Paris and Lyon

Last Thursday the 11th of November, Myself and Christaine (my host mom) went off on a 4 day trip to Paris and Lyon.

We left Marseille train station at around 3pm and arived at Paris by 6:30. The weather wasnt to good up to the North so by the time we got their it was windy and raining as you will be able to see in a few of my pictures.

We then jumped on the metro that took us into town where as soon as we walked out from underground we could see the Eiffel tower. Even though Marseille is the second biggest city in France second to Paris, Paris feels a whole lot bigger, probably because that is where all of the tourists go.

Unfortunately the rain makes it hard to take a good photo, but the upside is that I only had to wait 4 min in line to go up instead of the regular 2 hour wait  some have had in the past.

 After I spent a bit of time up the top, I came back down and Jon, Aurelie's cousin was there. Aurelie is Jeremy's half sister. Jon is who I stayed with. We then walked down to one of the Metro station where we met up with Aurelie. We then continued on to the Indiana Cafe were  we had tea. We sat down and I asked if I could have the most Frenchyest meal on the menu seeing I was in Paris. Aurelie said that in Paris there are not many French meals in most of the restaraunts. In this one it had mostly had hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, bbq ribbs, tarcos, steak and pasta. No snails here. So we then got onto dessert where I did have something French, that being creme brulee, it went alright. =]

Then made my way back to Jon's house. We sat and watched abit of tv untill i fell asleep and made my way to bed.

The next day I woke up a 8 to meet Christaine at the train station where we would then go by train to the Chateau de Versailles, which is a royal castle that used to be the centre of all power in all of France, I am told. It was filled with lots and lots of history and paintings and gardens and people so it was also really good.

That night we had tea at Aurelie's flat. Which her whole bedroom kitchen and bathroom is about the size of my bedroom in Mortlake. I was told that there are many flats this size in Paris because there are sooo many people wanting to live there and in the heart of the city.   

Then myself and Jon made our way back to his house. Watched a little more tv but made my way to bed pretty after another big day quickly.

Then Saturday morning, myslef Christaine, Jon and Aurelie went to all of the other main Paris sights. Firstly to the Notre Dame de Paris. Very big it was.

Just so much detail to everything you see.

We Then walked onward to the Louvre. Before we got there we passed the "love bridge" I am told. Unfortunately I wasnt successful.  But on the bridge were all these locks,...  



The after a moment there moved onto the Arc de Triomphe

I wasnt aloud to go up by myself due to insurance reasons so a nice German couple took my aboard.

Chans de Lise.

Went shopping and everybody was encouraging me to buy warm clothes.

Then myself and Christaine hoped on a train to Lyon. We had about a 2 hour train there. We stayed at some of the family friends. I ate some of the best quiche I have had in a while then got into bed after another big day.

The morning after Jeremy and Jean-Louis made their way here by around 11am,. We had some lunch then Jeremy took me into Lyon because this is where Jeremy grew up so he knew how to get around.

We walked up to a look out then as we came back down I found an arcade. So I insisted on going in and having a play. Two songs of Guitar Hero and allllmossst winning an ipod we had to go back to eat some cheese then make our way back to Marseille.

Very happy im getting to go to all these destinations with my host family.

I am now having to ask people to speak French with me. Sounds funny seeing's im in France. Because all my friends at school either have an American family like Charlie Mitchell  or they have been doing English for their whole schooling years...even some starting at the age of 4!

 So their ability to speak English is better than mine at French so they just go to English to save the hassle. And also with Jeremy and Christaine who learn English.     

2 months ago I would have loved them to speak English but now I am really keen to learn. So at the moment that is what I am trying to do...getting everybody to speak in their native language with me.

Italy and Switzerland

Last Wednesday the 27th I started a four day adventure with my host family. We went on a little car ride to some of the neighbouring country's to France that of Italy and a little bit of Switzerland.

So we woke up at 4am due to our long car trip. I woke up a few hours later and we were in some high country in Italy and it had snowed the night before so we stopped for a minute and I had a play while I had a play. The being my first time with snow of was a bit excited.

We continued onwards to Milan or Milano as the Italian's call it. It was a pretty big city for what I saw. My first encounter with an Italian city it seemed a lot more open then streets than France. In France you are scared most times you go driving that you are going to crash. It also seemed a lot more colourful. Many houses were yellow, orange, red so it was nice for a bit of a change,

We firstly went to the Milano football stadium. Was really weird when we went to go buy our tickets the chick spoke English with us straight away..didn't even try to speak Italian. My host family don't speak any Italian so I had to talk English with her to buy the tickets. It had a big room with the history with the two clubs that call it their "home". We then continued to walk through to the field and then to the players rooms which confirmed that european soccer teams have way too much money and then we moved onto walking through to the city.

We walked around the city and went into some of the old Churches and shops then had lunch at a small restaurant where I had pasta. was pretty good but so small..could have had another three.

We were then walking through this park which took us to our next destination and there were all ways people coming up to you with wrist bands asking for money. My host family kind of said not to give them any money ( because there were heaps of these guys around the city) so I had to go by what they wanted, but one of the guy's came right up to me and spoke to me in English and Christaine my host mum said something along the lines of "no no money" so I kept walking then he put it on my shoulder and said free for you. so I turned around and Christaine kept saying no no mooney and he said no it's free for you. So he started talking to me for a little bit, asked where I was from and I asked him and he said he was from Africa. I would have loved to stay and talk to him and find out why he was in Italy and about his home in Africa but my family wernt quite into that idea. He said his name was Taboul and he seemed really happy I stayed and talked to him. Probably because not many people do talk to them..most don't even look at them as if they are dirt so I thought I would try and make conversation while I could without being kicked out of the house.

We then were walking through some more of the city when we came across this massive church. I am told by my beautiful friend Emily Grant that all the spikes on the top are saints and the one up the top is painted with pure gold. Was cool inside with heaps o history and "no boring bits". Was not aloud to take photos inside.

After more walking we got back in the car to drive to Porlezza, which is where we stayed over night, which I am pretty shore over looks lake Lugano.

The next morning we woke up and drove to the top of the mountain near where we were staying and the view was overlooking the Swiss Alps. It has snowed again overnight so I was happy.

We stayed up there for around an hour, had lunch then made our way back down the mountain where we would explore the closest town.

That night we had lunch at some of my host family's family friends in Switzerland.

The drive through Italy and Switzerland it pretty motionless. The family didnt tell me we were about to go through to Switzerland..I wanted to brace myself or something to make it a bit more official or something..apart from the time we came across to Italy for 20 min..the only other time i have went over seas or to another county was New Zealand camp..So driving to another country still hasn't got normal for me.

Switz was another very nice country..one of the first things I saw there was a picture of Rodger Fed.

The family were very nice and I got to meet a young boy Sasha I'm pretty shore his name was, he was 3, he was telling me about the monstre over the other side of the city and how him and me were going to fight it. So he was fun to talk to and test some of my French out.

The next day we had a day on these boats that would take us from one side of lake Lugano to the other because it is such a big lake. We walked up the big hill where there was a Castle up the top but we couldn't get in that day but was still good to be able to see some more of the country. We went from side to side around 4 times. We were walking around and went into one of the small churches and i met my first Aussie. She was from Melbourne and was traveling around Europe    obviously.

Where we were walking there were heaps of olive trees, went to try one but the family said they arnt very nice   but anyway,

For the last day we had a sleep in, packed up and drove back to Switz where we had lunch again with the family friends.

We had a bit of a look around then at 4pm we decided to make our way home for our 7 hour car ride.

We got home around 1:30am. After 4 days of 3 country and 650 photos later I found my way to bed.

Strikes & Disneyland Paris

I think it was last Thursday when it started, I just finished lunch and was going back for an evening class of History, having an extra hour because our French teacher wasnt here again. So I was walking to school and out the front of the gates where you walk through, there would have been only about 80 odd guys at this stage there (80 being the norm amount before school starts) and I went over talking to a group of friends and waited for the bell to ring so the gates would open.

Then a group of older guys stood in front of the gate so nobody could get through. They then went on to grab the largest bins they could find..rolled them over and put them in front of the gates. Then came the chanting..then more people came,.. then scooter's and motorbike's with the horns going off...then flying objects.. I then thought we mightn’t have school today. So this went on for an hour. I wouldn’t have an idea of how many people where there but it was all over the strikes that have been going on about the government wanting people to work long and retire at an older age. Unfortunately I didn’t get a video on my camera so I cant upload it but I can show you on my phone when I get back.

Mostly girls making all the noise.

There have been reports on Australian news so keep an eye out.

I've only had one hour of maths so far this week.

It happened again today. A couple of guy's got together, walked over to the gates and stood together so no one could get through. Didn’t wait around to see if it got to the same amount of roitness as last week but im shore i will hear about it tomorrow.

The first day it happened it was cool...didn’t have to go to school. But now its just annoying, i run out of things to do. I have had to wake up at 6:30 to be at school by 8 and every day we havent had school. But I have a two week holiday coming up after this one so I will have the chance to have some sleep in's there.

Saturday the 16th,

I had another early wake up at 4:45 today. Jumped on a 3 hour train ride up to Paris to go to Disneyworld with STS. Had a nap and listened to mumford and sons because it reminded me of Marty Clarke.

I then walked up the stairs where I met with the rest of the French exchangers. I met up with one of the girls Roosa who is from Finland that I met in one of the area rep meetings we have once a month. The group walked through the Disneyland entry and made our way onto Space Mountain. Disneyland is BLOODY MASSIVE.  We had these fastpass tickets so we didnt have the normal hour waiting in line every time. So it was only a 15min wait until we were on the ride so that gave us a minute to meet everybody else from different places around the world. then went onto different attractions and then eventually got to lunch.

I have no idea what the Disneyworld like is in the US but in Paris it wasnt about the big rides, more about the sights and smells. So it is very different to Dreamworld or Movieworld. 

They had role plays going on all the way through the day, It was half in French and half in English which was a bit weird because it would take me a while to reslise they were actually speaking in English.

It's all a bit of a blurry really, we had around 7 to 8 hours there and didnt even see half of the park I dont think, would love to go back but..might see how I go.

Then got back on the train that would take me back to Marseille St Char train station. I then went and sat with Roosa, Elodie and Anton. We had a couple of hours to pass so after me trying to explain aussie rules again.. we then got onto the Finnish language.

Starting off with asking how to say hello then blossomed into an extensive chat with Anton who gave me an insight into the way Finnish language runs.

All up it was a really good day.

hopefully we will have more STS days planned for the future

sleeping beautys castle

The boys checking everything out

Jeremy trying to figure out how to get up and see sleeping beauty....

When the strikes happen, alot of people dont go to work...because they are striking. So not many busses run,  most of the shops around our block dont open, and the runbbish doesnt get picked up. So at the moment there is 839 043 peoples worth of rubish sitting on the street. 

Somehow I dont think the government is going to win this one.

South side France, striped shirts, soocer and cheese

BON SOIR

I am now well into my French exchange and hopefully will be able to do a fortnightly blogg so you can see what im up to.

Almost a month and a half into it and starting  to get used to the French way of life.

So the first day in France was fun...half an hour sleep on the plane over, 35 odd hours since waking up and then had to get on a train where I would make my way onward to Marseille. I found out that I dont like being on a train bymyself...where I cant speak to people....in English because I didnt have much of an idea what was going on. The train would go for say 40 min then stop for a little while, not a train station but randomly then it would happen again and again and again. Me thinking each time the train did slow down it was time to get off but we were in the middle of no where. Wasnt the happyest little vegamite on the train at this point.      Little did I know the train would be a direct trip to Marseille train station stopping at no other train station. 
When I got off I was greated by my newly made French host mum, Christaine. . From there we went home and I slept for the next 3 days. The weather was very hot..
I then had my first day of school where I had all the teachers come talk to my class about what we need to buy and do throught our school year. We then had lunch and returned to a room where our grade you can say met ( 2nd2 is the name of my class it took me some time to figure out). We had a talk from this one teacher who looked like he didnt have a happy childhood and he spoke for an hour then we went home. First day done.

They all dress pretty good here. The same as what Emily said about Italy, what we would wear out they wear to school. So I might have to step up my act in that area from tshirt and shorts with volleys. The other guys and gals here are pretty helpfull and friendly despite what people say in Aus about them being some what rude.   The smoking is crazy. We arnt aloud to smoke at school but as soon as you step out of the school ground it is as if the teachers dont care. Most of the girls smoke, guys not as much but still heaps. cant see myself taking on this habit.

I have a pretty good class. All help me out. Have made a few friends. Mr Antoine Van Eeck helps me a fair amount and seems to know whats going on, and know where its at. Also have Charlie Mitchell and his group of friends that talk at school, had lunch the other day which was good and had a Sunday afternoon the other weekend with them which was good be around other guy's and gal's my age.
Also went and watch the soccer when Marseille played...someone.We lost. Was really good to meet his family who were really nice. One of their family friends loves surfing and said he was watching the Bells Beach on tv and heard an anouncment about some big game was on with the score update. Was then I showed a few videos of AFL to explane.

Most of the guys at school speak good English so it makes it hard because they all speak much better English than my French so they just go straight to English even if I try with the French..will just have to keep trying and learning.

The teachers speak really quick so its hard to pic up everything they say. I just try to take a few words out I do know and go from there. For the first month really I was just looking around, trying to figure out how the days work, how the teachers work. The teachers dont get too fired up if I cant do the work or dont realise there is homework...apart from the French teacher who does scare me. am thinking of a way to bring out a good, happy side.....

I recieved a parsel from mum the other day with the French learning books and cd's I left in Aus, So I will be doing as much of that while im here. Also scored a Darwin tshirt from their recent adventures. Thanks mum.

I live in an Appartment which is in the best spot I could have. I am a 5 min walk from school, Gym just across the road and the beach is a 15 min walk away.
The gym, called Set Squash, keeps me pretty busy.

I can hear the crowed from the Marseille football (soccer) stadium when the big games are on. They really are crazy about soccer here. Hopeing to go to a game soon.
I have tried to explain Aussie Rules to heaps of people because they allways ask what sport I play. I say you kick mark and hand pass..the really dont know whats with the handpass. Then I showd a video to some and they couldnt believe we dont wear big protectieve gear like in American foosball.

COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHLLLLLIINNGGGWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD
god, the one year the boys pull their finger out I'm not in the country. The time difference wasnt too bad, had to wake up at 5:15 to watch both grand finals.. Saturday morning to listen  to Rex Hunt over live radio and then watch the last quater at the Demansers via skype. So that was fun. Thanks Anny and Geoffery
Just recieved a parsel from dad today with all the articles from when Collingwood won. Thanks dad.

My French host family are very nice. Very French and not 37 Boorook street Mortlake...But that is what it's all about. Have had to get used to the eating patterns. Im the only one who eats breakfast in the house. Then I have lunch around 12:30, Then dinner any where between 8 and 11pm. So I do have to snack...alot.

I only have one enemy here,  that being the dog. Went inside my room TWICE and ripped up about 8 pairs of jocks, some how he had a sence of which ones I bought be4 I came over. Also had a bite out of mums quilt she made me. Did get my angry face on.

Im off to Paris again this weekend to go to Disneyland with STS. Big group of around 60 going I think so that should be really cool to meet more people from around the world.

Check out my pictures on facebook. I will take more this weekend in Paris.

Im sorry if I cant talk or write to all of you but if you send me and email of letter I should hopefully be able to get to it.


If you join my blogg I think it should send you a message when I puta new post up.

Thanks everybody for the support over the past 2 months.
My computer is getting too hot so I better get off.
catchya.