The beginning of a very big adventure.

This adventure, sojourn, in Besancon began such a long time ago I can hardly believe I am making it my own now. I am still trying to work out were North is, why the sun is so bright, why the earth is still shaking in NZ and  how my brain will cope with remembering all the people I have met in the last 7 days.
AFS Paris connections were amazing, especially Elsa Tremel who organised a whirlwind visit of restaurants, hotel and sightseeing in the most beautiful city I have ever been in. (Even if I have been there 10 times)I will be going back to Galleries Lafayette.
Besancon is currently the summer that I would not have had, described as an Indian summer, may it last long. It is a UNESCO heritage site city, originally built on the loop in the Doubs river with ancient architecture  dominated by Vauban whose most signifiant structure in Besancon is a Citadel.
My appartment is so typically old french, (high ceilings, tile floors, no shower, very basic kitchen, new electric shutters and is on the site of the school grounds of Notre Dame St.Jean a group of schools  spread over 2 campuses. I will make it my own in no time as it is home for a long time.
Study has started at the Centre de linguistique appliquee de Besancon which is part of the Universitie de Franche-Compte. I am trying to complete both the Delf exams and the Language and Culture diploma.
This last weekend I wandered about the old town during the Music festival that this town is famous for and visited a few of the Churches, Museums and Monuments. My feet are telling me I must have walked 30kms, probably did. Went to a fabulous concert on Friday night, Classic then Columbian Jazz.

Rosehill College, Auckland, Singapore, Frankfurt, Paris, Besancon, Lycee Notre ame St Jean.

Welcome to my world on the other side of the world for those of you who have time to tune in.
I am still trying to get used to the instant climate change(hotter than an NZ summer), the bright sky,
hard water, living alone, wonderfully friendly food focused people, living on school grounds - arrgh, buses, and Besancon.

This 2000 year "old city" is beautiful beyond words. Photos will follow(when I decide which of the hundreds - not quite, to show you. It took me a day to sort out transport, even how to get out of here although there is a possiblity that I may never want to leave. Study starts at the beginning of the week so this short holiday is over.   School beckons though not the programme I am used to, here I am a language assistant, observer and facilitator of oral practice. Should be interesting!!