Life and lizards

 Hello, all!

 I seem to have got into the habit of starting posts on this blog with a weather update, so I will say that it is now very, very hot and sunny! Well, obviously not this minute as I am writing this at night, but during the day it is blindingly sunny. The storms seem to be well and truly over!

 To go into cheesy metaphor territory, I feel like the weather reflects my stay here so far quite well - at first everything was new to me and I was a bit scared and homesick, which was reflected in the rain and storms. However, now I feel much more settled and the good weather reflects that.

 I have now been observing classes for three days and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. It is fascinating to see how classes are taught in France, and the differences and similarities between French classes and English ones.

 Probably the main difference is the length: French classes are often two hours long with a short break in the middle; in England classes, in my experience, rarely last more than an hour.

 I have had the pleasure of meeting more teachers, am getting to know the layout of the college and have obtained a card for the canteen. I am getting into the swing of things!

 I spoke last time about the lizards I see. They are all over the place here, and I love to see them scuttling around.

 Every time I see one it feels like a miracle, as wild lizards are just not something you see in the UK (unless possibly if you live in specific parts of the countryside). Seeing a lizard is one of the things that always reminds me that I am in France! Along with the palm trees and the mountains!

 Today I was at Médipôle, an area of Cabestany on the cusp of Perpignan where there are several medical buildings such as a deaf centre and cardiac centre. I walk through it most days on the way to the college.

 There I was finally able to have a photo shoot with my beloved lizards. I'm actually really happy with how these pictures came out, considering how fast they moved and how bright the sun was. I hope you like them too (you can click on them to enlarge them).

 So, my first week in Perpignan complete! I am feeling very positive for the many weeks to come.

 Thanks for reading,

 Liz x

Big steps

 Salut!

 It's sunny! I'm so glad to be able to start a blog post this way! The storms have cleared up and the weather is lovely. It was scorching hot during the day but it has cooled slightly and is now extremely pleasant.

 Yesterday and today have been a big learning curve for me. I have achieved some very important things. 

 Firstly, yesterday, I went to set up a French bank account. I took the bus there, which was the first time I took the bus out from where I am staying (having taken it back from town yesterday). All went well and I am really starting to know the area.

 I set up a French bank account! It was easier than I had anticipated and it was a big relief to have it done.

 I then got the bus back and this time I missed my stop. But all was well! I kept calm and memorised the way back from the next stop. Then I retraced my steps without any bother and enjoyed getting to know my neighbourhood even better.

 Last night it didn't rain! Eureka! This morning was my first day of work at the Lycée. For this first week I will be observing the classes in which I will be teaching. I observed one two-hour lesson today. It was a very interesting and enjoyable experience. 

 I then ate my first meal in the Lycée canteen. I'd been told that the canteen is famous locally for its excellence and it didn't disappoint. I chose a starter of salad, a main of a turkey wrap, and for dessert a small chocolate éclair. It was all lovely. I also enjoyed eating my meal with a group of other teachers.

 I then bought milk at a Spar - they exist in France! Just looked Spar up, apparently it started in the Netherlands. Then, on the way back to the bus stop, I spotted many small lizards zooming across the ground and up and down low walls. 

 I don't know if I'd ever seen lizards in the wild before and seeing so many was really something. I wish I had had my camera with me to show you a picture! Never mind, I'll hopefully see them again.

 I finally got home and here I am writing this. I am also trying to plan some shenanigans with the other language assistants in the area so there could be some very fun times ahead!

 Thanks for reading,

 Liz x

My first two days

 Bonjour!

 It's still raining very heavily. Apparently there was no rain for months before I arrived and then it started! Yesterday I had lovely weather and then last night the storm really broke. But I'm still really enjoying it here and it's been sunny during the day.

 My last post took us up to Saturday night. On Sunday morning I lay in a bit after my long day of travelling. I then got up and had a breakfast of chocolate Clusters - they exist! Amazing! Basically they're like normal clusters except that the flakes are chocolate flavoured. Delicious.

 At midday I went to a crepe parlour with Nathalie (my go-to teacher) and a friend of hers who is also called Nathalie! I had a crepe with emmental and ham and then for dessert I had a crepe with Nutella. The Nutella crepe was lovely but the savoury one really stole the show. It was gorgeous.

 The rest of the day was spent quite peacefully; I was still recovering from my long journey here. Then, during the night, the storm began. I have never known rain like this! Yet it made me feel super-cosy tucked up in bed.

 Monday dawned and the rain cleared up. I went to the lycée (school for 14-18 year olds) where I will be teaching with Virginie, who is the head of English there. She introduced me to some of the teachers and staff and everyone was really nice and welcoming.

 I then sat in on one of her classes. I really enjoyed it - the students are polite and friendly and should be a pleasure to teach.

 After the class I caught a bus into the centre of Perpignan. I got off at a park that had a set of fountains which looked exciting.

 It turned out to be one of the coolest sets of fountains I've seen. Manchester Picadilly eat your heart out! As well as the jets of water alternating to form a display, there is a pathway through it so you can stand with water all around you.

 I walked through the park and to my joy came out at the other end on the edge of the Perpignan old town.

 I walked on a bit and then saw a welcome sight: the castle, It is one of the main emblems of Perpignan and it was great to know that I had made it into the old town.

 I walked through the archway, which is known as the Notre Dame Door, and on the other side there were several cafés. I sat down at one and enjoyed their menu:

 I ordered salted cod.

 The cod itself was very nice but I what I especially liked was the frothy stuff around it - it had a fruity taste to it that was really nice.

 The waitor asked if I wanted a dessert. I had been planning on asking for the menu back to study the desserts but found myself saying, "crème catalane!" So that was what I got. I was always going to order this iconic Catalan dish at some point but I suppose my subconscious couldn't wait any longer!

  It looks like crème brulée, I know, but it doesn't taste much like it. To me it tastes much lighter and fruitier - it contains vanilla and coconut - and less sickly sweet. It was wonderful.

Two Catalan icons together!

 I then wandered a bit. The heat we had had at midday had subsided somewhat and it was very pleasant.

Ugh, the current plague of the UK has made it to France... (Yes, electronic cigarettes are marginally healthier (supposedly) than regular cigarettes but people think they can smoke them anywhere and it's annoying!)

 I saw a nice-looking building ahead so decided to visit. It turned out to be the cathedral.

 I really liked the cathedral. After leaving it I drifted back to the bus stop.

 So, that was my first two full days in Perpignan! We had another terrible storm last night, but during the day it cleared up and I went out but more on that another time, this post is long enough already!

 Hope you're all well,

 Liz x