hand soap, notebooks and some food of course. I bought nutella for the first time. I don't know why I have never bought it before. I pretty much just ate that and bread yesterday for my lunch. Unfortunately you will not find peanut butter in France...sad day.

Note to self: never go to the mall on a Saturday again....never!

I FINALLY received my code to access the WiFi from my room. I am so happy. Now my room does not seem so drab when I have to be in it. I was able to skype my mom and say hi. It is so nice to not to have to go to the school or to McDonalds to access the internet.

This week I also met more new people. I have been introduced to everyone that lives in my apartment. I even went to a place with the French girl (Sarah). She and her friends showed me that there is a room in another building where I am staying that has pool tables and foosball tables. I learned that foosball has a different name here; baby foot. They asked me if I wanted to play baby foot, and I had no idea what that was, until I saw the table.

I also went out to a club Wednesday night. It was in a sketchy part of town. I got off the tram at 10:30. I walked on the road and saw a place that kind of looked like where the party was. I asked the bouncer if it was the place for the "New Year's party" (that's what they called it at the school) and he said no. That building was No.3. I noticed on my ticket that it said something about No. 175. I preceded to walk all the way down to building 175. I found 174 and knew I was not in the right place. I definitely did not feel at ease walking in this area. I turned around and started walking back. I went back past the club and saw two girls my age. I showed them my ticket and asked if this was the right place. They said yes.....

Once I got inside, I noticed that it was pretty much empty. It was 11:30. Apparently the French don't go out until like 12:30-1. The party was okay, but I don't think I will go back. I prefer to talk and get to know people which you cannot do at a club.

After 12, all public transportation shuts down until like 5 in the morning. I left the club at 2, knowing I would have to walk home. My place was 4-ish miles away and half of the journey was uphill. I decided to jog the beginning and jogged/walked up the huge hill. I got home in about 35 min. As I was walking up to the entrance, two girls from the IBP that were also at the party, rolled up in a taxi. It only cost them 14 euros total....I should have taken a taxi or split one with them....oh well.

I got up Thursday and took my photo for my ID card. We'll see how it turns out. The lady never told me when to smile, so I just sat there with a smile on my face, but then relaxed from time to time, waiting for her cue. I also changed up my schedule and paid for my ski trip. It's the first week in February and I can't wait to go.

Friday night I went ice skating. I thought the rink would be outside for some reason, so I brought my ski jacket and my hoody. It was inside and actually pretty warm. I almost ate it before we left the rink. It was closing and a french girl and I decided to race. Coming down the home stretch, I was striding and going as fast as I could. I am great at ice skating forward, but not so good at stopping. A wall of people started to form in front of me. Luckily I was able to duck under and coast around the rink one more time.

Saturday night, I met up with some american girls I had met. We went out to a French rertaurant and I got my first taste of true french food (other than the baguette sandwiches I had been eating). I had some sort of soup, a main dish with sausage, green beans, and au gratin potatoes, and for dessert was a raspberry crepe, MMMmmmmm.

Afterwards we went over to the Saint James pub (by the way, Irish pubs are big over here) and watched the playoff games between the 49ers and the Saints. One of the girls is from New Orleans and was obviously going for the Saints. I thought that the 49ers would win. I was right :) Apparently that place is like the only one that shows football games. I learned the the owner is American and likes the 49ers. Unfortunately, the place is closed on Super Bowl Sunday, as all the employees get to come in and watch the game on the projector screen without having to work at the bar. The boss comes in with nachos and hamburgers and they have a great time. I asked if they were hiring... I don't think they are.

I also finally put up my pictures on facebook. Many more are sure to come, but here are a few for you
Only one loaded without an error, so the rest had to be copy and pasted, that is why they are so big.

Moving In

I awoke Monday at the hostel knowing that I would be moving out. I was so excited to be able to get into my new place, but I knew that I needed to get housing insurance first. I went into the city center to see if I could get it through a bank, because I knew that some banks offered it for cheap. I soon figured out that most banks are closed on Mondays. I found one bank that I was able to get a checking account at, but they wanted 45 euros for insurance. I declined and was able to get it cheaper through a company on the internet. I then went to the school and checked in. The best part about this was that I was able to pick up some things that previous students had left. I picked up some sheets, silverware, cups, and best of all a TOWEL! Since I never found a place to buy one, I was most greatful for this.

I then took a bus to my place of residence. I arrived during there lunch break and had to wait a half hour. During that time, I met a girl from Poland and another guy from North Carolina, but of whom are in the IBP. The office opened and I was able to get my room key. The best thing that I learned about was that there is a GYM in my residence area. I have yet to go inside it, but I don't care, there is a GYM! There is also a basketball court. All is right in my world.

I received my keys and found my apartment that I share with five other people. It is very....dormy. I would liked to say it was a big step up from the hostel, but the Bible says not to lie. At least I have my own room, which locks. We all have to share one fridge, and there are two "hot plates" -burners and a microwave to cook with. No oven :( It's not the most glamorous of places, but it will do for 4 1/2 months.

After I settled in, I took my laptop with me to a McDonalds that is near because they have free WiFi. I have to wait to get my WiFi access code until Thursday I think, so I will frequent McDonalds in the meantime. I will also be delayed in putting my pictures up until Thursday as well.

At McDonalds, I met the Polish girl there again. I ended up hanging out with her and her two friends from the rest of the night. They are all from the same university in Poland. We walked around, eventually finding a grocery store. It is the biggest grocery store I have seen here, about the size of an Albertsons. I picked up a few things; milk, cereal, yogurt, bread, cheese, and then we found our way back to our apartments. Two of the girls are in the same building that I am on. I spent the rest of the night with them, talking and listening to music. American music is very popular in Europe. I also found out that milk looks nothing like in the States. I'm glad that I had the girls with me to show me what it looks like. It is not kept refrigerated in stores and comes in way smaller bottles.

I ended up going to bed around 12:30 or 1. I slept pretty good in my room, but needed ear plugs as I am next to a street, and the walls are thin.

I awoke to some people talking in the kitchen and thought that it was a little rude to be talking so loud in the morning. I picked up my phone to see the time, thinking that it might be 10 or 10:30. To my amazement, it was 3:30. I have never slept that long or that late in my life. I was really shocked that I slept so late. I also felt bad because I was going to meet up with the Austrian girl I met at 11. Jet lag has possibly hit me. The other reason may be that I have shutters on my window that block out most of the light, so there wasn't really any sunlight coming in.

I was able to go back to McDonalds and use the internet. I watched the highlights of the BCS National title game, and to my satisfaction Bama won and shutout LSU. I wish I could have watched the game...oh well.

Tomorrow, I have to take a French placement test at 8:30. I hope that I wake up in time. I have set the alarm on my phone and I don't think that I will close my shutters all the way. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I will wake up.

Le premier week-end

My first full day in Lyon was Saturday. I awoke and ate the hostel's "breakfast" if you can call it that.  It consisted of bread (baguette) and some cereal. Oh well, it held me till lunch. There was a meeting for Internationl Business Students (IBP) at 2, but I left early and started walking around Lyon. I got a better look of the cathedral I saw the previous night and snapped pictures everywhere. There is so much great architecture everywhere. I continued to walk and found out where the school was. For lunch, I went to a place that had "N.Y. Hotdogs," mostly because it said it had free wifi. I was able to get on the internet and send some emails.

After lunch I went over to the school for the meeting. The IBP club was so nice in helping us get cell phones, transportation passes, and showing us around the school. I met some other people within the international program. The first person I met was a lady, Kathryn, from Endinburgh, England. I also met a girl, Cornelia from Austria as well as two girls from Taiwan. After I got all my stuff, I headed back to the hostel.

There was another club meeting scheduled for 9 to go to a bar. I left the hostel early to go in search of a towel, but realized that I was stupid to have gone looking so late as most of the shops were now closed. Time was running out and I was getting hungry. We were supposed to meet at the McDonalds near Place Bellecour, so I decided why not just eat there.

I felt like such the stereotype - an American eating at McDonalds. I do have to say that it taste different, better. I have also noticed that all the soda over here is made with real sugar, because it taste different than corn syrup. I don't like to eat fast food, especially McDonalds, but I have now eaten it twice since leaving, once on the day I left before the plane ride in Boise. Well, now I can check of McDonalds on my list of things to do.

I met up with the other kids and we headed back to the area of where my hostel it to go to an Irish Pub. There, I met even more people whos names I forget. I met some fellow Americans from Virginia, a guy from Ireland, people native to Lyon and France. I spent a good amount of time talking to a girl, Lucile, who had lived in Lyon her whole and likes to dance ballet and Irish dance. I also met a girl, Bola, who was one of the leaders of the club. She loves movies and knows about the Hunger Games. She told me that there is a theatre near by that shows American movies and that the Hunger Games comes out in France two days earlier than in America. Yeah! I know have a friend to go see the movie with. While at the pub, they lowered a screen and started showing the NFL playoffs, Cincy vs. Houston. I love that I am half a world away and I can still get my football fill.

I went home and was able to skype family and friends back home, and I ended staying up till 2:30. Needless to say, I awoke late on Sunday and missed the "breakfast." I showered, still towel-less, and went out to explore Lyon even more. As soon as I crossed the Saone (river) I was right in the middle of a Sunday market. I walked up the market along the river bank and saw all sorts of things; meats, breads, cheeses, fruits, vegetables, bakery goods. This is definitley the place to go for groceries. I finally reached the end of the market and continued to go to a place I had seen from my window. It was cathedral with two different styled towers. I found the cathedral and snapped some pics and then something else caught my attention.

I saw this magnificent blue roof with gold accents. I walked to this building, which I found out was the Hotel de Ville, or city hall. It puts our city hall to shame. While I was in the square, I also saw this gorgeous statue/fountain. It is called the Fountaine Bartholdi and it was made by the same guy who made the Statue of Liberty. It is a women seated upon a chariot pulled by four wild horses. It was absolutely magnificent. I love the fact that I am surrounded by so much history. I continued to walk around and went back to the hostel. I think I walked about 10 miles today. After a nap, I went out to dinner and had pizza, which was really good. It is very true, all the food here is so much better. That is something that I can definitely get used to.

I can't wait to move into my room tomorrow and then I'll upload all of the pictures that I have been taking.
Au revoir hostel!

I see London, I see France...

As I left the SeaTac airport I thought, "This is the last time I will set foot on American soil for five months." The thought was exciting and weird at the same time.  My flight over was pretty good, except for not being able to sleep.  When I first tried to go to sleep, I awoke to the commotion of an Indian man who had passed out I think. He was barely conscious, but after he laid on the floor for awhile, he was all better.  Then a group of English people decided to have a nice loud conversation as everybody around them was trying to sleep. A steward told them to be quiet and they seemed amazed that they were being loud. Note to self, earplugs don't work, definitely look into buying noise-cancelling headphones for return trip.

As the hours clicked by, the harder it was to fall asleep because I knew that I would be getting less sleep. I finally was able to fall asleep, and when I awoke to the crackle bags being opened, and a nice bright light from a person who decided to open their shutter, I found out that I had only been asleep for an hour.  So, I woke up at 9 Thursday and am still going strong off an hour of sleep. It's 1 PM back home, but 9 here, so I may just be able to fall right into line, no jet lag (probably not).

London Heathrow airpot is the weirdest that I have ever been in. They have a strange way of assigning gates/boarding people and I don't think that being on time is something that they are really focused on.  The plane ride to Lyon was short. A cool moment came when I was able to see the French coastline as we were flying over the channel. That is when it hit me that I was actually doing it, I was actually going to France. It still doesn't seem to have sunk in, probably because I am tired.

As I got off the plane, onto French soil, and picked up my bag (which made it in one piece), I had a feeling I have never felt before. When you are in a foreign country and don't really know what you are doing or how to do it, and are there by yourself; it is one of the most alone feelings in the world.

Luckily, I was able to figure out the Lyon train system and was on my way to the hostel.  Luck for me, the hostel I am staying at is located at the top of a hill. I had the great oppurtunity to hike up it with my 50 lbs suitcase and probably 30 lbs backpack.  But, the view of Lyon was absolutely gorgeous from that hike. I am staying in a place called "Vieux Lyon" or Old Lyon, and the streets are littered with old architecture, including an old cathedral. I can see the river and there is also a giant lit up ferris wheel that I can see directly out my window. The scenery is gorgeous, but the only thing I want to do right now is take a shower and go to bed. I just need a towel...

The Beginning

Today I left home on my journey to France. The plane ride to Seattle was good.  I sat in the last row of the plane, which turned out to be very nice because I was able to exit the plane first. I'm now awaiting my flight to London which I have learned will be delayed another hour or so. In the meantime I get to enjoy the lovely scenery of the SeaTac airport. Out.