Lille Lately: Loving every minute

Sorry it’s been a while since the last post! I’ve been pretty busy with orientation and all the fun activities the International Club has planned for us here.  The past week has been SO much fun and has definitely gotten me excited for the months to come!

During the days this week we did a bunch of more administrative stuff and paperwork, but at night the International Club members have been showing us around town.  I’m glad that those of us on our program get the opportunity to get our bearings before school starts, knowing where all of our classes are and where all the fun bars and clubs to go to are.  It will be really interesting, though, when the rest of the school gets here and there will be 20,000 or so more students at our campus.  Lille has about one million inhabitants but 300,000 of them are students, so it’s a very young city with lots of nightlife.  

The beach at Touquet

During the day yesterday, the International Club brought us to Bethune; a little city close by that surprisingly had some sort of Elvis Presley event where there were several Elvis impersonators and a lot of muscle cars blasting Elvis music.  After visiting that town we went off to the beach!  The city was called Touquet and the coast was absolutely gorgeous but the water was really cold, of course.   It was so fun being with all the international students and at one point a large group of us were sitting on the beach and we all sang our respective national anthems.  I tried my best to represent our country’s anthem but I’m afraid I’m not the best singer… but together with Molly and Andrew singing it with me, the others said they enjoyed it.  I’m loving getting to know these students from all over the world. 

Before coming to Lille I had found from my research and heard from several people that the café to go to is PAUL (of which there are several in Lille), but until recently I hadn’t found one.  Finally, the other day, I was able to find several as Molly and Andrew and I explored parts of the city we had not been to before.  I ended up going to PAUL that day not once, not twice, but THREE times!  It is absolutely phenomenal.  The best quiche Lorraine I have had to date, awesome macaroons (but very sweet), and surprisingly reasonable prices.  We have officially found our new lunch place for the next four months!  The first time we went we were somewhat overwhelmed by the amount of amazing looking things they had to offer, so I got a vanilla macaroon and a palmier, figured I couldn’t go wrong.  Then we went in further toward the main city square and by that time we were ready for lunch.  We ran into another PAUL café and so decided to get lunch things there – quiche Lorraine and an orangina.  By the time we had walked back and were passing the first PAUL we were at, we decided there was no way we could not get some things to go for later, so I ordered another quiche with vegetables and a pizza aux fromages which I intended to heat up later but ended up eating on the walk home… it’s that good (and of course, I was that hungry).  I also got an amazing rhubarb tart that was very sweet but very tasty. If you ever find yourself in Lille, go to PAUL. 

This morning I was able to go back to the Wazemmes market but with Molly, Andrew, and Deborah (who is from Scotland!) and get some more ribs as well as a rotisserie chicken.  The food at the market is absolutely amazing and it’s nice to get something hardy to eat.  While I love croissants, croque monsieurs, and baguettes, I definitely am getting cravings for things that are hard to find around here.

Today is also the day that Molly, Andrew and myself are heading to Belgium!!! On the itinerary is Bruges for three days and two nights followed by a trip to Brussels for three days and two nights.  I’ve been doing some research on places to go but PLEASE if you have any suggestions for places to go, let me know!!!  I’m absolutely stoked to tour around Belgium. 

Orientation, Day 1

What a day! Today was our first day of orientation and it’s been a long and tiring day, but exciting nonetheless. I was really excited to meet people from across the globe and was definitely able to do so today. While those of us from the USA and Canada definitely sought each other out to find out where each other were from and whatnot, I was still able to get to know other international students pretty well over the course of the day. It’s definitely nice to have some familiar faces on my program, as well though. Andrew, Molly, and Jay are the three others in the IESEG School of Management with me that are from Santa Clara and it’s nice to be able to make references to school or the Bay Area, or even just the US in general – makes it easier to not get as home sick in a way. The day was packed with information and halfway through I thought how funny it was that earlier this summer, I was on the other side of this organizing orientation for incoming students and trying to tell them that while we knew they were tired, they need to pay attention because it’s important information we’re giving them! And now here I am, jet lagged (but getting a lot better, thankfully), tired, and constantly hungry (definitely haven’t gotten used to the eating times yet, but also I’m always hungry normally of course) and finding it kind of hard to pay attention. I tried my best though and took good notes.

It’s been interesting coming in as an American. My friend from SCU Molly and I discussed a bit how interesting it is that the orientation is being run in English as it is the one common language amongst the students (there are some students here who have no knowledge of French). For us, we’re just processing information and not thinking much of it. For the majority of the students, though, they have to pay attention so much more closely as English is their second, if not their third or fourth language! I definitely felt thankful for that. I also felt thankful to be of US citizenship because for many other non-European students they are not allowed to leave the country until they get a stamp on their VISA which they can’t get for about another month from now. Overall, I was thankful to be American but honestly, it was kind of hard to be proud. When we asked a few students about their perception of Americans (knowing exactly what the perception is, however), most people first reactions were simply laughing. We asked two guys that are Portuguese and also a girl who is Scottish and a girl who is Korean. Luckily, we haven’t fit the stereo-types yet. One of our sessions, however, was discussing stereo-types and the woman who was facilitating the discussion introduced herself and at one point mentioned that she was “married until recently to an American.” People cheered. People that weren’t American. At that point I put my name tag that had a large American flag under my name in my pocket.

Everyone has still been very nice to us and the program has really been phenomenal. It’s always great to finally get to where you’ve been trying to go and not only that, but get complete reassurance that you are exactly where you want to be. Right now, I wouldn’t rather be anywhere else! Orientation has just begun, though, and tomorrow we’ve got a pretty full agenda, too, including registration for classes followed by a party at a bar with the Club International! Can’t wait!!!

Wow Wazemmes.

Well like I said in my last post, I planned on going to a ‘farmer’s market’ called Wazemmes this morning as they have the square filled every Sunday morning with stands. I could not have been more wrong when I called it a farmer’s market. Wazemmes on Sunday mornings is a full on, gigantic flee market with everything and anything you can think of. I was also under the impression that the ‘square’ meant the previously empty space in front of the indoor Wazemmes market that is open throughout the week. Nooo no. This square was in front, behind, and at least two blocks in the streets on each side of the indoor market and it was filled with stands serving all different kinds of foods, selling clothing items, accessories, anything you would need from a grocery store, and then the farmers with all of their fruits and vegetables. I arrived this morning and was certain I was in heaven.

People, you do not understand what this was like. At first, I was taken aback a little by the size, but was not aware of what was in store for me. As I walked through the fruit and vegetable stands with the florists across the way, the smells in the air made me realize just how hungry I was. The night before, that square didn’t smell anything like it did this morning. But wait, then there were olive stands. These had huge, HUGE buckets of olives that French market-goers would take huge scoops from and dump them straight into a plastic bag. Next to them were stands selling spices. Now I’m going to have to check, but I’m pretty sure the cost of shipping them home and the cost to buy these spices will still make it cheaper than you can get at Whole Foods. But I digress…

Now onto the best part. I’ll describe this section as best I can, but you’ll have to look on to the pictures to see for yourself. The next section I visited was a strip filled with these huge rotisseries that were filled with whole chickens and racks of pork ribs. In the bottom of the rotisserie where all the juices would drip, the cookers would put tons of little potatoes that would soak up all the juices, flavors, and herbs and spices from the chicken. The smell from the street, even though it was 10:00am, was absolutely phenomenal. I automatically disregarded that I had not yet eaten breakfast, told myself screw the croissant, I’m eatin’ some ribs. I knew I couldn’t eat them all (or at least this is what I thought at the time…) but an entire rack of pork sold for only 5 Euros, the small (but still very sizeable) box of potatoes that had cooked in the chicken drippings sold for only 2 Euros (you could get a big box for 4 Euros, as well). So for a mere 7 Euros, I bought myself a lot of pork ribs and a box of potatoes. The man at the counter asked me if I wanted some of the drippings from the chicken poured over my ribs and I had to hold myself back from saying ‘YEAH!!!’ I played it cool and said ‘Oui, ca marche’ (translation: yeah, that works).

I must have looked pretty funny fast walking with my plastic bag of goodies all the way back to my dorm. I was actually so excited that in an attempt to make a short cut, I ended up going a few blocks out of my way. I got back to my room and feasted on these ribs and potatoes and could not have been happier with my purchase. Mom, dad, all my grandparents, you’re going to resent me for saying this and all of my Italian ancestors may roll in their graves when I do, but this had to be one of the best, if not the single best meal I have ever had. At 11:00am on the 22nd of August, I was the most satisfied foodie ever. And this is only day four!!! The spices on the ribs with the meat that fell of the bone so easily all together tasted unlike any ribs I’ve had before. I ended up finishing all of the ribs in one sitting. I honestly cannot wait to see what other amazing meals I will have while I’m here, but at the least I know what I’ll be having a week from today at 11:00am.

Finally, a pillow.

I adventured this morning to a spot I hadn't been yet called Wazzemes.  It's an area where there's a big square with an indoor market that sells fresh fish and seafood, fromage galore, cured meats and other specialties.  I'm going to return tomorrow morning because every Sunday morning there is a farmer's market in the square outside of the indoor market and it's supposed to be quite the experience. 

It was just a block down from the market, though, that I FINALLY found a pillow!!!  For the past two nights I've been sleeping on my towel folded up like a pillow. If there's one thing I've learned about stores in France, it is that - at least for the most part, unless you're in a big city and even then - there is no such thing as a one-stop-shop.  Grocery stores have a completely different setup in France than in the United States and more often than not you need to go to other specialty stores to get everything you need (if you're arriving for the first time, like me).  I stopped at the pharmacy to try to get shampoo, conditioner, and soap.  I figured they'd have it all with a wide selection like a Walgreen's or a store like it would at home.  The lady helping me continued to ask me what my maladies were when it came to my hair and skin.  I guess if you go to the pharmacy, you better be there with an issue or a prescription.  But I'm just happy now I have most everything I need and hopefully I can get a full night of sleep tonight!

Lille Centre

So today I ventured quite a bit.  I first went on my first run along the canal and it was gorgeous.  It's really hot over here right now so in the morning it wasn't that chilly and on my run I pass a little pasture where I saw two bunnies! They were polite and said 'bonjour'. Anyway, since my internal clock is so off I was up extremely early and had to wait for the boulangerie to open so I could get my croissant and chausson pomme for breakfast.  Just gonna put it out there, French food is AMAZING.

The real adventuring began when I went to Lille Centre where there is a lot of shopping, eating, and people.  There were some familiar places like Subway and McDonalds but much more importantly there were tons of French cafes and restaurants that I'm excited to try.  Lille is pretty well known for some really good Moules Frites (mussels served with fries), which I haven't tried before but am eager to find out if I like them.  The shops were phenomenal, I'm excited to go back and actually buy something but today I resisted.  I was really happy to see how short of a walk the area was to my place.  Literally you can walk everywhere in this city pretty easily but there are buses and a metro also if need be. For now, I've just been walking!

I'll get some photos up later, wifi connection is still on and off so I'm currently in a random hallway in order to post this haha.  Au revoir.

 What my mornings look like.

Church called Sacre Coeur near Lille Centre.

Plaza next to Lille Centre

Awesome City

Well after getting lost from a Boulangerie that ended up being only a block away from my dorm, I decided I needed to stare at a map for a while, put it in my pocket, and just walk around.  It took a lot of energy because I'm so incredibly jet-lagged, so after a nap, half a baguette, and a perrier I finally convinced myself to get up.  What was also holding me back is that I haven't showered.  I tried, multiple times in multiple showers, but each 'douche' would only spout out cold water.

Anyway, I have walked around a bit and love my surroundings.  The area I'm in is pretty residential but with that comes a lot of Boulangeries/Cafes, bars, and smaller markets. I'm told there's a grocery store close by, I have yet to track it down...

Here's a few pictures I took along my walk.  I'm stoked I found my new course to run on in the mornings!

Near the bridge over the Canal de la Deule

New running path along the canal. :)

View from my room.

I love this place already.

Finally Arrived

Well I've made it safe and I'm in my room in Lille! Well, technically I'm in a hallway trying to connect to wi-fi from another building, but I've gotten settled in my room for the most part and am so excited to be living here!  My room is a single, pretty big, and has a mini-fridge. BOMB!  Flying in to Brussels was not too bad flight wise and the city looked gorgeous.  I can't wait to visit Belgium later on.  The train ride was very easy and cheap from Brussels to Lille.

The city is quaint but also vibrant and I can't wait until I know it like the back of my hand.  I'm starting today by going to the nearby grocery store and boulangerie.  I got a little acquainted around campus already when I walked with all my suitcases to my dorm from the office where I got my keys and whatnot (it felt like eternity and I've never sweat through three layers so fast). The campus looks phenomenal!

That's it for now I guess... Oh and the pics - the first one is of a wall in the building (it's kind of an old building) with some graffiti and of course the first thing I saw was the big Carpe Diem!  The next is of one half of my room and the other half (kind of) is after that!

Leaving on August 18th...

Now that I finally have my VISA squared away, I am starting to plan out my trip abroad!  Anyone who has suggestions for places to visit in Europe, places to hit up in Lille, or advice in general about going abroad, I'm all ears.

I am going to miss everyone at SCU and at home very dearly, but hope this blog will keep you all connected with my life.  PLEASE comment or email/facebook me so I can stay connected in your lives and stay in the know about what's happening in the states!

Love,
Ryan Diemer

Seize the day!