Best Fantastic World

Summer Experience in Belgium (2008)

2008-08-08T16:53:00.002+02:00

Hi every readers of my adventurese, sorry for the waiting, put I took so many pics it was hard to choose how to show you them.

Some will be displayed by places others by themes.

Hope you are spending a scorching hot summer because mine is pretty chill even if sometimes it is damn hot.

Have a look every week from now on, I gonna update my trips !!!

Have fun wherever you might be

Malta Nighlife Video

2008-05-21T15:00:00.003+02:00

My Jukebox

2008-05-11T11:01:00.001+02:00

Setmana d'Europa - Semaine de l'Europe - European Week

2008-05-09T00:11:00.001+02:00

http://www.feteleurope.fr/video_eu.wmv

Destination Malta - Let's Party 2 Paceville - Part 11

2008-05-08T23:30:00.008+02:00

Destination Malta - Let's goZo to Comino - Part 10

2008-05-08T23:11:00.004+02:00

Destination Malta - La Valleta - Part 9

2008-05-08T14:14:00.006+02:00

Temple in small garden

St-John Cathedral

San Francisco style road

Malta buses: they were kept in a very condition , decorated with trimmings and named after village Patron Saints. I must admit God must keep an eye on them, because drivers are really mad !!!

2 Playmobil Maltese

Blue Label , quite refreshing on that scorching day.

My future residence

Destination Malta - On the way to the red castle - Part 8

2008-05-08T13:59:00.004+02:00

Let's go to the red castle

Maltese flowers

Surprise, it seems that this place is where maltese family go on Sundays to have a nice BBQ wiz cold CISK.

A few meters from Red Castle after some hours walking !!

View from Red Castle on the golden bay.

Destination Malta - Miscellaneous - Part 7

2008-05-08T13:47:00.003+02:00

Road sign in Dingli cliffs area

Maltese national beer. This is a Extremely good beer.. And really cheap.

Maltese tuning car. Fast & Furious episode 1

French Car : Renault 1300 (sold in France in 1966)

Destination Malta - Popeye Village - Part 6

2008-05-08T13:28:00.007+02:00

SWEETHAVEN VILLAGE', the Film Set of the 1980 Musical Production “Popeye”, also known as 'POPEYE VILLAGE' was constructed in Anchor Bay during the last 7 months of 1979.

To construct this authentic wooden village, tree trunk logs were trailered overland from Holland, and wood shingles, used in the construction of the roof tops, were imported all the way from Canada. A 165 international construction crew consumed eight tons of nails and two thousand gallons of paint to finish off this massive Set.

Anchor Bay. Popeye Village

Cliffs close to Anchor Bay

Boat along the shore

Maltese Great Canyon

Maltese anecdote: Lost in the countryside with Mika on the way to Popeye Village,
we saw that fantastic car in a small property. We decided to take a picture inside it and the owner, an old chap appeared suddenly shouting in Maltese, and then translated what he said.
OLD MAN: You like my car ?? US: yes, she's fantastic OLD MAN: So, Just take it !!

A maltese saying: Ahjar issuq erba zwiemel minn hmar.
Its better to drive four horses than a donkey.
Contrary to what maltese people think, this donkey was a very sociable, docile and intelligent animal.
Morever it is an old Catalan friend, symbol of my region

Such a fantastic bay !!

Countryside around Popeye village.

What a paradise for snorkeling !!! Let's go guys to Malta, you will NOT be deceived !!

Destination Malta - Dingli Cliffs - Part 5

2008-05-08T13:11:00.006+02:00

Dingli cliffs

Entrance forbidden, Oups, sorry !!

Here we go to the Golf ball building

Boat Radar

Malta bike episode 3

Let's walk down !!

Destination Malta - Mdina & Rabat - Part 4

2008-05-08T12:23:00.007+02:00

Mdina is situated high above terraced fields thus dominating the rural skyline.
The city has been renamed according to the various periods in local history. Other names were Melita (Roman occupation), Medina (Arabic occupation), Citta Notabile (Knights of St. John) and Citta Vecchia (after Valletta was built). This city was the home town of the Maltese nobility before the 1565 Siege as well as the capital city of the Islands. Considerable building took place during the reign of Grand Master Vilhena.

Today it is also referred as the Silent City since it inspires tranquillity at any time of the day or night.

St Paul Cathedral,

Calling

Nice Entrance

Mika fooling around wiz a Maltese Knight

St Paul Cathedral

Lying down the sky

Maltese flag

Destination Malta - Mellieha - Part 3

2008-05-08T12:15:00.005+02:00

Maltese bikes episode 1

Nativity of the Virgin Mary (Vitorja)

Maltese bikes episode 2

The sanctuary of Our Lady though, the oldest in Malta

Maltese jingle bells

Destination Malta - On the road to Mellieha - Part 2

2008-05-08T12:03:00.005+02:00

We are not lost anymore, we found the road !!!

Maltese Olympic Rings

View from my countryside house !!

Mika walking on a piece of a wall stone

One of the many Maltese stone wall.

Searching the way to Mellieha like a Catalan in a haystack.

Stunning view of our walking !!

View from Cro-Magnon Caves

Blair Witch Hood

Destination Malta - Bugibba Part 1

2008-05-08T11:48:00.007+02:00

Quietest part of Bugibba

Me & Mika enjoying first sunrays of our vacation.

Maltese Donald loving the beach !!

Typical Maltese fishing boats aka Luzzu.

Rocky beach

St Paul's Island

It's all Greek to me.

Evening by the coast !!!

La Franqui (GabatxyLand)

2008-05-08T11:03:00.004+02:00

I'm blue that I cannot come more often at la Franqui !!

Holding the sun upon his shoulders (Mika & Pat )

Sunset : FREE to enjoy it by the mighty people & the poor ones and however one of the best Magic moment on earth, every day !!

Bubbles of another Champagne bottle (celebration again ;)

Celebration

2008-05-08T10:36:00.007+02:00

In a nutshell, from wendy to sundy, celebration wiz my best friends, Champagne every day keep the doctor away.

What a great meal, Champagne & Fast Junk Food at Mika's.

Benito at Argeles playa enjoying my news and that fantastic sunny sunday !!!

Julio opening another Champagne bottle at Pepe's flat !!!

Simon & Pepe & Me at Corsaire (a nice rhum bar close to the Cathedral in Perpignan)

Champagne again at Pepe's flat !!

Unbelievable ,great piece of news !!!

2008-04-19T21:46:00.003+02:00

Hello guys,
Just to tell you, that I have already dumped the blog I created a few days ago.
Last weekend I visited some old friends I have not met for ages : Olivier / Gilles / Régul / Bénito & Aurélie. It was really good to see them. I was really busy lately with Competition but now they are over, I will try to dedicate more time to my friends and family.

I had a fantastic time, first of all, we drank some pints at Pollestres stadium.
I visited Benito at his house. He showed me the house he is building. He has done a great job so far, by this summer it will be liveable. They told me that Aurélie is pregnant, great piece of news, I will glad for you guys.

On Tuesday, we went to Asia Center wiz Mika. We bought some chinese food,beers and stuff and watched some DvDs.

On Wednesday 4th of 2008, in the morning, I checked my emails as a robot waiting for EPSO answer.
2 years from now on, I was imagining that moment. I received an email from EPSO (European Personnel Selection Office), " you have a message on your EPSO profile"
Here is the Results of the competition:

Dear Mr X,

I am pleased to inform you that the Selection Board for the above-mentioned competition has now completed its work and, on the basis of your results in the practical and oral tests, your name has been placed in merit group 4 on the list of suitable candidates.

The reserve list will be transmitted to the Institutions which are solely responsible for recruitment. Each Institution will select successful candidates from the list according to its needs and with a view to filling posts which have become vacant. As soon as a suitable position arises, you could be invited for an interview with a representative of a department of any of the institutions interested in your application. Depending on the outcome of the interviews you may receive a formal offer of employment. For practical reasons, you may be asked at the same time to undergo the medical examination which is required before any decision can be taken on appointment.

I should point out, however, that it could be several weeks or months before you are contacted.

The reserve list and its expiry date will be published in the Official Journal, as well as on the EPSO website.

Yours sincerely,
For the Chairperson of the Selection Board
Theo DUIVENVOORDE

If you read the sentences above, you should have understood that I passed the COMPETITION and might be lucky enough to be contacted by any DGs (Directorates-General) in the next few months hopefully one day actually, time will say.

I will keep you update of my career path.

So here are the pics of the celebration with my friends !!! Enjoy them guys.

Creation of a new blog in French

2008-04-09T23:08:00.002+02:00

Juste a few words to put my new blogsite address:

http://1jour2plus.blogspot.com/

translation: onedaymore in my young life, this is my 10537 day on Earth and I have nothing more exciting to do that writing my owns actions and feelings to complete strangers !!!

In a certain way, at least, I won't help anymore the Wood industry to cut trees to write down my fantastic life !!

Enjoy it for all able to understand French blabla and see you very soon, my amazing pics from my Malta trip to come in a fortnight wiz Michael (you might have already seen him on that photo blog).

Last competition of my life in Paris

2008-03-30T19:38:00.007+02:00

I was watching some old posts and I realized that as usual I go to Paris in March.

That time was to attend a competition to work for the French Foreign Ministry, I failed it last year for one examination. My overall feeling this year is that I will not fail for one examination, if I do, it would be that my average grade would not be sufficient enough to go to the Oral in June.

I had the feeling that the examination were easier than the year before. Anyway, time will say.
I'm still waiting for the results of the European Commission competition I attended in January, it is going to happen shortly...

Building close to Lyon's Station

Old couple relaxing under the Old Lady

A young guy happy to be there again

Walk along La Seine

Paris 21 century !!!

Small boat from Britany

Another Porche along the Seine

Old woman watching at the Tower !!

American Church on Trip agency window

New kind of Scooter !! Weird or too modern !!

Champs Elysees Avenue

New Citroen Building (modern style)

The Obelisk & Eiffel Tower
The Obelisk in the Place de la Concorde is from the Luxor temple in Egypt. It was a gift from the Egyptian Viceroy to Charles X. It was moved from Luxor to its new Parisian home in 1833.

The National Assembly is located in the Palais-Bourbon, across the Seine from the Place de la Concorde. The palace was built as a private residence in 1722, was later bought by King Louis XV, and changed hands several more times until the government reacquired it and converted it to legislative use in 1827.
"It is also the place were MEP's sleep more than they speak"

Uni Rugby International Tournament 2008

2008-03-30T19:14:00.005+02:00

This time, the last event of the season took place in St-Estève (PO).

It was a windy & cold day, as usual the competition was among Perpignan VS Girona VS Montpellier university teams.

Thanks "Welcome to our faithful fans !!!"
Here are some pictures:

Montpellier Vs Perpi

Mika having good time in the gallery.

Third-half-time wiz Kristen (she is a rugby player from Montpellier)

Winner of the Tramuntana Cup: Montpellier
Perpignan arrived second as last year but played much better and made it tough until the last minute of the game.
Girona arrived Third (but as usual they played wiz a great spirit )

I can't wait for next year !!!

My Belgium Trip

2008-02-24T18:03:00.006+01:00

I took the TGV to Paris, then the Thalys to Bruxelles Midi. Louis Picked me up there and we walked to his place (20mn from the Station).

The Place & the people who get my future in theirs hands !!

Parc du Cinquaintenaire

Chilly morning after my Oral, chilling out in the Park close to the European Commission.

Louis, a french musician from Perpignan living in Bruxells I knew from High School who invited me at his place for a couple of days. He introduced me to new places I did not know in that fantastic city.

Centre de la Bande Dessinée (Cartoon Center) . For all the one who loves comics, cartoon,mangas : this is the place to visit. You will find out all your heroes !!!

I met by luck a small bar close to a bar I used to go when I go to Brussells called "la Mort Subite" but the next bar is cheaper and more lively, real people most of them talking flamish.
Have a look at the prices, it is located in the very center of the capital.

Here is the entrance of the famous Delirium Café. The Café I did not find each time I go to Brussels but thanks to Louis, We did it.

In a 18th century basement, in the heart of the "Free town": the "Ilot Sacré", and only a 100 meters away from the "Grande Place" you'll find the "Delirium Café".

A decoration full of old enamelled ad-panels, posters from the past time and colourful light-ads will duck you behind a world of beers and Gins.

De big wooden barrels invite you to taste the different drinks: Belgian and foreign beers, on bottle or of the barrel. Old gins, fruit gins or even with chocolate taste.

The Beer Collection is impressive and composed of more than 2004 beers; Beers around the world, rare and collectors beers. For every taste, from starter to advanced amateur (like me).
It was added to the Guinnes book of Records.

I made a promise to myself, if one day I'm lucky enought to work for the European Commission, after every single day, I will come there and have a different beer, chilling out and enjoying that fantastic place. Whatever might be the day, stressing, rainy, snowy, exhausting, does not matter, I will go there and invite a friend of mine to join (lol).

Magnificent House close to Louis' place

While I was walking around a park , lured by the European Flag lighted in a sunny day, Met that villa. (Catalan & French will get it)

The Little house & the crow (belgium new tale)

Destination Carcassone

What a fantastic day, It was the warmest day of the year !!! Perfect blue sky, clouds reappeared in south of France !! Time to flight back to France. Hope to see you soon Belgium.

Sum up of my Oral Examination

2008-02-24T17:55:00.002+01:00

Hi everyone,

I have to say my overall feeling is that I won't be in the reserve list.
Here is the story:

I did not feel stress until the door was shut !!!
I look at the panel, in the eyes, and first mistake, I took the wrong sit and I have not noticed "because I was looking at the President of the Jury (I knew who He was before entering in the room) so I did not want to be in front of me" that there was a piece of paper and a bottle of water just next to the place I chose"

So he just nodded his head to indicate me the right place, as we say in France '
"Cela commence bien !! "= It begins quite well (ironia)

Then He explained me how the Examination will take place, and what surprises me is that he told me i will have to speak in the language the question will be asked.

So I was quite destabilized because I thought the Oral will be in my second language (I mean 80% of it, as many posts in that forum, mentionned it) and I learned a lot during 1 month, and read almost everything, Press, synthesis of my courses, possibles questions, vocabulary in english) and I was asked to present my CV & job experiences related to the Competition in French.

The night before, i learned by heart my presentation in english and i Could not find the rights words sometimes to describe my past!!!

But the "best" was to come, All the questions but 3 that is to say, 20 at least were in French mostly about situational questions.

I did not have any questions about WORD, EXCEL or whatever softwares.. shame

Neither did have questions on multicultural environment??
how will they assess my abilities to work in such an environment?

I did have : do you prefer to work alone in a room or with team?

How to plan a mission for your chief of unit?

How do you deal with a person who wait for your boss but he is on a meeting which takes more time than forecast ?

I was asked about filing?

I was not about my motivation?

In which DG's I would like to work?

what would I do If my boss was misadministrated money, 'instance of a german whose country gave in terms of UE contribuition more that the right amount of money he should give because of the high contribuition of his country in the past:!!!

i was asked what were the main institutions : I started to talk and with the stress i forgot the Court of Auditors, the Court of Justice, and concerning the EP, EC, Council forgot many things because of the stress

I was asked a question about environment (in english) and it was a good time , as for 10mns i was speaking french, i could not find the words, they did not come to my bloody mind, and as they were all stared at me, could not be silent, and I said : The UE was fighting against the environment (instead of Climate Change) and a guy told me really against, lol, sorry for the Environment, ....

Finally, When i was asked if i Had a question,
As i felt my oral was not that good, I asked a question about the fact that the Lisbon Treaty was signed last December and that the last & only country to ratify it will be Ireland and all the pressure will be on the country, and that I wanted to know the panel's opinion about it, do they think it will pass or not (because in the last time they reject it)
it sounded a good question: it sounded, lol, because the 2 guys of the jury told me, verbatim: You know we are European Civil servant, we have a right of reserve !!!

In a nutshell the 40mn went very fast, did not have 4 seconds to rest !!!
Wanted to have a glass of water, but did not have time to open the bottle, did not feel interupting the ORAL.

NB: I was told the results for french will be on April normally.
Overall feeling, could have done much much better, my english was pitiful "I'm normally really good especially when I talk"
I studied too much (wanted to know everything about institutions, policies, people working there) In the end I was asked 3 general questions that i replied badly (could have done better 2 years ago) because of the stress!!

C'est la vie...

Sincerely

First post of the year !!!

2008-01-30T22:52:00.000+01:00

This month was very exciting !!!
I met many English girls from Sheffield, Manchester & Liverpool who are studying at my university. I was able to practice my talking english by day & nite. Here are some pictures of those "lively" guys.

Copy of the letter I received from the European Personnel Selection Office (Brussels, 26/11/2007 )

Dear Mr XXX,

Further to my correspondence dated 7/11/2007, informing you that your results in the practical tests qualify you for admission to the oral test, I am pleased to inform you that this test will take place on 07/02/2008 at 11:15 , at the following address:

European Commission
Waiting Room 7th floor
Av. de Cortenbergh , 107
B-1040 Bruxells

The Final Countdown has started !!! For all the ones who might read that post : Wish me good luck !!!!

Last step before being on the Reserve List of the European Commission for AST competition.

I already booked my train to Bruxells and my flight back to Carcassonne.
I am going to sleep at my friend's flat: Louis I knew from the High School who is a musician in Belgium for a few years.

I was really busy in burning the midnight oil to be ready for the D-day (dream day) but then I will be able to write more posts faster.

This afternoon I bought my first tie & 2 white shirts from Florentino after a fortnight of shopping. I bought last week my first Shaving machine.

I will keep you update and put my feedback of that special day.

Time to wish you as well a Fantastic New Year !!! Best Wishes & Greetings from France.

Video Feria Summer Beziers 2007

2007-12-31T02:02:00.000+01:00

2007 soon over !! what will I remember of it ??

2007-12-23T18:09:00.000+01:00

January

Almost one year ago, Bulgaria & Romania joined the European Union. Now I'll be able to visit one more friend without Visa (but wiz my credit card)

Kodi Annan was replaced by South Korea's Ban Ki-moon and became the new United Nations Secretary General.

Russian oil supplies to Poland, Germany & Ukraine are cut as the Russia-Belarus energy dispute escalates; restored 3 days later.

February

Smoking in public and work places is banned in France (high school,colleges, compagnies); in one week (2008) it will banned in restaurant, pubs & discos.

March

Sydney (31) turns off its lights for 1 hour between 7:30pm and 8:30pm as a political statement for Global Climate Change.

April

The TGV (French for "high-speed train") holds a series of world speed records achieved in the context of an active research and development program. The high speed trials are intended to expand the limits of high speed rail technology, increasing speed and comfort without compromising safety. The speed record for the TGV is currently 574.8 km/h on the EST European line.

Retired chess champion Garry Kasparov is detained in Moscow for participating in a banned march.

The first round of the French presidential election of 2007 takes place. Russians riot in Tallinn (Estonia), about moving the Bronze Soldier ( a Soviet WW II war memorial). Two nights of rioting leave one dead.

May

Nicolas Sarkozy is elected President of my Country (France), defeating Ségolène Royal with 53% of the vote in the French Presidential Election. His speech was interesting, let's tell future if he does what he said.

June

Tony Blair resigns as Prime Minister of UK; New Labour Party leader Gordon Brown is
appointed Prime Minister by Queen Elizabeth II.

In the aftermath of Greece's worst heatwave in a century, at least 11 people are reported dead from heatstroke, approximately 200 wildfires break out nationwide, and the country's electricity grid nearly collapses due to record breaking demand.

July

Portugal takes over the Presidency of the Council of the EU from Germany.

Smoking in public and work places is banned in England and in pubs and clubs in New South Wales & Victoria (Australia)

August

I visited my Friend Mika in Narbonne and François in Montpellier and discovered some places in Languedoc Roussillon (see past posts)

September

The Rugby World Cup 2007 starts in France.

First confirmed deaths resulting from the Myanma military's crackdown on weeks long anti-government protest. Buddhist monks are arrested and Internet access is cut from the public

October

Track and field star Marion Jones surrenders her five Olympic medals she won in the 2000 Sydney Games after admitting to doping. What a shame !! I admired her !!

South Africa defeats England at the Rugby World Cup 2007 final in Stade de France. Too bad that Oz team lost again the Rosbeefs. In the final, the best team won.

November

Australian Labour Party wins the federal election in Australia ; Labour leader Kevin Rudd is elected to succeed John Howard as Prime Minister of Australia.

December

European leaders sign the Treaty of Lisbon in Lisbon. Hope it will change the Institutions working.

Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, is announced as Time magazine's 2007 Person of the Year. What a crazy world!!

The Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia join the Schengen border-free zone. Nice be able to visit more friends without visa.

Death:

Abbé Pierre, French priest. He founded in 1949 the Emmaus movement, which has the goal of helping poor and homeless people and refugees.
A great loss for humanity (especially in France) "mais, c'est pa pottible, malheureusement SI"

Anna Nicole Smith, American model and television personality.She first gained popularity in Playboy, becoming the 1993 Playmate of the Year. She modeled for clothing companies (one of the hottest pieces of ass on the planet when she modeled for Guess jeans) . She starred in her own reality TV show. In the months before her death, she was the focus of renewed press coverage surrounding the death of her son. She died at the age of 39.
Rest in piece, Anna. You will be missed.

Boris Yeltsin, first President of the Russian Federation serving from 1991 to 1999.
I will remembe 4ver, one of the best laugh on TV:

On 31 December 1999, in a surprise announcement made live on Russian television, Yeltsin said Prime Minister Vladimir Putin would take over as acting president.
Yeltsin asked for forgiveness for what he acknowledged were errors of his rule, and said Russia needed to enter the new century with new political leaders.
Yeltsin said: "I want to beg forgiveness for your dreams that never came true. And also I would like to beg forgiveness not to have justified your hopes."

Grégory Lemarchal was a French singer and winner of the fourth series of the reality TV programme Star Academy. A new French duet version of the British singer Lucie Silvas' ' hit single "What You're Made Of" went to number two in the singles chart. Too young to die, I really enjoyed that song. Rest In Peace.

Grégory's family founded Association Grégory Lemarchal, an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of people and the families of people with cystic fibrosis, on June 7, a week after Grégory's death : http://www.association-gregorylemarchal.com/accueil.html

Raymond Barre was professor of economics at Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris
(Sciences Po).

In 1967, President De Gaulle chose him as vice-president of the European Commission for Economic & Financial Affairs. He stayed in Brussels until January 1973. Having come back to France, he joined the cabinet as minister of the External Trade in January 1976.

Barre's 1st Government , 1976 -30 March 1977. Second government from 30 March 1977 to 5 April 1978. Third government from 5 April 1978 to 22 May 1981.

Barre retired from active politics in June, 2002. He was being treated at a hospital for a heart condition since April, 2007 when he died on August 25, 2007

Luciano Pavarotti was one the most famous tenor in opera music, who crossed into popular music and became one of the most beloved vocal performers. He was one of The 3 Tenors and was well known for his televised concerts and media appearances
One of his famous song: Nessun Dorma.
Rest in Peace Luciano and thank you !!!

Colin McRae, was a Scottish world rally driver champion.
He was the 1991 and 1992 British Rally Champion and, in 1995, became the first of only two Britons to date to have won the World Rally Championship Driver's title.
McRae helped lead Subary to the constructors' title three times in succession in 1995,1996, 1997. After a three year spell with Ford, which saw McRae win nine events, he moved to Citroen in 2003, where, despite not winning an event, he helped them win the first of their three consecutive manufacturers' titles. He became more famous with his video game in 1998.

Movies:

- My Blueberry Nights directed by Wong Kar Wai
- The Fountain directed by Darren Aronofsky

No News is Good News

2007-12-16T15:25:00.000+01:00

Here is the copy of an email I received

Dear Mr X,

I am pleased to inform you that your results in the practical tests qualify you for admission to the oral examination.

We can already inform you that the oral tests will most likely start in January 2008 and will be held in Brussels. Further information regarding the organisation of this stage of the competition, including your date/time of examination will be sent to you in due course.

Yours sincerely,

For the chairman of the Selection Board...

The countdown is on!!! I'm studying as much as possible to be ready for the D-day !!!
Who could have imagined I would go to the Oral one year ago !!
But I did it and now I must believe I might achieve my goal to work as a European Servant !!!
Time will say... I will keep you update asap.

Xmas is coming very soon as well as new year's eve but I have not planned anything until now.

Open to all propositions guys !!!

Better late than never

2007-12-16T14:58:00.000+01:00

Here are the pics of my September trip to Barna.

WC Irish bar - let's goal

Tarrascon

One of my favourite fountain

Miro masterpiece

The most difficult part of the climbing

Remi with Miro sculpture at the beach

Weekend Barcelona

2007-09-26T20:10:00.001+02:00

Last friday, I went to Barcelona to take my exam to work for the European Commission.

I must admit it was quite difficult, more than I expected. I do not think I will go to the Oral ( last stage before being on the reserve list), but time will say, life is full of surprises...

Every year in the end of September, Barcelona is prepared to celebrate its Major Party and commemorates the festivity of Mare de Déu de la Mercè, mistress of the city. This is a religious and popular party that gathers activities, among which we emphasize the popular "correfuegos" (fireworks), castellers, sardanas and the traditional piromusical.

It is necessary to emphasize that, according to the tradition, Mare de Déu de la Mercè set free Barcelona from a plague of lobsters and in gratitude she was nominated mistress of the city in 1637. The worship to the Mare de Déu de la Mercè spread, during the Middle Ages, over the Mediterranean sea and nowadays it has spread over Hispanic and American lands.

The fire, symbol of Mediterranean celebrations, is present in this party. This way, we find the traditional "correfuego" (type of fireworks) where stand out the figures of dragons and devils. Another one of the classics in Merce's party is el Piromusical. As grand finale, el Piromusical or spectacle of fireworks takes place in Montjuïc's fountains illuminating Barcelona's sky with the most current music that comes from all five continents.

I got the opportunity to attend severals concerts around the city. I enjoyed especially " El sueño de Morfeo" in Cataluña place, there were more or less 35000 people.

I saw the Castellers in the Town Hall place, it was full of people. I will always remember it, during my life I thought many Castellers on TV but never on live. It was fantastic, really moving, stressing, hard to describe that special feeling. One must see them to get that special feeling.

A castell is a human tower traditionally built during festivals in many places in Catalonia, Spain. At these festivals, several colles castelleres (teams) meet and try to build the most impressive towers they can.

I will probably put some pictures and a video asap.

I stayed at Remi's flat and met with Miguel on Sunday nite. The weather was set free. Hope you will come to this event once in your life, it really worth it.

Dinan (Video): Such a Lovely Place

2007-08-18T11:51:00.000+02:00

Best Of Rennes Fiesta Video

2007-08-18T11:40:00.000+02:00

Avignon : Palace of the Popes

2007-08-14T18:48:00.001+02:00

What has Europe Ever Done For Us

2007-08-14T18:42:00.000+02:00

Where to have fun in Salou? Here is the answer !!!

2007-08-02T12:23:00.000+02:00

Malaga Summer Break !!!

2007-07-22T18:35:00.000+02:00

Departure from Barcelona

Listening to Café Del Mar airline station :)

Calle Larios ready for the Feria

Nice Patio with Iron gate

View from Plaza de la Marina of the Calle Larios

Plaza de la Merced

Paper Local with Picasso building

View of the Town Hall and Botanic Garden

The Alcazaba & the Cathedral (aka La Manquita)

No Comment

Bullring

the Forest & the Sea & the Sky !!!

Malaga Coastline

Palm Tree shade

Malaga Beach

The Alcazaba & the Roman theatre

Visitor Entrance of the Cathedral

Cathedral from park bench

The Fountain & Obispado

Bull fights postcards

City Centre : boys playing around Colombus scuplture

Picasso, Malaga the best painting

Nice Church close to the Main Post Office

Tapas Festival :Enjoying food & beer

Plaza Mayor background

Olives & Draught for less than 1 Euro

Plaza Mayor Pubs !!!

Weekend With Julio & Pepe in Vila-Seca

2007-07-22T17:59:00.000+02:00

Julio & Pepe came to visit me for a couple of days. Nice to See you guys

Restaurant la Tagliatella in La Pineda !!! where you can eat delicious Italian recipes such as pasta or pizza...

Kill Pepe !!!

Look at the birdie!!!

Open every night, so let's have a pint or 3

Boys wanna have fun !!!

Pacha !!! Blue !!!

White Stripes??

Pacha chillout terrace

Pacha Hotel Industry Party

2007-07-22T16:35:00.000+02:00

Back to the future, on the 15th of June 2007.

One day when I was working as a Receptionist in Hotel El Paso, a woman came (she's was working as a Public Relation for Pacha La Pineda (Spain). She asked for the the manager and I said it was me (lol). She gave me invitation for 2 persons for a free dinner and open bar all night long for all the team and invitation for all the hotel staff; that it to say many many invitations (free entrance for that VIP party) or exchange for the season pass.

I've heard of that party since I arrived. They said it was tremendous. After been there, I must confirm it was one of the top 10 party of all times I've been.

In a nutshell, Open Bar + fantastic music + loads of georgeous chicks + friends !!!!

Here are some pics of that crazy nite !!!

On the road to the party !!!
Here are 2 of my flatmates: Benjamin who's working as a Groom in Hotel El Paso (from Algeciras) and Luis working in China PA as a attraction assistant.

One of the Many fantastic buffet, there were sushis, BBQ, chinese food, vegetarian...

Some yummy cocktail sticks, sausages, merguez wiz green peper

Carlos from Elche, Luis, Roberto from Algeciras, Antoine (Bordeaux) & Me

Roberto, Benjamin, Carlos & Me having a drink...

Luis, Me, Benji, Carlito & Antonio spending good time

Severine + Happy Boy + Who's that girl

Dutch Girls & The Flatmates

Luis & Me & Carlos in the VIP room

Ordering 2 vodka with NRJ drink.

Let's smile !!!

Luis in good company

El Paso guys having fun at Pacha

Antoine & Benjamin & Me

Leaticia & Me

Ou la la les petites chefs

To conclude, got a terrific hangover after more than 20 long drinks, a VIP pass for the season and the best (marvellous souvenirs)
See you around next year guys to have such a gr8 party time !

News from PA aka Port Aventura

2007-06-12T13:01:00.001+02:00

Sorry guys... it is a long story.

so I´ve working for one month as a attraction assistant in Port Aventura in Far West area.
To sum up, i broke my camera while making a movie in water..my laptop does not want to work, a system file is missing and I lost the restoration Cd in my ex-flat.

I´m trying to contact the Toshiba customer service to get a new one...

I´m living in Villa-Seca, a peaceful town close to PA, It is 45mn walking to the park or 15 with my rollerblade...

I got an intern promotion so I´m working as a receptionnist in Hotel El Paso ****
The job is better, the salary too and my work collegues are cool.. Morever there is air conditioning.

I´m dealing with all aspect of a receptionnist that is to say Check In-Out... booking...

Concerning paryt time, Salou a european resort that all of you have probably heard is near to my place. There is many pubs and discos, but i usually go to Pacha disco...

One of the best disco I´ve ever been and you all know (when I was younger i was a party boy) lol..

This fridayI got free pass to a private party: in a nutshell, a dinner and open bar all night long.
As a receptionnist all the guys who give invitation are passing at the reception and I say I was the supervisor so I did a nice job...

Concerning my flat, i´m living with 5 others people.. we have 2 great TV. I invite everyone to visit me. Who will dare having fun this summer?

I´ll put pictures asa I can...

Have a nice summer all of you...

D- Day - 1

2007-05-07T14:19:00.000+02:00

Hello guys,
to sum up my last week was tiring, exciting but a bit sad !! I guess it is quite normal due to each time I pack my stuff it reminds me the past !!! Last time I did, was not very happy !!!

But Past is past, let's watch the future.

Tomorrow I take the train to Tarragona where a woman from an Estate Agency is waiting for me to sign a flat contract.

I won't have an internet access at home so I will put news as soon as possible when I'll have some free time to resume my new adventure.

I wish you all a fantastic summer and hope some of you will visit me during my Staying.

Cheers and take care !!!!

Summer Job or how to have fun while working

2007-04-28T20:29:00.000+02:00

A few days ago, I went to an interview for a job in PORT AVENTURA.
After a few hours, I got a job but I still don't know, what I'm going to do.
I applied for receptionist in one of the 4 stars hotels, guest service, or seller in a shop !!!
Anyway, does not really matter which job I'll do, I don't go for saving money too.
Just want to spend a lively summer while waiting my September exam for the European Union.
For those who still do not know Port Aventura:

It is a theme park in the holiday resort of Salou, Catalonia, Spain, on the Costa Daurada ("Gold Coast"). It is divided into five "worlds":

Far West
China
Mediterranean
Polynesia
Mexico

Each area is themed according to this scheme and features a variety of rides and attractions. The most notable attractions are:

Dragon Khan roller coaster
Tutuki Splash (Water-based flume ride)
Stampida Wooden roller coaster
Hurakan Condor (Tower drop ride)
Templo Del Fuego(Indoor special effects show)
Sea Odyssey (Simulator)
Tomahawk (Small wooden roller coaster, at times runs parallel to Stampida)
Furious Baco (An Intamin Accelerator roller coaster, is due to open in 2007. It will have a top speed of 83.9 mph (135 km/h), meaning it will take over from Stealth at Thorpe Park and become the fastest roller coaster in Europe.)

I will put some pictures when I'll be there. So keep on having a look or two by week.

Weekend with Excellent old friends !!!!

2007-04-25T20:31:00.000+02:00

To sum up, Miguel my friend from Alicante who is actually working in Barcelona, came to spend the weekend at home. I haven't seen him for 2 years. He came with Rémi (Cf :New Year's Eve) on Friday night.

Rémi & Me & Miguel

We went to the Purple and then to In Love till late.

On Saturday, we woke up late and went to Benoit & Aurélie's. The weather was fantastic, one of the hottest day of the year.They invited us for lunch. We brought some beers & olives & rosé wine.Thanks guys we spent a nice moment.

We ate a lot, a great meal, the first Barbecue of the Year in good company.

Benito & Miguel

Julien came for the dessert, we played cards. We had fun. At evening we ate at home, then went downtown to the Tio Pepe.

Tio Pepe Staff: The Bouncer, The Waiter & The .....

Got some beers and end up to Napoli until 6.

On Sunday, it was the D-Day, the president election !!! In the afternoon we had a walk at Canet beach. It was full of people, we believed we were in summertime.

1 Franco 14 Pesetas

2007-04-16T22:11:00.000+02:00

Spain, 1960.
Two friends named Martin and Marcos decide to look for jobs in Switzerland. They leave their families behind in Spain and head off on their journey to the free, progressive part of Europe.
They will have adapt to very different way of life there, working as mechanics at a factory and living in a small industrial town. The arrival of Martin´s wife Pilar and son Pablo, and Marcos´girlfriend Maria del Carmen, marks the end of the bachelor life they were living in a country with lost of freedom. Martin and Pilar´s everyday life is their work, while little Pablo starts going to school and making the new place his home. When Martin´s father dies, they realize they've already go what they went there for and it´s time to return. Much to their susprise, going home is much harder than leaving was.!!!

Nice movie awarded at the Malaga Festival Movie !!!

Back to the teenager age

2007-04-11T18:46:00.000+02:00

I bought the Playstation II from a friend of my brother as I have much time to waste and no woman in my life and don't find any who could replace the One I lost a long time ago...

Where will the dream take you to ?

Let's give time to time !!

Port-Vendres In a cloudy afternoon

2007-04-11T18:13:00.000+02:00

We went fishing with my brother to Port-Vendres. He tried to catch up some octupussy. In the meantime, I went trekking by the moutains close to the harbour. It was cloudy but at the end of the afternoon, the sun came back and warmed day up!!! Here are some pics, not that great due to the weak lightness during that day...

Wild flowers, don't remember the name, let a post if you know it !!! thanks in advance

Fishing boat coming back home

Houses along the harbour

Lighthouse in the blue sky + sea

Lost in the middle of the moutain contemplating the landscape.

No Comments

While I was walking up , the weather was turning bad !!

Port-Vendres in 1940, no just kidding, Sepia style

The end of the harbour with the ligthouses !!

Friday Nite party Time in Empuriabrava (Spain)

2007-04-07T23:43:00.000+02:00

As usual, when we go to Empuriabrava, we've been to the Captain's Cabin.

Drank a couple of vodka with apple juice & some draughts !!!

Pierre & his friend

Pierre Posing while driving ! Watch Out the Flash !! For once you won't have to pay a fine mate!

Try To Remember when Vodka is So ......

I understand now why the pubs in Cataluña are so packed !!

I Should come more often.. Waitress are cutter than in France.

The sun is soon rising & Hangover is coming with !! Dead Drunk !!

Thrusday Hangover in Perpignan

2007-04-07T23:14:00.000+02:00

Evening Summary : We went to Auchan to buy food & beverages for the nite.

We bought pizza: 4 cheeses & Royale

Nice try to swallow the pizza in one time !!! Let's try with a beer next time :)

Avoid Hangover: Stay Drunk !!! Sweet shot

Met s.o famous while spending a penny

Boca Boca: Stella is back !!!

Meeting with Law students !! Friendly guys

Mika & Hunting man. Looking for birds !!

A chance to start a new life !! Paris Be prepared !!

2007-04-03T13:48:00.000+02:00

Last Tuesday, I took the ID tgv to go to Paris for a couple of days in order to attend my foreign affairs competition.

I arrived by nite to Lyon's station, I took the RER C to Choisy-Le-Roi to get to my friend's house.

The next time, got up early, went to Parc des Expositions, there were many many people !!!

I met two guys in knew during my High School taking the same competition. We chatted on our respectives lifes!!

I visited many places I've already been and discovered much more fantastic location in that marvellous city.

Here are some of the pics of my trip !!!

Panthéon where sleep forever the greatest french men !!

Quartier Latin: The Foutain

Adams' family house or optical effect by nite !!

Conciergerie & houseboat

Opéra Garnier Hall

Pyramide du Louvre & ME

Cafe Bar close to Louvre Museum

Jardin du Palais Royal

Credit Agricole Bank Hall

Montmartre surprising

Moulin Rouge: Temple du french cancan

Sacré Coeur in a cloudy afternoon

Captain Transfer shop or where to find fun clothes

Chaos architectural in the heart of the city.

Smart Planet Sushi

One of my 1000 Louvre collection picture

Watch Out !! It looks asleep but nobody knows !!

Napoléon III dinner table

One of my favourite object in Louvre Collection

Remember Party Nights

2007-03-25T16:04:00.000+02:00

On Friday, With Mika, Cyril (a friend who's actually living in Paris) and Pierre, we went to Empuriabrava to have a drink or ... 2 thousands!! Then we moved to Viva !!
Had much fun: here are some pics of the nite
Mika & Cyril (Boca-Boca)

Cyril, Me, Mika

What's so funny guys, but your "tipsyness" !!

Lazer or Optical illusion !!!

On Saturday, we celebrated in advance Julien's Bday !! had an Apéro at Pepe's flat then Purple!!
I met Benito, one of my best friend (from Pollestres) that I haven't recently because I was very busy with Studies and so on...

Me,Julien, Benoît

Map of my visitors

2007-03-18T14:02:00.000+01:00

Create your own visitor map!

Erasmus 20 Bday Party in the uni of Perpignan

2007-03-15T17:52:00.000+01:00

During the afternoon, I attended Seminars about Erasmus policies & history. We watched a documentary made by French people called "Si moi en Suède" a play on words with their trip 6months in Sweden. It was a really fun movie about theirs lives in Orebro university..

Then we dined at the Resto U (duck with potatoes!!!). During the nite there was a concert of Gospel, my first one as far as I can remember. Pretty good. A Flamenco band played in live and we danced like hell with 2 of my former teachers and staff of the International Office!!

Today I met my former English Business Teacher : Mme Tee Anderson while I was having a beer in front the library. I must say I haven"t seen her since I left to Malaga the first year. Time flies!! we chatted for a while about our respectives lifes!! I was really happy to see her again.

I'm studying as much as I feel motivate since my Competition for the Embassy is in less than a fortnight !!!

I'll write you more when i'll be in Paris for a couple of days after my exams!!!

Cheers everyone !!

FNAC concert

2007-03-02T21:59:00.000+01:00

I was windowshopping on Thursday and decided to got the FNAC !!! When I arrived I heard a kinda music I like, Flamenco. There was an unplugged concert of a Perpignan Band who was promoting its new album: Gitano en Nueva York. I liked their music.

Here is the front of their new CD mixing poesie of Federico Garcia Lorca and personal thoughts.
Un Flamenco en directo de Perpignan de la frontera; its own Andalucia between Cataluña y Andalucia. I invited you to listen to that nice album if you like Flamenco, you will enjoy that artist from my city.

Perpignan - Orygin wiz friends

2007-02-25T20:41:00.000+01:00

Pépé, Julien & Me

Julio & Me

Saturday Night Fever

2007-02-19T17:46:00.000+01:00

I arrived in the pm in Montpellier.

China New Year's day is coming !!

We spent the nite with Rosie and her friends. Here is François with Rosie

Me & Italian girl in Rockstore, where the music was particularly great that nite: The Killers, The Strokes, U2, Indochine, Placebo ... danced like hell

Cheers, one of the many beers I drank during that nite

Waking up in a flat you do not know !

What's the hell am i doing here !!

Go to the toilets and saw that fun poster !!

Mousse au chocolat before taking TGV to go back home. I forgot to mention that the TGV got 2 hours late, so i decided to have a little snack while waiting one more time the TGV

Last picture of the weekend !! Friend farewell

Friday Party with Uni guys

2007-02-19T14:40:00.000+01:00

Woke up and went to Mika's.

Sunset on Canigou after the rain

We played video games during the pm then did the shopping for the night. we bought a 24 beer pack + Pastis, we dined Tapas + Poêlée.

We went to Henry's party,

It was full of uni students. We took the bus to Collioure, Vertigo disco.
Mika got drunk after many vodka, we met some guys of the rugby team.

vodka apple !! tastefullll

The boozing team !!!

Who's that?? What are you doing?

Don't touch my buddy !!

Mika & a nice chick I forgot the name

Fuck Us, we are famous

Mikachu & bakayoko

Mika in good arms

One more drink guys!!!
Back at 6, slept at Mika's because too tipsy to go back home.

Rugby party Montpellier

2007-02-16T13:23:00.000+01:00

In the morning, went to the Optical shop to get my contact lenses, the first of my life, a young cute woman show me how to put them and take them off. I needed 30mn.

Then I moved to Mika's place, we ate and moved to SUAPS to get the bus to Montpellier.

It was a Rugby competition with 4 teams: the winner was Montpellier Staps, then our team, Girona and finally Montpellier 2.

By night, we did a BBQ and moved downtown to the Macadam's pub close to the Station.
At first sight it looks like any others pub but when you go to the cave, there is a central bar surrounded by galleries. Beverages prices are reasonable especially beers!!

It was a Meeting party, here are some of pictures of the game competition + the crazy night

Right to Left: Pierre, Me, Nico, Mika ...

Pierre teasing the same girl as we did with Mika!!! Lol

Mika & Me

Mika & Me: Nice to have fun with him since we could not for ages.

Me & the Girona Team + chick

Tipsy and happy , gr8 time

Mika & Leslie & Me

Making laugh Leslie!! one of my 1st quality

Mika & Jane Doe & Me

Mika thinks therefore he is

Macadam Pub background with Mika

Mika & Leslie & Me

Last beer for the road mate, dunno

Mika & Me with a special guest

Saint Valentin - Happy Bday BFW

2007-02-14T21:05:00.000+01:00

Last day, I was reading my first post on this blog and I realized it was the bday of my blog.
Last year, more or less at the same time, that I was writing the first sentences of my daily life.

It was Saint Valentin's Day like today, and I'm still alone in my room but time has passed and as you could have seen I did some trips and had a nice time with my EX.

Normally I have inspiration while writing but tonight I have my evening busy planning my weekend to Montpellier to see my best uni friend called Michael aka Mika playing at the Uni rugby league and packing my stuff for staying a couple of day with my second friend François-Xavier alias FX.

That's will be the end of that post, hope everyone reading these few words a Fantastic Valentin's Day for all of you, single or not !!

Sunday Sunny Sunday

2007-02-12T13:08:00.000+01:00

Walk on Canet beach !!

Julien aka Julio one of my best friend !! eating churros

Nice Weekend in Nantes

2007-02-10T17:54:00.000+01:00

We arrived at 10am on French National Holiday: 14 of July
We booked a room at Grand Monarque Hotel.
We ate at Restaurant L'Apsara, a Chinese & Cambodgian restaurant at noon. Kebab at night !! An Italian restaurant and The next night, we ate in one of the most famous & In restaurant of Nantes: Chez Maman, it is a restaurant brocante that is to say that you can buy almost all the stuff inside.

There were fantastic lamps very fun & design or kitch, I still remember a big LegoMan (human size on the left of the picture) and others 80 things. The dinner was fantastic, we ate this: here is picture of my main course and the one of Delphine.

Le jardin des plantes

Saint Nicolas Church
S

Canal de Nantes: l'Erdre

Nice Fountain

We visited the Isle of Versailles known for its Japanese Garden, it was a really relaxing place were you really can easily imagine you are in Japan.

Passage Pommeraye: one of the 1st magnificent glass ceiling gallery in France.

Nice Church we discovered while hanging around the city

On Sunday we visited La Tour LU (LU Tower) - a picturesque tower guarding the entrance of a former Lefevre-Utile biscuit factory. Everyone know that trademark. There was an exhibit really interesting: European Way (s) of Life 2006. in a nutshell it was modern objects, creation, videos, about Birth, How to eat, play, learn, move around, work, grow up and Love !!

In the last floor of the Tower, there is Gyrorama: it is 360° room to comtemplate the whole city, Castle of Duc of Britanny, The Cathedral of Nantes, and others monuments !!

Le parc de la Gaudinière

New Year's Eve !! What a crazy Nite

2007-02-09T13:21:00.000+01:00

New Year's Eve in Barcelona

Jean-Marie and Camille from Corsica (Isle of Beauty in french, here is one the local people)

Pepe , Me, Greg, Jean-Marie
We got a nice time , forgot to mention i know them since my 1st Erasmus year in Alicante, so we remembered our respectives lifes during the last past years!!

Tipsy or Not :) The beauty & the Beast

Mitch aka Remi, Me, Pepe aka Nicolas. Nice to see you again mate!

Back to writing

2007-02-09T12:18:00.000+01:00

After many months of inactivity concerning that blog, i'm back !!!
So many things to tell you guys !!

First of all, i'm sorry for the ones who doesn't understand well Shakespeare language.
But nowadays, English is the best way to communicate abroad if you don't speak any others languages but your mother tongue !!

From now on, i'll try to update my blog every single day or week !!
I'm writing in English because i love it and it allows me not to forget this fanstastic language, I do not why when I'm writing in english, my creativity is better, words come easier to my mind !!

This year the Erasmus program celebrates his 20 years, and thanks to this fantastic program, we could, spent most of us marvellous moments in a country that one not knowing inevitably well. Time passes quickly, but the memories resist, I remember with much nostalgia and happiness, of very pleasant moments spent with much among you. I hope that it is the same thing for you!!!

I kept in contact with some of you and for those which I would have forgotten lately, I write this email to wish you all, a FANTASTIC NEW YEAR my best wishes for 2007 wherever you might be in Europe or anywhere else in the world.

Rennes Capital of Britanny (Part 1)

2006-05-27T16:49:00.000+02:00

Parliament Of Britanny

Visit to Fougères

2006-04-24T10:04:00.001+02:00

22nd of April:

Fougères' major monument is a medieval stronghold built atop a granite ledge, which was part of the ultimately unsuccessful defence system of the Duchy of Britanny against French aggression. Fougères is a town of Art and History.

It reminds me Ronda (Spain - Andalucia), it was a fantastic sunny day and hot.

The castle is one of the biggest French castle, with a 2 hectares area. Constitués de trois enceintes, les remparts sont magnifiquement conservés. Si le logis seigneurial est en ruine, les tours s'élèvent encore avec majesté.

Le beffroi

It was the first one to be built in Britanny in 1397. It symbolizes the craftship dynanism searching for independency.

7th of April 2006

2006-04-09T18:08:00.000+02:00

Visit to Dinan / Dinard / Saint-Malo.

Dinan:

Situated in an outstanding location overlooking the valley of the river Rance, the fortified town of Dinan is indisputably one of the most beautiful places in Brittany.

In Roman times it was situated at the crossroads of two important roads: one went to Normandy, the other to Rennes. Dinan is still surrounded by one of the oldest and most extensive ramparts of Brittany.

About 13,000 people live in this picturesque town in the Departement Côtes-d'Armor. Dinan is crammed full of half timbered buildings dating back to the 13th and 14th century with narrow streets opening up to reveal their secret to the visitor - a physical and spiritual presence which remains intact.

I'm lovin' it !!!

Departure to Dinard around 5pm.

Dinard's reputation as the "Cannes of The North" has attracted a wide variety of stars. It really worth it. Winston Churchill enjoyed holidaying on the River Rance. Alfred Hitchcock spent many summers in Dinard and based the house used in his most famous movie Pyscho on a Villa standing over the Plage D'Ecluse.

Lawrence of Arabia lived in Dinard before his Arabic conquests and Piccasso, Monet and many other prominent artists enjoyed the stunning coast line.

In modern history Dinard was first settled by Saint-Malo's shipping merchants who built some of the towns magnificent villas on the cliff tops.
It lies on the Gulf Stream which means it enjoys a warm climate, several degrees warmer than the surrounding areas.

It was a sunny day, I liked the two beaches and the various creeks that you can see along the the cliff walk. The sea colours were green, turquoise. There is a casino with a restaurant facing the sea.

Around 7, decided to go to Saint-Malo to contemplate the sunset.

6th of April of 2006

2006-04-09T17:50:00.000+02:00

Visit to Vitré : old walled town obtained the label town of Art and History “Villes et Pays d’art et d’histoire », because of its very rich inheritance such as the Church of Notre Dame is a 15^th and 16^th century contruction.

Castle of the Barons of Vitré XIIIth

Medieval streets (Beaudrairie, Poterie, d'Embas "XV and XVI century half-timbered houses")

NB: For French People : Elle a également été une ville-test pour

Les cartes VITALE qui ont été distribuées dès 1994 à Vitré car l'usine Oberthür qui fabrique ces cartes y est implantée.

It was a sunny day, after walking around the city, went down the city to a stroll and had a walk, saw some nice sheeps and a black one.

2nd of April 2006

2006-04-09T17:00:00.001+02:00

Visit to the famous Mont Saint Michel
It is on the north coast of France, near the border of Brittany and Normandy. In fact it belongs to Normandy nowadays, but used to belong to Brittany.

It is home to the unusual Benedictine Abbey and steepled church (built between the 11th and 16th centuries) which occupy most of the one-kilometer-diameter clump of rocks jutting out over the waters of the English Channel.

The Mont Saint Michel and its bay were added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1979 because it is seen as one of the holiest places in the world. It is also surrounded by a very historical and extraordinary bay.

The tides in the area shift quickly, and have been described by Victor Hugo as "à la vitesse d'un cheval au galop" or "as swiftly as a galloping horse". The tide actually comes in at one meter per second.

When we arrived the tide was high so we could not walk around the bay therefore we decided to hanging around the village.
While standing in front of it I couldn’t help thinking it had fallen from the sky, as it is one really big piece of rock standing alone in the beach, surrounded by a plain of sand and water to one side and grassland to the other
I thought it would be a bigger rock, when you see it on TV or on Pictures it looks bigger than it is. In some hours you can see everything.

The streets were narrow and looked like in Carcassonne castle.. really nice...

We ate in Restaurant Du Guesclin ** (Mussels + roasted potatoes + Omelette de la mère Poulard + Caramel Dessert + rosé wine)

After that delicious meal we decided to try to get around the islet and we managed not to stain ours shoes till 30m from the entrance. See Pictures.

After visiting it, it came as no surprise to find out that it's actually the second most visited place in france, after paris, and in particular by japanese tourists.

Departure from Mont Saint Michel at 5pm to Saint-Malo.

Saint-Malo is a walled port city in Britanny.

It is the most visited place in Brittany :

The walled city (La Ville Intra-Muros)
The château of Saint-Malo
The tomb of the writer Chateaubriand on the Ile de Grand Bé
The Cathedral of St Vincent

Saint-Malo was the birthplace of Jacques Cartier (explorer of Canada) and Chateaubriand (1768-1848), writer and diplomat...

A bit of history: In past centuries it became notorious as the home of a fierce breed of pirate-mariners, who were never quite under anyone's control but their own; for 4 years from 1590, Saint-Malo even declared itself to be an independent republic, taking up the motto "not French, not Breton, but Malois". The Corsairs of Saint-Malo not only forced English ships passing up the Channel to pay tribute, but also brought wealth from further afield

I really enjoyed the large beaches at low tides with a fantastic sunlight, the sky was blue as i'm used to see it in Spain.

The building along the walls are rathe big (5 floors on average). The city is really charming.

Back to Rennes at 9pm by train .

Trip to Brittany

2006-04-08T19:11:00.000+02:00

23nd March 2006

TGV to Rennes, is the capital of the Bretagne, as well as the prefecture of the Ille-et-Vilaine.
The town is built on a hill. It is at the meeting point of two rivers: the Ille and the Vilaine.

The connection from the Station to the Place Saint-Anne is fast (10mn) , nice place.

The Parliament of Brittany, is arguably the most famous building in Rennes.

Colorful traditional timber frame houses are situated primarily around the city center.

I'm living in Plaza of the Lists (Place des Lices) close to "Les Halles Martenot" of the 19th century, host the market of the lists on Saturday mornings (the third market in France).

Culture

Rennes invests heavily in arts and culture and a number of its festivals (such as the music festival Les Transmusicales, les Tombées de la Nuit and Travelling (a cinematic festival)) are well known throughout France.

Rennes is home to Stade Rennais FC, who play at Route de Lorient in the French Premier League.

Trip To Paris - Part 2

2006-03-30T12:03:00.000+02:00

Wednesday, 22th of March 2006:

The next day, woke up at 8am and decided to go to the Eiffel Tower.. took line 13 till Gare Montparnasse and commuted to Number 6 till Bir Hakein.. the weather was cloudy, quite normal for Paris, it was drizzling with a little breeze..

At eleven i was under the world famous tower, not as many people as i could imagined but it was rather chill.. Decided to climb up by the stairs. Payed 3 euros till the second floor. At the beginning i was couting the steps but after a few minutes stopped to concentrate me upon the view. When i arrived at the second floor there were nobody except a few courageous foreign teenagers. The panaroma was great even if i could see far away because of a patch of mist.

Took many pictures 360° around, i was able to visualize the path i wanted to take.
It was a good idea to come early because after noon , groups of tourists arrived and blocked the ways. After a few minutes of hesitation, decided to go to the third floor even if it started to rain a bit. The price of the lift because it is the only way to reach the top of the tower was 3,3.

So overall, payed 6,3 euros to get to the end of the tower eiffel.. brilliant..
I took a rest at the cafeteria of the 2^nd floor and nibbled some cookies.

What a surprise to see that the rain transformed into snow at the top, it was cool but cold so did not stay for a long time outside.. fortunately there was a room to contemplate the 360° view. There was a strong wind.

At 1pm i was downstairs and headed for the Trocadero’s Place.. the view from there is outstanding, there is some golden statues i saw before on internet pictures.. and two massive statues of greek heroes.

On my way to the Arc de Triomphe, saw a fantastic red Chevrolet and Mercedes.. i stopped in the Cathedral church of the holy trinity, known as the American Cathedral..
It is an English Gothic architecture famous in the European Continent.

It was surprising to see all the flags of the American regions and especially to see the Holy book on each of the rows.

Ten minutes walking from there i arrived at the Arc de Triomphe beginning of the Champ Elysées (funny moment: was singing the Charles Trenet songs) going down the Avenue..

It was the peak hour, so i did not pass under the Arc de Triomphe, too many cars... i felt a bit hungry and went down to a restaurant called Mac Donald, lol, it was overcrowed.

Amazing thing, you can listen music while eating like in the supermarkets.. Paris will always surprises me. While i was queeing for ordering, i met the most beautiful woman of the year, she was behing me. Her description: Tall, dark mid-long hair, green-eyed, well suited. She looked like an Arabic-Indian person.. A fox as Jared would described her..

Decided to walked down the whole Champ-Elysées Avenue.. and arrived to a nice bulding.

I asked the first passer-by i met and he explaines nicely that the building was the new-opened petit Palais (that is to say the Musée des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris). I saw a TV report a few weeks ago about it. Why not entering and having a look at –morever it is pouring down.

One more time, the entrance was free, i was amazed at seeing the golden entrance and the ceiling of the main room. The guard told me i had to put my rucksack downstairs. And the box, there was a young lady thinking i was going to a lecture held in a private room but i was only a visitor.

I realized one more time that wearing a suit make you different for the eyes of others..

The basement was a real labyrinth, the exhibition were great.. spent a couple of hours inside.. got a cappucino in a modern chillout cafeteria "Le Jardin Du Petit Palais" for only 2.5 euros.

I thought i saw the most impressive pieces of art till i came upstairs and realized that the main work of art were there. Too many to describe them. One thing i remenber is the inner patio with a cosy garden with ponds and palm trees.

A few meter from thisfantastic Museum is the Alexander III bridge’s , a marvel..
I met some Indian people from Bombay took a pic with them..

The bridge is huge and a magnificent piece of art.. many standard lamps and 4 golden statues + many golden stuff along the river..

The Hotel of

My Trip To Paris - Part 1

2006-03-30T11:24:00.000+02:00

Tuesday, 21th of March 2006:

Departure from the center of the world’s station at around 7am by TGV (Take the time to go fast) .Arrived at Noon in the Gare de Lyon’s. It was rather chill, first feeling i thought it was like the station in Barcelona but after a few minutes i realized that is was a huge station...

First of all, i looked for the left luggage lockers, it was in –2 floor. It costed 8 euros for 3 days even if you did not want to use the whole time, the stupid thing was that you cannot put some stuff and take them back, you only had to open it once; the second thing was i could not let my laptop in it so I had to carry it with me and i got to say that at the end of the day you feel it.

A shocking thing was you could not find any cash dispenser in the Station, you have to go out. I needed some cash to buy the underground tickets (10) Got the interview at 2.30 in the Hotel Cosy in the 12^th neighbourhood.
So after made all the things, i decided to go there right away and had my lunch in the neighbourhood. The line i took was number 6 to the Nation and then Picpus (funny name isn’t it) the next one is famous too –it is Bel Air (Hey Remi this is yours)

The exit was 20 meters from the hotel, the name is well found (cosy) it really seemed like that.. walking around and visited a nice church and stopped at the Bistrot in the corner for lunch, i was pretty starving. I ordered an Entrecote with roasted potatoes as main, a tuna salad with tomatoes , and a beer as usual. The meal was really stuffing and good as well for only 13 euros.. i thought it would be more expensive, got a nice surprise..

Hardly i finished to lunch, went to the interview. When i entered saw a pretty young woman at the recepcion. She knew who i was at first glance.. we chatted half an hour or more, it was an unconvential interview, she explaines that the hotel was only 2 years old with a familiar runnning, visited the patio (i saw on the website) and we talked about my experiences...
The salary was 1350 net + Carte Orange included + breakfast ( Night Audit).

After that i made my mind to go to the city center walking along the Seine River. The weather was cloudy and chilly with a bit of wind. Met a guy along my walk who explained that life in Paris was more and more difficult especially accommodation. Saw some nice boathouses close to Notre Dame’s Cathedral. Took some picture of the most famous cathedral in france and tried to remenbered me the history of Casimodo.

Before arriving, there was a crowd of people on the bridge, some Japs.. coming closer from the entrance the number of people was rocketing, bands of Italians, Asiatic, Swedish.... many class groups..

The front of the cathedral was impressive especially the two doors was massive scultures.Looked for the price and did not find it so went it and surprisingly it was free of entrance..

Cool !!! There was many many people. The top of the ceiling was really high, it reminds me Sevilla’s Cathedral.. the stained glass window and the great organ were fantastic.

Made a loop of it and seated for a few minutes because i was quite exhausted of having walked till it. It like the candles designed the Virgin Mary.

My watch ringed it was 6pm, time to meet with Yannick.. The Cathedral is close to the Town Hall which mayor is Bertrand Delanoe .. there were 3 photos exhibitions, went to one of a famous parisian photograph. The pictures were about Paris through the century, could see many monuments i was about to visit in the following days.. some pictures were fantastic.

Time was out with my appointement with Yannnick in front of the merry-go-round in front of the Town Hall.

We took the Underground to the Lyon’s Station to fetch my luggage and go to his place.. the bloody suitcase was heavy at the end of day.. i lived in the 14^th (Line 13 Chatillon Montrouge) Stop Pleasance. It sounded a nice neighboorhood.

We went for shopping for the nite, some pastas and beers and breakfast stuff..
During the nite, we chatted about Past and Future, friends and others..

2006-03-14T14:49:00.000+01:00

One More Week wiZout Jobs !!!

2006-03-08T22:05:00.000+01:00

The Coathanger "Harbor Bridge"

One of the best skyline in the world.

Downtown & Sydney tower at full moon light

The Fantastic Opera House

Life is so boring when you spend most of the time sending CVs and that nobody anwers back !!
So here are some Pics of one my favorite city in the world : Sydney

No jobs yet

2006-03-03T18:41:00.000+01:00

I sent many CVs during a week, only got 10% of answers and 100% of negative ones..

So nothin' interesting to tell about.

Here are 4 women i fancy a lot: Kristen Kreuk , Anna Kournikova, Anna Falchi and ?? If
someone knows her (let a commentary) !!!

Summary of Last Week and End

2006-02-27T21:37:00.000+01:00

I kept on sending CVs to Paris in order to get a job...
Went to the Gym every two days
Went Out on Thursday & Saturday...
Bought a new Jacket & Skirt really great..

Here are the pics of the Week

Sum up of da Weeken'

2006-02-20T12:34:00.000+01:00

On Sunday, The same...
On Saturday, nothing passionating, watched TV , resting and looking for job by Net.

Me & Hélène after some drinks :)

Friday, during the whole day i collected infos about PARIS.
I haven't told you, I'm Looking for a job and in my little town is rather difficult to find a good one so after many months of searching i gonna make the move.
In the beginning i was hesistating wiz Valencia in Spain but in the end i think i wanna see what is the Parisian way of live (at least for a few months)

So, by night i went to a restaurant wiz some friends (one of them called Audrey is a candidate 4 da beauty contest of my town)
I'll add some pics of her ... and you would tell me if you like her or not...

web compteur

2006-02-16T21:15:00.003+01:00

Homemade Postcard from pics I took in Malaga (Spain)

Is not she lovely? Swedish Waiter who lighted up my last
week in Malaga during 2003. Thanks you again...

2006-02-16T21:15:00.002+01:00

2006-02-16T21:15:00.000+01:00

2006-02-15T12:28:00.003+01:00

2006-02-15T12:28:00.001+01:00

Some Nice pics .
My favorite Soccer club, beer, city skyline, flag

2006-02-15T12:28:00.000+01:00

Hello guys,
I've just woke up...11am...watching Torino Olympics Games last nite...not that bad...
Now i gonna grab sum stuff and be back in a while..crocodile...

Here is my Fantastic Worlf wiz my virtual pics of my Sweet Luv..

2006-02-14T21:44:00.000+01:00

Hiya everyone, today is Valentin's Day and i'm alone at home without my love so i decided to spend my spare time relating a bit of my life creating this Blog.
Welcome to everyone...
First Chapter coming soon...