Italians are nicer than the French

I know, isn't that a terrible generalization? Shame on me.....But, we really have run into some truly friendly and helpful people in Rome and Florence. They cheerfully put up with our lack of Italian and help us find what we are looking for. Waiters are joky, shopkeepers smile: it's a whole new experience. This, of course, has one very major caveat; they (just those quick pickpockets) also want to steal all your money and documents. Ah well, can't have it all. I, bien sur, have met some friendly French people too.
We are now safely arrived in Florence. Much less painful than the arrival in Rome. Florence seems like a city I could live in. It seems relaxed and fun compared to the very intense Rome. It was tough visiting Rome because it's such a huge city, all the sites are completely "must-see" and they're spread out all over the place. It's hard to avoid walking long hours every day (difficult when one has bad knees like mom) and you feel there's surely something you're missing and you must be a totally ignorant fool to miss it. I feel like I keep saying, "I've never seen anything like this before!" but that said, all these Roman ruins and medivael churches are starting to blend into each other.
This picture is actually from Nice. It was so hot and summery there but the weather in Rome was rainy and overcast although not cold or uncomfortable. Tomorrow is May 1st, labour day so we have no idea what we'll do...depends what will be open. ciao, jessica

Night Train Robbers

Let me preface this by saying I rode 2nd class sleeper trains throughout Thailand with no problems, in relative comfort. They were never more than 2 bunks tall, with the bunks running lengthways along the train and a wide sort of aisle down the middle and privacy curtains for every bunk. Although there was no a/c in 2nd class there were fans and good air circulation so it was never too hot.
What a nightmare the Italian/French night train was. We were stacked in teency compartments, 3 bunks tall, 6 bunks per compartment. Crowded doesn't begin to describe it. Once we were all bedded down, it was insufferably hot. There was supposed to be air conditioning but it wasn't working. However, it was understood we mustn't open the compartment door but leave it locked, as unsavoury sorts of people got on the train and robbed open compartments between stops. It wasn't understood by everyone in our compartment though, as in the middle of the night while everyone else slept, one man decided he just couldn't sleep in this heat and opened the door. Sure enough, mom's purse containing her passport, credit card, pda etc was quietly taken, not waking anyone. That was it, we figured, end of vacation. What an idiot this man was, we all thought... We explained the situation to the highly indifferent police who were passing by, and then to a female train agent, who luckily spoke French. Much more luck with her and we were told to wait in our compartment while they searched for it. Amazingly, about an hour later, this agent knocked on our door holding up the bag, grinning happily. They had actually caught the thief redhanded. Although there had been stops,he had felt confident enough to stay on the train. Nothing (!) was missing except 20 CAD my mom realized later. So, so lucky. No one could believe the luck.
So we are surviving Rome. We visited so much today I won't describe it now. Italy seems to be a vegetarian's heaven compared to France, so many veggie dishes. Not just steak-frites! Keep fingers crossed for us, and I'll keep you posted on the continuation later. ciao, jess

Night Train to Rome

Mom and I are currently in Nice in the Cote D'azur. The weather is beautiful and everyone speaks English! That makes for quite the change from Narbonne...I'm glad it's not like that there or I'd never practice. Everyone seems very chic too, which is also a big change from Narbonne. Narbonne's a pretty casual laid back little town. Today we'll visit a little in Nice but mostly we're just gearing up for the long trip to Rome. At nine tonight we'll board the train and sleep in couchettes (like bunks)to arrive about quarter to seven the next morning in Rome. Neither of us has ever been before so everything will be new and exciting and neither of us speaks Italian either, adding to the fun. I imagine they are well used to such tourists and we'll manage fine. Anyone who's visited me or been to the apartment in Narbonne knows about our funny plumbing, so it's such a thrill to have a nice bath here. Here's hoping we get a bathtub in Rome too, although I'll be fine regardless. The last weekend in Arles we saw so much it was great but stressful too. We're trying to remember to do lots of relaxing with the sightseeing but there will be so much to see... It's all about the mid afternoon siesta. Hopefully I'll be able to check in from Rome and if not it will be from Florence after that. Wish us luck!! :)

Off to Arles

Sorry I've slowed down; I have a good excuse. Mom arrived on Monday in Toulouse and we've been very busy since. Well, I've kept up working the whole time which is probably why I've felt busy while Mom's been taking it easy I think. We rented a car yesterday, so cool! We had a picnic dinner on the beach which is something I've never been able to do before since there's no bus service out there in the evenings and the bike paths aren't lit. In any case, we are going away for a car trip this weekend to Arles and the Camargue. Should be really fun and I have some good pictures of cafe time with Mom that I'll put up later. Have lovely weekends, all! :) jess

Final Assistants Potluck- Pictures :)

Last night we had a final potluck with all the assistants. By next weekend, some will have already left. In some ways it seems amazing that 7 months will have passed. Have I done that much for seven months? Good thing people come to visit and we go on trips, otherwise I wouldn't feel like I had done enough.
Caro digs in while Louise and Steph smile for the camera
Alina serves Francis, Caro's roommate and boyfriend
Crooked shoot of living room action
Doesn't Kate look cute?
Me and Louise (my mini-me?)
Enjoying cuisine from around the world
Otalia and Allison chat up a storm in the kitchen
Wilson brought his whole family who were visiting from Spain...cute little nephew with Steph

Jazz Hands World

Go Fug Yourself: "Later, however, I saw photos of her wearing this outfit down a runway, which leads me to believe that somebody professional designed this... this... wow, I don't know what to call it, because I think a dress should by definition hang more than an inch below your lady folds..."

It's Wednesday night, which means the midweek weekend is now over. (I stop work at 11:30am on Tuesdays and don't work til Thursdays since in France, elementary school children don't go to school on Wednesdays.) Back to the grind tomorrow....not really of course as my job is only 12 hours of class time a week. But anyway.... it's the end of an era in Narbonne soon. This Friday we're having a big party because all those lucky enough to have a 7 month contract are leaving in 1 to 2 weeks, which means everyone. Just Stephanie, Allison and I will be left for English assistants living in Narbonne. Allison said she was happy Steph would still be here as she didn't think she could fulfill my social needs alone. That girl would quite happily live life as a hermit watching Tarzan movies all day.
I went swimming in Narbonne's olympic outdoor pool today. It was so beautiful; I think I'm getting a tan. Of course, now it's old hat to see topless ladies swimming in the outdoor pool. There was another one today. The first time quite shocked me though. This lady calmly got in, removed her top and left it on the pool deck to begin her lane swimming. Those carefree French, I tell ya.

They love English!

Tonight was a special dinner out with my adults beginner class from the local community centre. Steph came too, which was good, so they could hear her 'real' English accent...they're always complaining about my Canadian accent.
Here is Martine, wife of Patrick
Monique and Victorine
Steph
Patrick, Ny Ampela (our upstairs neighbour and the youngest in the class) and I
Jeannine, a total newbie to English, who told me tonight, that because of me, she loves the English language. so sweet!

Gruissan invaded by pirates

Allison and I took the bus to Gruissan yesterday. We visited the ruins of a tower on a hill in the centre of the old town. I believe it was built in the 12th century and it was used as a hideout for the villagers when pirates attacked the village. So cool.

Here is the view from the hill, looking over the village.

Here is Allison on the walk up the hill.

Me, next to the tower, with my skirt blowing up in the air. Luckily there was only one other guy there, and he was looking the other way (I hope!). Lots of gusting winds, very bad news for skirts.

Protests v/s Riots

So lately some people have been asking me how's the rioting in France...I don't really like to talk about current events stuff because I'm not a journalist and I think there are other better informed sources. However, I've read in Canadian and American news sources that there are no riots in France right now; this just isn't true. What is happening is a lot of protests and strikes. I think it's a big difference between the two. Riots are motivated by rage and chaos. Protests are organized and part of the democratic process. No one is burning down the neighbourhood community centre; they are, however, blocking roundabouts to hand out information pamphlets on the CPE. I just wanted to clear that up....no, I'm not in any danger.

My fav song of the moment

Lately I'm loving "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz. (Song link leads to a live performance of song! The website is in French, but just press play;) I found this song through Wong Fu Productions which seems just to be a group of southern Califorian college kids who make quite funny music videos of popular songs and did a video for "I'm Yours" as a present for friends getting married. It's a really catchy tune.
Just went for a beer in the hot sunshine in the the main town plaza, Place de la maire. I was with Kate, Louise and Allison. We're all so fair; we were passing around the sunscreen and I'm happy to report Louise is actually paler than me! Hope yet....
Tonight is Caroline's 22nd (I believe!) birthday party. We're having a pizza party and will probably go out afterwards but of course the birthday girl will decide. Maybe I'll bring my camera for some fun shots for you all.