So we left Paris last Wednesday. It is hard to believe that we have been in Angers for a week. But I love my new home in Angers and I am excited to explore more.
First lets start with the train ride. So trains are actually a really great way to travel in Europe and the train station was hoppin’ in Paris. Everyone looked like they knew what they were doing- so that was a bit intimidating. We finally figured everything out and then drug all our crap to the train and got on board. Boy were we a sight with all our huge bags.
So the train was really nice, even in second class. We had big seats and everything was nice and clean. I wish the states had more efficient trains like Europe. When we left Paris it was nasty and rainy, but maybe 20 mins into the train ride it was blue skies as we traveled through the French countryside. It was nice to be out of the concrete jungle and see some green =) I wrote in my journal about how happy and how blessed I feel to have been given this opportunity to see Europe again. It really it me on the train ride that I was finally in Europe and free to explore. Oh yeah- and a guy came around to punch out tickets- made me feel like I was going to Hogwarts. lol
When trains stop, they only stop for a few mins. So as soon as the train stopped in Angers I threw all my bags out onto the platform, and then we meet one of our teachers there. Also one of the French girls who studied at UCF last year, Anne, meet us there. We got in a van and headed to our dorms. We got to see part of the city on our drive and it was really cute. We even drove past the castle =)
Once we got to the dorms and paid and what not I made the hike to the 5th floor (top) to my new room. With the help of some stranger in the hallway, b/c there is no way I could have carried all my bags. Any ways I found my room. Let me tell you about my room. Imagine the smallest cruise cabin you have ever seen- now cut that in half and you have my room. Hahaha. It is bright orange to top it all off. My bathroom is so small that you can hypothetically brush your teeth, take a shower and go to the bathroom all at the same time. But really- my room here is about the same size as my science drive closet.
So first observation of the dorms- LOTS of Americans. This kinda disappointed me. I was hoping for more of a mix, but oh well don’t get me wrong- there are plenty of international kids too, there are just more Americans than I thought there would be.
I live at one campus on the outskirts of town and take classes in town, so this means I take the bus- a lot. It works really well but can get really crowded. And let me just tell you about town. The first time we took the bus into town and got off, we were in front of a fountain; there were old buildings all around and the river too. I was just waiting for people to start singing like in beauty and the beast. This town is really something out of a book.
We have been busy since we got here setting up bank accounts, getting French cell phones, getting stuff with school squared away and what not. It feels good to finally use my French, but it is also very tiring. I feel useful though.
I really think my favorite part has been getting to know people from all over and getting to speak French. It has been so fascinating hearing about other people’s countries and cultures. It is crazy when everyone gets together and you hear a ton of different accents. It just makes me smile.
We were quite spoiled with good food in Paris before we came to angers, so I have been kinda disappointed with the Angers food. We eat a lot of Kebab sandwiches (I think it’s Turkish- lamb maybe) we have tiny fridges in our rooms and a kitchen on the floor to share (but it’s just a stove top and microwave) so my diet has been consisting of a lot of soup, and bread. I think I am addicted to nutella and baguettes. Baguettes seem to disappear in my room. They look quite big, but when you eat a good bit of it on the way home from the store (and the BIG Wal-Mart like store in a 30min walk away) you are left with some to dip in you soup, cheese, and nutella. I hope it warms up a little bit soon so I can go run- lol.
Speaking of running let me tell you about the lake. So like 2 mins from my dorm there is this really great lake with trails all round it. It is pretty big and I tend to get very turned around with running there. But anyways- It’s beautiful. There are GOATS that just hang out, and then a waterfall or 2, and a really big beautiful house that I think is a castle. On Sunday when I went I felt like the whole town was there. Everything (except pizza hut) is closed in Sunday. So families spend time together (what a concept). I thought that was really cool, simple- but everyone looked like they were having a good time. Kinda made me just a little home sick =/ I’ve spent every birthday ever with at least someone from my family- and I turn 21 tomorrow- no family here =/ but I’m sure it will be good.
No comments:
Post a Comment