31 mars 2009, coaching gymnastics

TUESDAY

For the past several months I have been volunteering once or twice a week at Ilets Sports Montluçonnais Gymnastique, a gymnastics club in the Espace Boris Vian complex. I help coach beginner levels. Trying to give corrections in French is quite interesting.

28 mars 2009

SATURDAY

Saturday and Sunday's festivites for the Carnaval du Bœuf Villé were canceled (for the first time in its history) supposedly due to weather, though it was in fact a beautiful day.

People were hanging about in centre ville and kids were spraying shaving cream on each other.

Prémilhat and Templemore, Ireland are sister cities, which is what inspired the Fête de la Saint Patrick. The sister city association hosted the wonderful event. A live band played Irish music all night (my supervisor played the accordion). A number of people from Club anglais showed up and I even saw one of my students who had come with her family.

27 mars 2009, bowling

FRIDAY

There is a game complex with bowling, billards, lazer tag, a bar, etc... that is a fifteen minute walk from my abode. I pass it everytime I go to Auchan to do grocery shopping.

I was invited along with two other assistants to join a group of French friends who we met two weeks ago. I can't remember the last time I went bowling and while I am not the biggest fan of the game, it was amusing.

26 mars 2009

THURSDAY


Preparations for the Carnaval du Bœuf Villé, which is suppose to be one of the hightlights of the year in Montluçon.

I attended a free film and lecture at the IUT (Institut Universitaire Technologique) which I saw advertised in the street. I showed up five minutes early, thinking I was cutting it close, though I ended up sitting in the auditorium practicially by myself for fifteen minutes before people started showing up...
The subject of the evening was migration and development in Mali. It was fascinating. Mali is a former colony of France. Some Malians go to France in order to obtain an education. Those that return to Mali come back with medical and educational training to help the country's developement. But often these Malians struggle with their identity and are torn between the two worlds.

25 mars 2009, another day trip to Bourges

WEDNESDAY

leaving Montluçonpassing through Châteauneuf-sur-Cher on the way to Bourges

Bourges

Le Mouton Noir (the black sheep) a left party in Bourges

The Carnaval walking through downtown Bourges.

train back to Montluçon

24 mars 2009

TUESDAY

crow nests along Quai Rouget de Lisle

After helping coach gymnastics at Espace Boris Vian, I walked outside to a beautiful sunset.

22 mars 2009, a Sunday walk

SUNDAY

Le Cler River near the Pont des Iles

21 mars 2009

SATURDAY

walking towards centre ville

A brocante (flea market) in the parking lot in front of hôtel de ville (city hall)

Art exposition at the hôtel de ville. I was impressed by the artwork and the hôtel de ville is quite beautiful in itself.
On the walk back I came upon a carnaval of primary school children.

20 mars 2009, Le Welcome

FRIDAYThis is a cabaret, though I have never seen anyone go in or out of it. I pass it everytime I walk into town. It is another example of the incorporation of English into French society.

19 mars 2009, Another Strike

THURSDAY

The little boy is trying to tie his shoe during recess at École Lamartine.

Today is another national general strike day in France. Two of my five classes were canceled, because when the teacher goes on strike the children don't show up either, so since the teacher of my students goes on strike I have no one to teach. After finishing up my day at École Lamartine, I stayed in town and waited for the manifestation (demonstration, protest) to come through.

The protesters marched along the bank of Le Cler River before making it into centre ville.

The banner declaring their terms for marching: increase of salary and pension, a stop to layoffs, desire for stable jobs, guaranty of full-time work (which is 35 hours in France), guaranty of retirement money, improvement of public services...

Here is one of the videos I took during the protest.