A pooch, a pastry, an unexpected party

 Hello!

 So, after talking about our amazing night picnic in my last post, in this one I'm going to let you know what happened on the Thursday and Friday of my first week in Avignon. Some of it was planned, some wasn't, but I think it was all useful to me in terms of finding my feet here.

 On Thursday we had another talk at Uni, this time about finalising our course choices and filling out our Learning Agreements. Afterwards I did some admin at Uni, before going into town because I had some things to sort at the bank. I've kept my account from when I was in Perpignan, and it seems to be working out okay.

 I spotted a dog that reminded me of Dougal from The Magic Roundabout (Pollux in the original French version). He looked rather tired of the heat!

 On my way back I visited a bakery. I've noticed that pig cakes are popular here in Provence - I saw them a lot in Antibes, too.

 I treated myself to a chocolate tart. It was even more delicious than I had expected it to be. The chocolate spiky bits look solid but are actually so soft and creamy - possibly ganache.

 The case is pretty, too!

 On Friday we had a French test at Uni and then there was talk of another meet-up on Barthelasse. I headed there to find that the group were moving to a student residence in town. 

 There we ended up in someone's room - well, mainly on his balcony - and it wasn't the night I had been expecting, but it was certainly interesting. There were very few people there that I knew, but there were people from several different countries and I got to hear many languages being spoken.

 It got very smoky and eventually I left. It was a beautiful night in Avignon, the sky all swirly, and as I walked home I reflected on how happy I was here already.

 Thanks for reading,

 Liz x

The Van Dyck area and the bullring

 Hello!

 One day I planned to meet some other students on my course for tapas. However, it ended up not happening, leaving me alone in Salamanca's Van Dyck area, a small neighbourhood known for tapas restaurants and its cinema. I decided that while I was there I may as well explore this new (for me) part of the city.

 Wandering took me to Salamanca's bullring which is just beyond the Van Dyck area. I have no interest in bullfighting but it was interesting to see the building from the outside. From there I strolled back down along Van Dyck Street, soaking in its chilled atmosphere. I hope you enjoy taking the journey with me.

The bullring area

The bullring

 Getting back into the leafy Van Dyck zone

An ice-cream by the cinema!

 It's always a pain when a plan doesn't work out but I'm glad I got the chance to experience the Van Dyck neighbourhood with its unique vibe. The ice-cream was nice, too!

 Thanks for reading,

 Liz x

Twilight, roses and a colourful cat

 Salut!

 After my last post about my sunset walk I wanted to share some photos from the same walk with a slightly later setting-off time. This meant it was twilight rather than sunset and I got some nice pictures of the white and pink blossom in the dying light. 

 I also snapped the "Cat of Freedom", as I call her, outside the Centre of Contemporary Art. I was sad to see that someone had graffitied all over her. Granted, she may have been a graffiti to start with - I'm not sure - but she's beautiful! There was absolutely no need to deface her. I'm quite sad about it.

 Sant Jordi was on its way. Sant Jordi (Saint George) is the patron saint of Catalonia as well as England. He is celebrated by exchanging both roses and books with friends and loved ones.

 In my next post I will share another tradition: the Sanch Procession. This takes place on Good Friday. Worshippers don hooded cloaks and march around the city carrying effigies of Christ. It has to be seen to be really understood - but I will do my best to capture the ambiance in my photos.

 So, watch this space!

 Thanks for reading,

 Liz x