Break-through

Don't get too excited, I've not discovered a cure for the common cold or anything, but I did go out for coffee (see, said it was integral to life here didn't I?) with some other Erasmus students, only one of whom was English, I'd say that counts as a success!  I'm not really sure how it happened if I'm honest, I just know one minute I was standing outside a classroom with Jenny and the next we were walking to a cafe with 2 girls from Slovenia and an Italian girl.  The even better part was that *Shock Horror* we spoke in...French.  This may seem quite normal considering where I am but you'd be wrong, it is actually very hard to break out sticking with people of your own nationality.  Everyone sort of drifts together and it can be hard to start up conversation with someone, that or they try and practise their English on you instead which of course is not helpful!  I'd say half way into the first real week of classes that is a good start, next stop- speaking to actual French/Belgian people, wish me luck!

Look, I'm wearing a Lancaster University Glee Club hoodie do you really think I can give you directions around Brussels?

Today it has become clear to me that I must walk around with some sort of air that makes people think I know where I'm going, which generally is because I do, but I don't know the way to where they want to be!  The previous episode of this caused me to get caught in the rain after being helpful and sharing my map.  Today however someone pulled over in their car to ask me for directions, my helpful hints includes "c'est Rue General Jaques" *point* and "ca, c'est Rue Juliette Wytsman" *point* "Je suis desolee!" I was even wearing my Lancaster Glee hoody, it shoud've been a hint to him that I wasn't exactly a local!

Coffee. Something I've never exactly been the worlds biggest fan of but round here you're some sort of alein if you don't drink it!  I survived Valencia without touching the stuff but I don't think I'll get through the next year without being thought of as some kind of stange person without drinking it.  Step one- McDonalds cappuccino I actually quite liked it.  Maybe I can get into this coffee lark after all....

I also had my first class that I might actually be able to say was successful after yesterday with the useless lesson and the lesson where class and tutor were in different parts of the building!  Despite having said I had no intention of doing any literature classes I appear to have signed myself up for 2 but the tutor is good and his classes are enjoyable so I reckon it might have been a good move.  After queueing like a propper British person for my student card I appear to have purchased a blank card...I think it means I can top it up with cash and buy things but nothing useful like sign up for classes, use the internet or get on their version of LUVLE- helpful.  Especially as I got back to an email saying my real card is ready to collect but because of some funny rule I think I can only get it on Thursday afternoon?

I went to Carrefour and got some supplies for my cordon bleu cooking... after a year of cooking well with the girls I am back on my own and cooking for one isn't that much fun, I'm back to student style pasta and frozen delights.  I did have to take a bit of a guess at what nail varnish remover is too, its got the word ongles in it though so it's a good start I guess!