Internet!!!!!

The internet has finally arrived at Gallia!

How do businesses survive here?!

Ok, I understand this is a relaxed culture but I find it amazing that the majority of businesses survive here. Between the extended lunchtime breaks (daily) and the standard closed for the weekend mentality, stores log less than 50 operating hours a week! That doesn't seem financially responsible, let alone profitable.

I have tried to go grocery shopping for two consecutive days and have been foiled by e.leclerc being closed yesterday and opening 5 hours later than advertised today. I'll try again tomorrow.

Just walked past a restaurant closed Mondays that essentially only served about 5 or 6 hours a day otherwise. So different.

Ride home

GeoTagged, [N48.58356, W7.76237]

Waking up early stinks but I'm happy to be on my way home. I'm seated across from a pair of ladies travelling together, not as entertaining as the Germans from last time but they're civil.

My hotel was loud, creaky noises and a bit of rumbling kept me up for a bit but I slept fine. The tv was a bit off, there was no remote and the channel changing buttons didn't always work. I did catch a few seconds of a Count de Montecristo film starring Gerrard Depardieu. I like him, he is amazing as Cyrano de Bergerac, I'll always enjoy that movie. Never saw Roxanne though, but I've heard Steve Martin did a good job as the modern version of Cyrano.

There's a mother doing her best to make sure her son is set and ready on the tgv. Her son looks older than me but it could be the French. It was funny. I like that withtrains you can have more of a goodbye than at airports, even back in the days before extensive security checks. You're so much closer here! Ok my iPhone's battery is low and I need some music. I'll catch you on the flip side.

Arrived home and got cleaned up and unpacked. Laundry either today or tomorrow. I'm just chillin in my room because it appears Katie and Matt are both gone. Both Purdue and Penn State lost this weekend, ours was not as unexpected, even if we were leading in the 4th. Penn State was supposed to win so that was more of a shocker. IU pushed Michigan yesterday, that makes me think that the oaken bucket game might be super interesting this year. We'll wait and see.

I'm listening to Mika, a British singer. He's funny, I like him. He's got two albums out, his second just came out this month.

Have a nice day!

Oh Crap

Well the test went well, I felt good for the most part. The title refers to the fact that because the proctor took an extra hour starting the exam and I missed my train, and the following train to Strasbourg. The second train I missed happened to be the last one tonight. So I'm camped out in a hotel with WiFi across the street from the train station.

Yup. More money down the train...

I'll write more tomorrow on the train between here and Strasbourg. For now I'm going to relax, I deserve it.

TGV

I'm sitting on the TGV between Strasbourg and Paris. I finished my kaplan book on the LSAT and am feeling good about it all. This train amazes me, we're going quite quick but you can't really tell, except when another train passes going the opposite direction.

The countryside reminds me of Wapauca county in Wisconsin, and at times a bit of Tippacanoe as well. It's beauttiful. The buildings we pass certainly wouldn't fit in either of those two places but the rolling hills and livestock grazing would look normal. I haven't seen any holstiens though.

I'm sitting across from a pair of Germans, they're funny. They speak pretty good English but it's amusing when they switch between it and German. There is an outlet here but there's no power coming through.

I've got an hour left. When I arrive I plan on finding a hotel and laying low, maybe watch a show I downloaded or maybe some tv. I am confused because my admission ticket says "arrive no later than 2 pm" so I might have been mistaken as to the time that the exam occurs. I plan on looking for a hotel near the testing center so I'll look if there is any information there, and if not I'll check online.

Thursday

Class today was interesting. My first class was at 8am, and waking up and getting there wasn't the hard part. The teacher was a bit stereotypical "full of himself" teacher. He used the somewhat cliche line of "You're the ones paying, my time is precious, etc." He was easy to understand and easy to follow, but it was just irritating because he left at about 8:03 and didn't come back for 10 minutes because students kept arriving and he wouldn't start until everyone had arrived since some people had interrupted his class.

My sociology of international relations class seems interesting. Apparently we have three teachers who each come in and give lectures.

The battery on my laptop is giving me problems. I checked some information on it and it is at approximately 37% health according to my iStat application which monitors internal workings. It has also been through 232 full cycles, and I'm not sure if that's a large or small quantity of cycles. It lasts approximately one hour, which is half of a class. One of the two reason i'm worried about this is that they are ridiculously expensive here, approximately $200 for a replacement. I'm pretty sure they aren't that expensive at home, but I will admit I think I got my last replacement for free (Thank you extended AppleCare warranty!). The other reason I'm worried is that I only have my short cord (the long one is an american plug) so it's difficult to plug in during class unless I get there early and sit next to the outlet which is tough when I've got back to back classes.

We got to see the Man Utd game in the Carling Cup third round last night. They won, even after having a defender sent off for a cynical tackle. Chelsea also played, they won as well, and three players make returns from injury (Yuri Zirkhov, Joe Cole, and Paulo Ferreira) and Joe Cole got the assist for our only goal.

Lunch break and then two more classes this afternoon. I'm not leaving for Paris until tomorrow, I didn't feel like paying for 2 nights in a hotel/hostel.

Recap

GeoTagged, [N48.58356, W7.76237]

Just as a little FYI the patience post belongs to Tuesday, the other two to earlier days. I had switched over to using my laptop so I hadn't posted in a bit. Here's what today looks like though! 6 hours of lecture this afternoon...

Patience

"The Fairytale was climbing up a mountain far too steep" - Alex Turner (The Arctic Monkeys/The Last Shadow Puppets)

Sometimes that'll happen. I went too quick. Now I start waiting all over again.

A lesson learned: better safe than sorry.

Story: I've been waiting for my bank card the last week and a half and I recieved an email saying I could now pick up my card at the bank. Excited by this news I headed to the bank with the intention of picking up my card and then going to Orange to get my phone situation settled.

Upon receipt, one activates a card by using it at an ATM. I memorized my pin incorrectly, since they gave me one instead of me giving my own. I was off by a digit. Now it's stuck inside that ATM and I still have no phone. I'm still in a slightly better mood because I finished setting up wireless on campus and can now get the shows I missed, but that is not enough of a positive to outweigh my crap morning.

I have Sociology of the state right now. [he talked fast but once he focused on a single subject it was easier to understand.]

History of international relations. Didn't know it was since 1945, I took this class with Targ at purdue, but that was from the American point of view. Everyone kept talking so it was tough to listen.

History of modern political ideas, cool prof. Speeks at a pace I can understand 100% but his handwriting looks like Arabic...

LSAT practice

This is going to be posted at the same time as the other post about Monday but that's fine. I studied today before my class and now I'm back at it after class and dinner. Class was a but rough, but I did feel that I got the jist of what he was saying. He did however make a few sweeping claims that neither I nor the Brtis were fond of regarding our respective countries. He said that all the presidents of the last 60 years went to ivy league schools which I didn't think was factual. He also claimed that since the 20s all the prime ministers came out of either oxford or Cambridge. If I had Internet I'd check those stats but for now I just hold my disbelief.

LSAT is tough but I feel I'm getting better with the logic games. I have done questions from one practice test I've got on Winston (my computer) and then a section an a half at this point from one of the books.

Honest, the reason I'm writing this is because there was a line (a toast more or less) in a song I just listened to by Jay-Z (the song included an extended sample from Forever Young) that said "May the best of your todays be the worst of your tomorrows" I just loved that line. And I felt like sharing it with all of you.

Bureaucracy

I really enjoy France, all but the process of getting a bank card. I had an enjoyable weekend, relaxing and still active. But the problem of not having a phone is starting to get annoying. The French business model of being closed weekends no matter what kind of store or restaurant you are also gets annoying.

But there are positives, I watched half of the Utd game with Lee and played for an hour or so after. It was tied at half and Man Utd won it 4-3 with the last touch of the game. Chelsea won their London derby as well, 3-0 over Tottenham.

I need to print my LSAT ticket and get some non mechanical pencils. I've been reading my books and also lookig at the DVD that came with it and they've been helpful. The processes of the logic games are gettig easier as I keep going.

Though I enjoy it here, the stereotypical bureaucratic system is aggrivating because the process of getting internet is taking forever. With classes starting today I am confused as to why the system isn't finished. Another funny story is that they are replacing our mattresses tomorrow. Now doesn't that seem like it would make more sense to do it over the summer when people didn't live here? It's almost as if they didn't remember we (all the students living here) were coming. I feel that if a university were run like this at home American students might take up the French model and start going on strike...

I hope all is well at home.

Last moment addition, the soundtrack! Today started with Akon and now has shifted to Cage the Elephant. If it changes again I'll tell ya.

[note: switched to iTunes DJ while at home which mixes all of the songs I have listened to in the last 4 weeks into one playlist]

Sunday

I'm going to watch the Manchester Derby this afternoon at the Dubliner and then play some futbol after, so today should be a good day. Yesterday we kicked around a bit and threw some frisbee. We also made a pasta dinner at Gallia, which was nice. As is standard at my house since I didn't cook anything I did dishes with Lee.

The internet still hasn't arrived at Gallia, I'm sitting on campus and my battery is dying too quickly for my tastes. First classes tomorrow, and I'm really hoping that when I go to the bank tomorrow morning I leave with more than just a dejected look.

soundtrack: Muse's new album - The Resistance.

Sorry I don't have more to share, but it's been pretty low key. Once reason I need to get a phone is because I think one of my cards is frozen and I would not appreciate that because I would like to use it...

Classes

Today has been good so far; I’ve just spent the morning in a lecture hall going over the procedures for registering for classes. It’s really different here, not just based on the lack of online registration, but because you can drop classes up until the 10^th of November! We were also told that finals schedules for students only staying one semester can be arranged, so that is beneficial for me, and I will be discussing that with the appropriate people in the coming weeks.

And as for my schedule… The list of classes was enormous, we’re essentially allowed to take any class offered during our time here, but the downside is that most classes only meet once a week for 2 hours. These once a week classes are 2.5 credits each, and since I’m supposed to be taking between 12-18 credits I’m taking 7 classes! On the othe hand, it’s not bad because I’ve built a schedule that permits me to travel. I have no class on Friday, and my class on Monday is at 4 pm.

The downside to all of this is that I have classes for 4 hours on multiple evenings. But the topics seemed interesting and I think that they’ll transfer well, there are enough upper level courses and the topics are broad enough that I can fit them into my requirements (cue slightly evil laughter) but I will admit to being frightened by the concept of 7 classes. At Purdue, I usually took 5, and these classes would meet multiple times per week. That made it bearable because we generally didn’t go over as much each day, but if we plan to cover a comparable amount of subject matter in a semester while only meeting once a week for 2 hours then this could get interesting with 7 courses.

The courses I have listed as of right now are:

Monday, 4-6 Introduction to Political Science

Tuesday, 2-4 History of International Relations

Tuesday, 6-8 History of Modern Political Ideas (This class exists at Purdue)

Wednesday, 2-4 Politics and Public Actions in Europe

Wednesday 4-6 The French Republic since 1880 (This can be a French history class)

Thursday, 8-10 (am) Europe and International Crisis (How do you pluralize that?)

Thursday, 4-6 Constitutional law of the European Union

We’ll see how it goes!

Later note: Awww shoot. I need to add two more classes in order to be considered a full time student, or at least that's what Katie said. But she's only in 5 classes. I'm going to look at my stuff again...

King George

So on July 4th, 1776, it is rumored that King George (V I think) wrote in his diary that "Nothing of great importance happened today"

Yesterday, nothing really happened. The bank told me I couldn't have my card yet. I did laundry. I just relaxed since my class was cancelled.

Hopefully today will be more entertaining.

Internet

Now that I have my student card I could set up a connection for the wireless on the campus here at Strasbourg. So I no longer need to go to a cafe and buy a coffee in order to use internet.

Yesterday was a good day. Slept in since we didn't have anything in the morning and then went on a boat ride around the city in the afternoon. Though interesting, I'd walked most of the places they were showing us so I wasn't as impressed. The European Institutions were pretty impressive from the water and it was fun to go through the lock system on the river Ill. Otherwise it was just a way to pass an hour and see some things from different angles.

After the boat ride we checked at a few different bars to see if one of the two english ties in the champions league would be on tv, but most places were showing the Marsaille vs. AC Milan game. We eventually found one but the tv was above the door and we had to sit on the first floor and look up at the tv. Utd was on and won, it wasn't a very impressive game. The Chelsea game also ended in Chelsea's favour, they won 1-0 by Anelka. It was a fun evening all together.

Other than that nothing too much. I'm listenin to Jay-Z's new album for my music of choice.

I think I can get internet set up in my room but I don't totally understand how...

Yay!

Alright I've got my student cards and paid my dues so now I am officially a student! Hopefully now I'll be able to get some Internet at the dorm and then I'd really be set up. We weren't supposed to be able to get our cards today but she let the first few of us go so hey I'll take it and run. I can use it for a tram pass too but I dunno how. For now I'm just happy to be able to pay less for lunch.

I will see if this can provide Internet later today. And if yes there will be much rejoicing.

Lecture

Today a man cam to talk to the students here. Though interesting, I couldn't get as connected to his speech. It wasn't the language barrier, I understood the 45 minutes he spent talking about his life and his times as Editor in Chief of the newspaper here, but I couldn't feel it was really useful. I feel aweful saying that but it's true.

I gotta run home and write the letter for class this afternoon, and make a copy of my passport again. It was a 4 song walk so if I go briskly I can get everything done.

And lunch. And paying for social security here. Today is busy. Tomorrow should be better. Pengy has been lounging on top of my fridge and he guards my change. Matt said somethingblast night about how if you pay with coins here it doesn't feel like real money. It's true though, using 1€ and 2€ coins doesn't feel like I'm spending that much money. I don't mind it and actually I think it's a good idea. It was funny to come back after a few days and recgonize that I had 10€ on coins in my pocket, and had thought nothing of them because they feel like quarters and nickels.

I need to do laundry today. Socks and boxers mostly. I really thought I had more pairs of socks with me. I might just wash socks in my sink and shower...

Sunday morning

I wanted to show the organ from the cathedral, so here is a picture from yesterday.

Thinking of how French market went. It's coming on 10 here when I'm writing this so they've sent everyone home from clean up crews to rest until morning. I always liked some parts of clean up, rolling tables and piling them up, stacking the chairs.

I hope the weather was good and the turnout more than anticipated!

After the bar last night we came back and just hung about. It was really odd because it seems like everyone has gone home for the weekend... The building was eerily dark and quiet last night. But it gave me time to read and I started my book of sonnets, I just read the preface where the author is taking a historical view of them as to better gauge the time when they were written and who the "other poet" was. It was interesting read. A. L. Rose gives you each sonnet, accompanied by a prose 'translation' and then some notes as well. It is an interesting way to read Shakespeare.

I need to buy bread so I can make sandwiches.

Saturday

This morning we went an took a long breakfast at Cafe Michel, partially long because we were relaxed, partially because our waiter disappeared and it's hard to leave without paying... And the French find it rude to bring you the check (l'addition) without having it requested, because that could be precieved as rushing the guests.

After breakfast we walked by the American Consulate, which amusingly follows French protocol of being closed on weekends and for at least an hour and a half at lunch during the week. We just wanted to find it and it is right near Gallia so it wasn't out of the way.

After a quick break we started back on our way. We went to the cathedral (closed for lunch) and then to a mall where we picked up some household stuffs like trash bags and laundry detergent. We eventually returned home and took a break because that had been a long walk. I did some reading finished my first full book (I finished another but only had left myself a chapter and epilogue) and we then made it to the cathedral.

It was beautiful inside, with mote ornate carvings on the pulpit than some new churches have in their entirety... The organ looked like it was just suspended between to pillars, stuck on the wall with God's word as glue. The stained glass was old and not as ornate or detailed as at other churches but the sheer quantity still merits credit seeing how they had little in technology.

But out of everything the astrological clock was the hands down most impressive part. The dates on the clock that is there now state 1837-1842 which makes me believe that this machine took five years to build. There is a dial that stands at person level and is perhaps 6 feet in diameter. Around the outer ring are the months, and the next ring lists the days of the month, then the applicable saint's day. Now because of the church's habit of moving less known saints or even demoteing someone from sainthood, the saints days were wrong, but it still had today as September 12th. It also marked the hour of the rise and set of the sun on what was a large clockface inside those other circles I mentioned.

Above this clockface there was a character for the day. Saturday, so named for Saturn (Chronos from Greek mythology) had a man in a charriot throwing a baby toward his mouth. Others had their related mythological namesakes.

Each day, other than Sundays and holy feasts, the clock goes through the procession of the apostles at 12:30.

Most impressive though are two sets of machinery to the left and right of the largest clockface with the days and whatnot. There is a piece of machinery which correctly assigns the holy days of the catholic church that do not fall on the same day each year, and has done so accurately since it's creation. That one is on the left. On the right is a collection of gears that predicts lunar and solar eclipses. Correctly. There are pages necessary to predict a solar eclipse, but this set of gears correctly predicted last august's local solar eclipse. All without electricity, this whole thing is run by the same type of weights as the Grandfather Clock in the living room.

It also has the location of the planets in regard to the astrological signs and a star map (a globe stationed in front of the whole clock) which can also show you what you would see were you to go out tonight and look at the stars.

Needless to say I was impressed.

After the cathedral we went to Frog in Bar to watch Man City beat Arsenal, 4-1. At the end of the game they listed Chelsea as tied with Stoke but the game wasn't over and Chelsea won late on. Still atop the table.

Friday (grr it deleted my text)

GeoTagged, [N48.58356, W7.76237]

Well I had written a medium length post describing today and yesterday but my iPhone must not have deemed it good enough...

Crud. I don't even remember what I wrote any more.

Well we went to an international student party last night, that was fun. I saw a dance off to a remix of a Michael Jackson track, it was cool.

My class is cancelled this afternoon because my teacher (a French-American by way of California) became a grandmother and wishes to visit the new addition to the family, so she left for Belgium.

I have paperwork to turn in and an errand or two to run so I'm going to finish my cappuccino chiantilly and head on my way.

I hope you all have a nice day, French Market is tomorrow so if you're in Indy St Joan of Arc is going to be the place to spend tomorrow.

Les Bleus

The French national football (futbol soccer, pas futbol football) is called Les bleus, because they wear blue. Honest, these last few weeks it may be more likely that they're called the blues because every fan is depressed when they play... Tonights game was no different, a moderately exciting (I use the term loosely) 1-1 draw with Serbia. I was happy to recognize some players on both sides, including Chelsea players in both starting lineups (Nicolas Anelka and Branislav Ivanovic, guess who plays for which national team, and I promise it's not a trick question) and another Chelsea player on France's bench in Florent Malouda. I will give the French credit, a harsh red card (ejection) for their goal keeper after 13 minutes led to the Serbian goal, but they did well to respond after the half hour mark to tie the game. The real thing I wanted to discuss was the commentators.

They were the most energetic and excitable people I've ever heard as match commentators. The English are a little blasé, the Americans don't know enough, and I haven't listened to much in the way of Spanish commentary, but I was blown away at their excitent with every good movement and their dejection when things went awry. So I couldn't really gather all they were saying, not a real hinderance. Inflection and tone along with the occasional crushed "oh la la" when a cross was made and there was no one to receive it translate quite well regardless the language. They are certainly passionate. The team however...

At this rate they'll need a bit more organization as a team, they looked placid at times, unaware of where the next pass should go. They have magnificant players in the likes of Anelka, Henry, Ribery, Malouda, Lass, Gorcouff, Evra, and others, yet they don't seem to gel. As has been a common topic in the French sports pages for the last year, the coach is a questionable choice. He certainly won't last after these last two draws against weaker opponents (Sunday they drew agains Romania, same scoreline).

I wonder how England did. I know that if they were to win they'd qualify for the World Cup so I hope they did. We found another Irish bar that is closer than the first and more genial. Might have to see if they've got any English games this weekend... I'd hate to miss the Chelsea game if it's on tv...
[edit] Checked the newspaper this morning, England has qualified for the World Cup after a convincing 5-1 victory over Croatia. Lampard had 2. There are now three qualified teams from Europe: The Netherlands, England, and Spain.

Sorry for missing a day

Yesterday (Tuesday) was not really a good day. Monday night I came down with a fever and I spent Tuesday fighting it off with plenty of water and sleep, except for when I went to my appointment at the bank at 9 and my class at 2. I still don't know what brought it on.

I have almost everything to get a contract with orange but not quite. Up until this point I was under the impression that a bank card was not necessary. I was wrong. I lied and told him it'd arrive in a day or two, and I'll head to the bank to find out when I can get it. It bothers me that I cannot use my credit card to set up this account, it would have made my life much easier.

I'm back to about 80% and feelin better. I'm going to lay low today just to be sure though. Not sure when this'll get posted, the wifi was broken at Milano this morning. It is different, life without the Internet. This must be what the 80s were like: no Internet, no cell phones, lots of polyester and bad haircuts. A leap back in time wasn't what I planned, I just wanted to go across the pond!

The picture is of my room, since that's where I spent the majority of yesterday.

Monday, recap

Productive? Nope. French government requires our documents to be mailed rather than turned in. How French.

Banks... Found one that would help me, tomorrow at 9. So appointment is set.

Phone: no bank no phone so that's that.

Corkscrew: check!

Student ID : ok so about that. found out I had a language test as I walked to the building where I was to get my ID. Took test, felt I dd horrible. Honest, I couldn't remember the French political systems finer points (after Sarkosy's position as president I don't know what's going on) so my essay was not great. I took POL 141 2 years ago and Tilton was more focused on history of the system rather than the present system.

I have French class tomorrow (Tuesday) Thursday and Friday from 2-5 in room 317. The buildin is further from Gallia than physics was from McCutcheon. I think. Basic story: long walk.

Met some Brits and a Canadian as we waited to see what French class we were in. Nice people.

Must badger people at desk to get an "attestation" to show I really live at Gallia so I can get a bank account.

For now: relax.

Playlist: "wowsers." I must have made it late sophomore or early junior year, 45 track, good mélange of sounds from rap to pop to rock and more.

Monday

I'm tempted to stay home and enjoy labor day but since it's not labor day here I'm set up with a long list of things to do, including a bank account, a cell phone, a corkscrew, and the delivery of some documents to the French government. And a student id.

"Sun"day the 6th

It's finally sunny and warm! Today I'm going to work on contacting people at Strasbourg to iron out the details of the French class and the welcome meeting Monday. I'm going to set up a local bank account tomorrow and will deal with a phone in the afternoon. Hopefully I'll be able to email everyone (and receive calls) soon!

After lunch, I wandered around town more (seems to be a standard theme here, eat, wander, search for Internet, sleep). I walked a full loop around campus and then followed the river Ill halfway around the island in the middle of town. After a cappuccino and a bit of reading at a cafe I made my way back, following the river along the island once again. It is really neat to see the paths along the river, it reminds me of the Broad Ripple Canal but in the middle if a city, and more propper walkways. The city really does rise out of the banks of the river.

Tonight we're hoping to grab dinner with the Canadian group, we'll see if we can run into them. The day has seemed to go quite slowly, but I just noticed that I had been walking almost 3 hours... Millitary time is still taking some getting used to...

Soundtrack: Sound Tribe Sector 9. Ratatat also, during my quick layabout before dinner.

Military time

It has taken some getting used to, the switch to military time. I've changed the clock in my iPhone to reflect the change and I need to get used to using the outer dial on my watch (a tiny red hand on the blue face) rather than the regular hour hand, at least in the afternoon.

We found an Irish pub downtownish, not quite the nicest atmosphere but I wasn't too worried. Scotland's world cup qualifier was on (they won 2-0) and I was hoping to catch the England game. Sadly the game wasn't on, rugby instead. We wandered back home and just laid low, enjoyed a dinner and then went to the party for international and Erasmus students. Sadly we couldn't find any Americans, nor the canadians we had met yesterday. It was all a bit awkward, so Katie and I left. We should have made plans with te canadians in advance but it's fine. Katie's going to mass with some friends of a prof she knows back in the states, and I figure I'll go to mass at the big cathedral, get a look inside after it was closed earlier. [ended up going to mass with her at Trinity International Protestant church]

I wonder if France won... [note: 1-1 draw] I think Anelka and Malouda were both in the squad. They're both Chelsea players and that'd be the reason I'd watch. Someone said that England was up by 4 at half. Sounds like it went well. [note: liar!! They only won 2-1]

Katie mentioned class Monday and I had to laugh because I don't know when or where my French class is supposed to be. I had heard that there was a second welcome meeting for people in the political science school Monday, I'll have to find out about that Monday morning.

Otherwise all is well. I'll deal with a bank account Monday morning and hopefully have a phone by afternoon. I will miss the hunt for free weefee but it'll also be nice to be able to send updates live rather than "next time I happen to find free Internet" which is when this'll get posted. G'nite!

Almost forgot, soundtrack of the day: Vampire Weekend (nothing like the name suggests, YouTube Oxford Comma) and Last Shadow Puppets.

Wanderings

Well we walked through town today, just kind of moseying along. It is remarkable how the different architecture styles fit together, German and French. The famous cathedral, notre dame, is huge! It is certainly different to see a cathedral with only one spire, and when this one was build it must have been fantastic. We only stayed a short time, they were closed to tours. I'll be going back I'm sure. Still frustrated about this whole phone situation, but Monday will hopefully have some results. This afternoon we're going to look aroud more, I'd love to catch the England game if possible... We'll see!

Breakfast from yesterday

Upload worked! This was mean to be attached to an earlier post. On another note, I know what I need to get a phone account set up so I should work on that today hopefully!

Attempt to load photo

Let's see if it'll let me upload a photo here...

Mcdonalds

Don't think that I'm ruining my trip already by eating mcdonalds, the truth is they've got free wifi! We went to a meting yesterday for Erasmus students. It was odd to see beer and wine offered to students by the university. We also met some Canadian who also live in gallia, and we chatted at nouvo caffe milano. Today we wander, starting back at the main train station. More to come!

Phone situation/lounging at home

This is frustrating at Orange. Buying a prepaid SIM card would be rediculoisly expensive in order to use the Internet (which I'd like to have, I bought the iPhone to use it here). But, in order to get a contract, one needs a local bank, which I do not have nor did I plan on having. I suppose there are some benefits to it but I am content with my set up as is, and I feel a balance transfer wouldn't go easily. I'll ask about during a welcome dinner katie got invited to that I'm going to tag along to. Hopefully someone will be able to help me out or present a better option.

Today has rained nonstop. Not a fan... Especially since the wind over the different branches of the river turn the wind sideways.
[an hour later]
Katie and I were taking about how we found it strange that no one here seemed at all bothered by the lack of internet ay Gallia. Part of that I suppose would be attributed to the differences on culture between France and the US, I would figure that not as many have the same sort of almost continual connection that we have at home. We'll talk to M. Michel about the possibilities.

Finished a book this afternoon and took a look at one of my LSAT books. I need to email the group to check that the test is in English...

Free interwebs

It's hard to find. Back at the same cafe as yesterday enjoying beffast. Sadly it won't let me post pictures yet, I'll have to getthat set up from my laptop later this week... Otherwise all is well, slept until the businesses that share the courtyard started going about this morning, and after beffast it's shopping. 4€ for petit dejuner! Yum

The Arrival

"They've arrived! With nothing but their word and their history..." - Atmosphere

Well we've got more than that, but I liked the lyric. Felt like the pilot used every inch of the runway to land... Airport looks big!

Looks big was a major understatement. It's massive and still growing!!

It's gross and rainy, but that's fine, not much outdooor walking save from the plane to a bus. Dirk, Honi-Jean's father, picked Katie and I up and we're heading to the trainstation downtown after a quick cappicuino.

Trainstation is cool, big open building but no Internet, or more accurately, we don't read German and you have to log in but we don't know where or how or if it's free.

I feel like I'm writing a bit much.

The plane ride

Well this won't get posted until I arrive but nonetheless I figured I'd write a bit. First class is so nice!!! It's empty. I asked politely if we could be moved up, she said no. Even when I offered that it would be for the benefit of the attendants in first class (fighting loneliness) she didn't bite. No worries thought, food was good, a 96 Beaujolais went well with the beef, rice and veg. Entertainment selection is limited... But I had Mad Men on my iPhone so I watched a few episodes. I also watched a show Milan gave me, The IT Crowd. Goofy show, great British humor. Sadly my computer batery did not last, I might need to buy one, and this is the second one I've had!! Frustrating to say the least. Otherwise it's been fun, a bit of turblance but I like to think of it as the plane trying to rock us to sleep. I already switched my watch to Frankfurt time, which if I'm not mistaken, matches Strasbourg. It's 3:25ish, 10:25 in Indy. I need to sleep, we arrive in 4 hours. [slept a bit, probably 2 hours]

Soundtrack of the journey: The Fratellis for waking hours [edit: also jammed to Atmosphere and Felt after breakfast], Pink Floyd to relax and set me to sleep, only the epics though: Echoes, Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Atom Heart Mother Suite.