Day 23- Home at last

MONDAY 2ND FEBRUARY 2009

-MELBOURNE, 24+

After a long 8hr flight with terrible food and next to no sleep we touched down in Melbourne, all glad to be back on Aussie soil. Got through customs very wuickle and came through the doors to see Emily, Mum, Dad and Sam waiting there for me. Emily ran up and gave me and massive hug and then I had another cry as I hugged everyone else, it was so great to see them all!

The trip was amazing, I loved every minute of it, even if some of the excursions weren't the greatest, it was so good to be in a totally different country with a different culture and different language, and just an amazing experience overall. I'm so thankful to Mum and Dad for sending me on the trip, it was the best time of my life!! While I can't pinpoint exactly what was the best part, I do know that I would do it all over again if given the chance. Travelling overseas has made me feel so much more mature and independant, and makes me want to go travelling all over the world as soon as I can.

At 16 years of age, I went to France, England and Belgium with my friends and had the time of my life- you can't get much better than that!

Day 22- Depart

SUNDAY 1ST FEBURARY 2009

-ARRAS/KUALA LUMPAR, -3/24+

Had to get up at 5.30am to leave at 6.30am, but I didn't want to go!! Got to the train station (Gare d'Arras) after saying "Au Revoir" to Maxime and Celine the night before, as only Cami and her parents came to the station. Was very sad as I said goodbye and thanked them, had a bit of a cry, but promised them that I will come back!! Caught the train to Paris and got on the plane, after hanging out at Macca's, for the 1st and very long flight (13hrs) from Charles de Gaulle to Kuala Lumpar. We managed to entertain ourselves with Uno, the movies and attempting to sleep. Got to Kuala Lumpar on 10mins sleep so slept for 2hrs on a bench at the gate, then boarded the 2nd and final flight back home to Melbourne YAY!

Day 21- Last day

SATURDAY 31ST JANUARY 2009
-ARRAS, 3+

Last day in Arras, I don't want to leave!! Slept in until about 10.30am, then had breakie and spent some time on the Pc until we got picked up by Marie and Lisa at 2pm to go shopping :) Also picked up Claire and Alex Baker, and then drove to this shopping centte about 30mins out of Arras. They don't have many shopping centres in France, so it's always a bit of a big deal for them when they go. Went into Zara (AWESOME SHOP) and spent the very last of my euros- got 2 cardigans and a tee, all for only $30 euros!! Was happy with that, and then we went to the supermarket which was insanely huge. We don't have anything like it in Australia, the only thing I can relate it to in size is a Bunnings- but filled with groceries and had about 50 checkouts! All us Aussie's just couldn't believe how massive it was!! Then we went back to Marie's for a little bit and then back to Cami's. Luca and Marie's families came over for dinner, which was just lots of finger food, a lot of which was not so good- for instance Pate on bread which they tried to tell us wasn't Pate, but then explained that it was the insides of a duck. NO THANK YOU! We all chilled around, then all the Frenchies held Alex down and tied his feet together so they could tickle him, it was very funny. After they left I slept in Cami's bed and we discussed how Emily and I are going to stay at her house in 2011 when we travel o/s! Don't want to leave, I love France!

Day 20- The Loft

FRIDAY 30TH JANUARY 2009

-ARRAS, -3 - +5

This morning was absolutely FREEZING! Drove to school and there was ice on all the footpathes and windows and windscreen, could hardly see out, driving was a little scary.. Got to school, our last day in Arras! But we weren't there for lond, went to a memorial/cave thing at about 9.30am which was cool. Got to wear headphnes and we took a lift underground to where soldiers lived/worked during WWI and WWII- in caves and tunnels under the town. Was really interesting, can't imagine what it must've been like to stay down there for weeks on end, it wouldv'e been horrible. After that we walked to the TAFE-type campus of the school and had lunch at their restaurant where the students make the meals and serve etc. Was very delicious- salad with tuna, then veal schnitzel, then coffee/cream/chocolate mousse!! Was all very nice :)

We then walked to the town hall in Arras and went underneath to 'Les Boves' which are the tunnels and caves and cellars underneath the town hall and town squares. Was very dark and damp and wet down there, and incredibly humid- 80%! Was a little gross. These, like the other tunnels, were used by town civilians also during the wars. Cami then met me at the town hall with a friend and we walked around Arras for a little bit. I bought some presents (yay!) and a Longchamp bag! I got it in chocolate brown and I'm very happy with it. After that we went back to the school and chilled in the common room until 7pm cos then we had a farewell dinner at the school with all the Australians and the Frenchies and their families. Dinner was delicious, Camille's mum made the awesome pasta again and everyone loved it! I was lucky and got seconds hahahaha. After dinner we went to....

THE LOFT!! (FRENCH NIGHTCLUB) Omg it was so good, we got there and got straight on the dancefloor and danced sooo much it was so much fun!! Cannot believe that I went clubbing in France, that's amazing!! (In France you can go clubbing at 16) Slept in Cami's room and we talked- 2nd last night in France :(

Day 19- Harrods

THURSDAY 29TH JANUARY 2009
-LONDON, 7+

Last day in London, flew by sooo fast, hardly even feels like I'd even visited it! Sad to leave, I loved the place, but not so sad to leave the backpackers- was not the greatest, BUT it's all apart of the experience :) This morning we all felt soo cool and mature- Alex, Amma, Aria, Gem and I caught the tube from Piccadilly Circus to Knightsbridge by ourselves to Harrods! Came out of the station (which was sooo far underground!) and saw the famous green awnings, and got the door opened for us by a doorman who looked very fancy in his moss green tailcoat and hat! Went in, and everything was so amazing, all shiney and incredibly beautiful and mega expensive! Could never afford anything from all the designer stuff but we went to Harrods Arcade and I bought a cute little Harrods makeup bag. Caught the tube back and went to Macca's where we all chilled for a while and bumped into one of Amma's relatives- so crazy! Then caught the tube to St.Pancras International Station where we left London *sob* and went to Lille where we spent a few hours waiting around cos there was a train drivers strike on today LOL just our luck! Went over to a shopping centre and bought some metallic blue eyelines and got completely thrown by the shop assistants speaking to me in French, I became too used to speaking English in London!! Eventually got on the train and arrived in Arras at 7.30pm and got picked up by Cami and Didier. Drove home, unpacked, had dinner (tomatoes stuffed with mince yum!), showered, then went to bed. So good to have a proper shower and sleep in a comfy bed :)
ps- was so cold on the way home in the car, -1° ahh!

Day 18- Chicago the Musical

WEDNESDAY 28TH JANUARY 2009
-LONDON, 9+ BUT RAINING ALL DAY

Today was ok, walked to Buckingham Palace in the rain, and my feet got SOAKING wet, was really not good at all. We went there to see the changing of the guards ceremony and waited for 40mins in the rain only to be told that it was cancelled due to bad weather, but then as we walked away and were about 700m away from the palace the ceremony began but we couldn't have gotten back in time to see it :( On the plus side, we did see a bunch of squirrels in the park, they were very cute as they bounded around and ate nuts! We walked by Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament and also Westminister Abbey, then caught the bus to the Museum of London (and got lost along the way) which was all about the history of London including the Great Fire of London which lasted 5 days I think. Houses of Parliament were so detailed with billions of intricate windows and decorations, and after the museum we walked to St.Paul's Cathedral where Princess Di got married- was sooo big, it looked very pretty from the outside (we didn't go in, it was very exxy). Caught the bus to Oxford St and did a little more shopping, then went back to the hostel and got ready for dinner and.....
CHICAGO THE MUSICAL!! OMG was sooooo good, was very exciting to see it in London, even though I ate wayyyy too much good food at dinner and felt like I was going to be sick for the 1st half of the show LOL. Was quite different to the movie- the finale was a little dissapointing, was it was still v.good! Mummy will be jealous..

Day 17- Tower of London

TUESDAY 27TH JANUARY 2009
-LONDON, 6+

Oooh today was lovely- had breakfast at the hostel- was toast with gross butter and jam so I skipped that and bought a muffin. After breakie we went across to 'Tesco,' a supermarket and bought lots of food which was so cheap! Got a fruit salad, DELICIOUS CHICKEN WRAP- ACTUALLY THE BEST THING I HAVE EVER EATEN, and a strawberry mousse for only $3.82 pounds! Then we caught a double-decker bus to the Tower of London and pent the morning there. HOWEVER, on the way a taxi cut off the bus and we crashed into it, so we had to get out and walk the rest of the way. No Australians got hurt, but a girl on the bus hurt her leg badly. Tower of London was really interesting actually, saw all the crown jewels and towers where people were imprisoned, it was good :) After Tower of London we walked along London Bridge and took the bus to Oxford St to do some shopping yay! Went to Topshop and got an amazing skirt, then into American Apparel, H & M, and Urban Outfitters, it was sooo good!! After shopping we caught the bus- by ourselves- to Trafalgar Square and had dinner at some place called the Crypt which was underground. We walked back to the hostel and got Macca's ice-creams on the way home, it was good- got a 50c cone with flake which was actually 69pence LOL! Amma, Gem, Aria, Ally and Alex chilled in the room- ILY LONDON!!

Day 16- Piccadilly Backpackers

MONDAY 26TH JANUARY 2009
-LONDON, 7+

Most exciting thing ever- I'm in LONDON!! Took the train this morning from Arras to Lille, then Lille to London. Was very cool, the first thing I saw as I came out of the station was a token English red-double-decker-bus!! And not just one, but sooo many of them :) London is totally everthing I expected and more! Absolutely gorgeous accents everywhere, and so great to speak English again, although I have said 'oui' and 'pardon' several times LOL. Walked through the streets for about 20mins and we arrived at Piccadilly Backpackers- a hostel we're staying at for 3 nights. Me, Aria, Gem and Amma are sharing a room- 2 bunk beds and a cupboard. Sooo minimal, and the showers are v.gross- the shower curtins leave a little gap where someone could see in, so we have 'shower buddies' who stand at the door and guard the room, and hand you your towel when you're done HAHA.
After dumping our bags we took a walk down Regent St and Oxford St which was sooo exciting!! Saw like every single shop that I've ever wanted to go to- Topshop, H & M, Urban Outfitters, American Apparel, and so many more- it was very exciting, I was probably the happiest I've ever been!! Gem and I were just about ready to pee our pants LOL :) Also walked through Trafalgar Square and then down to the London Eye (we crossed the river Thames which looks exactly like Melbourne Southbank!) and on the street where the London Eye is, we saw some buskers. One was one of those guys who paint themselves silver and pretend to be statues, another was a guy who dressed as an English policeman in a tutu- scared me a fair bit actually, and then there was this young British guy who played guitar and OMG it was so perfect- the sun was setting and we got him to play some of the Kooks, and then he played one of his songs that he'd written and we chatted and socialised and it was beautiful..
AND THEN, we went on the London Eye YAY! Was about a 30min trip, with the sun setting and then it turned dark, we picked the perfect time! After the Eye we went to an all you can eat Chinese buffet which was not bad, and then we walked to Trafalgar Square and took some gorgeous photos at the fountain. Sat on top of some pyramid statue-type thing with all the Aussies singing the National Anthem and chanting "AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE! OI OI OI!" it was so good! We walked back to Picadilly Circus where out hostel is, and went into the supermarket and bought a big box of cookies and twix thickshakes mmm yum :) We all gathered in our room drinking and eating food which was fun, then Lisa and I went to have showers- it was a difficult task, and gross also. Just before showers the fire alarm went off and we all had to bail outside, it was sooo funny, cos half of us were in pyjamas and thongs and some with bare feet!!
Bonnuit!
ps- will upload photos when I get back to Melb sorry.

Day 15- Belgium

SUNDAY 25TH JANUARY 2009

BELGIUM, 3-6+ BUT FELT MUCH COLDER

Belgium today WOO! Was so so beautiful, very european and just gorgeous in general!! About an hour and a half drive and then we arrived in Bruges- yay chocolate!! We walked around for a bit, then went to a little museum which was dedicated to just one man's paintings/drawings, and then went and had lunch at a restaurant. The adults (we went with Luca's parents and Alex and Luca's sister- but not Luca too) took soo long to choose a place, but in the end we found somewhere and I had lasagne. Not as good as Mummy's of course, but still rather delicious. Was absolutely FREEZING outside, went like my hands were going to drop off, but the scenery was amazzzing. We took a horse carriage which was cute for about 30mins and saw the city- there's lots of little canals, like you see in Italy in movies which was soo pretty, wasn't expecting that! And also beautiful cobblestone roads lined with quaint houses as close to each other as possible. So cute, would love to live in one of them one day :)

Then, and this is the best part, we went to a...

CHOCOLATE MUSEUM!!!!! My god it was so good, it told you all about how chocolate is made and the history of chocolate and they had a demo where a guy made some pralines and we got to taste it, and then there was a shop yay!! I bought some Bruges chocolate and also a 'sugar/chocolate grinder' which looks like a salt grinder/shaker but is full of sugar crystals and chocolate bits. You can use it for cakes or in hot chocolate or whatever you want- it looks so good I'm excited :) :)

After the museum we went to another chocolate shop and I bought more chocolate yummmm, and then we headed home at about 5.30pm all exhausted. Alex and Cami had a sleep in the car, was pretty funny- Cami's head kept falling LOL.

Am super excited for London tomorrow, it's going to be AMAZING!! It will be good to speak English, but I do love the French- today at the chocolate shop the lady spoke English but I kept saying 'Oui' and 'Merci' out of habit HAHA :)

Probably won't get on the internet while I'm in London, so will update when I get back to Arras on Thursday night (Friday morning in AUS). LOVE YOU ALLLLL

ps- Am feeling a little bit better now, hopefully it's passed. Can't say the same for Alex though, he looks like death..

Day 14- French DVD's

SATURDAY 24TH JANUARY 2009

ARRAS, 6+

Veeery lazy day today, woke up at 9.30 and lay in bed reading till 11.30, then called home- got a little bit teary, can't wait to see everyone!

Went with Cami and her mum to get some DVDs- crazzziest thing ever, they don't have DVD shops like we have, it's just an ATM type machine thing on the street! You insert your credit card and then choose a movie from the list then it comes out in a little blue case- soo wierd, but cool at the same time :) We bought choc-croissants and spent the afternoon/evening watching 'Die Hard 4' and 'What Happens in Vegas' in French with English subtitles- funniest thing cos they just dub French voices over the top so the actors' mouths are moving but they're saying different words HAHA!

For dinner we had potatoes with cheese which you melted yourself on little tray thihngs in this appliance which sat in the middle of the tabel. Then you put your cheese on top of the potatoes and eat! The cheese was sooo good mm yum! Feeling a little better today, just wanna not be sick for London WOO! And... Belgium tomorrow :) :)

Love xx

Quick Thanks

Just a quick thanks to everyone who's been commenting! And especially thanks to Scottie and Ave for the money- thank you so much! I'm having a great time, and although some of it is tres tres boring, it's better than school so yes I'm sorry I'll stop saying it hahahaha.
Also, hope Hayles had a great birthday- 17 WOOHOO SO JEALOUS!!! Sent my postcards the other day so hopefully you all get them, I miss everyone a lot!
"Wave byebye to the pansies!"

Day 13- Arras

FRIDAY 23RD JANUARY 2009

-ARRAS, 9+ BUT RAINING AND WINDY AGAIN

Cami woke me up at 6am this morning but I fell back asleep till 7- not so smart Ash.. Woke up with a sore throat and feeling a little nauseous, I must've caught what Amma's got (cold/cough thing) dang. So I bought some strepsil type things which I think have medicine in them, hasn't helped too much, but hopefully it passes- I don't want to be sick for London!!

Today was foul, raining and windy- the kind of day where you just want to stay in bed and sleep or curl up on the couch with a doona, cup of hot chocolate and some good movies. Unfortunately we didn't get to do that, but instead had to walk around Arras in the cold and wet for 2hrs cos we had a guided tour. Was boring, mainly cos it was absolutely freezing with the wind and rain, but we went to the Arras Cathedral- was sooo cold inside- colder than outside, but it was very beautiful and massive! We saw the town squares also and after the tour we went back to school and chilled in the common room until Cami finished class and then we had lunch in the cafeteria. Alex and I just had wedges, which weren't bad, and we ate with Cami, Jessica, Maxime and 3 of their friends- it was good :) Was Jessica's last day at the school so all her friends were crying, but she had a french flag which everyone signed. Thinking I might wanna buy one and do the same but I don't know..

Alex and I bought stuff from the bakery after, it was v.yummy, and then we went to a cafe. Alex came back to Cami's house because Luca (his frenchie) had parent-teacher interviews or something like that. So we chilled and ate chocolate biscuits :) Had some delicious pasta thing for dinner, soooo good!!

A demain, Ash.

ps- These are my beautiful shoes which caused me so much pain! But so prettttyyy :)

Day 12- Lens & Crepe Making

THURSDAY 22ND JANUARY 2009

-ARRAS, 4+ WINDY AND RAINING ALL DAY

So so so so so tired, these long days make me extra tired. Got to school, had our daily 8-9am catch up in the staff room eating these tasty biscuits which are a bit like milk arrowroots but better, then went and waited for the bus to take us to Lens, about 1/2 an hour from Arras- where I went for the soccer the other day. When we got to Lens a tour guide hopped on the bus and we drove around Lens for 2hrs listening to this guy talk about how important Lens is to the mining industry, because it was a major mining area. It was tres tres tres boring, but at least we weren't outside in the cold : EXCEPT for when we went to the top of an artificial mountain that the miners made- it was sooo cold and insanely windy- we nearly got blown off the mountain HAHA.

After sleeping for a while, we got out and had 2hrs in Lens to explore and have lunch, so naturally, being the teenagers we are, we looked for a Macdoe. Unfortunately it was a fair way away so we settled for pizza which was so good! Jessica came with us again and it was fun fun fun! We had some pizza called a "chicken cheese" which was v.delicious. After that we walked around in the drizzle (yuck) for about 40mins and Gem bought some shoes, Aria and Amma bought a jacket each, Alex bought some cologne, and I bought some french magazines and a body wash that smells like chocolate! Smells SOOOOOO good, I can't wait to use it :)

Got back to Arras at about 3.30pm and Aria and I went into the town centre shortly to send postcards (finally sorry!) and buy chocolate croissants!! We then all chilled in the Foyer- I love that place :)

Tonight we're having crepes for dinner, and Cami made a MASSIVE batch, like it's insane how much she made. So she taught me how to make them and I flipped one! It was so funny. Tried to upload the video but for some reason it's not letting me sorry. Will try again another time!! Love you, miss everyone and hot weather!

ps- found a shop called "COOL CAT" and thought Sam and Emily would appreciate that, so here it is :)

Day 11- Sore feet

WEDNESDAY 21ST JANUARY 2009

-ARRAS, 4-8+

Decided to wear my new boots today, BADDDD idea :( My feet are in agony!! I have massive blisters on the bottom of my little toes, and they hurt sooo much, but at least I looked good? HAHA. This morning we went to a market in Arras, there was a cheese and meat van which smelt fairly good :) Hopefully I can buy some cheese if I get a chance and bring it back, but I don't know. Today was actually not very cold at all, I only had a long sleeve top on and a thick jacket!! It was good :) We went into a little cafe in town and had hot chocolates which were pretty good, plus it was warmer inside.

After the market we went back to school and went to a class with Cami- Economy, was sooo boring, so I wrote a letter and listened to my iPod :) Then all us Aussies chilled in the Foyer- a big common room where everyone hangs out when they don't have classes and after school. It's warm in there and massive with lots of tables and chairs spread out everywhere. Basically you just go there to socialise and perhaps do some homework if you can be bothered HAHA. We met some frenchies there which was good :)

After school we went to a bar again, I had water everyone, calm down.. Then we did a little shopping before we caught the bus home. Had to walk from the bus stop home and by that stage my feet were in an insane amount of pain so Cami gave me a piggyback :) Safe to say I won't be wearing those shoes for a full day anytime soon.

Lots of love, Ash xx

Day 10- Lille

TUESDAY 20TH JANUARY 2009

-ARRAS, 3-7+

Had to wake up at 6.00am this morning, soooo draining, but we went to Lille!! About a 1hr bus ride, and then we arrived at 'La Piscine' - a museum in an old public bath (in Roubaix, just out of Lille). Was fairly boring, beautiful Art Deco decoration, and the room where the pool used to be was very pretty. They played a recording every so often which replicated the sounds of the pool when it was in use which was pretty cool, and now the building is used to house local artist's work.

We then got back on the bus and headed into Lille where we spent two glorious hours shopping and MacDoe-ing (Maccas) :) They had a H & M which was soooo exciting and actually very cheap! Then had a 1hr tour of Lille which was not very fun because the lady just spoke about the political history of Lille, and we didn't really go anywhere.. Met an Australian girl who has been at the school for 2 months and is leaving on Friday who is from Sydney!! She's so nice and extremely good at French, although I guess you would be if that's all you spoke for 2 months. She came with us today- her name is Jessica- and also yesterday to Bullecourt- definately a Facebook add :)

Ash xx

Day 9- Bullecourt

MONDAY 19TH JANUARY 2009

ARRAS, 5+

Woke up late- 7.05, and only had 20mins to get ready, AND I managed- proud aren't you mum HAHA, so I had a yoghurt on the run, but that's ok cos the yoghurts here are sooooo good, I love them :)

I really want to try Danettes though, and also Special K with dark chocolate flakes, cos Molly has been telling me about them and they sound very tasty!!

Went with Cami to classes this morning- English, then Maths then Biology. English was fun, we rocked at it (of course haha)- got to participate. The teacher gave us 7 frenchies each and we had to answer questions about ourselves and Australian life and now they have to write a paper on it.. Little bit wierd, but it was good :) They couldn't believe that in Australia school is only 9-3!! In Maths I listened to my iPod and coloured in a piece of paper, cos it was tres boring and I didn't understand haha. Then in Biology they had a test so I wrote out some postcards, I promise you they're coming soon!! The classes over here are so different, more of a lecture than anything, the students just listen and copy stuff from the board.

In the afternoon we visited Bullecourt- a memorial for the Australian soldiers who fought on the Western Front during WWI in Bullecourt near Arras. You might not be able to see the trees in the distance of the photo here, but the Australians hid in amongst them because they didn't have trenches, and they basically went in unarmed on open ground. The trees didn't give them much cover at all.
Every year, in the fields, they have around 150 finds- everything from shrapnel to bones to bullets. 150 every year!! The little museum we went to had all of the finds and was very interesting, yet sad. There was one soldier who was just 15 and lied about his age just so he could serve. They found out his real age when he got injured and he had to serve 6 months in jail for lying. To think that he would go to that extent to fight in the war is amazing. The soldiers were so brave, and although the memorial is sombre, you get a real sense of pride for your country.
A demain,
Ash xx


ps- Had a jam doughnut this arvo! I'm a little homesick, I want to see everyone and go to the footy! To think it's only been just over a week!!
pps- poor Aria had to go to a LACE MUSEUM on the weekend- her Frenchie is so rude to her, she doesn't let her do anything, it sucks for Aria..

Day 8- Lunch at Luca's

SUNDAY 18TH JANUARY 2009
ARRAS, +3-6

Slept in Cami's room last night, she told me about this legend called 'the white lady' who comes at midnight LOL ok.. So I kept saying "the white lady is comingggg haha" and she got scared :)
Watched a little french MTV in the morning before we went to Luca's house (Alex's Frenchie) for lunch which turned into dinner as well. Was a very fancy lunch with 4 courses- some salmon thing which kinda maybe looked a bit gross but we had to eat it, then Veal and potatoes, more chunks of cheese, then some crazy cake thing called a Galette. Alex and I were not big fans- tasted like cherry lollies, which we tried to explain, but they were like "it's not cherries, very different!" and we're saying "We know that it's not but it tastes like it!!" It was fairly humourous. The cake had little porcelain tiles hidden in it and if you got one in your slice it meant you were the kind/queen and got to wear a crown. Alex and I got one each so we felt pretty cool :)
Then we went to a darkzone type place with Luca, Alex, Cami, Maxime, Celine, another Maxime, Sam, Martin, Didier and Luca's Dad and played three games. Was very fun- a little different to Darkzone in that they had a smoke machine which kept going off and my god, you couldn't see like 3m infront of you, it was fairly dangerous. There was also green strobe lights and very lous raving muzztekk music. Alex and I danced like muzza's in the corner, it was very funny. We were tres bad, and our team lost every game, but that was because Celine and Cami kept cheating!! Celine would cover the target with her hand, and Camille would hold her hand over your gun so you couldn't shoot!! Bloody french people...
Came back to Luca's house and had pizza for dinner- it was like spag bol.. on a pizza- very good :) Then played some Guitar Hero, Alex and I rocked out hard HAHA. Have to get up at 6.40am because we leave at 7.30am when it's still dark dang it! I hate winter...

ps- Don't think I've mentioned it, but the pillows here are crazy!! Square and flat- they suck, give me my pillow anyday..

pps- I MISS EVERYONE SO MUCH!

ppps- Mum make sure you write your name at the end of the comment so I know who it is.. HAHA, love you!

pppps- say hi to Louie for me please!

Day 7- Football Match

SATURDAY 17TH JANUARY 2009
ARRAS, +10!!

Very lazy morning, woke up at 10ish and chilled in my pj's until 2.30pm. I think the family were kinda like umm.. you should get dressed now haha, but I don't care.. For breakfast we had toast- vegemite for moi, and the other piece with nutella, but they steered clear of the vegemite LOL. Convinced Maxime to eat vegemite tomorrow on the condition that I say 'grenouillet' ahh, Will definately be practising tonight LOL. Breakfast was a little wierd, we didn't use plates?! I was like what the hell ok..

We had an insanely big lunch- 3 Courses!! Beef stew, then big chunks of cheese (you just cut of a massive chunk and picked it up with your hands to eat?!) then pineapple yum! I was like 'wow, you want me to eat all that.. for lunch?' but it was good :)

Then Cami, Didier, and Maxime took me to a football (soccer) match- my first ever and it was mega different to AFL! First of all, soccer is tres boring compared to the fast-pace, high scoring AFl. Secondly, the players are so wussy!- They fall over and "hurt themselves" then 10secs later are completely fine!! LOL @ them.. Thirdly, they have one entire side of the stadium for the cheer squad which was hugeeeeee! Seriously I've never seen anything like it- it was CRAZY! The whole match, hundreds/thousands of people were just jumping and chanting and just generally being mad supporters!! The guy leading them was up on some podium... topless?! Maxime said that one time when it was -8, he still wasn't wearing a shirt!! "Allez Lens Allez!" they all kept saying- Lens is the team, and then won, so I bought a jumper afterwards :)

Had some crazy apple and cheese thing for dinner & with the BEST ICE CREAM I HAVE EVER TASTED. Just vanilla, but sooo damn good!! However we eat dessert without delay, straight after dinner. No such thing as letting your food settle! HAHA. Slowly am overcoming the language barrier.. Lentement..

Ash xx

ps- There's a clock tower right across the road from Cami's house, I can hear it every hour, on the hour- tres french :)

Day 6- Lycee Baudimont St- Charles

FRIDAY 16TH JANUARY 2009

ARRAS, +5

WOW, first day at Lycee St-Charles Baudimont- Cami's school. Insanely big, we went down to like the basement for a big breakfast, it was tres wierd, but tasty :) So different getting to school when it's still dark- left at 7.30am for an 8am star. Why do they have such long days (8-6pm)? I don't know but it's dumb. Today Cami finished at 1pm though.

A teacher from the school took us on a tour of the school- two campuses which were a few blocks apart. The tour was a little boring, but mainly cos it was cold and we didn't understand a fair bit of what she was saying. That said, I do think that I've picked up a lot already. The school is so wierd, really big and the classrooms are cold, and the lights are never on, but there's a big common room that's always warm, and everyone chills in there, so it's good. Went to Spanish class with Cami, and then we ate in the Canteen. Was very American style, with mashed potato slopped onto the plate exactly like they do in the movies. Let's just say it was less than ideal, and I ate a yoghurt instead :)

Hung around school for a while, then we went into the CBD part of Arras- if you could call it that- the French call it 'la ville.' So we looked around there and met up with Lisa, Maxime, Jai and Maria and looked some more. All the students at the school have these tres chic Longchamp bags which I love but they're 80euros, so I don't know if I'm willing to spend $160AUD on a bag right now.. If I have money left at the end of the trip I will buy one though, cos they are very cool :)

Caught up with a big group of Australians and frenchies and went to a ... bar!! The legal drinking age here is 16, but don't freak out, I had a hot chocolate LOL. Felt sooo mature/cool coming out of a bar at 5.30pm on a Friday after school. Also went to visit Cami's grandmother and she's lovely, then the family and I went bowling about 20mins out of Arras. Was pretty fun, told Maxime (the brother), that if he got a strike I would say 'grenouillet' (frog) for him. Thank god he didn't get one- it's impossible for me to say because you have to do some crazy french accent that I suck at haha.

Had some delicious potato bake thing for dinner with lots of cheese mmm.. Get to sleep in tomorrow yay!

Au revoir xx

ps- don't know if I've mentioned it, but we eat dinner here really late- 8.30 9ish everynight. It's wierd!

Day 5- Shopping at Champs-Elysees

THURSDAY 15TH JANUARY
PARIS ET ARRAS, +6 AND SUNNY!

Last day in Paris- nooo!! But it was a gorgeous last day so that makes up for it I guess. Sunny, warm (for Paris in winter anyway) and we got to spend the morning doing whatever we wanted- soo lovely J Me, Gem, Lisa, Amma, Alex, Mikey, Sam and Jai took the bus – by ourselves- to the Champs- Elysees for some shopping. Felt incredibly mature walking around Paris by ourselves, so exciting to think that one day hopefully it will be even more independent traveling!! Got the most amazingggg shoots (that’s shoe-boots) and for only 30 euros! They’re black suede ankle boots with about a 2-3 inch heel- very very happy with them. Also bought some presents- yay! We then caught the bus back to the area near the hotel and did some tacky tourist shopping, got more presents yay again! Finally got on the train at Gare du Nord after waiting for a few hours. We spent a bit of time at a Maccas across the road where I got an AMAZING burger- Royal Deluxe. Soooo good J

40 min train ride speeding through the countryside- beautiful scenery but didn’t manage to get any photos sadly. And then we arrived in Arras! Looked out the window and saw Cami and Eulalie’s waving madly at us with big smiles on their faces. All my nerves flew out the window, it was so good to see them again!! Camille’s mother and brother and sister came to the station and we drove to their house- about 10mins from Arras. Their house is very nice on the inside, not to sure what it looks like on the outside- it’s been dark ok?!- Cami told me that they renovated the room just for me! Very nice of them I thought. Her family are all lovely, also met her Dad- Didier and he is very nice. For dinner we had Mexican- burritos with a curry type thing in it, it was very yummy. Got to sleep at 10pm, very tired- France takes it out of me. Au revoir!

Day 4- Eiffel Tower

WEDNESDAY 14TH JANUARY

PARIS, +6

Bonjour! Eiffel Tower day today YAY!! In the morning we took the train to the Palais de Versailles which was so big and detailed. Lisa and I bought an Audioguide and I’m glad that I did, because otherwise it would’ve been boring. Then we went to le Macdoe (McDonald’s) for lunch which was crazy!! They have so much more food and everything, but the toilets were unisex- with urinals!! It was tres weird, and also kinda wrong haha. Took to the metro to…..


The Eiffel Tower! Ahh it was so exciting! Got several thousand photos, and it was so beautiful when it was lit up! ILY EIFFEL TOWER!!! Went to the same restaurant as last night and this time there was some crazy Chinese pedo guy. SUCH A FREAK.
YAY EIFFEL TOWER, Au revoir.

Day 3- Moulin Rouge

TUESDAY 13TH JANUARY

PARIS, +8

Today was much warmer, would’ve been perfect if it wasn’t raining, but can’t complain! Took the bus to Montmarte where the Sacre Couer is. Had to go through the scumy part of Paris to get there, but Sacre Couer was AMAZING!! Very very beautiful. Very pretty with stunning views from the top of the hill. You could see all the cute little houses- well apartment buildings. We then walked down a street we have fondly named “sex street” because OMG every single shop was like a strip club or sex shop- it was the red light district. When we got further down the street we saw the Moulin Rouge!! Got some funny photos outside that haha. So many old people lining up!! We then caught the metro to La Galleries Lafayettes- the world’s most beautiful department store. Was gorgoues, but so incredibly massive- we ended up on the roof trying to find the 7th floor haha. Bought some boots then we headed back for dinner. Some sleazy French waiter, but the food was good, apart from me getting ½ turkey ½ tuna instead of all turkey haha. Oh well!

Day 2- Mona Lisa

MONDAY 12TH JANUARY

PARIS, +4

Woke up at 7.30am, still completely dark outside, and was until after 8am. Had breakfast downstairs- croissants, mini baguettes and reaaaaaally good hot chocolate. We sat there looking out the window at all the little kiddies going to school- haha sucks to be them!! Then we headed off to the Louvre on the bus. Fairly boring actually but we did see the Mona Lisa and other ridiculously large paintings. Got very close to the Mona Lisa, closer than I thought we would J After that we ate baguettes in Le Jardin des Tuilleries, and found a carousel! Felt super movie-star-like as we rode an old carousel in a park covered in snow in PARIS!! Then we walked downs the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe and went to the top of that. Stunning views, could see so much of Paris, and was actually quite surprised to see that there is a Paris CBD with skyscrapers and stuff- kinda ruins the atmosphere though. Took the metro back to the hotel, then we headed to an internet café where I spent ½ an hour with a frustrating French keyboard- that’s why I haven’t uploaded anything until now sorry. Sooo annoying, and very slow. LOVEEEE

Day 1 - Arrival

SUNDAY 11th JANUARY

PARIS, -6

WOW! Arrived at 6am,m very tired and feeling a little shabby. Didn’t sleep much on the flight and am definitely feeling it now. Took the train to “Le Gay-Lussac”, our hotel which is really cute, very French with our balcony and all. We look out over a l’ecole- school, a boulangerie- a bakery, and other apartment buildings, it’s gorgeous! We went to le Notre Dame, which was so beautiful, everything was very detailed. Also saw snow at the Jardin du Luxembourg- just down the road from our hotel, and absolutely stunning- frozen fountains, a policeman in a glass box and morbidely obese pidgeons. Also saw the Pantheon and later went to a restaurant for dinner. Was a tad disappointed, the food wasn’t as good as I expected, but I did have the best baguette I have ever tasted in my life ofr lunch. Far out it was soooo good. Also got our first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower today- YAY!

3 sleeps to go

Bienvenue!
Only 3 sleeps to go, not long now. Will definantly post up on here when I can and hopefully upload some photos. Je vous adore!