One Loo, Toulouse!

Well it hasn't been THAT long really, and I've given you people video diaries, but I don't want to be a failure and start a blog and not keep it up! Alors...
I would just like to take a moment to reemphasise something which I have noticed about France: FOOD. I most definitely didn't give it the attention it deserved last post. Food is amazing, and it is everywhere! Jaimee would love the way these people cook! (Woo you like how well I slipped in your shout-out?) French people know how to eat! And WHAT to eat! I eat so much cheese here, oh how J'adore le fromage! Goats cheese, blue cheese, soft cheese, hard cheese, stinky cheese, brie, camembert, the only cheese they DON'T have is block cheese like back home (which isn't exactly heartbreaking...).
Anyway, back to food in general. The majority of people at school eat lunch at the cantine, but the cantine here bears absolutely NO resemblance to that of ol' KKC. Here, you can go to lunch anytime between 11:30-1:30 (dependant on your timetable). You have a swipey card which is pre-loaded with money, and you swipe it to get through the doors to the cantine. You then grab your tray, small glass, knife, fork and spoon. There are two counters to choose from (with the same food) or the stand in the middle which does the fries. You go along and get your entree (salad, pasta or fruit), then your vegetables, some sort of grain (rice cous cous etc) and your meat. Then there is a dessert, a cheese, a pot of youghurt, a piece of fruit AND a bread roll. I'm full just thinking about it! If the enormous lunch still leaves your tummy grumbling, you can always go to the "Maison Du Lyceen". This building is a sort of common room for students with free periods to come and study or just chill out. There are chairs, tables, a few computers and, most importantly, another cantine! This one serves sandwiches, toasties, croissants, pains aux chocolats, paninis, cookies, brownies, donuts, drinks and CHOCOLATE PANINIS. These things are freaking amazing. The bread isn't hard like a normal panini, it's all soft and nice. It's full of chocolate in the middle, and then when you buy it they grill it for you. So it's all soft and warm and melty and perfect! I really have to hold back on this one!

Anyhoo, that should probably be enough said for now eh! I've also done some stuff besides eating, such as going into town with friends when there are free periods. Town is great! The weather here is still reminiscent of Kiwi summer even though it's Autumn, although the mornings are a bit chilly. It's all frenchy, with cool buildings by the river, old museums and a cathedral (haven't got pictures of that yet) Here are some pictures from the other day:

 The bus stop at school

 Riverside stuff!

Speaking of town, the other Wednesday (school finishing at Midday) I went for a good as bike ride from Burlats to Castres (the outskirts) which is about 10km each way. It was real nice, warm but not murderously so, and exercise cannot be complained about! After that I cooled off by having a dip in the river. As you can probably tell, life is going pretty cruisily, I have no complaints! The other day at school I had a timetable gap of six hours! If a teacher isn't there, you just don't go to class. (Also, today there were strikes so I just didn't go to school, and tomorrow the Maths prof is absent so I'll only have one hour of lessons!) Every Friday we finish at 2pm, which I can't complain about! Additionally every friday we have two hours of sport, but I actually enjoy it! It's basketball and all the french girls are short so I get an advantage, it's awesome! Last Friday was doubly awesome cause I went to the rugby with a family friend, Jessica, she's awesome. It was the local team Castres Olympique, who won, and I loved it! (Though maybe I should be a bit ashamed that the first match I go to is in France, when I'm a Kiwi?) Watching the match geared me up for the next morning, yes people, the Big Game, especially for me: France vs NZ! The villagers had be hustling me up about it the whole week, but, no surprise, The ABs delivered in style! I got to watch the first part, but I was going to Toulouse for the weekend for a meet-up with AFS people. I did listen to the second half on the bus, though I didn't really understand too much.
Toulouse was pretty good, we were staying in a rustic little equestrian centre, although we didn't ride the horses! It was cool to meet up and see how everyone was going, and get to know our lovely volunteers! Oh and the food was fabulous! Thanks guys! (It always comes back to food with me, doesn't it?) We learnt Hakuna Matata in several languages (jealous, Fliss?) and generally had a nice time! Didn't see much of Toulouse but there is always time! I took the train back from Toulouse (awesome building, the station!) and that was way better than the bus.

Monday was pretty chilled day, and today (due to aforementioned strikes!) I had lots of free time. I went for a BIG walk along the river, conversed (and held a proper conversation) with some nice french ladies who were puffed like me (turns out the river path starts climbing the mountain!), ate a croissant and tried on French clothes! I have a friend in the village whose sister doesn't want any of her numerous pairs of (italian) heels, and heaps of beautiful clothes... I. Flippin'. Love. France!

Any questions? Big Love to all!
J
xxx