Lyon and Toulouse

Before I went to university I never really took an interest in music unless it consisted of epic key changes, guys sitting on stools and some pretty terrible dance moves. That all changed when I moved cities and lived with 21 other people with completely different tastes and was forced to learn songs quickly or look completely clueless on an average night out. All of a sudden I had new favourite bands and without a doubt one of them had to be Mumford and Sons. I can't get enough of them! Last summer my friend Martha and I went to Optimus Alive in Portugal to watch them, amongst others, and it could not have been any more perfect. So, when Martha said they were playing in France I didn't hesitate to say yes and with a click of a mouse my flights were book to spend a week in Lyon and Toulouse.

I must admit I didn't see an awful lot of Lyon. We partied on a big, old, Australian themed boat with the other Erasmus students who only really spoke in French, ate far too much bad but delicious food, had a picnic on the steps by the river and went to a truly odd museum full of robots. All the while we patiently waited for our trip to Toulouse and played both albums on a continuous loop. 

Toulouse was a ridiculous amount of fun, we stayed with Martha's friend who gave us a space in his bed/on his giant pimp coat and showed us around. On the first night we had a pizza the size of a small child and went to an incredible bar filled with students all singing and dancing and throwing beer everywhere. It was insanity at its best.

After the giraffe filled antics of the night before we took a walk round the city and saw some of the sites. I have to admit I did fall a little bit in love with Toulouse because of the narrow streets and the amount of vintage shops it had. I could have easily walked around it for more than a day but, Mumford and Sons were waiting for us.

They played at a venue called Le Bikini which was a pretty big trek from the centre but a decent place all the same. There were light bulbs hanging from the ceiling and all over the stage which got Martha incredibly excited, as did the support act Deap Vally who played with each member of Mumford and Sons.

As soon as the band came on and blasted out 'Babel' the crowd (the English half at least) went crazy and pretty much stayed that way until the end. There were times when it was so emotional that I nearly cried and others when I was stupidly happy. They had some jokes with the crowd and pulled everything of with effortless style. Who knew playing the banjo could be so cool? 

These are possibly some of my favourite photos I have ever taken. Honestly, if you haven't seen them yet just go because you will more than likely leave with a massive smile on your face and want to see them all over again. Lyon and Toulouse were amazing places to see, I got to hang out with my ridiculous friend after eight months and I saw one of my favourite bands. What could be better? 

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The Bull Fight

A bit of a controversial topic for this post.

I am a firm believer in the saying never judge a book by it's cover and so when I was given the opportunity to go and watch a bull fight at Murcia's Plaza de Toros I wasn't about to pass it up. Before yesterday I never really had a particularly strong opinion on one of Spain's most honoured traditions unlike a lot of people I know, so it didn't bother me about going although as it drew closer I became more weary of the idea.

Normally Plaza de Toros houses one of Murcia's popular clubs, Musik but once in a blue moon it is used for its original purpose. Crowds of people waited patiently for tickets and as I looked around I realised it wasn't just the older generation attending but, children no older that 5 were also there eagerly anticipating the fight. Of course not everyone was thrilled at the idea of the slaughtering of bulls as the row of protesters proved. The presence of the police made me wonder if there was going to be an unexpected riot and made me a little nervous to say the least. Although bull fights are a tradition in Spain and other Mediterranean and South American countries there are people in said countries who believe it is inhumane and fight for the rights of the animals which are forced to take part.

We took our seats in the rafters of the bull ring sitting on little more than slats of wood with people sitting shoulder to shoulder, knee to knee. The first fight had already started when we sat down and so we immediately turned our attention to the toreador and the bull. The first occurred with the toreador riding a horse which added to the spectacle and danger of the fight. The bull charged and the horse dodged with expert precision. The toreador took barbed sticks (banderillas) and thrusted them between the bull's shoulder blades as he charged. This went on for about 10 minutes with some very strong attacks from the bull to try and push the toreador off his horse. Eventually the bull slowed in his attacks and the toreador dismounted and came face to face with the bull. This was the moment. A hush fell over the crowd but I am still uncertain if it was as a mark or respect or if the roar of the crowd made the bull wild and endangered the toreador. Before I could decide if I was going to watch or not it was over, the bull was on the floor and the crowd was going crazy waving white handkerchiefs as a sign of appreciation.

There were 6 more bulls and 6 more toreadors to go who were all on foot and each fight occurred in a similar format. Each toreador would try and outdo the last with more daring moves, one even put his head on the head of the bull. The more courageous they were the more the audience responded and the louder the live band played. If the audience liked the toreador they waved their handkerchiefs up to the mayor's box and he would decide if the toreador could claim a trophy ear from the bull and a tail was awarded for an exceptional performance.

The entire situation was completely surreal and I couldn't exactly get my head around it. Although I had heard it was a brutal act I couldn't stop watching it. It was almost hypnotic and as if the toreadors were dancing with the bulls rather than attacking them maliciously. I have struggled not to call each fight a 'show' but if you watch, it nearly is. The men in the ring play to the crowd and provide this huge bravado that keeps the audience entertained, making them cheer louder each time the bull is struck.It is easy to forget that it is actually happening and the animal is feeling pain.  Only when you see the bull limping and gushing blood from it's back at the end of the fight does reality hit you that it is all real and that indeed the creature is going to die in the space of a minute. The final moments of the fight are the ones that stick with you. The silence of the crowd, the blood on the sand and the connection you can see between the bull and the fighter right until the very end.

Although I can't say I would go to a bull fight again I am glad that I have experienced one of the most controversial traditions in Spanish history. I can see how it is popular amongst many people but also see the points of view of activists but I wouldn't have known if I hadn't gone. I would also like to add that the money from the evening went towards a Spanish cancer charity.

What are your views on Bull Fighting? Have you ever seen one or would you like to? Pin It

Carnival 2013

This weekend all over Europe people donned their best fancy dress outfits and took to the streets to take part in Carnival. It is like a huge party with a parade, music and about a thousand other things going on all at once. I went to Aguilas which is about an hour and a half away from Murcia to take part in my first Carnival. As it was a pretty last minute decision I didn't have time to utilise my incredible fancy dress skills so I just stuck with some face paint instead.

We arrived at about 5 o'clock in the sea side town and so began 12 hours of drinking, eating and dancing...

Bright colours and sangria were the order of the day but if you are planning to go to a carnival, just remember it is February, it's going to get cold quickly. Take some layers! When we were too cold we sheltered in the bars and clubs which were packed full of flappers and sailors (and children).

Carnival is pretty much an excuse to talk to complete strangers and become best friends within five minutes. And then run away when you get bored or things get weird. It's incredible amounts of fun. In one night I managed to claim I was Princess Peach to a Mario, have a dodgems battle with some 10 year olds and bond with a Spanish girl over how to order a hamburger.

From what I have gathered most carnivals have the same format of a parade, fair ground rides and lots of people but the bigger ones are probably way more crazy! It was an amazing night and I am so glad I was able to go in the end. However, walking home in a bright pink wig at 9 o'clock in the morning on a Sunday, being stared at by Spanish pensioners was probably one of the only low points and it didn't matter by that point. If you get the opportunity to go to a carnival, wherever it is, go! It has been the best night of this year so far and it is going to take a lot to beat it. Pin It

Notes of a Wanderer

Leave the house without a map in a city you have never visited. Does it matter if you get lost and walk around the back streets for an hour? Depending on the time of day not really. Explore everywhere.

Don't be afraid of meeting new people, it is part of the experience. 

Use whatever means possible to make yourself understood. Even if it means miming a lightbulb to the lady in the supermarket.

Become a local don't just follow the tourists. If there is a bar or restaurant jam packed with natives on a Tuesday night there is bound to be a reason. It is probably a good sign if there appears to be no order to proceedings and everything seems to be a bit crazy.

The people who stare at you on the street are curious, not rude. When they start to shout at you then there is probably a problem. 

Appreciate what is happening in the place you are in. It doesn't matter if things are falling apart elsewhere.

Take pictures. Not of buildings and famous monuments but of the funny moments and the people you shared everything with.

Don't buy eggs that are already hard boiled. Unless of course you want eggs that are already hard boiled. Look at what you are buying properly otherwise your hungover self will hate you later.

Wear comfortable shoes. No one likes the grumpy person with blisters.

Don't climb out of your bedroom window to take pictures. At least put shorts on rather than a skirt, it might be easier.

I think that is about everything I learnt this week. I will probably think of other things. Maybe. 

A room with a view

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When in Rome...

Last weekend we took a small trip to the capital in order to add a little variation and excitement to our lives. Two full days and an afternoon was just about enough time to have a whistle stop tour of the city and learn a few things on the way.

We had booked into an all female hostel named Coconuts, which was perfect for us as we weren't planning to spend an awful lot of time there. We dressed to go out for dinner before joining a pub crawl with one of Whitney's old school friends. When eating out, I would suggest you research where you would like to go beforehand otherwise you will get stung with high prices for mediocre food...not ideal.

We met up with the boys before jumping on the tube to join the pub crawl organised by Colosseum Events which started at the Colosseum Metro station and continued through three different bars. It was pouring with rain and we had no idea where we were going but it is safe to say it was one of the most entertaining nights I have ever had. So many people from around the world getting together for one massive party for one night is possibly on of the most surreal feelings you can ever have. The bar crawl costs 20 euros and includes and open bar for an hour and a half, pizza, entrance into all the bars and clubs and a t-shirt to remember your night.

My second lesson came when we were returning to our room at 6AM. If you are in a hostel and you are planning to go out for the night, don't share a room with one or two other strangers! They won't appreciate your 'I'm trying to be quiet but I am actually being unbelievably loud because I am drunk' behaviour.

On Sunday morning, in various states of conciousness, we grabbed some breakfast/lunch at a snack bar near the station before heading off to explore Roma. We saw everything from The Forum to The Vatican City and each attraction had its own unique beauty.

In the evening after our 'tour guides' had left we went on the search for some dinner. After spending two months eating only Italian food we decided it would be amazing to have a change. We caught the metro and headed to the Hard Rock Cafe for big American burgers and onion rings. Book before you go unless you want an hour wait however, if you don't mind you can always use your time wisely having cocktails in one of the bars across the road while you wait.

It was such a fun evening and eventually we were the last in there just listening to the music and talking about the events of the night before.

On our final day we decided to keep it nice and relaxed especially after all the walking from the day before. We dropped our bags in the Termini bag drop office which cost about 5 euros each and then took the metro back to the Vatican to see the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums. There was so much to see and I would have loved to have had about 3 days just in there taking everything in! Normally in Italy for students and people under 26 they have discounts for galleries and museums which is always great.

We headed over to the Spanish Steps and wondered around before stumbling upon The Pantheon which can only be described as epic!

Unfortunately by that point we had run out of time and we were in desperate need  of going to the airport. We climbed into a taxi and said goodbye to Rome and for the next week we were all in a Rome coma, wishing we could go back!

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Mountain Lodge

This weekend I went to the mountains near Bergamo with about 30 other ERASMUS students and it was AMAZING!! We left on Friday night and drove for 45 minutes up a twisty mountain path that, I have to admit, made me fear for my life a little until we reached a huge Mountain Lodge hotel at the top. As it was pitch black it was impossible to see and also freezing cold so we made our way inside to find our rooms and unpack.

We sat down for a three course dinner (which we had every lunch and dinner time) and got to know our fellow students slightly better. It was then time to grab some drinks and play some games before heading into the 'club' which was a room adjacent to the hotel with lights, table football, seats and most importantly a stage! We stayed up until five in the morning talking to people we didn't really know beforehand until it was impossible to keep our eyes open any more. 

Saturday morning, was very chilled with people not getting up until gone 12pm however, as I can't stay in bed that long I went and sat outside with some of the other early risers. As soon as I walked through the door onto the balcony my jaw dropped...

This is what I had missed the night before! The beauty of it was that it wasn't cold and so we could sit and soak up the sun before lunch. It was the loveliest atmosphere I have been in since being here, with everyone telling jokes and laughing. (They way I describe it, it sounds like a scene from The Secret Seven but it was cooler than that.)

At lunch we were each given our own secret challenge that had to be completed by the end of the weekend otherwise you had to walk home...although I am not so sure they were being serious.

After lunch we went for a walk up the mountains which I was completely under prepared for but it was fun nonetheless! They told us it would be close to an hour before we reached the top but in actually fact it was closer to 30 minutes. It was worth it in the end though.

We returned for dinner and then the party games started again along with the dancing. Although at first when we were told 'The dancing happens in the room next door' I have to admit I was a little dubious BUT it was actually perfect for the amount of people we had and lots of fun. 

It was sad to leave on Sunday but, eventually it was time to head back to reality and even though we already knew most people before I think it is safe to say that everyone felt that little bit closer as a group.

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Trains and Lakes

The jaunt to Milan inspired us to go travelling all around Italy and so we began thinking of who we knew where and prices and times...it was all very exciting. However, once we realised there was going to be a little more to budget in other than the train fair our plans were put on hold. They didn't come to a complete standstill but, we chose some where close to home. Lake Garda. It seemed simple enough to get to and it was a beautiful day, nothing was going to stop us. Except perhaps the high speed train we hopped on to in Brescia which glided right on by Peschiera del Garda and straight into Verona. The scummy part. It took us some time to decide whether to go into Verona or if we should go back to the Lake and how we would go about doing it. Eventually it was decided to return to the Lake and stick to the plan, it was more a decision based on the grumbling of our stomachs than anything else.

Arriving into the city of Peschiera, we hunted down some food which I now do not like to look back on but, at the time was delicious. 

We then just sat by the edge of the lake watching the world pass us by...

Until it was time to get on the wrong train home and pay 16 euros for the privilige 

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Milano

After a night filled with possibly a little too much alcohol than was necessary, we made a spontaneous decision to visit Milano on Wednesday in order to escape Bergamo and Citta Alta. It was a bright and early start and we were on the train before nine o'clock in the morning...which was possibly the most disgusting feeling in the world! Before long we were in the city of Milano which looks so much different in the daylight so instantly we got ourselves lost. We kept claiming it was an adventure but eventually, we found ourselves outside of the famous Teatro alla Scala which set our bearings once more.

I am desperate to go and see the ballet or an opera there, I think it will be slightly different from the theatre back home i.e. missing the horrible orange subtitles. Tickets range from 10 to 115 euros but from what I have heard it is completely worth the price. If you are going sometime soon then here is an excellent article about the dress codes.

We quickly spun ourselves around and headed for the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II to marvel at the architecture and beauty of the colonnade and to pretend like we could afford Prada shoes and Louis Vuitton bags...I mean who wouldn't!

Of course you can not take a visit to Milano without visiting the beautiful Duomo which is just breathtaking. The detail on the building is incredible and you can see each carving is completely unique. It is free to go inside which is equally as beautiful but, I don't really like taking pictures inside churches so you will have to find out for yourself what it is like.

Afterwards we went shopping and raided Zara where I bough the same top in two different colours. They were totally worth it! It was a long and eventful day so we hopped back on the train to enjoy a traditional Bergamascan meal with our fellow students, before heading off to bed.

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Bergamo ti amo!

Just a quick one today! I arrived in Bergamo on Monday, physically and emotionally exhausted and since then I haven't stopped.

I have had meetings, enrolment, friend making and classes as well as exploring this beautiful city. I wasn't so sure at first but now I am head over heels in love! Mountains and Piazze are my back drop for walking to class in the morning and it makes those 7 am starts totally worth it!

I have only just gained access to the internet so for now these post will be infrequent but tomorrow I plan to find the library and abuse it's wifi! However, for now I will leave you with some photos of my new home city in the hopes that you will love her too!

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