Brrrrr

Yesterday my first class was at 8am and my last class finished at 7:15pm (or 19h15 if you're European), I only really had 3 hours between my classes at most and since it takes me about 40 minutes to get from my apartment to campus I decided to stay on campus.

As some of you may know Grenoble is experiencing a cold period (it's currently -12 with -20 windchill) I don't know how often this has happened historically but it seems to be rather abnormal. I have concluded this because they don't heat anything well (aside from my residence), they also have rather inefficient doors for keeping the warmth in a building. In Ottawa during the winter, though it may be bitterly cold outside inside is always well heated so once inside, you warm up very quickly. Here it is not so, in the main building of my university that holds all the ampitheaters they have automatic sliding doors. This means that a huge amount of door opens whenever someone walks by, even if they don't want to come into or leave the building. Since the bathroom door is right next to the main entrance this happens very frequently.

I think my toes were numb all day, which was mainly my fault because I didn't wear my wool socks (dumb idea) but in all fairness I was expecting warm buildings. Heating issues inside, I think that the main reason that I am having problems dealing with this cold is that I do not have my winter boots or my parka here with me. I figuered that the few days I might need them for wasn't enough to justify that much room in my suitcase. Not so. However in the middle of next week the temperatures are supposed to rise so I should be a much warmer person.

Aside from being cold most of yesterday, I also went out for my first real meal in France. I went out with with 4 other exchange students ( from Russia, Italy, USA and Canada) to an Indian restaurant which is right near the bottom of my hill. I was a little skeptical but the food was pretty good, though not quite as spicy as I had expected. Unfortunately the service was remarkably slow, though I think that might be a characteristic of France and not this particular restaurant. I was also very hungry so that definetly didn't help the problem.

Even more interesting about the restaurant is that we were seated around 8:40pm and we left at 11pm. there were only 3 other groups of people in the restaurant (all of whom arrived before us) and they weren't really showing any signs of leaving at 11, most were enjoying dessert of their coffees. It was kind of difficult because I was so hungry but it was definitely a nice change of pace from home, where the servers seem to want you to leave as soon as possible. I was going to continue this post but I have just glanced at the clock and I have to be in class soon, so you will all just have to look forward to part two.