Christmas Festivities

It was so weird spending the build up to Christmas in Nantes. Unlike in the UK you do not get bombarded with Christmas Carols everywhere you go, but instead there are some really cute little markets all over the place selling home made gifts and lots of mulled wine. It wasn't until we got to Paris that we actually heard Christmas carols which was odd seeing as when I was in Chior I'd have been singing carols since September. However, although different I still had a lovely few weeks.


Erasmus party at Lieu Unique.

(ummm... descriptions of this night may be a bit vague as not many of us remember much... oops)
We started drinking at Livi and Lauren's flat, making a drinking game out of French for Dummies on my phone (I'm quite embarrassed that I just admitted that seeing as we all ended up so drunk and our degree is in French). Anyway, after a few hours we headed into town, I fell over on the tram somehow and ended up wedged in the stairwell. Livi and I also made a friend called "Fanny you know like the Pussy" whilst singing Rihanna on the street.

We then wandered round Bouffay for no apparent reason and then eventually got into LU. Being known for being ever so slightly more dramatic than usual when slightly intoxicated, I was absolutely shocked and appalled when the bouncer wouldn't let Lauren in because she was too drunk. I took it upon myself to just stand there, pretty much shouting in the bouncers face "ELLE N'EST PAS IVRE! ELLE A BESOIN D'ENTRER S'IL VOUS PLAIT." Such a wonder they let me in again after that. What a knob!

Lauren eventually got in with Claire having swapped coats with Annie. Hahaha she looked absolutely hilarious in Annie's coat which came down past her knees because Annie is taller. Didn't think I could make more of a fool of myself to be honest but the night was still young.

I then took it upon myself to confess my love to my friend Maurice. Not going to go into any more detail about that one as I am too ashamed. Sorry darling! We apparently made lots of French friends? Je ne sais pas.

Can't really fill in the blanks here to be honest which is awful (hope my mother never reads this). I remember walking home with Lauren because Livi had run off because she was angry that Lauren had called her a knob or something ridiculous like that. The cut knees the next morning suggest I may have fallen over at this point. The fifteen minute walk to their flat (I was staying there too) took us about three times as long as it should have done but we then found Livi.

Livi and Lauren broke into the most hilarious argument with Livi shouting "You called me a knob!" and Lauren replying with "I'm sorry I called you a kno-" and being cut off by Livi screaming "YOU JUST DID IT AGAIN!" hahah it was so funny. But in my stupid drunk mind I thought it was a good idea to pretend I was going home to stop them arguing. I ran out being all dramatic and ran up a flight of stairs in their building and curled up for a little nap outside someone's door for half an hour before returning back down to the flat wanting a proper sleep. Very effective Jess.

The next morning, we all woke up with such sore heads and texts off a boy called Simon that none of us could remember meeting! The day progressed with more texts telling us "It was nice to meet you all last night, British girls are fun!" Apparently the way to make french friends is to get so drunk that you don't care about what you're saying. I wonder what the Exeter University staff would say about that...

Secret Santa

To get into the spirit of Christmas, I organised Secret Santa for us all. We had to spend 5 euros and would open the presents at a meal during the last week. We all had lovely presents and ate and drunk enough for about 20 people.

 

 

 

Some of the presents were hilarious. Liam had a penis sponge to do his washing in his shower and his favourite biscuits. Lou had some incense which smelt lush. Becks had whisky and lip balm. I had a lovely mirror and knickers from accessorize from Annie <3 Merci cherie! Ooh and also Bon Point cards from Ellie :D hahah Ellie had a really fashionable Nantes tourist bag full of goodies. Lauren had an orgasmatron (head massager = amazzze). Annie had a bracelet. Claire had such a cute Christmas tree decoration. Livi had a lush little purse. Doug and Matt celebrated by toasting to each other or something stupid- Scrooooges.

After we had eaten, we headed to Pti Zync which Donald re-opened for us as he was closing bless him. As we were the only ones there, we could choose what music we wanted (from a very random/bizarre collection) and had a good dance before getting the tram home.

Can't you tell how much Diglet likes being touched...

Ice Skating

There was a temporary ice rink next to the Cathedral in Nantes, so Liam, Ellie, Lou and I went for a few hours. It was only a euro! Winter Wonderland is such a rip off.

Lou took one step onto the ice, having never skated before and completely decked it! It was so funny.
But she mastered it eventually bless her.

Flying home

After so much panic with the snow and everything, we were all so worried about getting home. Unlike some people, we were so lucky that our flight wasn't canceled. We got to Nantes airport, and without breaking tradition, I once again had to unpack my case because it was so heavy, and poor Liam had to wear about three coats and stuff all the pockets because his was so heavy!

After laughing at everyone's passport photos (Doug's in particular is hilair) we eventually boarded the flight an hour late and it was horrible. Ellie was having a mare and I was starting to get a bit panicky and accidentally screamed "SHIT" really loudly as the plane suddenly dropped, much to the parents next to me's dismay. However, once we got in the air we were fine, luckily.

King Louis?

We landed slightly late also, and were in such a faff trying to rush to get our train. We missed it, and because of all the snow, there were no taxis running and the Derby bus was really late. It eventually turned up so Ellie, Doug and I got on it and got to the station where we stocked up on British goodies that we had missed so much.

Once we got on the train towards Cardiff, I realised I had left all my UK cards (young persons rail card, boots and gift cards) in Nantes- twat. Luckily the train man was in a bit of a rush so only glanced at my ticket. This woman started talking to us which was really annoying, I hate it when people do that. She just kept butting into our conversation- It was so annoying! She even had the cheek to ask for a piece of Ellie's chocolate orange and if any of you know Ellie, you know that's not a wise move.

A few hours, a really long wait at Birmingham and loads of magazines later we finally got to Cardiff where Charles picked me up (thanks again babes xxx). It was so good to be home and nothing had changed. Emma was already nagging me to hurry up home so she could start eating the chinese... Safe Em, sisterly love and all that. Not like I hadn't seen her for 2 months because she'd lost her passport or anything...