I have now being away for four months and time is flying! The strike has finally lost momentum and classes have recommenced with a vengeance. I had six hours of make-up lessons for my Middle Eastern Geopolitics class on Friday finishing at 8:30pm! Needless to say, six hours of being bombarded with statistics, maps and information on petrol and water conflicts in a foreign language left me more than confused. I nervously asked the pretty girl next to me to send me her lecture notes only to discover she already had the names and email addresses of 10 other foreign students seeking the same thing…apparently I wasn’t the only lost sheep.

Jess and I are now the proud owners of a fridge; a worthwhile purchase I feel given that spring has truly arrived, bringing with it highs of nineteen degrees (my former practice of suspending milk, cheese and other perishables out the window is no longer an option). Spring is truly beautiful here: cherry blossoms, pansies and chic terrace-dining locals are a plenty. We’ve also been having picnics in the Parc de Tête d’Or which is a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon and given that it doesn’t get dark until 8:30/9pm, the fun continues well into the night.  I spent a weekend, a few weeks ago, in the little cherry-producing town of Bessenay with the family of my French friend, Marie where I was spoilt with escargots, firm goat’s cheese, quiche Lorraine and whipped chocolate! Marie’s family were so welcoming and it was beautiful to see the flowers in bloom.

Prior to staying with Marie, I took a trip to Paris with a group of friends who are also on exchange at Lyon II. We left Thursday afternoon, after turning up to our Médiation Culturelle class to find that it was cancelled owing to the strike, on the only train destined for Paris that afternoon due to….you guessed it, a strike. The trip began with me being abused by a man wanting to take my seat and me politely but firmly explaining that it was not my fault that French people love striking as much as they love baguettes leaving you, Monsieur, without a seat. I told him that I would not be moving anytime soon before complaining to the lady next to me: “the nerve of some people”. I have learned that the best way to conduct small talk here is by complaining – “it’s so cold today”, “the bus is late yet again”, “I’ve being waiting for the metro for more than two minutes now” etc.

We checked into the hostel before meeting up with my friend Steph and a friend from Brisbane, Tom, for a drink at a bar in Montmartre before heading back for an early night. We were staying in Montmartre at a hostel which was great despite the icy water bidding you bienvenue in the shower. The Saturday morning began with a stroll through Montmartre. We visited Sacré Coeur and wound our way through the little paved paths that led us down the hill before walking to the Moulin Rouge in search of Amélie Poulain’s cafe. We stumbled upon it after an hour of walking but were disappointed to find that it was closed for renovations. We made our way back to the Backpacker’s via a cute lingerie boutique run by an eccentric man who told us in English “my eye know your size” when we asked for the sizing chart! Friday night we visited the Louvre as it was free for students that night - something for those of you coming to France to keep in mind. The Louvre was simply incredible! Needless to say, I only had a taste of what it had to offer and spent my time in the Italian Renaissance section and the Egyptian exhibits which were fantastic. Egypt is now at the top of the list for my next travelling adventure.

After working up an appetite meandering through the Louvre, we dined at a beautiful restaurant called La Cave which I had heard about through a friend. It’s hidden away in a lifeless street in Montmartre but makes delicious food and is buzzing with locals. Saturday morning we went to one of the Marché des Puces only to find that they really had nothing to offer other than swarms of pick-pocketers! We got out of there quick smart and headed to the Marais in search of falafel. Being Saturday, the Jewish holy day, we only found one restaurant which was open but delicious nonetheless. A few of the girls went their separate ways and I met up with Tom and we did a spot of shopping before walking through the Jardin des Tuileries and strolling down the Champs-Elysee. We had a drink with Steph in a cute little bar in the Marais before heading back to Steph’s to get ready for a night out in Paris. Tom and I had an incredible dinner at a local haunt called the Le Dindon before visiting a nice little array of bars. Sunday morning Tom and I went to the Musée d’Orsay where I found the painting I would like in my chambers one day when I become a Barrister: L’avocat by Cézanne….perhaps a little out of the price range.

I will leave it here as I am in the midst of a medieval festival in Vieux Lyon and feel like I’m missing out on some valuable photo opportunities being trapped inside a cafe!