Hey everyone!
Wow, it has indeed been a while, hasn't it? Apologies for that, things have taken up so much time that you occasionally forget.
So what's going on in my life at the moment?
- Well Christmas is very much approaching and the Grenoble Christmas Market is in full swing at Place Victor Hugo near Grenette. I recommend it highly. Whilst it is not very big, there is plenty for people to enjoy (including some fantastic beer, mulled wine and hot chocolate laced with Chartreuse) and some outstanding food. There is a great stand there that does Tartiflette and I must say it is an utter delight, even if a bit dear (EUR7 for a portion!)
Yesterday I went to pick up my girlfriend's present there and also got myself a bottle of 'Brasserie du Mont Blanc - La Rousse' from the stand. A lovely amber beer (it was voted the best of its kind in the world back in 2011) I have to say it was one of the finer beers I've ever had in my life. Well worth a try. I'm sure me and some of the lads will have to buy some for an evening of fine alpine beer tasting!
- American Football is going well, especially on the refereeing front. Last week's match against the Diables Bleus was postponed thanks to the weather so I went to Thonon near Switzerland to officiate a junior tournament.
One thing I can take from it is that I am firm in my belief that every UK team in the BAFANL should have a youth set-up of some description. My experiences as an official have shown me that the future of the sport in Europe rests on these guys being developed.
Tomorrow should be a match at home against Les Avalanches. Hopefully it will go ahead, though last night it...
- SNOW! Finally, a proper taste of alpine weather. This morning the snow came and nicely blanketed the city. It's bitingly cold but for me it's lovely. At least the town is prepared and the whole country hasn't come to a standstill over it (I'm looking at you, England...)
- Recently I have started part-time work as an English teacher in the IUT2 college. I have six groups of people who visit me once a week to have conversations about different topics and improve their grammar. They are a great group of people who are enthusiastic about the language.
In some ways it's a bit depressing - we struggle to get kids into mandatory lessons in foreign languages in England, let alone them do that and see an optional language assistant to help. No wonder some people here think there are sections of British society who are out of touch with the European community.
- Not long now until I head off back to England - really excited to be spending a couple of weeks back home to see my family and friends and girlfriend!
Anyhow, I think I will head out into the market again I think, the prospect of a fine beer or mulled wine would be a good way to spend an afternoon!
See you all soon!
Best wishes to you all!
Mike :)
Bonjour everyone!
Sorry it's been a little while, lots to get on with.
It's been quite an adventure so far, especially since my last post...
- Managed to get into the swing of things in terms of my course. For those of you who haven't heard, it is the DUT qualification in Techniques de Commercialisation. My modules currently include International Commerce, Economics, French (to start today), Marketing, IT and Sales Negotiation. Early starts throughout for me, including a punishing 8am start on a Tuesday the morning after American Football training! So far I can say I've done OK, just adjusting to the language barrier and the speed of lectures (not to mention getting out of bed at a funny hour of the morning unknown to British students...)
- American Football is going well too - first game is on Sunday for the Centaurs B team against the Blue Devils; the Grenoble Derby! Really looking forward to it.
I have also qualified as a referee here in France, so I can do my bit for the team in refereeing junior games etc, that should be great fun.
Personally, I have been amazed at the standard these guys play at. I think they are fantastic players and I've already learned a lot from them.
- I've met some great people so far in so many different places. My coursemates are great and very accommodating, especially when it comes to English language and French. All the way across the city I've met students from all over the world, it's been awesome.
Meanwhile, on the more humorous side...
- It is impossible to go shopping on a Sunday. MacDonalds quickly becomes your new best friend when you're as unprepared as I am.
- The French idea of a coffee (un cafe) is an espresso. Cafe au lait appears to be coffee with an insane amount of cream in it. All of the above come with sugar, whether you like it or not.
- Beer here is expensive, nearly £5 for a pint and sometimes more... You learn that house parties are actually the cheapest way of having a night with your mates. Nightclubs can be as much as EUR10 to enter, though they give you a drinks token too usually. Interestingly, the only reason they ever refuse entry is when you're in large single-sex groups. A lad out with the lads, it seems, is off the cards.
- If there is a strike in Grenoble (or France in general, for that matter) don't act surprised or question why. The most I ever get is a shrug and a 'oh well' kind of answer.
- It appears that proper toilet seats are either non-existent or all stolen in France. I have yet to come across a toilet here that has a fully-functioning loo seat.
- The French law that bans smoking in public places clearly doesn't work. Everyone stands two inches from the door instead. And everyone smokes a cigarette here. You stand to smoke about four just trying to get into college every morning.
- The English accent is cute, apparently.
- The words 'je m'excuse, je comprends pas' have become my more useful phrase here.
- Facial hair of some description is automatically cool.
- The English comedy novel A Year in the Merde is really unpopular here.
As you can see, I've had quite the adventure so far. I shall update you soon with more musings!
Best wishes to you all!
Mike :)
