Week 9 - French Thanksgiving

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Avignon! Twinkly lights line every street, the old city walls sparkle after dark and the Christmas market stalls have been set up ready to open next weekend.

The weather has also taken an arctic turn this week - the infamous mistral wind is absolutely freezing. So much for the south of France being warm! Rather fittingly, I've been carrying on with teaching the weather at school and they've definitely mastered how to say "Today it is cold and sunny" (everyday's weather forecast out here).

Over the weekend Annie and I took the bus to Isle sur la Sorgue for the Sunday market. I stocked up on fresh seasonal veggies to make soup, clearly getting the hang of Provençal living now. So bio. 

On Wednesday the Annies hosted 'Friendsgiving' and a group of us assistants got together for another pot-luck evening. As always, there was an impressive selection of food (especially desserts) and the lasagne made by Italian assistants Lavinia, Diego and Alice was belissima!

Thursday was Thanksgiving itself and with so many American friends out here it couldn't go without a celebration. Cece, Rose and I went out for a meal at a swanky restaurant called 83Vernet. The place was really classy with trendy yo-pro vibes, we will definitely be back.

I'm off home this weekend to surprise my Grannie for her 80th birthday celebrations! After a 2 hour delay agitatedly waiting on the runway at Marseille airport, our flight finally took off. Things went very smoothly the other end - got a free ticket home from Gatwick and had a blissful evening watching Pointless and catching up with the rents over a home cooked meal. Dreamy.

Early start this morning as we head off oop North.

Bisous,

Katie x

Week 8 - Getting to Grips with Teaching

A week of flashcard games and scary bus drivers.

I arrived back in Avignon on Sunday afternoon after a harrowing weekend in Paris.

School was on as normal on Monday so I got up bright and early to catch my 7am bus to Malaucène where the morning's lessons went by quickly. At midday the whole school gathered in the playground and held hands in a circle before a minute's silence in commemoration of everyone affected by the terrorist attacks over the weekend.

At school this week I've been teaching the weather, which has gone down really well. I've found using flashcards and playing games has been great, especially when you add a bit of healthy competition!

Met up with the other assistants on our mutual day off on Wednesday for coffees and lesson planning, although can't say how productive we were at getting work done - we were slightly distracted by the speculoos doughnuts! I've also been going out with my flatmate in the evenings which has been fun and a great opportunity to speak some more French - am beginning to discover lots of French slang.

Our favourite evening hangout in Place Pie

Now I'm in a routine I've started to get to know my bus drivers - it's such a friendly community here! There is one bus driver, however, who is absolutely terrifying. She drives the afternoon bus from Orange to Avignon which is always full of teenagers from the lycée and she has no problem keeping them in check and will shout at them for putting their feet on the seats, playing music, or not saying hello when they come on board. Although she eyed me and my bus pass suspiciously at first, now I've done the journey a few times I think she's warming to me...

Can't complain about the commute with this view

The best news this week is that I've managed to change my hours around so from now on I'm only going to be working on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Not only does that mean less time commuting, I've also got a four day weekend!

On Friday, Annie and I had an amusing gym session in the morning - our French gym vocab isn't quite up to scratch yet! In the evening I took the train to Orange to meet up with a couple of assistants I hadn't seen in ages and we had a very merry evening at Le Palace with wine and nachos. We all stayed the night at Georgie's pad (she's living the dream in a 4-bed house with 3 cats) and I left early the next morning to make it in time for spinning.

Teachers on tour

A la semaine prochaine,

Katie x

Flashcard Games

1. Splat
Put all the flash cards in the middle of the board. Split the class into two teams (girls vs. boys is usually easiest) and ask for a volunteer from each team. The two team members stand at either side of the board with their hands behind their backs. When the teachers calls out one of the flash cards, the students must touch the right card as quickly as they can. The first one to do so wins a point for their team. Then switch round for two more people so the whole class gets a turn.

2. True or False
Tell the students you are going to have a competition, you vs. them (this will make them get very competitive)! The teacher holds up a flash card and says a word. If what they say is on the card, and therefore true, the students put their hands up. If it is false, they do nothing. If one person makes a mistake the teacher wins the point, but if the whole class gets it right then they win. First to 10 points usually works for this one.

3. Gimme
Very simple - simply ask the class to raise their hand if they know what's on the card. Get it right and you give them the card. This encourages the whole class to get involved as they have an incentive to answer the question. Once you have handed out all the cards, tell the students with a card to pass it on to a friend. Say the words and whoever has the right card brings it up to the front.

4. Vanishing Act
This will also test their memory. Arrange all the flash cards on the board and jumble them up. Tell the students to close their eyes then take one card away. Tell them to open their eyes and ask them to tell you which card is missing. Can also carry on class competition.

5. Lucky Dip
Put all the flash cards in a bag. Pick a card and ask the class to raise their hand if they know the word. Pick a student and if they get it right they can come to the front and choose a card for someone else to  answer. Continue until all you run out of cards.

A devastating weekend in Paris

On Friday I had a very early start to catch a train to Paris for a weekend visiting friends and sight-seeing. My friend Ollie is studying at the Sorbonne this year and he was my tour guide for the day. We had a walk around the city and took classic tourist shots at Notre Dame and the Musée du Louvre. After meeting up with my friend Frances in her lunch break, Ollie and I continued our tour with a visit to the Pompidou Centre and a coffee at a chic café in the heart of the city. It's incredible that Parisians have so much priceless art and culture on their doorsteps at countless museums and galleries that are usually free entry for students.

That evening, I went to meet Frances for dinner after she had finished work in the 10th arrondissement. We found a trendy little restaurant with an impressive menu where we spent the evening catching up and I was still buzzing with excitement to be in one of my favourite cities in the world. We took the métro to her apartment in the 13th, blissfully unaware of the horrendous events about to take place a couple of neighbourhoods along. The moment we reached her apartment our phones connected to wifi and flooded with streams of messages and news alerts. It wasn't long before we heard about the terrorist attacks nearby and the emergency sirens rang constantly from the streets outside.

We were overwhelmed by the messages from worried friends and family who knew we were out in the city that night. The bars and restaurants attacked in the 10th and 11th are hip areas of Paris, frequented by yo-pros and always full of people on a Friday night. In fact, we'd originally planned to go for drinks there the following evening. Another friend of mine had gone to dinner there when visiting the weekend before. It was all way too close to home. 

We were lucky. Others, however - innocent young people out celebrating the end of the week, socialising with friends over drinks, watching a friendly game of football, seeing their favourite band perform live - were not.

The following day we cancelled all our plans we'd made for the weekend. We followed precautions to stay inside on Saturday morning then after checking the news for final updates we decided to venture out that afternoon. There was certainly a sad atmosphere across the city. We passed a busy hospital surrounded by soldiers and police cars. Media crews were outside every monument we passed. Yet it is important to remember that life must continue, we cannot be forced to stay inside living in fear.

The world's reaction has been amazing, as countries have united in solidarity with Paris. Cities from Sydney and Kuala Lumpur to San Francisco and London lit up their monuments in the tricolour, lighting up for Paris as the iconic Eiffel Tower stayed dark.

Flag at half-mast at the Louvre

These horrific events have not put me off this incredible place. Paris remains a beautiful city that I will certainly be returning to.

My thoughts are with everyone affected by all the tragic acts of terror that have taken place in several countries these last few days.

Week 7 - French Rugby

This week I've experienced a French rugby match, pot-luck and an unusual amount of November sunshine.

This has been a good week regarding admin (finally). Last Friday night I went out for drinks with a few assistants and I made the discovery that as language assistants we qualify for a free bus pass in the Vaucluse region. This means I no longer have to pay 8€ every time I make the return journey to my schools. Happy days! Straight after work on Monday I bee-lined to the office and was issued my very own shiny bus pass there and then.

On Saturday France were playing Scotland in a rugby league game in Avignon so a couple of us British assistants booked to go along. We had a fab afternoon watching the game with our chips and beer (well-earned after spinning that morning) and there was a great atmosphere, especially as France won! Everyone came back to mine that evening and Pauline had some friends round too so we had an amusing time speaking franglais.

At school this week I've been educating the kids on British culture and they were impressed by the fact that the Queen is on all our money. It was quite a challenge explaining the parts of the U.K. to seven year olds, who refused to believe me when I drew a picture of England's flag and were adamant that the whole of the U.K. was called England. I've also been teaching parts of the body which has been fun, lots of singing of Head, shoulders, knees and toes and games of Simon Says. 

On Tuesday night a group of assistants hosted a 'pot-luck' - basically everyone brings along a dish to share for dinner. Loads of us went along and we had an impressive buffet. I baked chocolate chip cookies for dessert which actually turned out ok despite the fact I didn't have any weighing scales so had literally just thrown ingredients together.

Most of us get Wednesday's off normally, but no one had to work this Wednesday due to Armistice Day. The weather has been surprisingly sunny and even according to the locals this is unusual for November. To make the most of it, we crossed the bridge over the Rhone and went for a picnic on L'îsle de la Barthelasse and enjoyed people, or mainly dog, watching. The French really do live up to their stereotype of having tiny well-groomed canines. 

In other admin news my French SIM card has finally arrived (hallelujah). I've got a huge data plan and unlimited calls to the UK so it has made my bus journeys a lot more entertaining. Next thing on my list is to change my address at the bank - although moving has been great I can't say it's helped with the paperwork. In order to change my address I have to bring in a utility bill with my name on - a housing contract doesn't prove where you live apparently. The woman at the bank definitely knows who I am now and gave me a serious "you again" glare last time I went in. Might try a different branch next time!

Sister Skype sesh

Went to see Spectre with Annie on Thursday night, which didn't disappoint. For those of you who've seen it, we found it a funny coincidence that there's a restaurant called L'Américain situated right outside the cinema.

I'm off to Paris now for a long weekend to visit Frances, my friend from school who is working there, and Ollie from Exeter!

Ciao,

Katie x

The Best Things About Living in France

1. Cheese
It's undoubtedly true, one of the best things about living in France is the bread, wine and cheese. Essential to every meal. If you didn't have a cheese course did you really eat?

2. Wine

Buy a cheap bottle from the supermarket and it will actually taste nice.

3. Bakeries

Cliché but true, the French really have mastered the art of baking. Baguettes and pastries will never be the same again. 

4. Lunch

You can probably see a theme emerging! Lunch breaks are a big deal in France, and not to be rushed. Expect an hour and a half to two hours to take a break from work, sit down and eat (sometimes even with a glass of wine).

5. Skiing

The French Alps have some of the best skiing in the world and there's no channel in the way to get you there.

6. Weather

Ok, so it's still not exactly beach weather in the winter months, but the south is still a whole lot warmer than the UK. As for the summer, the two countries can't quite compare.

7. Museums

Not only are there so many incredible museums to see, most places do an incredible student discount and it's often free entry for under 25s!

8. The Trains

The fastest way to travel all over France, plus they have very comfy seats. What's more, with a 'Carte Jeune' (the French young persons railcard) and you can get up 50% off your journeys.

Oooh curved seats

9. And let's not forget this catchy tune

10. Scenery

From the glorious architecture in Paris to the stunning coastine of the French Riviera, it's safe to say that it would be hard to get bored of these views.

11. The Markets
Full of incredible quality local and seasonal produce, some of these markets can go on for miles and sell everything from vegetables to onesies.

Christmas presents sorted.

12. Entertainment
French film and music just has that certain je ne sais quoi. Quirky, chic, artistic... you can't help but appreciate French culture.

Week 6 - Halloween in France

Celebrating Halloween and a taste of la gastronomie française.

Although it's nothing like in the UK, and certainly not in the USA, Halloween in France is slowly starting to become a thing. As ever, I left things right to the last minute to find a costume and went for a hunt round Avignon in search of something suitable to wear. The distinct lack of costume shops proved an issue but I managed to find a pair of fluffy ear things at Claire's Accessories. Add an LBD and eye-liner nose and whiskers and voilà, costume sorted.

I'm a mouse, duh

On Saturday night, Brian, an assistant from Ireland, hosted a Halloween party at his apartment that he shares with a couple of Erasmus students. After pre-drinks (or pre-game as the Americans call it) chez Kate, we headed to the party where there was a crazy clash of languages being spoken throughout the evening - French, English, Italian, German... It was also fun to meet loads of new people and catch up with some assistants I'd met at orientation.

Walking the streets of Avignon in our make-shift costumes

With Brian and the girls

I've joined a gym here which is great and runs loads of classes - even on Sundays! After allowing ourselves a much-needed lie-in after Saturday night's antics, Kate, the Annies and I went along to the CAF (Cuisses, Abs, Fessiers aka LBT) class, which was run by a very smiley and energetic instructor who reminded me of Caroline from BodySoc. I'm enjoying trying out all the different classes - there's one aerobics class with choreography that I find hilarious (especially following it all in French) and is run by an instructor who is basically the French Louie Spence! It feels like I'm back in Exeter again walking around in stash and sports kit.

Spent Sunday night in Vaison, ready to start back at my schools the following day. This week I've been teaching Halloween which got a great reaction from the kids. Taught vocab, sung a Halloween song (that I don't want to hear again for a very long time after this week) and played bingo. The schools are all pretty old-school but I'm loving writing on the chalk board and I have definitely mastered the art of drawing Halloween monsters - let's just say you'd want me on your team in a game of Pictionary.

On Mondays I have the 6-8 year-olds who are just adorable and on Tuesdays I teach everyone from the ages of 6-11 at my second school. The little ones are just adorable and mob me with cuddles in the playground. One of them even made me a drawing over the holidays, which is definitely going up on my wall.

Thursday was a very long day, as I commuted to Vaison from Avignon and spent a full day teaching at my third school (although my hours are changing so I'll have less time hanging around and finish earlier, woo). I've discovered I can take a bus and a train and make it back in an hour, however there was unfortunately a serious road accident so I missed my connecting train and had to take a bus back, adding an extra hour and a half to my journey.

I've been spending most of my evenings going for drinks with my flatmate, Pauline, and her friends who are all lovely. On Thursday evening we hosted a dinner party at our apartment with a group of her friends from uni and two of them, semi-pro chefs, cooked us an incredible top-quality meal with hand-selected wines to match! As you can imagine, a three-course meal for 10 with no dishwasher isn't the easiest to clean up afterwards so we all took turns washing up.

My flatmate, Pauline, and her friends tucking into the main

Pretty-much michelin star ***

A bientôt,

Katie x

Things you'll miss about the UK on your Year Abroad

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love la vie française, but occasionally there are a couple of things I really do miss about the UK:

1. Roast Dinners
Meat, potatoes, veg, yorkshire puddings, gravy...GIMME!



2. Marmite
Brits love it. French hate it.


3. British Television
Nothing can quite compare to the BBC.



4. Table Manners
Because back home it's normal to put your knife and fork at 12 o'clock at the end of the meal. It just makes sense.



5. Nights out
Going out on a Tuesday and knowing the club will be packed.



6. Percy Pigs
Squishy pig shaped marshmallows of goodness.

7. Tea
Need I say more?



8. Milk
UHT is just not the same.

9. Kettles
Seriously, why are French apartments not equipped with such essentials?!

10. Showers
For some reason most French showers don't have a stand for the shower head. Enjoy opening that shampoo bottle with one hand.



11. General Britishness
Generally people being overly polite the whole time.



12. Rectangular Pillows
For some reason, normal size pillows are virtually impossible to find in France. Instead the French prefer their 63x63 square versions.



13. Mayonnaise
The REAL stuff