So after all that, last week I said goodbye to Angers. I am so grateful for this experience and will miss everyone who I met. No need to drag it out, just wanted to officially end this blog post!
Author Archives: rhysgriff92
It’s the Final Countdown
Hey everyone, sorry for the massive gap since I last posted. Wedding preparations, travelling, YARP, a recent subscription to Netflix and the general speed of life have sucked away so much of my time. This is why I’ve not posted in such a long time. So I thought it was time to give you guys a quick update. During the holidays I travelled to Morocco and Budapest so I thought I’d give you a quick summary:
Morocco:
The 3rd of March saw me fly to Africa for the first time. This was a very different experience for a holiday. Leaving the Western world meant that when walking through the streets, we stood out massively and it took a little while to get used to. Also, Morocco and France seem to have a wonderful relationship and this satisfied my passion for French culture. Seeing the mix of French and Arabic was fascinating, and also impressive. Although Morocco gained independence from France in 1956, they are still very thankful to the French for all the help they gave them in building roads, hospitals and schools. So much so that it truly is a bilingual country with Arabic and French both being official languages. What also struck me was the poverty that was visible when leaving the cities. Some villages have no electricity or water and so wash their clothes in the nearest river or stream. This made me think that I should stop moaning when I take a short trek around the corner to the Laundrette, press one button and collect my clean clothes an hour later. On the other hand, Morocco had stunning scenery and some cities were extremely rich. We started in Marrakech, took a train to Casablanca and finally Fez so we did manage to see quite a bit of the country. Not forgetting riding a camel through the desert and camping for a night there. If I were to be asked “Would I go there again?” I would definitely say yes!
Mint tea
Minaret Marrakech
Camel
Budapest:
Then our group split into two, and me and Jenna spent a few days in Hungary’s capital: Budapest. This was a very pretty city, with the idyllic river running through the centre with many bridges spanning it. Before going, I knew nothing about Hungary’s history, and after leaving I feel as though I now know quite a lot. A communist country until 1989, Hungary was unfortunately positioned geographically. So near to Germany and Russia, this meant that it was quickly invaded by the Nazi forces during WW2, and after the Fall of the Nazis, the Soviets entered and declared Hungary a communist country under the rule of the Soviets. As a result, Hungary is a fairly young country and Hungarians seem to be very patriotic. This was extremely visible on the day we left, March 15th which was coincidently, Hungarian Independence Day. The sheer amount of people who filled the streets wearing pins of the national colours demonstrated that this was something that every Hungarian was a part of, rich or poor. My general opinions of Budapest are that it was a very lively, and fun city with brilliant architecture that you really have to visit before you die.
The Chain Bridge
Coffee and Cake! 🙂
In the West of France, back in Angers I’m generally plodding on through the final weeks as I leave 3 weeks on Saturday to attend my dad’s wedding as best man. Writing the speech is a much more difficult task that anticipated but I’m sure I’ll get there. As with anything, there’s always those random moments of inspiration that come to you at 4am when you struggle sleeping! Until next time, Rhys
Is spring on its way?
Lyon
Salut and welcome to yet another weekend. Since it’s been a while since I last put pen to paper (in the digital sense), I thought I’d update you on my latest shenanigans. Last weekend I travelled cross country to one of France’s biggest cities: Lyon. The first thing I noticed was that how different it was to Angers. As it’s so near the Italian border, Lyon was not impervious to Italian influence. With a Mediterranean look on the architecture, I really felt as though I had crossed borders. Once again, this implicates the colossal size of France. However, the sheer size of France demonstrates how much of it I am yet to explore. Maybe my bucket list will be to visit every department in France? Anyway, despite my cold (thanks kids!) this didn’t mar my short stay there. I explored the city well, especially the transport lines, sampled some amazing local cuisine and caught up with people from my home university. Although the ‘big city’ feel was something of which I was envious, I’m so happy to have become an angevin and I know that I will talk about Angers with such fondness for the rest of my life.
Speaking of visits, it won’t be long until I have a visit Ollie, another friend from my university course. He’s working in Lille so I’m sure he’ll be happy to travel away from the rain for a weekend. Then as he leaves, I’ll be heading for Paris to catch a plane to Morocco. But, La vie n’est pas toujours belle ! Another deadline for my YARP is looming so I feel as though my social life will decline (je rêve!) as I attempt to smash through another essay.
But it’s not all doom and gloom, in a few hours I’ll be watching Wales play Ireland in a local bar. I’ll probably be the only Welsh person there so I’m sure I’ll be sticking out like a sore thumb in red, but who gives a f*c*. Welsh pride is a strong emotion.
Lastly, I think we may be slowly moving into spring. It’s been a touch warmer recently, daffodils are getting taller and taller and I even saw blossom appearing on a tree in the city centre the other day?
On that note, let the best team win and I shall write soon. Take care folks!
Spring!
Crazy night walks in Angers!
Il est où, Rhys ? Where’s Rhys ?
Hi guys, apologies for the delay in posting but I’ve been tremendously busy since my return to Angers at the start of the month. However, I regret that this may be common theme. I’ve quickly realised that my time in France is up at the end of April, and realistically, it is not long at all. Therefore, I felt it’s important to neglect my blogging to create more time for my project for university, lesson preparations and travelling.
On the travelling note, this weekend sees me heading further south to Lyon. I’ll be spending time visiting one of my friends from University who is studying there. But more exotic, tickets to fly to Morocco during the spring holidays have been booked! This is something I’m really excited about and it will hopefully be an unforgettable experience.
On the work side, everything is going well but on Thursday I’m being observed teaching. As much as the other assistants assure me that it’s nothing to worry about, I can’t help but help feel a pang of trepidation.
Unfortunately, it’s been raining a lot in Angers recently. So much so, that La Maine has once again burst its banks. However, on my regular walks around the city, I have found several sights that spring is on its way: daffodils have been pushing through the cold, frosty January ground and a lot of other plants have been showing signs of life by sprouting green leaves!
A wet Angers.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this post. I’ll try and post to you when I next find some free time!
Bonne reprise ! Welcome back!
My return to Angers was met with an effusive welcome from the French people who wished me a Bonne année a million times in the first day. So, Bonne année à vous and here’s my first post of 2014. As always, the Christmas holidays disappeared like butter under the sun. However, even though I was home for just shy of 2 weeks, I spent the time catching up with my family and friends whom I hadn’t seen in 3 months. Christmas was really fun this year though, as you can see in the pictures below.
Now I’m close to half way through my assistantship, I’m determined to explore more of France. I’ve immediately kept this promise with a train ticket to Lyon to stay with a friend in February booked. March will bring the Spring holidays, during which I hope to visit Morocco and Budapest. So there’s some solid plans to really make the most of my time here.
My journey here was pretty good thankfully. I’ve spent my first week back catching up with people and this evening we’re off to watch The Wolf of Wall street in English with French subtitles-so that’ll be a unique experience. This weekend, it looks like we’ll have a proper catch up with everyone back to celebrate in style.
Anyway, this was a short and sweet post as there’s not too much to write about at the moment but will post an update soon.
21 ans déjà…. c’est pas vrai ?
Birthday meal!
Can you believe it? 21 years old already, now my old-man personality can be more easily justified. At first I was saddened when I was faced with the prospect of celebrating my 21st birthday out of Britain for the first time in my life. However, it was a wonderful experience as the fellow assistants here ensured that I had a good time, and the kids in the school also ensured this too, with lots of my classes singing ‘Joyeux Anniversaire’ to me, and one student even gave me a little gift. Indeed, I was a little down to be away from my family and friends at home, but I will soon be seeing them all to make up for it. Thanks goes out to my family and friends who absolutely dominated my kitchen with Birthday cards! The evening was spent with a quiet Indian meal in ‘Le Punjab’, followed by meeting up with other people in the bar to celebrate my birthday in style. After we’d been to the bar for a little while, a little cronut was brought out, a candle lit and a round of happy birthday sang to me! Thanks again guys 🙂 J’en garderai toujours des très bons souvenirs.
Christmas party
On Saturday, my Friend from University came to visit me and accompanied me to the Christmas party at the girls’ apartment on Ralliement. This was a fantastic night with nearly every assistant in Angers present! Another birthday cake was brought out, candles lit and ‘Happy birthday’ sung by like 30 people followed by hip hip horray! (A moment that I will cherish forever)
After all that, Sunday was a far more chilled day with me showing my friend Angers, catching up with people for a cup of coffee and a cronut, riding the Ferris Wheel and satisfying my inner child by watching Finding Nemo.
Sadly, today marks my last week in Angers before Christmas, so as I will not be posting until after Christmas, I wish you all a very happy Chrsitmas, and a healthy new year.
Our regular coffee shop!
Christmas and Visitors
Angers Assistants 2013-14
Well last Saturday, Angers was illuminated with the official switching on of the lights that have draped the city for the whole of November, gently teasing me. I’d been waiting so long to see them on, and my curiosity at the switch on was at its height. Unfortunately, there was no countdown, no celebrity pushing a plunger, after which the lights are on and fireworks are launched. It was simple; at 18h30 sharp they were just turned on automatically. Thankfully, that probably would have driven me insane. Those who know me, will appreciate that I am by no means a patient man; if there was a build up with Christmas songs and attempts to make the crowds cheer ‘Allumez’ for a good fifteen minutes before they were turned on, I’d have surely been unimpressed! Anyway, I shared with the moments with the amazing assistants of Angers, wandered around the market and we bought a few cups of incredibly cheap mulled wine around which we just chatted the evening away.
Our bowling team
On Sunday, my dad and his partner met me at Angers-St-Laud station at 20h30. Today they leave, and it’ll be sad to see them go, but at least it’s only two weeks this weekend until I return to le Pays-de-galles. During their time here, we’ve had some good walks, enjoyed some good wine, and some good beer in the wonderful bars here and evening played two rounds of bowling, the first of which I won, and at the end the overall total of which I won; can you believe it-Griffo won a sports game?
Also, I’ve only had a two day week this with as today has now become a day of thanks to a strike. So I’m going to make the most of this by getting up and publishing this, planning some lessons, and going shopping with an assistant and heading to the pub with two of the assistants for a good catch-up.
Au revoir to you all and speak soon.
Rhys, Rennes and Christmas
Bonsoir tout le monde. Sorry that I’ve not published in close to two weeks. I’ve been incredibly busy preparing lessons, travelling and writing my abstract for uni.
Recently, I’ve been feeling glum thanks to this freezing weather, unruly children, ending my travels and general pangs of homesickness. However, with Angers becoming more and more decorated for Christmas, it has helped kick this despondency away. My dad and partner arrive Sunday evening so I’m looking forward to spending sometime with them; showing them Angers and seeing them in the flesh. They’re bringing out a mini care-package of Bisto and Porridge oats for me as they’re hard to come by in France and I miss gravy!
Jardin du Thabo – Rennes
So now to talk about travelling. This weekend, I went to Brittany (the region north of me) to visit a friend from uni. I really enjoyed Rennes and would advise anyone living close by to check it out. I’ve now visited many French cities and it is imperative that you travel as much as possible during your year abroad because time goes quickly, and this is one of the few times in your life where you earn a lot of money whilst having e a considerable amount of free time. During my time in Brittany, I stayed with my friend in a small town in the countryside. It was a beautiful town where everyone knew everyone and it was a change from city life.
As I said earlier, Angers is becoming more and more Christmasy. The preparations for the market are almost finished, the lights have all been connected, and a Merry-go-round and a Ferris wheel have been erected ready. Sunday, December 1st 2013 is the magic day: the lights will illuminate, the market will open and the mulled wine will be bubbling away, filling the city with the heavenly scent of cinnamon, cloves and other awesome spices; I love winter!
Christmas tree, Angers
Well, I’m up early in the morning so I’d better get myself to bed. Thanks for reading, and keep warm!
Vivre à Angers – Living in Angers
Last week, I told you that I’d ran out of new ideas to write about. However, I’ve suddenly had a brain wave! I thought it would be a good idea to write about things that are important regarding life in Angers.
1: Get a carte atout: This is a sign that you’re a true ‘Angevin’. This, when loaded with money will act as you’re bus pass, tram pass and serve as your library card.
Castle.
2: Go to the castle: Entry is free if you’re under 25 and part of the EU or a resident in France. Angers is proud of its castle and its an excellent historical monument that dates from the time of ‘Roi René’.
3: Sign up to the Anglophone library: If you’re a language assistant this tip is like gold dust for you. It contains lots of loanable items that can save time preparing lessons thanks to piles of free sheets that can be photocopied. Again, if you’re an ELA, membership is free.
4: Wake early on a Saturday to exploit the market: Get your arse out of bed to the farmer’s market every Sat morning near Jardin du mail. Veg is sold there cheaply and is excellent in terms of quality. It’ll save you bags of money that you’d throw down the drain at Monoprix.
Place du Ralliement
5: Be careful about the bars on Ralliement: Expensive and busy, these bars are so inviting but when you can just go around the corner to ‘less central’ bars and buy a pint for a fraction of the cost it makes you really glad you went a little bit further to avoid the money grabbers.
6: Exploit the local parks: If you love walking as much as I do there are wonderful walks along the Maine near the cathedral and the castle. Also, Jardin du mail and Jardin des Plantes are great to see if you want to spend a relaxing afternoon close to nature. Further out, there’s Parc Balzac and l’Etang Saint-Nicholas near my schools in Belle-beille.
7: Joe’s Coffe Cups and Le Comptoire des Livres – These are my (and a couple of other assistants’) favourite coffee shops in Angers . La Tablée – My favourite Crêperie in Angers too 🙂
The final point is to just get out there and explore the area. Have fun, and make sure you absolutely overdo everything. If you’ve any questions about Angers, just ask!
Le 11 Novembre
Tomorrow’s a Public Bank Holiday in France in remembrance to the armistice that was signed on the 11th November 1918, marking the official close to the First World War. The balcony of the town hall has draped the French flag over it, and erected more French flags than normal to emphasis the patrimony this emotional event brings.
Angers Town Hall
English: Bottle of Cointreau. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Yesterday, we visited the Cointreau factory, for which Angers is globally famous. It has to be said, the process of making Cointreau, in addition to the long history of this once family owned business until 2011, was fascinating. We also spoke of how the company’s had to adapt itself with the passing of La loi évin, which enforces rules regulating the publicity of alcohol in France. Despite all these barriers, Cointreau has successful adapted itself to the modern day and is still as popular as ever.
I’ve been here close to two months now so I’m finding it a bit difficult to update this blog as regularly. From now on, it will probably be on the subject of my remarks about the Cultural aspects of France and some of the events I’ve participated in. My time is starting to disappear like butter in the sun with early starts and late finishes, lessons to prepare, shopping for the week, projects to write for University. This is a good, however as I enjoy keeping busy. The idiom ‘The devil finds work for idle hands’ is one of my favourites, and I firmly believe that keeping busy is very important in avoiding depression or just feeling in a slump, plus it’s also beneficial to keep the brain stimulated.
Finally, I’m off to Rennes in two weeks to stay with a friend which I’m really looking forward to. And, in 3 weeks, my dad and soon to be step-mam are coming to spend a few days with me so I’m excited about that too – especially as it’ll be close to Chirstmas and we can balader along the Christmas stalls and markets under the big baubles and bright, sparkling lights that twinkle over Angers.
Valleys boy hits France 