Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Everyone is on the strike: the train drivers, the gas and electricity workers, the students. Since 14 November, I have come to know the joys of that wonderful French tradition of "la grève". The uni has been blockaded by students who refuse entry to all and are now camped out there day and night. This morning I received a rather dramatic e-mail from one of my teachers updating us on the situation and enquiring as to whether anyone happens to know anyone with a spare room in which we could hold the class as unfortunately his house is too small. He then went on to say something about his liberty and freedom of speech being suppressed through threat of violence and that we should all maintain our solidarity. So, I may not be learning French in the intended, institutionalised way but I'm definitely getting a taste of the French lifestyle!
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Basque Country Adventure
Day 1
Awoke at an ungodly hour at Romi's apartment in Paris to catch the funky IDTGV train, in which there were uncomfortable but very modern looking blue and purple chairs and a DJ playing loud music. Perhaps they though that the loud music would put us in good moods and encourage us to purchase the overpriced caffeinated beverages on offer... they were right. Gema met us at the Hendaye train station in France and drove us over the mountains to Spain. For lunch we stopped in San Sebastian where we ate "pinxos" (a Basque specialty, similar to tapas) and drank cider, which apparently has to be poured from a great height in order to create lots of bubbles, which is somehow meant to enhance the flavour (I'm not fully versed in the science supporting this theory...) After driving around for some time getting completely lost whilst trying to find the house we would be renting, we temporarily admitted defeat and went to Gema's mother's apartment for tea and cake. Here I was presented with my first opportunity to test out the phrase which I was to repeat often for the next 5 days: "no hablo espagnol". Later in the evening we finally managed to find our house in a lovely small town called Sorauren.
with Gema, San Sebastian, Spain
Romi, Elena & Gema, San Sebastian, Spain
Day 2
An extremely culture-filled day. Excited to be in a country where clothes are cheaper than in France, Romi and I ran off to a shopping mall. Due to lack of time I then ate McDonalds for dinner, I'm ashamed to admit. Gema then drove us back over the mountains to pick up Marie from Hendaye. Task accomplished, we returned and spent the evening watching a rockabilly band in a local pub.
with Marie (apparently sleepy after 8-hr train trip from Nantes)
Day 3
Went for a morning stroll up a hill in the surrounding countryside. Unfortunately we decided to do this walk pre-coffee, so we didn't get very far before deciding to head down to the small village for caffeine and oily Spanish food. In the afternoon we went to Pamplona to visit the old town and see Gema's bar (which is on the street where the running of the bulls takes place).
with Marie on a hill in Sorauren
Sorauren
in Sorauren
Argh, locked out of our house!
Marie in "Bar la Granja" where Gema works, Pamplona
Gema demonstrating the Basque way to pour cider
Day 4
Gema took us on an overnight trip to the Pyranese where we stayed in a gorgeous house owned by her friend's father - the view was incredible! Romi stayed up half the night playing guitar but Marie and I were exhausted and crawled off to bed after several glasses of wine.
Town in the mountains
Day 5
A scenic drive back to Pamplona!
Gorge
Day 6
We left Spain and headed back north into French Basque Country, where we met up with Camille who is originally from Basque Country and was on holiday visiting her parents there.
Camille, Romi & Marie, Guethary, France
in Guethary
beach in Guethary
Day 7
Sadly, Marie had to leave us but Romi and I still had a few days to relax in Camille's parents' beautiful old restored farmhouse.
Camille's parents' house, Bidart
Camille's parents' house, Bidart
Camille's parents' house, Bidart
Seaweed harvesting in local fishing town
Camille & Romi in front of window display featuring mango espadrilles! Any Kath & Kim fans will know what I'm talking about...
in Bayonne
Bayonne
"No cheese and salad on the same sandwich allowed" cafe, Biarritz
Day 1
Awoke at an ungodly hour at Romi's apartment in Paris to catch the funky IDTGV train, in which there were uncomfortable but very modern looking blue and purple chairs and a DJ playing loud music. Perhaps they though that the loud music would put us in good moods and encourage us to purchase the overpriced caffeinated beverages on offer... they were right. Gema met us at the Hendaye train station in France and drove us over the mountains to Spain. For lunch we stopped in San Sebastian where we ate "pinxos" (a Basque specialty, similar to tapas) and drank cider, which apparently has to be poured from a great height in order to create lots of bubbles, which is somehow meant to enhance the flavour (I'm not fully versed in the science supporting this theory...) After driving around for some time getting completely lost whilst trying to find the house we would be renting, we temporarily admitted defeat and went to Gema's mother's apartment for tea and cake. Here I was presented with my first opportunity to test out the phrase which I was to repeat often for the next 5 days: "no hablo espagnol". Later in the evening we finally managed to find our house in a lovely small town called Sorauren.
with Gema, San Sebastian, Spain
Romi, Elena & Gema, San Sebastian, Spain
Day 2
An extremely culture-filled day. Excited to be in a country where clothes are cheaper than in France, Romi and I ran off to a shopping mall. Due to lack of time I then ate McDonalds for dinner, I'm ashamed to admit. Gema then drove us back over the mountains to pick up Marie from Hendaye. Task accomplished, we returned and spent the evening watching a rockabilly band in a local pub.
with Marie (apparently sleepy after 8-hr train trip from Nantes)
Day 3
Went for a morning stroll up a hill in the surrounding countryside. Unfortunately we decided to do this walk pre-coffee, so we didn't get very far before deciding to head down to the small village for caffeine and oily Spanish food. In the afternoon we went to Pamplona to visit the old town and see Gema's bar (which is on the street where the running of the bulls takes place).
with Marie on a hill in Sorauren
Sorauren
in Sorauren
Argh, locked out of our house!
Marie in "Bar la Granja" where Gema works, Pamplona
Gema demonstrating the Basque way to pour cider
Day 4
Gema took us on an overnight trip to the Pyranese where we stayed in a gorgeous house owned by her friend's father - the view was incredible! Romi stayed up half the night playing guitar but Marie and I were exhausted and crawled off to bed after several glasses of wine.
Town in the mountains
Day 5
A scenic drive back to Pamplona!
Gorge
Day 6
We left Spain and headed back north into French Basque Country, where we met up with Camille who is originally from Basque Country and was on holiday visiting her parents there.
Camille, Romi & Marie, Guethary, France
in Guethary
beach in Guethary
Day 7
Sadly, Marie had to leave us but Romi and I still had a few days to relax in Camille's parents' beautiful old restored farmhouse.
Camille's parents' house, Bidart
Camille's parents' house, Bidart
Camille's parents' house, Bidart
Seaweed harvesting in local fishing town
Camille & Romi in front of window display featuring mango espadrilles! Any Kath & Kim fans will know what I'm talking about...
in Bayonne
Bayonne
"No cheese and salad on the same sandwich allowed" cafe, Biarritz
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