Would you just look at it!

I saw the sun for the first time in days today, maybe even weeks! It was luxurious. It was not too chilly either. I decided to walk into town after I met with Marin. Oh yeah, Marin is the name of the boy that I am helping with his English, finally found out his name.

Every year Compiègne has a marché de Noel. I saw it being set up last week, but its in full swing now. It is set up in the center of town, in front of l'hôtel de ville, otherwise known as the city hall. There are a few stands selling some Christmas ornaments, fruitcakes, of course, and some other little Christmasy goods. There was also a vendor selling bretzels, hot mulled wine, crêpes, and even churros. They are very multicultural. Hot mulled wine may be the best invention ever! It is so warming and delicious. A perfect drink for a day with a little nip in the air. 

Slowly by slowly more and more stores are putting up decorations. I am so excited. I love the Christmas spirit! There are real Christmas trees and everything lining the streets to the center of town. The ones at the marché are sprayed with fake snow haha. I can't wait to go back at night and see everything lit up.

London Adventures

Friday

Arrive in London and meet Shelby at the bus stop. Get lost getting back to her house. Meet her roommates and her roommate, Kellie’s friends that were also visiting from Spain, Germany, and Ireland. We were a pretty multicultural house! Went to O’Neill’s a bar/club with a rock band and we were “front row.” It was awesome because they played some pretty good songs and we danced all night.

Saturday

Toured the Tower of London, bought roasted peanuts from a street vendor under the bridge, walked across Tower Bridge, lunch at a bagel shop, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, witnessed a Veteran's parade, walked through St. James’s Park and fed some ducks, Buckingham Palace, fireworks at the London Bridge, Covent Gardens, dinner at some random restaurant and gelato to follow, finally home. Watched the Syracuse basketball game (all the kids including Shelby go to Syracuse) and Signs and went to bed.

From the Tower of London

Tower Bridge

Parade

Just hanging out with Big Ben

Which way next?

What's up?

"thank you for being here"
In front of Buckingham Palace where the Queen lives

Sunday

Abbey Road to take a picture, of course, Notting Hill, back to Covent Gardens to get some hot chocolate and really good cookies and to listen to some guy playing music in the center, walked through Piccadilly Square and Oxford Circus then continued down Regent Street where we did some window shopping and saw all the Christmas lights until reaching Marble Arch, and back home!

Woohoo Abbey Road

Covent Garden dressed for Christmas

Monday

Get up at 4:30am to catch the bus to bring me to the airport. Get a chai, cinnamon bun, and Cosmo before heading to security where I find out my flight is booked for the next day. Yup, I went to the airport a day early! So I went to the desk to find out how much it would be to change my flight. The guy said 83 pounds so I said see you tomorrow. Clearly London did want me to leave, and neither did I! I went to the desk to buy a ticket and the lady behind the counter wasn’t waiting on me so I asked her if I could buy a ticket and she said “yes when I open.” I asked when that would be and she said at 7. It was 6:57, really, she couldn’t just give me the ticket then.  After I bought the ticket, I walked out to the bus stop and as I was walking there, the bus pulled away and I had to wait another half hour before the next one. Thank you lady behind the desk. I finally got back to Shelby’s around 9. I hung out with her roommates while she was at class and then later that night we went to Primark, a huge department store, and cheap too.

Tuesday

Get up at 4:30 and repeat the same process as I did the day before. I wanted to make sure I knew what to do, that’s why I made the trial run yesterday. This time I finally made it back to Compiègne. I was walking back from the train station when I realized that I left my wallet on the train. My wallet that had my passport, credit cards, license, basically, every single piece of identification I own. I ran back to the train station and told the teller. She had me fill out a lost item report and said if it turns up we will call you. I was freaking out and assuming I had lost it forever. I walked outside to wait for the bus and called my mom crying when the teller came up to me and said that someone had found it and that she had it. So I went back inside and got my wallet back, fully intact. I want to thank whoever found it and turned it in. I headed back out to the buses clutching my wallet. I then boarded the bus only to realize I had taken it going in the wrong direction so I took a nice detour of the Compiègne Industrial Park before arriving back at the train station, 20 or so minutes later. I finally got on the right bus and got back to my room around 3. After a long day, I came home and made some homemade chicken soup and showered and headed to bed.

Phrase of the trip

“them crumblies” – Leigh, from Ireland

Besides the whole wallet fiasco and you know going to the airport a day early, it was the best trip I have taken so far. I met so many people who are also studying abroad and it was awesome to hear their stories and to talk about places that we have all visited. Thank Shelby for a great "extended" weekend!!

A Big Day for a Little Girl

Today, I met with a 14 year old boy to practice his English. His mom had contacted the school and they recommended me so I called the mother on the phone and we made arrangements to meet this morning. Now that I have talked on the phone, I can do anything! Turns out I even know my phone number in French because she called me back. Once I got the phone call, I was like sweet I didn't mess it up! Point Nicole. I had to walk there seeing as I don't have any other mode of transportation and it only took about 20 minutes. It was a part of the town that I have not ventured to yet. I wrote down the directions and headed out. At one point, the street changed name and I didn't know that so I stopped and asked a lady walking if I was going in the right direction, and I was! They live in a house on the outskirts of town, but it was a very nice walk there. The first meeting was a little awkward because we didn't know each other, but I think next week will be better. If anyone has any suggestions as to what we should talk about, I would love to know. I am not entirely sure what his name is because I cannot pronounce it, oopsies! I am sure I will learn it in time. We are going to meet every Wednesday for an hour and I am even getting paid. 


After my meeting with the boy, I headed to lunch with my friends. I was super hungry and what was for lunch, potatoes. Legit, a plate of potatoes. Well to be fair, it was potatoes au gratin, but still that's usually a side, not the main dish. It was still good nonetheless. I had a little time before my next big outing, so I headed into town and did some window shopping which then turned into me buying a new pair of black boots. I have been looking for flat black boots for quite some time now and I have finally found a pair. Of course when you are not looking for something, you find it! Either way, I have them now and they are super cute!


Now on to my next big adventure - getting my hair cut! I am officially a Frenchie. I was really nervous because I had to call and make an appointment, but after talking with the mother on the phone, I had a little more confidence. I decided to call, but of course, it was Monday and nothing in France is opened, so I had to call back yesterday. I understood everything the lady asked and was able to answer all of her questions. I am going to be a pro at talking on the phone in French! Luckily, the hair dresser had an opening for this afternoon so I took it. I accidentally walked past the place the first time so I had to turn around once I realized. And whats better than to turn around in front of a bus stop of waiting people. Oh well! When I walked in there was only one hairdresser so I told her my name and she told me to sit down after she took my jacket and bag and hung it up for me. I thought it was odd. After she washed my hair, which was basically a head massage, she asked me how much I wanted to cut off and I was a little unsure. Turns out she cut about 6 inches off the back! I think this is the shortest I have had my hair since I was in third grade! Also, I didn't cry when I got it cut and I didn't even try to put it into a ponytail as soon as it was done. This is a huge step for me!

I am so excited that I finally got it cut and I love it too! I mean I probably won't be able to ever get it to curl under like the hair dresser did, but I will manage.

Bathroom Luck

Not many people can say that they have been stuck in the bathroom. As of yesterday, I have joined the select few in this group. Yes, you all heard correctly. Not exactly sure how it happened, but I went to brush my teeth and next thing I know, the door is stuck. Turns out in the two minutes I was in the bathroom, the latch of the door decided to break and cause the door to jam. Luckily my roommate was home at the time. With the use of two credit cards, a knife, pure force, and 20 minutes later, I finally was free. I was pretty sure that that was the end, but it wasn't! I was a little hesitant to use the bathroom at first, but I quickly got over that.