http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/France/Auvergne/Vichy/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Europe , France , Auvergne , Vichy en-us Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:13:21 UTC Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:13:21 UTC So big news...okay not that big but important none the less. Yesterday afternoon I participated in my first official Rugby match and then my second and third as well. My team travelled all the way to Vichy to participate in a four team tournament...which we took third in. Yes we only won one of our three games...but it's not the end of the world. It was a good time and it was even more fun http://www.travelblog.org//Europe/France/Auvergne/Vichy/blog-335143.html Hi everyone I just writing update because it's been along time. Everything has been a bit busyand a little hectic with school starting exams already and travel planning I'm thinking Lyon Budapest etc.The weather is wonderful sunny and beautiful 15C everyday I have been eating French foods cheeses wines and pork pork pork Anyways I should have new photos and new adventures t http://www.travelblog.org//Europe/France/Auvergne/Vichy/blog-131769.html So this is a photo update I know there have been a lot but I have been occupied with these photos for a lllllllooooonnngggg time. I have dedicated upwards of 60 hours to trying to get these photos up and they are coming along.A few notes on the Morocco photos1 Photos are courtesy of me of course but also Ludo Kouider and Antoine from the trip.2 Some how the photos from Marrakech ended u http://www.travelblog.org//Europe/France/Auvergne/Vichy/blog-122839.html So I figured that it was about time to put some more pictures up here so here are some random pictures from the last three months.... http://www.travelblog.org//Europe/France/Auvergne/Vichy/blog-110309.html Music has been the fabric that binds my trip abroad in a beautiful mosaic. Anyone over here will tell you I can't function without my ipod and on a mild and rainy day in Vichy it provides the necessary colour to my life. I have been listening to the Counting Crows for the last couple days and I have been loving it. Thanks to Ludo I've also been listening to A LOT of house music which is great http://www.travelblog.org//Europe/France/Auvergne/Vichy/blog-108292.html I was listening to that song the other day while making up my Christmas cards. I haven't been writing here i know but I have been very busy. Last week I moved to my new apartment in Vieux Vichy. I had a successful fundraising event for a group called SIDAction AIDS awareness week. And as it is the end of term Ive had tons of school work group meetings etc. I also had some friendship issue http://www.travelblog.org//Europe/France/Auvergne/Vichy/blog-108027.html For those who have never taken one of the numerous trains in France or for that matter Western Europe the experience can be very difficult to explain but I have wanted to try for some time and here it goes. I have now taken the train from Vichy into Clermont Ferrandmany times and yet I still find myself captivated by the emeraldgreen rolling fields the dense dark forests and the dots of wh http://www.travelblog.org//Europe/France/Auvergne/Vichy/blog-108021.html So on Friday I made a sudden move. A cute little french studio with a large balcony in Vieux Vichy is now mine. Equiped with a court yard and a short walk through the Parc des Celestins it is perfect once I figure out how to cover the awful wall paper. http://www.travelblog.org//Europe/France/Auvergne/Vichy/blog-106484.html I felt it was about time I dug into Vichy's not so pleasant past. Most people outside France would not think of Vichy as Napoleon's second home nor would they no luch about it's magnificent spas and celestins. No Vichy has a darker reputation one which is never visible today in the town. In fact despite living in the shadow of the hotel de ville the center of these events Vichy France has le http://www.travelblog.org//Europe/France/Auvergne/Vichy/blog-104977.html Ok so for those who think a year abroad is all fun in games here's an update for youSince returning to Vichy I have done nothing but work Between group meetings for any of the four projects I have currently preparing my 20 minute French presentation student council meetings and my French test I haven't spent five minutes in peace My room has become a total mess I'm only in here to eat http://www.travelblog.org//Europe/France/Auvergne/Vichy/blog-101374.html Autumn swept unnoticed into Vichy silently creeping when I was busy preparing my trips and madly finishing my homework. Do the leaves change colour here I asked Ludo on day. What do you mean I mean well in Canada the leaves turn colour in autumn. First their tips turn a yellow and brown. Then the veins turn bright yellow and one day you look up and your are surrounded by a sea of red http://www.travelblog.org//Europe/France/Auvergne/Vichy/blog-96085.html More pictures of Dublin http://www.travelblog.org//Europe/France/Auvergne/Vichy/blog-94988.html These are old pictures from the first week in France. I finally got them from Ludo so here they are http://www.travelblog.org//Europe/France/Auvergne/Vichy/blog-94468.html I had to write this for the frenchies that check up on their little foreigner's blog....I must write that there are a few people here in France that have made this trip incredible and have already proved themselves to be the most fantastic type of friend...Joanna Ok well she's an expat too but she is my sister here and between the wine sessions and cafe breaks I couldn't do it without her. It http://www.travelblog.org//Europe/France/Auvergne/Vichy/blog-93040.html SO I just returned from a lovely if not typical Auvergne meal with my BDE Friends and while packing for a weekend trip to Dublin it hit me My fabulous exciting life had become dare I say it a touch boring. Scheduling flights taking pictures reading my travel books until my eyes turn red it was all of a sudden passe. Okay at this moment I know all of you are waiting for me to get back t http://www.travelblog.org//Europe/France/Auvergne/Vichy/blog-93039.html Here are more pictures. I know I'm adding a lot. Yesturday I went on a car ride through the French country side in Allier my department and had a lovely lunch. http://www.travelblog.org//Europe/France/Auvergne/Vichy/blog-92483.html Hi Guys Sorry I haven't been writing but Ive been getting settled and setting up necessary things like phone room etc. Ive got my Internet and phone set up so I can cross some things off the long to do list. Its hard to believe I've only been here for one week There are tons of events and activities and usually there is someone around. I was hanging out with the Mexicans and Spaniards las http://www.travelblog.org//Europe/France/Auvergne/Vichy/blog-92266.html Here are some additional photos expect the South of France pictures later this week. http://www.travelblog.org//Europe/France/Auvergne/Vichy/blog-92110.html Okay I just got this blog set up and I haven't figured it all out yet. Give me some time and it will be up and running properly.I'm staying in Vichy going to school at IBF Universite Blaise Pascal. I'm in the Allier region of Auvergne. So I just got back from Toulon and Marseille where I was spending the weekend with friends... highlights include great retro clubs fabulous beaches and... McDo http://www.travelblog.org//Europe/France/Auvergne/Vichy/blog-91082.html