To Do List (Repost)

Deleted Post on Monday, June 18, 2012 (oops)

Checking My List

Since returning to Bordeaux from traveling a little, pretty much all my friends are gone. My french friends all work during the day so I have been trying to find ways to occupy myself. So I wrote myself a to do list of everything I wanted to do this year that I never did.

The List:

• Musée d'Aquitaine second story
• Parc Bordelais
• CAPC 
• Little Train for tourists
• Musée Des Arts Decoratifs
• 33 Store 
• Quai des Marques (for the Lindt Chocolate store)
• See a Concert
• Visit Some Place New
• Quick Fast Food

Musée d'Aquitaine 

The last time I visited this museum I was too tired to see the second story. In fact the second story is better than the entrance floor because there are tons of things about the 18th/19th century Bordeaux when it was a rich city profiting from it's port.

more photos here

33 Store

This clothing store is named after the region of Bordeaux. It's like buying a NorCal brand shirt for us Northern Californians. However, it was way too expensive.

See A Concert



I went to see Death Cab For Cutie with my friends. Though the band is extremely famous in the United States, it is not here. We got there half an hour before the show and we were the first people there. We decided to have a few beers before the show. I thought it would be a good idea to try 12.5% beer even though my frenchies strongly suggested otherwise. It was so gross! However, I am not one to waste alcohol so I tipsily walked into the concert of with maybe a crowd of 50 people tops. We were front row and cheering on the opening act who was so pleased to be there.

When Death Cab came on we were the only people in the audience cheering. The crowd was dull and some people even had their arms crossed and looked bored. The band performed just as I had imagined they would, but with no enthusiasm. They didn't even interact with the crowd, however maybe this was due to the language barrier.. Although I doubt it. When I called out for them to play a song from the lead singer's old band, the Postal Service, he told me "Why don't you shut the fuck up."

I was astonished that he took my request so badly because me and my friends were literally the only people in the audience even remotely interested. It's really a let down though, because now every time I listen to Death Cab, it's not the same.

Visit Some Place New

Sunday I took a short day trip to a beach called Carcans with my friends Frenchies Randy, Chris, Alex, and Jo and my Canadian Lindsey. It was nice to see her since I have been hanging out with Jo and his guy friends all week. (I miss my girlfriends!)

Although it was hot out, the water was freezing! I went in for a few minutes tops because I was an icicle.

Quick Fast Food

This morning I woke up early and went to the grocery store and Quick. Quick is like France's version of Burger King. For 4.80 Euro I got a breakfast bagel sandwich, a chocolate croissant, coffee, orange juice, fruit and a fun sized candy bar. Unfortunately, it all kind of sucked. I would take Mickey D's breakfast over Quick's any day.

Ready to go Home

I am all packed and ready!!

Things I am looking forward to:

• Pierre
• Family & Friends
• Californian Summer
• Getting back to real life
• Finishing school soon (hopefully!)
• Mexican Food
• Sushi
• American Food
• Chinese Food
• Food in general...

Things I will Miss

• Crazy Nights like these:

and fun adventures with my favorite people..

• Discovering new things every day
• Learning a new language
• Living in a different culture
• Europe's amazing public transportation

I am going to miss everything and everyone so so much... I wish I could take them all with me

I have a feeling I'm going to come home like this:

But those feelings just mean that I did this year right :)

Good Year People, Good Year

Bye bye Bordeaux... Again

So, I missed my flight, and now I am passing the time..

finishing my list and doing other stuff.

The List:

• Musée d'Aquitaine second story
• Picard
• Parc Bordelais
• CAPC 
• Little Train for tourists
• Musée Des Arts Decoratifs
• 33 Store 
• Quai des Marques (for the Lindt Chocolate store)
• See a Concert
• Visit Some Place New
• Quick Fast Food

Little Train for Tourists

My friend Lindsey and I took this little train for tourists around the city. It was an hour and I brought my lunch so it was mildly entertaining. It was a goodbye to the city.

La fête de la Musique

The night before my flight was the music festival that occurs throughout France. It's the one night per year that there is no noise ordinance and people are playing music in the streets, bars have little stands outside, and the streets are full of people. It was really cool. I didn't stay out long though, thinking I needed to make my flight on time :(

Mirroir d'Eau

Alex and I were walking around the city and we decided to take advantage of the Mirroir d'Eau. It is a large square puddle that cycles water and reflects the Place de la Bourse just across the street. 

Repacking

I've been living out of my suitcase for the past couple days and it has been a pain, but I think I am nearly done repacking. I can't wait to go home!!

That One Time I Missed My Flight...

Yeah, you read that right.

I can't believe it happened but it did. I was ready, so ready in fact that I cleaned and vacuumed this morning before leaving. I arrived at the airport only to find that I was far too late and it was the only flight out that day to my destination. I honestly still can't believe that I missed it. I wasn't even running, or speeding down the streets, or there wasn't an accident - I am just stupid.

I was just like

and

Then I tried to get myself together and catch a different flight. After I spoke with Iberian Air, they informed me that there were no flights today or tomorrow. After waiting on the phone to speak with someone from some unknown agency, I came to the conclusion that no flying was happening anytime soon.

Thank God, Joana was with me. I was crying that my mom was going to kill me for missing my flight and that I didn't have money to buy another. She was so sweet to me. She told me we can figure something out and if I have to wait for a cheaper ticket I can stay with her for free.

I felt a little at ease in the car ride back to Bordeaux, but I looked up prices only to find the same one-way flight for $3,000 this week. The panic set it. Not only do I have to tell my parents I missed my flight, but I also have to tell them I need a new 3k ticket. Today, my friends, was not my day.

I waiting so many agonizing hours until the travel agency opened. It was only then I would be able to find a solution. I called mummy and she was so sympathetic and kind about the whole situation. That made me feel better.

My friend Alex dragged me out of the house. He told me I couldn't just lay around and be depressed. We went to a café at Gambetta and after we went to the Basilica of Saint-Seurin and its crypt 

The crypt dates back to the 4th century while the church dates back to the 6th century. It is an UNESCO world heritage site.

I returned home to finally call the agency. Let me tell you, those people at STA student travel are the business. After calling back and forth and looking through all the possibilities home chick hooked it up. The fee was less than 200 bucks, which is a steal considering I thought I had to pay $3,000 I am still waiting for the final paperwork as I type this, but I think I come home Wednesday, if all goes as planned. The travel agent told me to be there 3 hours in advance.

I was like

Counting Down

Tomorrow is my last real day in Bordeaux. I leave Friday bright and early for a day of hell travel. I have been crossing off as much as I can on my to do list. It's crazy I have lived here for so long and there are so many things I had never done.

The List:

• Musée d'Aquitaine second story
• Picard
• Parc Bordelais
• Little Train for tourists
• Musée Des Arts Decoratifs
• 33 Store 
• Quai des Marques (for the Lindt Chocolate store)
• See a Concert
• Visit Some Place New
• Quick Fast Food

Tour Pey Berland

After a failed attempt to visit the Musée des Arts Decoratifs (it's closed tuesdays) my buddy Randy and I visited the Pey Berland Tower it's a UNESCO world heritage site built in 1440 with 229 steps. I had been to the top once before but this was just as exciting. Or maybe it's just that your adrenaline is pumping from climbing in circles and by the time you reach the top you're about the either pass out or tumble down the never-ending staircase..

We grabbed lunch on one of my favorite streets in Bordeaux. It's lined with little boutiques and cafés and cars aren't allowed so it's relatively quiet.

My first Croque Monsieur! Gavé bon (hella good)

Picard

On the way home from Yves Rocher I stopped by Picard. It's this store that sells high end frozen foods.  I picked up these bad boys:

Parc Bordelais

I live 10 minutes walking from this park. It's huge with animals, a lake, endless grass, different running paths, a café and a playground. This, unfortunately, was my first time. My friend Alex was kind enough to show me around since he lives just next to the park.

Musée Des Arts Decoratifs

Randy and I returned for a successful trip at the Musée des Arts Decoratifs. There are tons of antiques from the 18th century bordelais bourgeoise families and art from famous Bordeaux artists.

Quai des Marques

This is an outdoor mall that runs along the river. There are restaurants and outlet stores. My specific intention was to buy a couple things from the lindt store. I unfortunately got carried away as always, but is there ever such thing as too much chocolate?

So I only have to finish packing and hopefully I will be taking the mini tourist train tomorrow. I can't believe how quickly this year flew by :( Until next time :')

(I'm not going to cry.. I am not going to cry.. no tears. no tears!)

More photos here and here :)