Oops this is overdue: some other adventures

So I think I'll continue like this with a blog ever week-10 days ish...from now on, probably

The other weekend I went with my host family for a little drive outside Besancon to a very old city, Ornans to go to the musée Courbet, A museum dedicated to Gustave Courbet an artist in the 19th century who is from the Franche-comté region.  My camera wasn't charged so here are some other photos:

Last week we decided to take the bus to the mall, about 30 minutes away. We weren't that all impressed, we are spoiled after all by American malls. It had the same stores that they have downtown really minus the H&M and the giant casino/supermarket. But that's okay since I'm eventually going to Dijon with my host family and it's apparently better there.

I tried subway this week....yes I used to work there, so I think i'd know the difference better than anyone. The bread was crustier-more french, I just thought it was weird there are more choices of cheese in America and only 2 here. However, it smelled exactly the same. Sometime's it's just the little things....

We also climbed up to the citadel which is now open! Though we didn't go inside we'll have to go soon. By way of "acess difficile" yeah they were not kidding, all of those stairs and hills killed me, but the view is so worth it. Also: a bit of history on the Citadel of besancon

Walking towards the citadel

And at the highest we could get

Entrance

Classes also officially started this week, and I couldn't be more pleased with them. For my core classes we're in a group of about ten for written and oral comprehension as well as grammar. And then for the options I chose art history (17th century and onward), literature, francophone cinema (focused in comedies),and English/French translation. 
In 2 days I've officially been here a month, it was a bit slow at first but it's been flying by! This month is also the month that we are going to Paris for winter break! 22nd to the 27th and then staying a few days after to visit Euro Disney/Disneyland Paris!

Things have been going pretty well for the most part, except for a few bumps in the road. It's always smooth sailing until someone didn't tell you something and life is just a bit more difficult. I've especially had a problem with housing for next year at western. You can be prepared for everything and then the unexpected happens, so that's another thing I've learned. The most important thing is just to have an open mind.

 Also note: you can always donated to my rent/traveling fund via paypal on the right. I'd be much appreciated. Also: I promise I'm buying postcards and sending them out very soon, I also need to buy some stamps.

And with that, some random photos:

"American Bluff" aka American Hustle

The doubs

Graffiti like this is everywhere, in particular cat graffiti?

Weather's pretty much like this...I feel like I skipped winter basically

The differences

There are some things that I noticed right away, and even more that made sense but I'm just beginning to notice all the difference between French and American life. Sometimes I prefer one over the other or vice versa.
Like the fact that the toilet (toilette) and the bathroom/shower (salle du bain) are in fact separate rooms and different words. But that kind of clicked right away.
Then there were others, I noticed this while walking to class in the mornings, no one's in a crazy rush, they take their time, walk their dogs, talk to people. And almost no one in their phones, maybe a person or two with headphones in-and they're usually young. I found this pretty refreshing, as much as I take advantage of technology and being able to talk to all the lovely people back home, it's nice to take a break and not be glued to your device. 
Another thing while watching TV, there was a commercial for quick- a fast food restaurant similar to McDonald and at the bottom of the screen a warning- basically for your health, eat in moderation and exercise. There are also hardly any really unhealthy restaurants here and  very very few American chains. Something America should think about-but let's be honest it would never happen. I honestly feel like I've been eating so much healthier here, it's really only the younger people who go to fast food here.
Also all the shops close early, only really some restaurants, cafes and conveniences stores are open later than 7/8 and almost none open on Sunday's. A pretty big change from when we're used to everything being open 24/7 or really late, like going to meijer's when you forget something or need something or heading through the drive through at just about any time when you're hungry. 
If anything it's just kind of a refreshing change, and it is so beautiful here, I think it's all hitting me at once. So many little corners to go explore- between classes and keeping up with everyone that is.

Found this on my walk home!

Every bigger city in France has a carousel and this one's all about Victor Hugo

There are fountains basically everywhere

I found a street with alllll of these music stores!

out the window of where i'm living

I also saw this at the cinema this weekend and it was fantastic.

I stayed home sick today and thought I'd do something productive with another post.

Gros bisous!

Liz

The first couple days

So it's kind of silly that the plane was the thing I was most worried about as it was the smoothest thing! It went quite smoothly, although I didn't sleep and I only got 3 hours of sleep that Thursday night before...
So when I got to the airport I checked my email to see our professor wouldn't be meeting up with us, I was waiting alone for a bit until I happened to run into one person from western and then more!
We took the bus to Paris-Gare de lyon where we though we'd be taking the train.

We couldn't print our tickets so we had to go to information for that then we discovered it wasn't this station...so we had to take the metro/subway which was a bit confusing and so not fun with lots of luggage. Dragging it around was so obnoxious. We got to the Bercy station and then to our connection in Dijon and then to Besancon where we just walked the long way to the hotel finally. I probably didn't sleep for 30+ hours, which definitely messed up my brain for sure. I do like all of the people on this trip, we've bonded in a very short time period. I'm sort of in denial that i'll be here for a longish stay still. As nice as it is I'm still very homesick but school should do something about that. In traveling I've learned:
-If you look like you've been crying/etc airline people will be really nice to you
-Parisians will basically laugh at your struggles
-You could learn French from the book for many years and still not feel prepared because that's what this experience is for.
I feel like my French is very rusty, I've taken it for soo many years but you forget things and it's hard to remember when you're here and you have to talk in French and it's even a bit intimidating, but I know it's going to get better over time.
On to Besancon,

Time museum- watches made in this city

Lots of statues of Victor Hugo as he was born here

Roman ruins-Besancon is a very old city

St. Jean cathedral

The CLA where I'll be going to classes

I luckily got the trinket in the galette des rois! 

and my room here!

I just want to sight see...classes...eh

C'est tout pour maintenant!

That's it for now

Bisous,

Liz