La semaine infernale

So, it's pretty boring here most of the time. The week days aren't so bad because I have 3 scheduled classes to eat up my day, but the weekends are horrendous. To make matters worse, my newfound paranoia of insects is impeding me from going to the beach... or anywhere that involves spending any amount of time outside. So I'm pretty much stranded here on campus. At least I have a book and a coffee shop, but there is no way I am EVER coming back to this place without a car. EVER.
Here's a run-down of this week's events. Earlier in the week the musical group Le Grand Derangement came and played for us. They are an extremely well-known Acadian group who have played all over the world. Their music is very similar to Newfoundland music, except they have a traditional Acadian dancer. Here are some pictures from the show:

                     

                                     

On Friday evening we went to an outdoor picnic area near the beach where they cook up fresh seafood and desserts. I tried lobster for the first time and it's disgusting!! The next day we returned to the same place where they have a little Acadian market. It's really sweet. I bought some homemade socks and a few other things. Here's the socks:

Last night we had a Soiree Hawaiien. It was pretty good. I had one drink and was ready for bed, haha. Here are some pictures from that:

And finally, if you'd like to see some pictures of the horrors I've been living through this past week take a look at the pictures below. I do warn you though, they aren't pretty!

These bites are on my elbow. There's some big mosquitos here that we don't get in NL.

Rash on my foot that's really my own fault. This appeared after I went to the beach and was digging my feet in the sand.

Difficult to see in this picture, but there are three large bites on my foot and they itch like crazy.

Big ol' mosquito bite on the side of my foot.

There's the run-down of my week. Needless to say I can't wait to get back to NL. The only redeeming part of this trip is that I get to speak French all the time, and that's the only thing I enjoy.

Ici on parle francais!

Here's some pictures from the last few days. On Sunday myself and two other girls visited the nearby graveyard which was really nice. Apparently I'm not the only one who walks through graveyards.

Yesterday a bunch of us teachers went to the beach. It was our last day speaking English so we took advantage of it. Plage Mavillette was beautiful! It's a huge sandy beach unlike anything I'd expect to see in Canada. Pictures don't really do it justice. Also, you may not recognize me when I come home as... wait for it.... I'M TANNED. Not even kidding.

This was taken by a headstone of a woman who lived to be 103 in the 1800s.

Lighthouse and windmills on campus.

The main building of campus

The beach!

Well, I'm off to my advanced conversation workshop now.

Talk soon,

Robyn

Une ame vaut mieux qu'un monde...

This morning myself and several others from the program went to mass at the church next door, toute en francais! It was very different to experience the service in French, yet it was quite similar to an English mass. There was a baptism as well. Yesterday we visited the church and the museum and I took lots of pictures. It's really beautiful inside. The church is the largest wooden one in North America and I think it's nicer than the stone ones we often see. Here are some pictures:

Honorary St. Theresa pic for Nan.

Keg of holy water. I got some for Nan.

Today is really boring. There's not scheduled and no Canada Day parties. However, there is a coffee shop on campus which I discovered today and makes me quite happy. Still, I totally regret not going to Quebec for this program.

Robyn

Bienvenue!

I've arrived safe and sound. I had a great flight and a nice drive from Halifax to Church Point. I'm all settled in my room now and it is very nice. Much nicer than the place I stayed in Toronto. There aren't many people here today; most will arrive tomorrow. The campus is nice but I haven't had a chance to explore it much yet. Nova Scotia is SO much like Newfoundland. It has prettier houses and less of a charming accent, but beyond that I feel like I'm home. Here's some pictures of my room. I'm on the first floor which is nice and cool. The walls have been recently painted and there's new flooring down because of a flood, so it feels like I'm in a new build.

   

I'm looking forward to the program starting on Monday. Tomorrow we have our placements tests. Tonight I'm either going to take a walk to the beach or go to the gym. The beach will probably win out...

Robyn