Today has been like the calm before the storm – Hermione spent all morning lying around and finishing a book she was engrossed in. We started packing as minimalistic as you can be.
I headed off to CLA conversation group – got there and ordered a Panini at 12:30, thought it was very strange the café owner wasn’t ready for lunch crowd! He looked at me and said it would be about 15 minutes and pointed to the clock -11:30, not 12:30 as I had thought.
Finally plucked up courage to ask him why he has a different time – daylight saving had finished on Saturday!! That also explains why the news last night was on at a strange time and the rugby we thought was late to start at 4pm. Why Nev had changed time on the computer yesterday – thought they had it wrong!!
Just as well found out today rather than tomorrow – don’t want to get train times stuffed up!
Went to Intermarché (supermarket) and bought a few things for tomorrow.
Tea tonight is anything left in the fridge! Not sure if I will be able to sleep – it is so exciting!
Monday, October 27, 2008
Dimanche le 26 octobre
Everyone had a restful sleep, lazy Sunday morning. Did a lot of washing as weather was perfect for drying.
All the cars started to arrive and park outside –Rugby was on. A nice sunny day so over we wandered to watch Besancon play another town. Even to the rugby the people are all decked out – stilettos, leather jackets, perfume, hair well done, not just women either the men take a lot of pride in their looks – not a pair of sneakers to be seen!
Ended up watching 2 games – it was back to grassroots rugby!
Home at 5:30. Spent most of the evening researching Paris and things to do and trying to come up with a plan! The weather forecast is hideous – looks cold and with a lot of rain for most of it – BUGGAR!
Museums here are shut Mondays and some others shut Tuesdays – no major shops open Sundays and quite often won’t be open Monday morning either. Some things are free the first Sunday of the month – Wahoo – The Louvre and Notre Dame etc.. but do you go when it will be chaotic to save money? Secondly quite a few things are free for under 18’s and teachers!!! Not sure if NZ teachers are in on this though.
All the cars started to arrive and park outside –Rugby was on. A nice sunny day so over we wandered to watch Besancon play another town. Even to the rugby the people are all decked out – stilettos, leather jackets, perfume, hair well done, not just women either the men take a lot of pride in their looks – not a pair of sneakers to be seen!
Ended up watching 2 games – it was back to grassroots rugby!
Home at 5:30. Spent most of the evening researching Paris and things to do and trying to come up with a plan! The weather forecast is hideous – looks cold and with a lot of rain for most of it – BUGGAR!
Museums here are shut Mondays and some others shut Tuesdays – no major shops open Sundays and quite often won’t be open Monday morning either. Some things are free the first Sunday of the month – Wahoo – The Louvre and Notre Dame etc.. but do you go when it will be chaotic to save money? Secondly quite a few things are free for under 18’s and teachers!!! Not sure if NZ teachers are in on this though.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Samedi le 25 octobre
The new clothes purchases - really starting to look like French children!Another fine day in Besancon, thought we would have pancakes for brunch as we plan to walk around for a while – then off to the markets with hope of getting the girls winter boots. Walked around, the girls found some winter tights, head bands, jeans, tops, hats, scarfs and chupa chup mountains
and NO boots. All the kids shoe stalls had vanished – I wonder if they sold out yesterday? Very annoying – maybe Paris?
We also tried “churros” from Spain and looked very intriguing. Sold in food caravans like at blossom festival and comes with sugar. You can also have other dipping sauces – nutella, chocolate or caramel!! No surprises there.
Home about 4 and had a sandwich as we try not to buy food and drink as it really adds to cost – which most people know and try to get through to their children!
Remember - Click on photos to enlarge them!!
Vendredi le 24 octobre
The pancake making session.
The playground at lunchtime.
Hermione's class CM2 -
The girls were excited about school today – Hermione’s class were making pancakes with maple syrup – degustation. I sent her along to the class with the camera so I could show you what the class is like. I will send it with Seph next.
Seph’s class had 3 children turning 10 so the teacher bought a gateau and lollies and fizzy! They played games for a lot of the day which Seph loved.
Nev and I went into town to get train tickets but instead got sidelined by the 500 market stalls – the atmosphere was great and things seemed really cheap – woollen coats in various styles and numerous colours €30 and Nev got really good sunglasses for €10, normally €60. These markets were a lot cheaper than in
Met Ghislaine at CLA for my language practice and then she helped out at the ticket office for the train to get the best deal to go to
It is so good having someone you can talk to and get advice from, as that is what is really hard knowing where to go or how to find the information you want.
Ghislaine suggested we better get in and book to go to
This is the "inside" play area for rainy and cold days - pretty sparse. On the ground is that spongey black playground matting stuff.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Jeudi le 23 octobre
I still have had no phone call from the Lycee about my timetable – very frustrating.
In town this afternoon and Nev and I both succumbed to purchasing our first French shoes. Maybe this had something to do with the children being at school and we could finally focus on ourselves!
On the way home we were in a bit of a rush and jumped on our normal bus number – however after a couple of stops I thought “this isn’t right” off we hopped, we were going totally the wrong direction, away from our stop. Luckily we were still roughly close to town and could change buses to the right one and didn’t get stuck somewhere.
Spent a lot of time trying to decide where we should go for the 5 day break just after Paris – I know we probably shouldn’t go anywhere but can’t waste precious time – there is a lot of country to see. Decided 2 nights in Lyon will do, 3 days to see and taste the gastronomic capital of France. Again straight to the internet to get a bargain! Pay for 1 night and get second half price including breakfasts and also a “city of Lyon” pass that gets you into all museums and tourist things free. This also includes all transport – bus, trains, trams, a boat trip and guided tour of something! All up €220 – will l;et you know if it was a waste in due course.
One day of school left and then holidays!
In town this afternoon and Nev and I both succumbed to purchasing our first French shoes. Maybe this had something to do with the children being at school and we could finally focus on ourselves!
On the way home we were in a bit of a rush and jumped on our normal bus number – however after a couple of stops I thought “this isn’t right” off we hopped, we were going totally the wrong direction, away from our stop. Luckily we were still roughly close to town and could change buses to the right one and didn’t get stuck somewhere.
Spent a lot of time trying to decide where we should go for the 5 day break just after Paris – I know we probably shouldn’t go anywhere but can’t waste precious time – there is a lot of country to see. Decided 2 nights in Lyon will do, 3 days to see and taste the gastronomic capital of France. Again straight to the internet to get a bargain! Pay for 1 night and get second half price including breakfasts and also a “city of Lyon” pass that gets you into all museums and tourist things free. This also includes all transport – bus, trains, trams, a boat trip and guided tour of something! All up €220 – will l;et you know if it was a waste in due course.
One day of school left and then holidays!
Mercredi le 22 octobre
This is just 1 of the yoghurt only aisles! Seph and Nev are in the distance.
A bargain - 24 bottles for 4.46 Euros!
Wow – Wednesday already! A sleep in for everyone, the girls need it the school day really takes it out of them. I am really so proud of them settling into school with not much hassle really, The children all seem so polite and friendly. Willing to strike up a conversation with me whenever they see me, it is really nice. If all the
The whole time I have been here I have not once seen jeans hanging low so you can see boxers / butt cracks! Boys also carry “handbags” / money pouches for their wallets, bus passes, MP4/ ipods and other things.
The weather was terrible, heavy rain, so we spent the day finishing scrapbook pages and then
headed out to the big shopping centre as the girls have to have their own little whiteboard and pens €2 (great idea – use them in class for all sorts of things – I could imagine them in all our rooms as standard equipment on the stationery list.. Perfect at numeracy teaching time – like our modelling
book and they can write answer and show etc… Juniors can practice writing, giving answers – a real multitude of uses.) On one side lines for writing the other side blank, came with little duster and pen holder. YES!! I do know some teachers do use in NZ but this seems standard here.
We also needed to buy a paint kit – every child has to have their own paint kit – metal tubes of all the colours and brush all housed in a plastic kit. €5.
Out at the shopping centre they also have the ticketing office for many things – had to resist the James Blunt concert tickets – but did buy our Euro Disney tickets and also…..Cirque de Moscou on Glace – Moscow Circus on Ice tickets for later in November here in
Nev thought these were great big steaks - HORSE meat!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Mardi le 21 octobre- College
A few more photos from Dijon - Assiettes de crudites, lunch -
Bon bons- Lollies at the markets!
The White Bear in the gardens
Our seats on the TER - Regional train .
Autumn fun in the leaves!First stop today was to look at an apartment to rent – 2 bus changes later we found the property. The elderly landlord huffed and puffed so much going up the stairs we thought he might have a heart attack! We entered the apartment and first impressions were not flash! He was very proud of it, showing us the new windows and the different combinations of how you can open them. Yes! You heard right – different ways to open the same window! Either have them open like normal and fold out or you can open them at the top only and it tilts in so you can leave the house but let fresh air in! Hard to explain.
I think he was so showing the new windows off so we didn’t look at anything else! Went into 1 room and the lady was still in bed watching TV – she didn’t look happy. The whole apartment consisted of a kitchen – sink and cupboards, no oven or anything else. Why am I not surprised?
The main bedroom, tiny bathroom and then another bedroom off which was a storage space under the roof eaves. Needless to say NOT suitable and I am not convinced would have passed OSH requirements back home!
Spent the next hour or so getting lessons ready for my 2 classes this afternoon. After lunch, I loaded up with my resources and waited for the teacher – she came at the last second and said “oh Tiffany, no English today – after the holidays” so away home again! Quite sick of that – surely they could contact me and let me know in advance. It happens so often that it is really annoying!
A teacher from the college, Pascale, set up a meeting with me for 3pm today. Off I went, down to the college – she was so warm and welcoming. Spoke great English and we went through the AFS contract together, she alerted me to the fact that other teachers have had same problem with 2 different contracts and teachers being told one thing and the school has another contract and that AFS is not remedying the situation. I made it clear to her that I am willing and WANT to do more than 5 hours so that the people here don’t think I am being a “stickler” for the rules and not willing to “blend” in. Anyway I met quite a few of the other English teachers and they were all so friendly and made it known that anytime I can come to their classes and visit. This was such a great feeling.
I also had it reinforced that there are definitely NO staff meetings as we know them – they have 4 TOD per year to go over things like that. NO department (syndicate) meetings at all, if they have non contact you do not have to be on the premises, it is your time off! Most teachers at college have about 16 -18 hours per week –this is considered full time! Each teacher also gets “inspected” you get 8 days warning they are coming, watch you teach for 1 hour then talk with you for an hour. The inspectors cannot “fire” you but give you “recommendations”. Sound familiar? Only major difference is this is totally individual, not school based - may be no one else in the school getting looked at.
Pascale is going to set up a few days visiting classes so I get to see a cross curriculum selection. This will happen after the “vacances” – but guess what else I found out? We go back to school on Thursday the 6 Nov, but the following Tuesday is a public holiday 11/11, so they are “bridging” the gap and we also have Monday off. So this in turn becomes a 5 day holiday as Sat through till following Thursday. (Remember no school Wednesday!)
I think we get 10 days off, 2 days back then 5 off – We have a lot to learn from the French!
Had my English club again – difficult to teach today – it was raining and I wondered if they hadn’t been out as very inattentive. It is also frustrating as they ask questions in French and I do not understand!
After tea I went through vocab and language with everyone – including Nev. Got to get him using the language somehow!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Lundi le 20 octobre
Another week begins… girls off to school, Nev and I to the supermarket again! Yesterday the girls and I baked Smickerdoodles – so I took a plate over to the staffroom for morning tea. I know how much we love it at school so thought I would pass on the favour. I also took over the girls enrolment forms – about 8 different pages to fill out! Interestingly, I only have to sign 1 permission form for the year for all outings. (I have mentioned doing this at Alexandra Primary School in the past) but nice to see other schools doing this. Makes a lot of sense and cuts back on admin for everyone.
The other forms are for after school care –available till 6:30 pm- free!
Clubs after school 4:35-5:35, €50 per trimester, these include, Judo, hip hop, guitar, English, etc…all have to be prepaid for the year.
Lunch forms – whether children stay for lunch at the canteen or go home. I think it is €160 for lunch per term! 3-5 courses though – needless to say our girls come home, they quite like it and have 2 hours before going back as no one is allowed out of the canteen until 5 minutes before the bell so no playing really.
Went to meet Graziella my linguistic partner this afternoon, she volunteered to help me look and possibly find an apartment as it is very hard to find accommodation in Besancon.
Went to numerous locations about apartments but no joy and kept getting sent to another - even went to Century 21!!!
So tonight I met her and she rang a few places, quite a few, for me. Most places were gone and the ones that weren’t they didn’t want a short term rent! However we are going to look at one tomorrow morning – makes me suspicious though when this person is prepared to do short term rent, what is wrong with it, or maybe that is pessimistic – will let you know!
Property over here is advertised in square metres – and talks about number of “pieces” rooms. A 3 piece advertised doesn’t mean it has 3 bedrooms, could be a kitchen, lounge and 1 bedroom. Makes it difficult to understand all the abbreviations too, you also have to pay for water, gas and rubbish collection on top of rent. Electricity is also normally on top of this too.
Waited 30 minutes in the phone shop today to get served, along with about 4 others and about 20 others came and left! Only 1 person serving and the whole time he was with 1 guy deciding type of phone to buy and getting paperwork done! Luckily another guy arrived back from lunch and took some slack. He was very helpful and recharged my phone for me as I don’t understand all the options and voice prompts!
Next stop train tickets for Paris! The nice, young man was very helpful and even asked if we would travel a lot by train and told us of a discount pass.
€300 for return travel to Paris for 4 on the TGV. Who said train travel was cheap – NOT!!!
The other forms are for after school care –available till 6:30 pm- free!
Clubs after school 4:35-5:35, €50 per trimester, these include, Judo, hip hop, guitar, English, etc…all have to be prepaid for the year.
Lunch forms – whether children stay for lunch at the canteen or go home. I think it is €160 for lunch per term! 3-5 courses though – needless to say our girls come home, they quite like it and have 2 hours before going back as no one is allowed out of the canteen until 5 minutes before the bell so no playing really.
Went to meet Graziella my linguistic partner this afternoon, she volunteered to help me look and possibly find an apartment as it is very hard to find accommodation in Besancon.
Went to numerous locations about apartments but no joy and kept getting sent to another - even went to Century 21!!!
So tonight I met her and she rang a few places, quite a few, for me. Most places were gone and the ones that weren’t they didn’t want a short term rent! However we are going to look at one tomorrow morning – makes me suspicious though when this person is prepared to do short term rent, what is wrong with it, or maybe that is pessimistic – will let you know!
Property over here is advertised in square metres – and talks about number of “pieces” rooms. A 3 piece advertised doesn’t mean it has 3 bedrooms, could be a kitchen, lounge and 1 bedroom. Makes it difficult to understand all the abbreviations too, you also have to pay for water, gas and rubbish collection on top of rent. Electricity is also normally on top of this too.
Waited 30 minutes in the phone shop today to get served, along with about 4 others and about 20 others came and left! Only 1 person serving and the whole time he was with 1 guy deciding type of phone to buy and getting paperwork done! Luckily another guy arrived back from lunch and took some slack. He was very helpful and recharged my phone for me as I don’t understand all the options and voice prompts!
Next stop train tickets for Paris! The nice, young man was very helpful and even asked if we would travel a lot by train and told us of a discount pass.
€300 for return travel to Paris for 4 on the TGV. Who said train travel was cheap – NOT!!!
Dimanche le 19 octobre - The Aperitif's!
A big sleep in for everyone after our big day out yesterday!
The girls completed another scrapbook page – Mre Wilson would be proud! She would also love the aisles of scrapbooking paraphernalia! Speaking of school – I wonder often what is happening and thanks to all those who are keeping in touch, it makes my day to get an email or comment on the blog! Keep them coming – I am keeping a list and checking it twice of who has and hasn’t been in touch! The girls enjoy hearing about their class and there must have been a huge email problem in R3! Hope it is sorted soon!
At 4:00 John, the father of Seph’s friend Solenn, arrived to pick us up to take us out to their home in a small village about 10-15 minutes away. It was great to get out of the city and to talk to new people. Christelle is a translator and speaks great English and John is English, he works for Peugeot. They have 2 girls 8 +5 years. Hermione and Seph loved playing with them for 4 hours, while the adults had traditional French aperitif! In other words pre dinner drinks and nibbles!
We had Devils on Horseback (prunes wrapped in bacon, dried apricots wrapped in bacon too – these were delicious!), a Provençale loaf thing, cake with capsicums, onions and other veges, a pate en croute (pate wrapped in pastry), apple tarte and these were all served separately taking 3 hours! I can see now why people talk of lunch taking 5 hours – yet to do it, but can see how it can be a drawn out affair!
John dropped us home at 8:30pm and we quickly made a sandwich and got girls into bed!
The girls completed another scrapbook page – Mre Wilson would be proud! She would also love the aisles of scrapbooking paraphernalia! Speaking of school – I wonder often what is happening and thanks to all those who are keeping in touch, it makes my day to get an email or comment on the blog! Keep them coming – I am keeping a list and checking it twice of who has and hasn’t been in touch! The girls enjoy hearing about their class and there must have been a huge email problem in R3! Hope it is sorted soon!
At 4:00 John, the father of Seph’s friend Solenn, arrived to pick us up to take us out to their home in a small village about 10-15 minutes away. It was great to get out of the city and to talk to new people. Christelle is a translator and speaks great English and John is English, he works for Peugeot. They have 2 girls 8 +5 years. Hermione and Seph loved playing with them for 4 hours, while the adults had traditional French aperitif! In other words pre dinner drinks and nibbles!
We had Devils on Horseback (prunes wrapped in bacon, dried apricots wrapped in bacon too – these were delicious!), a Provençale loaf thing, cake with capsicums, onions and other veges, a pate en croute (pate wrapped in pastry), apple tarte and these were all served separately taking 3 hours! I can see now why people talk of lunch taking 5 hours – yet to do it, but can see how it can be a drawn out affair!
John dropped us home at 8:30pm and we quickly made a sandwich and got girls into bed!
Samedi le 18 octobre - Dijon!
Just sampling a Burgundy Red - Well, you have to really while you are in the neighbourhood!An early start and just caught the bus with 1 second to spare – it ran a couple of minutes early due to not many passengers at 7:50 Saturday morning.
To the train and remembered to compostez the billets. On this train you could choose where you sit and the girls got a great place for the 4 of us, facing each other with a table in between. The girls continued to eat their breakfast - chocolate waffles on the train.
We arrived in Dijon after 1 hour. The day was gorgeous, fantastically clear blue skies and about 18 degrees.
We headed straight to the Information centre and sussed out what to do. The Owl’s Trail was the first thing. This is a trail around the town’s most important and interesting places. In the footpath are brass plaques embedded for you to follow. We also had a trail booklet in English to tell us the history behind each of the 22 stops.
Off we went with the girls both hot on the Owl’s trail. It was really well done and kept the girls interest the whole way. After about 3 stops we happened to be right in the middle of the Saturday markets – Wahoo! Just my thing – the trail went on hold for a couple of hours while we traipsed up and down many streets looking at all the stalls.
Everything on sale – fruit/veges, books, shoes, clothes, belts, antiques, coins (managed to get 20 different ones for €2), old photos, postcards, mattresses, handbags, furniture and general bric a brac. It was heaps of fun poking around.We also stumbled upon the indoor food market – anything you can eat you get it here! What an experience – the buzz of all the people, vendors calling out (not sure what), the aromas the sights and colour. On sale there were things I have never seen before and not sure I would try some of them!
Hermione was brave and tried a few tastings of a “meaty pate type thing” and the verdict was positive!
I had to be dragged out of there back to the trail!
On we went through the throngs of people congregating to eat in the terraces and places. We found a tower that has a fantastic view of the city – Tower of Philippe the Good! 46m high and about 700 stairs to contend with. Up we went and we were not disappointed with the view. Dijon is famous for its very decorative roofs and I was disappointed as there weren’t as many as I had imagined. We saw about 5 from the top of the tower!
Many photos later we went on our way.
By now it was 2:15 and time for lunch! We headed to a busy restaurant and sat out in the sun – the girls played chicken with the water feature running through the place (plaza / square). For lunch the family tried traditional cuisine – croque madam with an egg and croque Monsieur without. Hermione not being fond of cheese had an assiette de crudités, which is a plate of raw vegetables - lettuce, tomates, corn, beetroot and carrot.
By now it was 2:15 and time for lunch! We headed to a busy restaurant and sat out in the sun – the girls played chicken with the water feature running through the place (plaza / square). For lunch the family tried traditional cuisine – croque madam with an egg and croque Monsieur without. Hermione not being fond of cheese had an assiette de crudités, which is a plate of raw vegetables - lettuce, tomates, corn, beetroot and carrot.
Found the best mustard shop -Dijon mustard of course! It has so many varieties - 32 to be exact! Mustards are also on tap between 76- 149.50 Euros per Kg!
Also stopped at a vey bust street stall to check out what people were buying - something hot that they wrapped and sold in a paper cone - hot, roasted chestnuts! My first real taste of what
they talk and sing about in the Northern hemisphere winter xmas.
Off on the trail to the last few stops and then to the train to come home at 6:45pm. The train was near empty and we had a whole carriage to ourselves for most of the way until a few young guys got on with an Alsatian!
A great day out – home to soup and bread!
Friday, October 17, 2008
Vendredi le 17 octobre
Hard to get H. out of bed this morning – very tired. I spent the morning getting resources ready for my English class this afternoon at the primary school. Nev went running, he went quite a long way and was proud he didn’t get lost!
After lunch headed to the classroom – the teacher met me and said “oh, not this week after the holidays” What holidays?
A bit of research later and there are holidays at end of next week for 2 weeks! Can’t believe it – Thought I might include all the school holidays for the next year, this doesn’t include the other 12 public holidays either.
Oct 25 – November 6
Dec 20 – Jan 5
Feb 21- Mar 9
Apr 18 – May 4
Jul 2 – Sep2
So being very excited I thought we better plan something – PARIS!!!
Searched the internet high and low for CHEAP accommodation – don’t think it exists for Paris – Even in the infamous International Youth Hostels (they have family rooms) it would be €20 each a night.
However after searching the net I found a great site – some may have heard of it, but if you are going abroad a fantastic comprehensive list of holiday accommodation –
www.craigslist.org
So I have managed to pick up an apartment in trendy/ arty Montmartre. Fully furnished and recently renovated, looks good on the net in the pictures!
Thought this would be best for us as that way we can be self sufficient, washing machine, LCD TV (Nev is excited) and I think it has unlimited International phone calls! So look out everyone – I won’t care what time it is!!!!!
I have booked in for Oct 28th – Nov 5th, I am so excited!!!!!! The one day I was there I fell in love with the city – just like millions of others. I didn’t expect to as I am not into my clothes or Haute couture as I thought it would be all about, also not really an overly emotional type – but Paris gets into your soul!
Better go to plan tomorrow’s activities, as catching train to Dijon tomorrow at 8:15am.
After lunch headed to the classroom – the teacher met me and said “oh, not this week after the holidays” What holidays?
A bit of research later and there are holidays at end of next week for 2 weeks! Can’t believe it – Thought I might include all the school holidays for the next year, this doesn’t include the other 12 public holidays either.
Oct 25 – November 6
Dec 20 – Jan 5
Feb 21- Mar 9
Apr 18 – May 4
Jul 2 – Sep2
So being very excited I thought we better plan something – PARIS!!!
Searched the internet high and low for CHEAP accommodation – don’t think it exists for Paris – Even in the infamous International Youth Hostels (they have family rooms) it would be €20 each a night.
However after searching the net I found a great site – some may have heard of it, but if you are going abroad a fantastic comprehensive list of holiday accommodation –
www.craigslist.org
So I have managed to pick up an apartment in trendy/ arty Montmartre. Fully furnished and recently renovated, looks good on the net in the pictures!
Thought this would be best for us as that way we can be self sufficient, washing machine, LCD TV (Nev is excited) and I think it has unlimited International phone calls! So look out everyone – I won’t care what time it is!!!!!
I have booked in for Oct 28th – Nov 5th, I am so excited!!!!!! The one day I was there I fell in love with the city – just like millions of others. I didn’t expect to as I am not into my clothes or Haute couture as I thought it would be all about, also not really an overly emotional type – but Paris gets into your soul!
Better go to plan tomorrow’s activities, as catching train to Dijon tomorrow at 8:15am.
Jeudi le 16 octobre
Finally met with M.Daboval and Mr Stengers – a difficult meeting as it turns out, as they were expecting a teacher of English for 15-18 hours per week alone. I am willing to do this but they are concerned because my level of French isn’t good enough to do this.
Also the issue of the apartment – they are happy for us to stay here at moment but is tricky as hard to find apartments and they are giving us the place free but this might change! I feel terrible I can’t give back as such! They are really trying and so am I but both have been given different information. Difficult predicament for everyone. It was left that Mr Stengers would ring me- again!
I am willing to do the hours as the girls are going to school and I want to meet colleagues and contacts. I would be bored doing nothing! I need to work alongside the class teacher but they were expecting a “French Teacher” someone with a lot more French who can teach alone.
Into town to buy train tickets for Dijon on Saturday. Turned out to be very easy and the “nasty man” wasn’t there! The lady also told me to “composte” my ticket. First one to ever tell me.
Girls home from school at 4:40! The evening goes so fast.
Also the issue of the apartment – they are happy for us to stay here at moment but is tricky as hard to find apartments and they are giving us the place free but this might change! I feel terrible I can’t give back as such! They are really trying and so am I but both have been given different information. Difficult predicament for everyone. It was left that Mr Stengers would ring me- again!
I am willing to do the hours as the girls are going to school and I want to meet colleagues and contacts. I would be bored doing nothing! I need to work alongside the class teacher but they were expecting a “French Teacher” someone with a lot more French who can teach alone.
Into town to buy train tickets for Dijon on Saturday. Turned out to be very easy and the “nasty man” wasn’t there! The lady also told me to “composte” my ticket. First one to ever tell me.
Girls home from school at 4:40! The evening goes so fast.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Mercredi le 15 octobre
A phone call – wahoo – be at the college tomorrow at 9:30.
Spent day at home, Seph has a bad cold and the girls wrote emails and did some scrapbooking.
Ventured to the closest pharmacy – down the block – and managed to get a nasal spray for Seph. The French are obsessed with pharmacies – can’t remember if I have told you that. There is almost 1 every block, the weather forecast in the paper even has the prediction for whether the day will bring: allergies, pollens, migraines, rheumatism and trouble sleeping. Today I had sore eyes so I guess it is because of the pollens !
Looked up places to go and visit for this weekend – perhaps Dijon! Have also been invited to Solenn’s house for an aperitif on Saturday night. The problem is – their house is out of town and we have no car!
Spent day at home, Seph has a bad cold and the girls wrote emails and did some scrapbooking.
Ventured to the closest pharmacy – down the block – and managed to get a nasal spray for Seph. The French are obsessed with pharmacies – can’t remember if I have told you that. There is almost 1 every block, the weather forecast in the paper even has the prediction for whether the day will bring: allergies, pollens, migraines, rheumatism and trouble sleeping. Today I had sore eyes so I guess it is because of the pollens !
Looked up places to go and visit for this weekend – perhaps Dijon! Have also been invited to Solenn’s house for an aperitif on Saturday night. The problem is – their house is out of town and we have no car!
Mardi le 14 octobre
Girls off to school – a lot happier! They had their first English classes – felt good about those. The girl Seph sits beside – Solenn, her parents gave their email address to the teacher for us to contact as, the father, is an Englishman and would love to talk some English!
I emailed and am waiting to hear from them, as it would be good to get into a family and have a contact.
Spent time getting my planning prepared for the English classes this afternoon, printing off pictures and simple worksheets.
Arrived to the 7 year olds and started with very simple instructions – Look, Listen, Stop etc…
English club – Off to collect them from the classes and down to the class. All good, getting better each day. The little boy who is a handful – was so quiet and fantastic – he was really, really sick! Makes me wonder if you still have to go to school or whether just convenient for some working parents – like at home. Met a couple of the parents afterwards and one guy offered to maybe take us / Nev to Burgundy and look at wine, as this is his job! Nev was of course very keen! Nice to have some contact with someone.
That’s it!
Still no phone call!!
I emailed and am waiting to hear from them, as it would be good to get into a family and have a contact.
Spent time getting my planning prepared for the English classes this afternoon, printing off pictures and simple worksheets.
Arrived to the 7 year olds and started with very simple instructions – Look, Listen, Stop etc…
English club – Off to collect them from the classes and down to the class. All good, getting better each day. The little boy who is a handful – was so quiet and fantastic – he was really, really sick! Makes me wonder if you still have to go to school or whether just convenient for some working parents – like at home. Met a couple of the parents afterwards and one guy offered to maybe take us / Nev to Burgundy and look at wine, as this is his job! Nev was of course very keen! Nice to have some contact with someone.
That’s it!
Still no phone call!!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Lundi le 13 octobre - First day at School
Tears this morning – Hermione not wanting to go. Thought it would have been Seph but Hermione was way out of her comfort zone.
Finally take them up to class – Hermione 4th floor, Seph third floor. The older you are the more stairs you climb!
I felt dreadful but I hoped would be ok!
At 11:30 went over to meet them to bring home for lunch – Seph a box of birds, couldn’t keep her quiet and so was Hermione. Seph ate her lunch in record time to try and go back to play with some new found friends, unfortunately they were eating in the school canteen and didn’t come out for ages.
Hermione too was eager to get back. Wahoo!! I had thought might be difficult if they came home for lunch to get them back.
I headed off to CLA for my conversation practice – I find it quite useful but I stick to things I know I can say – not really getting extended but it is practice.
On way home met Nev at supermarket - again!
Met girls after school at 4:30, great to see them coming out with friends and smiling. Hermione had email addresses and took her till 4:45 to come out.
Tea and a special dessert to celebrate 1 whole day at school!
Then…… the tears from Hermione – I miss my friends at home, I don’t understand anything, I can’t talk to anyone, etc… Tiredness and frustration talking, probably culture shock too!
Hopefully in the morning all is good again.
STILL NO PHONE CALL! Mr Stengers at the college promised me on Friday that he would call about my timetable after he talked to Lycee. This is incredibly frustrating and really not sure what to do. Do I keep ringing and going to visit without appointments and no one returning calls – or is it now considered stalking!
Finally take them up to class – Hermione 4th floor, Seph third floor. The older you are the more stairs you climb!
I felt dreadful but I hoped would be ok!
At 11:30 went over to meet them to bring home for lunch – Seph a box of birds, couldn’t keep her quiet and so was Hermione. Seph ate her lunch in record time to try and go back to play with some new found friends, unfortunately they were eating in the school canteen and didn’t come out for ages.
Hermione too was eager to get back. Wahoo!! I had thought might be difficult if they came home for lunch to get them back.
I headed off to CLA for my conversation practice – I find it quite useful but I stick to things I know I can say – not really getting extended but it is practice.
On way home met Nev at supermarket - again!
Met girls after school at 4:30, great to see them coming out with friends and smiling. Hermione had email addresses and took her till 4:45 to come out.
Tea and a special dessert to celebrate 1 whole day at school!
Then…… the tears from Hermione – I miss my friends at home, I don’t understand anything, I can’t talk to anyone, etc… Tiredness and frustration talking, probably culture shock too!
Hopefully in the morning all is good again.
STILL NO PHONE CALL! Mr Stengers at the college promised me on Friday that he would call about my timetable after he talked to Lycee. This is incredibly frustrating and really not sure what to do. Do I keep ringing and going to visit without appointments and no one returning calls – or is it now considered stalking!
Dimanche le 12 octobre
Since all our plans had been foiled – we headed into centre ville to go to a couple of Museums – they are free on Sundays!
As we got to the Musée de Beaux Arts – with Mummies and Sarcophagus’ there was a food festival in the Place de la Revolution!
We had a plate of food, all sorts of things on it – think it may have been Indian, but not sure! As we were eating the lady beside us started talking to us. She was from Geneva, over for the day to see the sights. She told us how France is so family orientated compared to the rest of Europe and how lucky we came here. She said Switzerland you go for the scenery, Geneva is boring and there is no fun as the extreme protestant religion takes everything away – dancing, music etc…Rather interesting! She also gave great tips on family home stay sites and the International Youth Hostelling system – You don’t have to be young! Secondly most welcome families and have family rooms! The ones in Paris sound amazing, even have discos, bars etc!
Off to the museum and wandered around for a long time – the art was great – even a few Renoirs and a lot of others that art buffs may know but I am very limited in this area!
Raced to try to get to the Clock Museum but got there 2 minutes too late and couldn’t be bothered waiting for another hour – save it for another Sunday!
Home to try and get kids to bed early for tomorrow! This however failed as they were awake for ages – no doubt worried about school!
As we got to the Musée de Beaux Arts – with Mummies and Sarcophagus’ there was a food festival in the Place de la Revolution!
We had a plate of food, all sorts of things on it – think it may have been Indian, but not sure! As we were eating the lady beside us started talking to us. She was from Geneva, over for the day to see the sights. She told us how France is so family orientated compared to the rest of Europe and how lucky we came here. She said Switzerland you go for the scenery, Geneva is boring and there is no fun as the extreme protestant religion takes everything away – dancing, music etc…Rather interesting! She also gave great tips on family home stay sites and the International Youth Hostelling system – You don’t have to be young! Secondly most welcome families and have family rooms! The ones in Paris sound amazing, even have discos, bars etc!
Off to the museum and wandered around for a long time – the art was great – even a few Renoirs and a lot of others that art buffs may know but I am very limited in this area!
Raced to try to get to the Clock Museum but got there 2 minutes too late and couldn’t be bothered waiting for another hour – save it for another Sunday!
Home to try and get kids to bed early for tomorrow! This however failed as they were awake for ages – no doubt worried about school!
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Samedi le 11 Octobre - Stranded!
A beautifully hot day! Fantastic! Off to the Grottes d’Osselle. The underground caves which have all the stalagmites and stalactites etc…
Off to the bus to get to the exchange area – when we changed buses we were the only ones on the coach! A minor hiccough – a car broke down in the middle of the roundabout! The lady driver and Nev got out to push her out of the way! Off out through some petite villages till we got to Osselle. The driver informed us once we got to Osselle there would be nothing else to do or see! She also happened to mention it is a 3-5 km walk from the bus stop.
Off we got and headed in the direction of the Grottes – felt very much isolated and couldn’t help wondering how far it was to go etc…
Picturesque looking at villages in the distance and the green fields. Finally found the place and it didn’t look anything like what I was expecting – steps up to a house/shop/restaurant and large terraces that looked out over the road and river.
Bought our tickets €20 and waited 30 minutes for our tour guide. We were the only ones there and it was very tranquil. Soon another couple arrived.
Our guide arrived and took us to a room full of displayed minerals that he said were in their raw state, not cut, polished, coloured etc. The minerals were from all over the world and the colours were incredible and the shapes unbelievable. After this off to the Grottes – collected a few German latecomers and in we went.
Amazing caves that go for kilometres but only 1.2 km are open to public. It was discovered in the 13th century and has been a tourist attraction since the 15th century – the oldest known cave tourism! Further on in the cave were skeletons (apparently thousands) but the claim to fame is, the first complete skeletons, that had been discovered of cave bears.
A family had been restored and put in place – very stocky and large!
Our guide arrived and took us to a room full of displayed minerals that he said were in their raw state, not cut, polished, coloured etc. The minerals were from all over the world and the colours were incredible and the shapes unbelievable. After this off to the Grottes – collected a few German latecomers and in we went.
Amazing caves that go for kilometres but only 1.2 km are open to public. It was discovered in the 13th century and has been a tourist attraction since the 15th century – the oldest known cave tourism! Further on in the cave were skeletons (apparently thousands) but the claim to fame is, the first complete skeletons, that had been discovered of cave bears.
A family had been restored and put in place – very stocky and large! 
One and a half hours later out we came to the light and heat!
Walked back to the bus stop as there was only one bus and it leaves at 5:06!
At 5:15 wondered why it hadn’t arrived, generally very punctual – relooked at timetable and there is a phone symbol beside it. Quickly looked around the board to find out what this means – ring a phone number! Which I did to discover that no bus is coming!!
After a few minutes deciphering the information, luckily was a person and not automated, it turns out that you have to reserve the bus the day before for it to come out and get you! Had absolutely no idea about this! Didn’t need it on way there and the helpful driver- failed to mention this for the return!
Here we are miles away from Besancon stuck!
The lady from the bus company took my number and said she would ring back in a couple of minutes – which she did to say she will send a taxi to collect us. As no bus till MONDAY! Wait there and in 25-30 minutes the taxi will arrive.
Meanwhile I am busy trying to work out the cost! As when you ring taxis the meter starts from then! Another expensive bus lesson!
Sure enough a taxi arrives and the friendly driver asks to see our bus ticket – couldn’t work that out! Anyway he speaks a little English and once we establish N.Z. doesn’t have kangaroos he realises the “All Blacks”! He then proceeds to say that New Zealanders don’t like the French very much because of the bomb. I tell him it has all been forgotten and it isn’t true – we like the French– don’t want to be kicked out of the taxi! As it turns out he is talking nuclear bomb on Mururoa and I thought he was talking Rainbow Warrior – doesn’t matter both were bombs by the French!
He pulls over to the first bus stop that we can catch a bus back home from. The meter is on €29. I go to pay and he says “No – the bus company will pay” I couldn’t believe it – the bus company will pay for the taxi back even though really it was our fault that we didn’t know what to do! Even more amazing he could have pocketed that money and been paid twice!
I am still amazed this happened – a good thing out of what was a disaster. I must admit I was pretty worried there for a moment about being stranded in middle of nowhere.
I also discovered on way back in the taxi that no buses run on Sunday apart from directly in town. The bus pass we have is for in Besancon and the surrounding area – which includes trains to outlying areas. I had planned to go to a cool historical area where there are 15 original houses all with displays of the period and tomorrow it also has many displays showing craftsman doing original jobs. BUT no way to get there!
I can see this is going to be a problem every Sunday!
Vendredi le 10 octobre- First school visit
Meeting with Mr Stengers went really well. He was very interested in the course and how the family were settling in, we talked about Jet lag and the complete opposite of time. I mentioned that Nev keen to help out with rugby team etc and he was really keen about that. We discussed the times for me to come, basically 4 mornings a week available after I take out primary times and my conversations a CLA. He thought that was brilliant amount of time. However, he doesn’t really want me till December/ January but he will have me if the Lycee doesn’t want me! He tried to ring M.Daboval but no luck, I also explained to him I have tried to ring Genevieve and no phone call returned also that Jean-Francois hasn’t rung back after the meeting.
Left there with him promising to ring me back on Monday.
After lunch the girls had their first contact with their teacher and classmates. All the children meet outside and line up to wait for their teacher to take them to the class. Hermione’s teacher, a young female who can speak a bit of English, didn’t catch her name! Off she went to the 4th floor.
Seph not so sure about things wanted me to stay with her so we went upstairs with a lady to the class, this was in fact the music teacher! The lesson started with a song from another culture (Serbia) and the teacher walked around showing the costume picture. All children were sitting 2x2 straight to front and not much room for anything else.
After this the children did voice exercises – breathing/exhaling, (making escargots) up and down the scales, louder/softer and volcanoes!
A song where she played guitar – Seph at this point started getting upset - which started me off! She wanted to go home! It made me wonder if I have done the right thing! Settled her down and her normal class teacher came in –A man!! Very nice, Mr Santan, I think was his name. No English! He gave Seph a colour the correct colour maths exercise while the others got a language exercise using subjects and conjugating verbs!
At 3:00 there is a small break, where the children line up outside the class and are ushered in SILENCE down the stairs to the concrete playing area.
We met up with Hermione who seemed really happy with her class and teacher – thankfully!
Seph was all talk too about how hers was great and I think we are all Ok for her on Monday! Couldn’t stop her when she got home to Nev!
Supermarket again!! (Only a very small fridge and seem to eat so much fruit and vege!)
Watched Star Academy and the girls were very excited because it also had Leona Lewis and The Jonas Brothers!
Left there with him promising to ring me back on Monday.
After lunch the girls had their first contact with their teacher and classmates. All the children meet outside and line up to wait for their teacher to take them to the class. Hermione’s teacher, a young female who can speak a bit of English, didn’t catch her name! Off she went to the 4th floor.
Seph not so sure about things wanted me to stay with her so we went upstairs with a lady to the class, this was in fact the music teacher! The lesson started with a song from another culture (Serbia) and the teacher walked around showing the costume picture. All children were sitting 2x2 straight to front and not much room for anything else.
After this the children did voice exercises – breathing/exhaling, (making escargots) up and down the scales, louder/softer and volcanoes!
A song where she played guitar – Seph at this point started getting upset - which started me off! She wanted to go home! It made me wonder if I have done the right thing! Settled her down and her normal class teacher came in –A man!! Very nice, Mr Santan, I think was his name. No English! He gave Seph a colour the correct colour maths exercise while the others got a language exercise using subjects and conjugating verbs!
At 3:00 there is a small break, where the children line up outside the class and are ushered in SILENCE down the stairs to the concrete playing area.
We met up with Hermione who seemed really happy with her class and teacher – thankfully!
Seph was all talk too about how hers was great and I think we are all Ok for her on Monday! Couldn’t stop her when she got home to Nev!
Supermarket again!! (Only a very small fridge and seem to eat so much fruit and vege!)
Watched Star Academy and the girls were very excited because it also had Leona Lewis and The Jonas Brothers!
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Jeudi le 9 octobre
Off to College this morning to meet and organise my timetable, got set rendez-vous for tomorrow morning! Headed into town to the CLA to meet with my linguistic partner Ghislaine. She is a little bit younger than me, a couple of years, and has a wee boy 14 months. We talked for over an hour and she was really helpful about places to visit and to go to see.
Home and went to the Primary school to check for messages etc… Mdm Javrin was very friendly and asked if I could add another child to the English club, this was fine as now with Nev it is much easier. Another message, to tell Hermione to bring togs, towel, bathing cap and goggles for Monday!
The girls have first contact meeting tomorrow afternoon with their class. Hope this is positive and eases some tension.
Tried to ring Genevieve to organise Lycee times but she hasn’t returned call either!
Home and went to the Primary school to check for messages etc… Mdm Javrin was very friendly and asked if I could add another child to the English club, this was fine as now with Nev it is much easier. Another message, to tell Hermione to bring togs, towel, bathing cap and goggles for Monday!
The girls have first contact meeting tomorrow afternoon with their class. Hope this is positive and eases some tension.
Tried to ring Genevieve to organise Lycee times but she hasn’t returned call either!
Mercredi le 8 octobre - Carte de sejour
Didn’t sleep last night as worried about the very official meeting this afternoon for the “carte de sejour” this is for people staying longer than a couple of months in France. I got an appointment ages ago for us. Got the list of everything they require, originals and then had to get everything photocopied. 3 passport photos each as well. Had all this done except for the letter stating where we are living. I asked 2 weeks ago for this but the secretary at the primary school passed it on to the secretary at the Lycee who had to ask the Big Boss. Nevertheless had heard nothing….. so I had a message to ring him on Tuesday night at 6:00pm. Which I did – not there – left a messge. Still heard nothing so this morning I went up to the Lycee , thinking that I would have to pick it up anyway. He was not there he is in Italy! Why then did I have to ring Tuesday? The secretary tried to help and phoned but got voice message. She then promised to call if he rang back. He was supposed to be at school at 2:00 today so perhaps then he would ring.
I returned home to wait and then got to the “Prefecture” for meeting. No phonecall!
Went to the meeting and she explained briefly that only had 1 appointment and the family would have to make another one!
Sje huffed and puffed and then said my Visa wasn’t a student visa but visitor so how can I study at the university? I don’t know!
She then started to change and accepted that I didn’t have letter yet and to bring it when we complete the medical!!! Yes …. Another medical with Xrays etc. The wait for this is about a month and then have to return results to them and probably pay money then they process this “paper”!
In the end she did process Nev at same time, very kind but the children’s appointment is not till 18 DECEMBER! Got told also not to go out of country until we get them – don’t know why as I was under impression anywhere in the EU travel was fine. But now I am scared if we go out we might not get back in even though we have a VISA.
So will be ages before we can go anywhere as kids appointment December then who knows how long after that!
Incredibly frustrating and bureaucratic.
After this –as it was pouring thought we might head out to a shopping centre to take cover. Looked around and the girls bought their first French clothes! Took a week!
It was 6:00 and we had tea out – Pizza Pai! Had a set “menu” kids €6.50 each for a buffet of entrée (salads and bread) then a good meal selection (pizzas and pastas), drinks, dessert and a toy.
We had a menu as well €13 entrée, main, dessert or drink. Very filling and great value.
We then had to race to catch the last bus, I was terrified that we would not be able to catch a connecting bus and would have to wait for ages somewhere miles away.
However luck was on our side and as we stepped off one the other was right behind it and could get straight on. Very lucky!
Home about 8:30pm and still NO phonecall. Something weird going on!
I returned home to wait and then got to the “Prefecture” for meeting. No phonecall!
Went to the meeting and she explained briefly that only had 1 appointment and the family would have to make another one!
Sje huffed and puffed and then said my Visa wasn’t a student visa but visitor so how can I study at the university? I don’t know!
She then started to change and accepted that I didn’t have letter yet and to bring it when we complete the medical!!! Yes …. Another medical with Xrays etc. The wait for this is about a month and then have to return results to them and probably pay money then they process this “paper”!
In the end she did process Nev at same time, very kind but the children’s appointment is not till 18 DECEMBER! Got told also not to go out of country until we get them – don’t know why as I was under impression anywhere in the EU travel was fine. But now I am scared if we go out we might not get back in even though we have a VISA.
So will be ages before we can go anywhere as kids appointment December then who knows how long after that!
Incredibly frustrating and bureaucratic.
After this –as it was pouring thought we might head out to a shopping centre to take cover. Looked around and the girls bought their first French clothes! Took a week!
It was 6:00 and we had tea out – Pizza Pai! Had a set “menu” kids €6.50 each for a buffet of entrée (salads and bread) then a good meal selection (pizzas and pastas), drinks, dessert and a toy.
We had a menu as well €13 entrée, main, dessert or drink. Very filling and great value.
We then had to race to catch the last bus, I was terrified that we would not be able to catch a connecting bus and would have to wait for ages somewhere miles away.
However luck was on our side and as we stepped off one the other was right behind it and could get straight on. Very lucky!
Home about 8:30pm and still NO phonecall. Something weird going on!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Mardi le 7 octobre English Club!
A quiet beginning to the day, a lazy day, Nev went for a run and the girls wrote postcards. It felt like the beginning of home schooling English class!
I was told last week to go to English classes at the Primary school on Tuesdays and Fridays at 1:45-2:30. So I found my own way to the class after lunch having no idea who I was to find, there had been no introduction. I knocked and entered into a fairly brightly painted and refreshing looking classrooms, small but packed with 7 year olds, probably 30.
The teacher looked blankly at me and I tried to explain why I was there. We went to the adjoining room to the other teacher and she also had no idea I was coming. The teachers finally said next week and so away I went. I had sent Nev to the Intermarché (supermarket) on his own….very brave but 2 budding girls ready to step in and talk for him! Nevertheless I caught them up – not sure if he was relieved or not! Possibly not because I am sure there would have been more wine / beer in the trolley if I had not come!
Home to wait until 4:30 till the English club…… I arrived at 4:20 as I have to go and collect them from the classes, I liken this to herding sheep! The children all trail with me as I go to each class, fighting way through other children, parents and pushchairs in the narrow hallways. Up flights of stairs and it is hard work keeping them together.
My little “kicker” informed me he had a sore head so I immediately thought he might be quiet. But…. Away he ran, this time he also had a buddy that wasn’t there last week. I however brought my secret weapons –Nev and girls who were great helpers and attempted to keep inline the little ratbags!
The hour took ages today – got through heaps more and 2 packets of biscuits! They are so hungry and very tired by 5:30 when we finish. At the end the mustering takes place again with different children getting dropped off at different places. I think it is like after school care.
I had to ring the big boss tonight at 6:00pm. This was a message I received, which I fretted about for hours… so I did … he wasn’t there! I had to leave a garbled message which I am sure he might not understand to ring me but it is now 10pm and no phone call. I am desperate for a letter that states where I am living. The big meeting is tomorrow and this is required! So now I will have to go to the Lycee in the morning and try to get it instantly done. Not sure I would bet on it happening.
It is amazing the kids still at school at 6:00 and there were even little kids still going home at nearly 7pm. I now know why they are so tired and how they never eat tea till after 8pm.
Nevertheless –Wednesday tomorrow which means a quiet morning and sleep in!!!!
I was told last week to go to English classes at the Primary school on Tuesdays and Fridays at 1:45-2:30. So I found my own way to the class after lunch having no idea who I was to find, there had been no introduction. I knocked and entered into a fairly brightly painted and refreshing looking classrooms, small but packed with 7 year olds, probably 30.
The teacher looked blankly at me and I tried to explain why I was there. We went to the adjoining room to the other teacher and she also had no idea I was coming. The teachers finally said next week and so away I went. I had sent Nev to the Intermarché (supermarket) on his own….very brave but 2 budding girls ready to step in and talk for him! Nevertheless I caught them up – not sure if he was relieved or not! Possibly not because I am sure there would have been more wine / beer in the trolley if I had not come!
Home to wait until 4:30 till the English club…… I arrived at 4:20 as I have to go and collect them from the classes, I liken this to herding sheep! The children all trail with me as I go to each class, fighting way through other children, parents and pushchairs in the narrow hallways. Up flights of stairs and it is hard work keeping them together.
My little “kicker” informed me he had a sore head so I immediately thought he might be quiet. But…. Away he ran, this time he also had a buddy that wasn’t there last week. I however brought my secret weapons –Nev and girls who were great helpers and attempted to keep inline the little ratbags!
The hour took ages today – got through heaps more and 2 packets of biscuits! They are so hungry and very tired by 5:30 when we finish. At the end the mustering takes place again with different children getting dropped off at different places. I think it is like after school care.
I had to ring the big boss tonight at 6:00pm. This was a message I received, which I fretted about for hours… so I did … he wasn’t there! I had to leave a garbled message which I am sure he might not understand to ring me but it is now 10pm and no phone call. I am desperate for a letter that states where I am living. The big meeting is tomorrow and this is required! So now I will have to go to the Lycee in the morning and try to get it instantly done. Not sure I would bet on it happening.
It is amazing the kids still at school at 6:00 and there were even little kids still going home at nearly 7pm. I now know why they are so tired and how they never eat tea till after 8pm.
Nevertheless –Wednesday tomorrow which means a quiet morning and sleep in!!!!
Monday, October 6, 2008
Lundi le 6 octobre
Popped into school to get mail and got the kids sorted to start school on Monday, with a first contact on Friday afternoon. I wonder how this will go – Madame Janvrin did say that Seph’s teacher doesn’t speak English at all so will be total immersion. Not sure about Hermione’s but it makes me think that she/he will as no comment was passed first.
One thing – at least they should get top marks in English!
Today I met with my tandem linguistic partner –Graziella. This is a programme that puts together native speakers with the language you are learning. So Graziella speaks French and is learning English and I am the other way. We are to meet at least once a week and spend 1 hour at least together, generally 30 minutes French and 30 min English.
I got in contact with her through Jim and Carolyn. She would be 40 something and is an office secretary, no children and is separated. She spends the week here in a small apartment and the weekends at her house in the Jura mountains. Her house is in a tiny village 2000 people and is 1800m in altitude. She loves cross country skiing and her house in winter has heaps of snow! Maybe she might invite us sometime?
The hour passed really quickly and hopefully this is going to be a profitable relationship for us both in terms of language acquisition.
Met the family after- they had gone for a walk in the park, went and had lunch before embarking on the horrible mission of going to the Bus Inspectors office!
After finding the correct bus to catch and then the building, I took a moment to gather my thoughts and work out how to say what I wanted! I must admit I was very worried and nervous, they are so pedantic and horrible.
I went in and was passed to correct person – I explained the situation as best I could and showed her the receipt and the identity cards (arrived in mail this morning, Whew!) she said “C’est bon” It’s fine. Nothing to pay and it is all good. I was out of there in a couple of minutes feeling very relieved.
Decided to walk home from there, girls moaned and groaned, but on the way we found a different supermarket, so ventured in to get bread. As we passed the beer aisle Nev couldn’t resist the 39c 500 ml cans of beer! Had one with tea –not bad. It is called a biere blonde, which I think is Lager.
Introduced the family to Gnocchi tonight, a hit luckily!
Starting to think about my English Club tomorrow – the girl’s are keen to come along and help. Nev is going to come too and he can keep the little “kicker” under control. Hopefully he can put on a really scary face!
I also am going into one of the English classes after lunch, my first observation!
Have also had summons to ring the big honcho at 6:00pm tomorrow! Not sure how this will go as I don’t think he can speak English and with my French over the phone it will be very hard. I wonder too what he wants???
Spent ages last night trying to sort out the computer and renamimg photos – my new computer won’t let me do this and the 3 or 4 other laptops I have had it has been very simple and downloading photos has been incredibly straightforward and all the same.
Hopefully this can be easily solved or it will be a nightmare for a year.
Well I hope all is going well in NZ. Thanks to those who are keeping me up to date with happenings, it really is super to have news from home.
The letters from R3 were great – will write you an email! Much quicker than snail mail.
Keep them coming!
One thing – at least they should get top marks in English!
Today I met with my tandem linguistic partner –Graziella. This is a programme that puts together native speakers with the language you are learning. So Graziella speaks French and is learning English and I am the other way. We are to meet at least once a week and spend 1 hour at least together, generally 30 minutes French and 30 min English.
I got in contact with her through Jim and Carolyn. She would be 40 something and is an office secretary, no children and is separated. She spends the week here in a small apartment and the weekends at her house in the Jura mountains. Her house is in a tiny village 2000 people and is 1800m in altitude. She loves cross country skiing and her house in winter has heaps of snow! Maybe she might invite us sometime?
The hour passed really quickly and hopefully this is going to be a profitable relationship for us both in terms of language acquisition.
Met the family after- they had gone for a walk in the park, went and had lunch before embarking on the horrible mission of going to the Bus Inspectors office!
After finding the correct bus to catch and then the building, I took a moment to gather my thoughts and work out how to say what I wanted! I must admit I was very worried and nervous, they are so pedantic and horrible.
I went in and was passed to correct person – I explained the situation as best I could and showed her the receipt and the identity cards (arrived in mail this morning, Whew!) she said “C’est bon” It’s fine. Nothing to pay and it is all good. I was out of there in a couple of minutes feeling very relieved.
Decided to walk home from there, girls moaned and groaned, but on the way we found a different supermarket, so ventured in to get bread. As we passed the beer aisle Nev couldn’t resist the 39c 500 ml cans of beer! Had one with tea –not bad. It is called a biere blonde, which I think is Lager.
Introduced the family to Gnocchi tonight, a hit luckily!
Starting to think about my English Club tomorrow – the girl’s are keen to come along and help. Nev is going to come too and he can keep the little “kicker” under control. Hopefully he can put on a really scary face!
I also am going into one of the English classes after lunch, my first observation!
Have also had summons to ring the big honcho at 6:00pm tomorrow! Not sure how this will go as I don’t think he can speak English and with my French over the phone it will be very hard. I wonder too what he wants???
Spent ages last night trying to sort out the computer and renamimg photos – my new computer won’t let me do this and the 3 or 4 other laptops I have had it has been very simple and downloading photos has been incredibly straightforward and all the same.
Hopefully this can be easily solved or it will be a nightmare for a year.
Well I hope all is going well in NZ. Thanks to those who are keeping me up to date with happenings, it really is super to have news from home.
The letters from R3 were great – will write you an email! Much quicker than snail mail.
Keep them coming!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Dimanche le 5 octobre - The Bus Inspector!
Up and after all the housework done, went into town to go to the Citadelle. Walked up the steep path to get in, I think the kids counted 180 steps along with paths and road for a start.
A pretty impressive structure, the kids walking along the ramparts gave me the jitters. Heaps to see and do, we spent ages going around the zoo, the monkeys were adorable and many different varieties, some I had never seen or heard of before. There were lots of little babies and we all enjoyed them. You could get really close to them and there were 2 really little white ones, they would have been able to easily fit in amongst the kids soft toys on the bed. I would have taken them home if I could!
Just around the corner there were a different type and they could get out and were running around just above our heads. We were standing there mesmerised as one descended and reached out to Hermione, she put her hand out and it held her hand and then tried to bite her finger! What a touching and very cool happening. The highlight of her day! I actually thought it was going to leap on to her shoulder. They also had a section “Petite ferme” where you could wander in around the animals and touch and pat them. The girls loved it, the goats followed you around and they had chickens, roosters, rabbits, guinea pigs and turkeys.
After this, to the aquarium and amphibian house. Loved the amphibian house it had heaps of different frogs (the ones they have not eaten!) all mainly from the rainforest and brightly coloured.
The insectarium also was well done and had a huge selection of insects from around the world put into a realistic settings. Very cool! Some of those beetles and horned things were actually really huge!
The noctarium really was just a huge stink and it only had different types of mice and rats!
We were then starving as it was now 4:00 and had left home at 11:00 and had had no lunch. So off in to town in the hopes of food but town was packed of people for the music in the streets and typical Sunday – nothing open! Did however find an ice cream – glace !
To catch a bus home was the problema s all the bus routes were changed due to the festival. Got to the correct stop eventually and found we had missed bus by 3 minutes and had 56 to wait! Which we did as all had sore feet!
This journey however turned into disaster and we had our first run in with the law!
At one of the stops 4 men in black suits got on. These turned out to be bus/ticket inspectors. Not worried I had bought bus passes for us all for the month of October! BUT….. the line is so busy the 2 days before end of the month that the lady in the bus office said she would post the girls ID card (plastic like credit card with photo)and gave me the card for the other side – October!
So the man came up we showed the pass and he ranted and raved for ages. It came to our stop and luckily we were allowed off with THEM! He could tell I didn’t understand what was wrong and he still went on. I tried to explain the lady was posting them because they were so busy. He kept on and wrote out a ticket which I think is for 60€! He then wanted ID but I don’t carry my passport – which I think I might start doing! – It went on for ages, him ranting, me not understanding. Any way I think we were supposed to buy a ticket if the girls didn’t have card but noone had said to. I had just paid about 65€ for all the passes for the month had no idea couldn’t use it!
So this was a really horrible experience, I was quite upset,shaken and frustrated afterwards. Still have no idea what to do with this ticket – will go to the address tomorrow and see what happens! Could be an expensive lesson! Hope this doesn’t go on a record as we have an appointment with the “Prefecture” on Wednesday to get our “Carte de Sejour” another Visa type process now that we are here! This also costs us again and apparently have to have another medical and Xrays as they don’t believe Dr in NZ. The next frustrations of French Bureaucracy!
So a very disappointing finish to a good day!
By the way the 99c Champagne was lovely as is the slightly more expensive 1€19 floor scrapings for a red tonight! I say this as nowhere on the bottle does it say what type – pinot, merlot…etc it is!
Samedi le 4 octobre
REMINDER: CLick on photo for it to enlarge!
Well children awake and bouncing around at 4:30 am!! Told to get back to sleep…. Seph did but Hermione read until 8:00 then got up!
Had breakfast and then walked into town. On the way a phone call from the Laings and Woods, partying again and getting in the spa!! Very jealous!
The town itself is little streets, old buildings and loads of character. Nev likened it to Hogwarts! At some places he was sure we were in diagon alley.
This weekend was music in the streets – heaps of bands performing all over the town – probably 30 different locations and 50+ bands. Everywhere you walked you came upon more music. Many of the bands were dressed in costumes/ outfits that were eyecatching. It was great to see so many young people involved in the groups and heaps of people from all ages enjoying the performances. The timetable went from 11am until 3am with bands performing many times at different locations and then in the evening 2 main performance areas.
We walked around for hours – had crepes for lunch.
Chocolate ones of course! The French are chocolate mad, chocolate bread, rolls, croissants, pastries. Also mad for Nutella! They even have nutella crepes, nutella ice cream and nutella paninis!
Kids really tired so home for bed and tea.
Well children awake and bouncing around at 4:30 am!! Told to get back to sleep…. Seph did but Hermione read until 8:00 then got up!
Had breakfast and then walked into town. On the way a phone call from the Laings and Woods, partying again and getting in the spa!! Very jealous!
The town itself is little streets, old buildings and loads of character. Nev likened it to Hogwarts! At some places he was sure we were in diagon alley.
This weekend was music in the streets – heaps of bands performing all over the town – probably 30 different locations and 50+ bands. Everywhere you walked you came upon more music. Many of the bands were dressed in costumes/ outfits that were eyecatching. It was great to see so many young people involved in the groups and heaps of people from all ages enjoying the performances. The timetable went from 11am until 3am with bands performing many times at different locations and then in the evening 2 main performance areas.
We walked around for hours – had crepes for lunch.
Chocolate ones of course! The French are chocolate mad, chocolate bread, rolls, croissants, pastries. Also mad for Nutella! They even have nutella crepes, nutella ice cream and nutella paninis!Kids really tired so home for bed and tea.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Vendredi 3 octobre
Hermione asleep waiting for the train, at Paris airport.Girls slept till 8:30, noise from above woke us all. Hermione straight on computer to check her emails! Wonder who she go that from – must be inherited! Nev amazed had a coffee machine – stuck in back of cupboard! Out it came but of course no milk- had to go to the dairy for milk and then to boulangerie for 4 pain au chocolat – chocolate croissants for breakfast!
Got this done and headed for the big supermarket at 11:00. 2 bus changes later we make it! Nev said it was unbelievable and we have no idea what we (Kiwis) are missing out on with variety of products offered. Girls a bit shocked with fresh, small whole birds, with heads still intact for sale! Nev was ready for the huge steaks – until he learned they were horse! The cheese section is mindblowing, 3 aisles of cheese + the cheese delicatessen – which is big just on its own, you even have to take a number to be served! Here they cut cheeses to size and even get to sample before you buy.
Not to mention salamis, meat etc… the last aisles of course I saved till last and nearly had to drag hem out! Nev bought first beer he saw 10 stubbies for €2.98! Then off to wine….. champagne for €0.99 and a red €1:19. Forgot to say all liquor is sold at supermarkets, spirits, liqueurs and RTD’s. Whatever you want they got it and in all the same major brands as us.
For you Russ – milk is €1:15! Stacked in pellets and still shrink wrapped for all the long life milk, people unpack it themselves! You can buy everything here. First stop was electronics where Nev spent a moment in silence looking at the plasmas and the Xbox 360 and beyond!
The shop is humungous 50 checkouts! Janene – The shop assistants all were rollerblades to get to sections quickly! No need to go walking if you work here! We spent 3-4 hours in here!
All loaded up for the return journey! Started to rain while waiting at the bus stop.
Home to unpack groceries and suitcases - Awful weather!
Nev had a nap to catch up and girls started a scrapbook of their adventure! Luckily I have a printer, photocopier and scanner here! One of the other teachers couldn’t do without it!
Well been busy day compared to others – might have to do housework more frequently now though!
Poor Seph got in shower and it turned cold! So this might be an ongoing issue!
Girls off to bed when we looked up and saw she had fallen asleep at table watching Wheel of Fortune 7:45!
Hopefully we keep up with this routine and they will adjust to time change fairly easily.
Photos: Finally at Besancon - Waiting for taxi!
By the way if you have not figured it out, click on the photo to enlarge them! Much easier to see.
Wahoo! Reunited at last - Jeudi le 2 octobre
Well the day finally arrived – saw in 1:45 then myst have crashed. Luckily the alarm went off at 4:30. No time to waste got a taxi (yes! It arrived) and off to the Gare for the 5:40 train to Paris Charles de Gaulle aeroport. Arrived at 8:30 then watched carefully where I went so I could get back! Yes you have to catch a mini train between terminals and you need to read carefully to know where you need to go. Very easy to get lost! Not that many people around, spent the next 5 hours looking at shops and reading a book - found an English one!
Text from the family to say they have been delayed at Frankfurt- another 30 mins. By 2:15pm I was first at the arrivals gate waiting anxiously….. 2:30 they appeared. What a fantastic sight –very overwhelming and indescribable. Suddenly felt whole again and that nothing was missing!We trotted off to wait for the next 5 hours till the train! The poor things did well but it didn’t take long before the sleep bug took over. Nev got about 1 hour on the plane as Seph was pretty staunch and didn’t sleep much but such a fidgit gadget kept waking him! Flight to LA was 12 hours and bumpy! Hermione slept a bit in between watching movies in the personalised in flight entertainment. LA was hot 30 odd degrees and they had to get baggage and drop it off after customs – even for transit – very security conscious! The next flight Lufthansa was 11 hours of nothing – no personal inflight entertainment. Very small seats! Girls only slept for 2 hours before waking for tea. Then no more Seph was not tired.
Once in Frankfurt had 2 hours before next flight to Paris. All you have to do is go through passport control. Nev astoionded at Paris, like I was, you get your bags and walk straight out. No officials anywhere. No customs, dutyfree, zip, nada nothing.
Sleep took over while waiting for the train, amazingly Hermione seemed to sleep anywhere. Seph still showed not much sign of sleeping and kept going up and down escalators while the other 2 slept!
Woke up and went to get tea – Hermione straight back to sleep at table and can’t even remember being there or that we had woken her to eat tea – which she didn’t eat! Then before long Seph’s eyes rolled back in her head and I was sitting alone with 3 sleeping beauties.
Finally the train arrived –TGV, you have 3 minutes to get on and we had 12 bags! 5 big suitcases and backpacks etc.. We got great seats in a 4 with a table inbetween, very comfy compared to the plane. Hermione and Seph slept the whole way –Nev a bit, then revived and walked down to the booze carriage for a celebratory wine and beer.
11:00pm Thursday evening – we arrived. Had to get 2 taxis, 1 got lost with Nev and girls in it. Luckily he rang me and I got my taxi driver to tell the other where to go!
Luggage all in, got sorted and all in bed pretty quick.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
The looonngest day
Mercredi le premier octobre
Well this has turned out to be the longest day yet….. I have mopped all the floors as no carpet at all, dusted, rearranged cupboards, surfed the internet, written emails, surfed a bit more, read the ODT and CO News, played spider solitaire until my eyes hurt, played Hearts against my friends and it is still only 5:00pm.
Went for walk to the boulangerie to get a fresh baguette, that is what we ,Kiwis commonly call a French Stick. It is cold and windy today so can’t be bothered going anywhere. Have no heating in flat at the moment so don’t want to get cold because I can’t thaw out!
It was really nice to get some emails from home and our dear friends who have been keeping me up to date and sending off my family to me in good working order. Without all you people, looking after the girls, cooking tea, taking to airport, providing accommodation, storage, keeping Neville sane and all the other things, I thank you very much it feels like a whole team effort. “It takes a village to raise a child…” or something like that.
I rang for a taxi this afternoon for the morning – I just hope he understood me and we got the right day and time etc… It is ordered for 5:20 am, I probably won’t sleep though as will be worried alarm won’t go off or the taxi won’t turn up or….?
It will be Friday morning 10:00 NZ time (Thursday 11:00pm) by the time we get to the apartment in Besancon. I think I will have very tired travellers. I must admit though their travelling times were better than mine. They left at 3:15 yesterday to Auckland at 5:00, Auckland 7:15 to Los Angeles, so after tea the girls should have been ready to sleep most of it, maybe Nev could? Arrive in LA 11:30 local time. Leave at 2:30 for Frankfurt and get into Frankfurt at 10:30 Thursday am then 12:30 to Paris, arriving at 1:30 Thursday afternoon.
So no long waits at airport, 2 hours is fine as you have to go a long way to change terminals and gates. In LA they have to collect bags and check them through customs, XRays etc – very security conscious now. By the time they do this it will be check in and boarding time. At Frankfurt you have to change terminal and there is a monorail train type thing that you catch to take you. Then there is a long walk, past shops etc to the Lufthansa counter and then another walk to the gate.
(Unfortunately I had 4 hours in Singapore and 5 hours in Frankfurt which was way too long!)
They also have a 2:30 train ride, I bet they sleep until we get here!
Well – the door bell rang! It gave me a fright – 7:45 at night! All shut in and locked behind my rollerdoors. It was Genevieve – the English teacher who first took us out for tea. She popped in to see how things were going and to apologise for not being at the meeting a couple of weeks ago. It was great to see her and talk a bit of English. I mentioned to her about our contract and she already knew it fairly well but said AFS had another one because basically this came with an apartment. I told her how I felt gutted. That it was not transparent.
I also said that my French is still not good enough to do part time and that I may need to do another fulltime intensive for 4 weeks in November. So I have sown a seed and hopefully she may pass this on.
At lease the visit broke my boredom for a while…..
Well this has turned out to be the longest day yet….. I have mopped all the floors as no carpet at all, dusted, rearranged cupboards, surfed the internet, written emails, surfed a bit more, read the ODT and CO News, played spider solitaire until my eyes hurt, played Hearts against my friends and it is still only 5:00pm.
Went for walk to the boulangerie to get a fresh baguette, that is what we ,Kiwis commonly call a French Stick. It is cold and windy today so can’t be bothered going anywhere. Have no heating in flat at the moment so don’t want to get cold because I can’t thaw out!
It was really nice to get some emails from home and our dear friends who have been keeping me up to date and sending off my family to me in good working order. Without all you people, looking after the girls, cooking tea, taking to airport, providing accommodation, storage, keeping Neville sane and all the other things, I thank you very much it feels like a whole team effort. “It takes a village to raise a child…” or something like that.
I rang for a taxi this afternoon for the morning – I just hope he understood me and we got the right day and time etc… It is ordered for 5:20 am, I probably won’t sleep though as will be worried alarm won’t go off or the taxi won’t turn up or….?
It will be Friday morning 10:00 NZ time (Thursday 11:00pm) by the time we get to the apartment in Besancon. I think I will have very tired travellers. I must admit though their travelling times were better than mine. They left at 3:15 yesterday to Auckland at 5:00, Auckland 7:15 to Los Angeles, so after tea the girls should have been ready to sleep most of it, maybe Nev could? Arrive in LA 11:30 local time. Leave at 2:30 for Frankfurt and get into Frankfurt at 10:30 Thursday am then 12:30 to Paris, arriving at 1:30 Thursday afternoon.
So no long waits at airport, 2 hours is fine as you have to go a long way to change terminals and gates. In LA they have to collect bags and check them through customs, XRays etc – very security conscious now. By the time they do this it will be check in and boarding time. At Frankfurt you have to change terminal and there is a monorail train type thing that you catch to take you. Then there is a long walk, past shops etc to the Lufthansa counter and then another walk to the gate.
(Unfortunately I had 4 hours in Singapore and 5 hours in Frankfurt which was way too long!)
They also have a 2:30 train ride, I bet they sleep until we get here!
Well – the door bell rang! It gave me a fright – 7:45 at night! All shut in and locked behind my rollerdoors. It was Genevieve – the English teacher who first took us out for tea. She popped in to see how things were going and to apologise for not being at the meeting a couple of weeks ago. It was great to see her and talk a bit of English. I mentioned to her about our contract and she already knew it fairly well but said AFS had another one because basically this came with an apartment. I told her how I felt gutted. That it was not transparent.
I also said that my French is still not good enough to do part time and that I may need to do another fulltime intensive for 4 weeks in November. So I have sown a seed and hopefully she may pass this on.
At lease the visit broke my boredom for a while…..
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