Travelling from France to Spain

Hello audience! Just an update really as my time in France comes to an end. Today I ventured on down to the Strasbourg train station, (which by the way is an incredible building for those that haven't seen it. It's like an old church/cathedral style building, SURROUNDED by a like glass dome. Check it!) and enquired about how much/how long it would take for a train from Strasbourg to Valencia.

Strasbourg Train Station at night

Outer shell of Strasbourg train station

Furturstic, but also not at the same time. Strasbourg's train station is pro

And so it appears I'm off! This Saturday I have to travel to Paris, to take what they call a hotel train overnight to Barcelona, where I'll change and head off to Valencia.

This isn't my last post before I go, just an update on my travels.

That's it for now. Rats Out!

Remember to check out BlogWave! Our comedy podcast full of blogging tips and SEO optimisation:  http://blogwave.net
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From France to Spain / Best blogging tips

For those that have been following my travels and adventures from the start, you'll know that my time in the beautiful city of Strasbourg is only limited. I've been here since mid September, and in two weeks time I am off to the much warmer, just as beautiful city of Valencia.

And I can't wait! I'm going be studying at the university, and when I'm not, I can walk a few hundred metres or so down to the beautiful beach:

Photo of Valencia beach

I've managed to sort out a flat with an English girl who goes to my university back home, and she's been incredibly helpful with trying to find me a place. I'm off in about 2 weeks time, so in the mean time, I'm going to relax, and enjoy the rest of the stay in Strasbourg.

On a side note, those that follow BlogWave, we recorded again yesterday. Yes that's right! Episode 4 of BlogWave is on the way. This one is huge! We had our first guest come on the show and he answered the question (would like to make it plural but it was just the one, Cheers Rorschach!) that was sent in.

We've got some HUGE news on that show that as a blogger, you honestly can't afford to miss. So yeah, head on over to BlogWave! Our comedy podcast full of blogging tips and SEO optimisation:  http://blogwave.net

Rats Out!

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Stuck in Switzerland...again! Not a good day.

So today guys, being a bank holiday and therefore being cheaper flights and less chaotic motorways than tomorrow, my parents informed me that it would make much more sense to travel back to France today than tomorrow.

Although reluctant, I knew it made sense. So after the bad mood passed, I packed my bags and headed off to Heathrow airport to fly to Basel airport in Switzerland, and then catch the train to Strasbourg.

Well as it's me, and my luck, before leaving the house I found out I lost my Strasbourg room keys. Great start. So I get to the airport and there's a sliiiiight delay. Nothing too major, but still a bit of a pain. So I land, grab my bag, you guessed it, last one off the plane. That's my luck again. So after a bus to the station, I get there to find the ticket office is closed. This isn't that important, I just wanted to know when the next Basel to Strasbourg train was.

After scouting out the nearest timetable, I found out the last train had left 10 minutes ago. Now is it just me, or is leaving just 10 minutes before you get there, so much more frustrating then a few hours ago? So I was am stuck. In Switzerland. AGAIN. I spent the last hour looking for hotels that weren't £7,803,938,756 a night for a single room, and so now I'm bringing you this from a youth hostel.

My life right now...

The things I do for adventures eh?

Rats Out!

EDIT: I'm now watching Not Another Teen Movie. Life just got more awesomeness


Remember to check out BlogWave! Our comedy podcast full of blogging tips and SEO optimisation:  http://blogwave.net
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Strasbourg Christmas market 2010

Hello audience! As the dawning of Christmas is upon us, and I am currently living in Strasbourg, the home of all things Christmas-ey, or as they like to call it, 'The Capital of Xmas,' I thought I'd pop into town to take some pictures of La Marché de Noël.

Essentially it's everything you would expect from a typical French market. Mulled wine, pretzels, novelty hats, the real deal. I was lucky with the weather yesterday (when I took these photos) as it remained a clear sky, and fresh snow had settled everywhere the day before.

Let's crack on to the photo's of Strasbourg's Christmas market 2010!

Strasbourg Christmas decorations in the streets

More Strasbourg Christmas building decoration

Strasbourg Christmas pub

Strasbourg Christmas market 2010

Strasbourg Cathedral and xmas market

Another pub with Christmas decorations

Strasbourg market stalls

Strasbourg Snow, Cathedral, and Christmas market. This is probably my favourite picture

Some more of the Christmas stalls in Strasbourg

Mulled wine stall on the right

Again, more of the market stalls

Strasbourg's cathedral 

Another one of the cathedral and part of a stall

Strasbourg's Christmas market attracts thousands of tourists

Mulled wine

The entire town seems to get in the festive spirit when it comes to decorating buildings

Strasbourg in all its Christmas and snowy glory

Some more of the market

Every building was decorated in some way or another

More of Strasbourg's cathedral, it's architecture and some Christmas stalls

Strasbourg Marché de noel 2010

Picture came out slightly darker than itended

Just a final shot of Strasbourg's streets in the snow

Hope you enjoyed all these!


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You can't be serious...

Well guys it's official. I have a guy who officially wants to kidnap me and take me back to his.

Full story here in another video post. Apologies in advance if audio and visual don't match, that's Youtube's fault.



So here it is, 25/10/10, he tries to rape me again. For full story watch part one, which I have linked beneath this video. Here is video post number two, and rape attempt number two. Also a quick video of my residence and talks about a blogcast, aka a podcast for blogger!

Part 2:





Watch part one aka first kidnapping attempt here:

http://studentaroundtheworld.blogspot.com/2010/10/first-video-blog-kidnapping-acoustic.html



Stay tuned for our blogcast!


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First video blog: Kidnapping? Acoustic guitar and a bike :D

Thought I'd switch it up for you guys today! Here's my first video post including a weird kidnapping story involving myself, an acoustic guitar, and a bike :D

Here's the video:




EDIT: I am aware Youtube decided to lag the Audio/Visual so just minimise it and listen it it annoys you haha


So what do you reckon guys? Friendly French man? Or rapist?

Also if you guys would like to see my video blogs from me, then let me know!


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Strasbourg Cathedral

Hey guys. I know a lot of you like photography, (this is hardly photography, just photos I've taken with a standard digital camera) so I thought I'd upload some pictures of the beautiful Cathedral in Strasbourg city centre. It's an absolutely incredible piece of architecture and I just thought I'd take some photo's so again, I could make my adventure seem even more realistic to you readers. I am sharing my experiences DIRECTLY with you guys :)

Any fool can just Google pictures, but these are taken from my point of view. Nothing fancy here. Just a standard 7 Megapixel camera.

Check them out! 

EDIT: Was just informed by The Lazy Geographer that this was 'Tallest building in the world until 1874, a record it held for over 200 years, and it's still the 6th tallest church in the world.'

It's an incredible spectacle in person. It's honestly over whelming.

Hope you enjoyed! 

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Off to Oktoberfest / Beautiful photo of the Cathedral

Just a short two part post guys. Part one is that tomorrow at 7:30am I am getting the train to Germany to take part in the world renowned Oktoberfest!

In short, 12 hours of drinking non stop in Germany. This picture kinda sums it up:

Don't worry, you'll receive a post upon my return filled with pictures of me no doubt completely off my head!


Part two


A photo of the Cathedral I took. I planned to upload way more but the plugin crashed so I will post another update when I return!

Cya soon!

Remember, if you like the fact I'm off to Oktoberfest or enjoy this picture I took, you can 'Like' it on Facebook by pressing the button up there^

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The best way to learn a language?

Just thought I'd provide a little update on perhaps the best way to learn a language. Now obviously this varies from person to person. Some prefer hours and hours of countless grammar revision and making notes, others prefer attending university lectures and studying their asses off. Me?

I prefer going to bars and simply speaking the language with the locals. See my problem, is I have a complete lack of confidence. I tend to other think things, and become incredibly nervous when I have to speak French. However, after several drinks, alcoholic for Dutch courage of course, I find my nerves disappear and speaking French becomes so much more easier.


BIG TIP: If you make the effort, so will they. The French here appreciate the fact that although I'm English, I am complete alone in their country and speaking their language. Because of this I have had so many free shots of alcohol it's unreal. So try it guys. Go to a bar. Meet the locals. Speak French the way they do, and soon you'll find that as you become more confident, the ability to speak and foreign language to the natives is a lot easier.

Apologies if there are any spelling mistakes, I've been 'using' this method today, and after several shots of free Patis (A well known French liquor,) I do feel slightly drunk ;D
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Things I've learned about France and the French

Ok guys so I've been here for two weeks to the day and basically just thought I'd give you a little update on how it's all going and what I've learnt about France and the people here in general.


Quick note; this isn't meant to offend anyone! Just pointing out my observations! And it'd be interesting to hear back from you guys whether the rest of France is like this, or whether it just applies to Strasbourg or the Alsace region!

Another quick note; As an Englishman, these seemed strange to me and the culture I grew up with. These may be relatively common for the rest of the world!

Ok so here we go:

- Everyone here smokes

- Relating to the point above, it's not uncommon to see people using a pipe to smoke

- Everyone cycles

- People who ride motorbikes/mopeds/Vespas are insane. Cutting up cars, speeding down pavements, and   EVERYTIME two people on a motorbike meet, they see who can wheelie the longest. I see this a LOT

- Here the French, similar to the Spanish, have a sort of Siesta, and most shops open around 8:00, but will close at midday and re-open at 14:00

- The people here seem to partially fit the stereotypical image of a French person. Seen a lot of berets and nearly everyone (whether it's just the students because is cheap,) eats baguettes

- It's expensive as hell. Some pubs ask for 7Euros for a whiskey, where as a single Whiskey in my home town is around £2.50, or 3.60Euros

- People drink half pints a lot more than pints

- Public transport is ALWAYS on time

- People are very helpful; approaching me and asking if I need help (An obvious student with a map out)

- Juice is extremely common, and it isn't as easy as I thought it would be buy regular, justaddwater style squash

- It's clean. Although graffiti still exists, it exists more as an art form than scribbled names. Litter isn't a problem here

- They LOVE their cheese here. So many varieties.

- A lot of people pay using cheques. Not sure if this is just England being different, but it is rare to find a place that still accepts cheques as a form of payment

- The French don't mind a beer, at 10am

- One of the most bizarre for me, when the 'green man' is displayed when crossing a road, it is not unusual for cars to still drive over the crossing, but simply wait for pedestrians to cross. The fact they can still drive with the green man there is what's a little foreign to me. This point is kinda hard to explain, but in England,   if the red man is showing. Pedestrians can't walk, and cars can drive. Here, if the green man is showing, cars can still drive, as long as they are no pedestrians.

- One for just as UK people, still not use to other side of the road driving. Although I don't drive, crossing a road is still daunting as I'm not used to looking to my right hand side first!



That's all I got at the moment! Just a bit of an update on the culture shock really. Love it here though so don't take this as a a 'Things I hate about France' post!

Like I said earlier, be interesting to see if anyone else agrees and whether this is the same throughout France, or just Strasbourg.
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German Radio

So as I will be starting University as of tomorrow, I decided to set up my actual alarm clock, as I always end up pushing snooze on my phone and waking up far too late. I currently own a standard radio alarm clock that means when it's the most painful part of the day and I have to wake up, I will be woken up to French news or some crazy French Hip Hop. Obviously it depends on what station I tune it to.

Now, for those of you that weren't aware of Strasbourg's location, is it located in Alsace, right in the North East of France, here;

Now obviously I know I'm only a few kilometres from the German border, but I did experience quite a shock when looking for a decent French radio station, and all I could hear were German rants. I'm hoping that by finding a decent French news station, I can listening to the morning announcements etc, and even by just having it on in the background, be able to improve my French.

But I don't want to wake up in the morning to German radio! Ahhhh!
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A well equipped laptop is key

Another update for you travellers out there on how to prepare not just yourself, but also your laptop before travelling. This can also apply for all you University go-ers that are heading off this week. Now, if you plan to take a form of entertainment with you, I.e A gaming console or your DVD collection then you may not find this guide as life saving, but merely as another source of entertainment.

See when most people go travelling or go off to university they automatically accept that when they arrive at their residence they will have instant internet access. However, depending on your halls/residence/hotel, it can take several days or even weeks to set up a decent internet connection.

Depending on how sociable you are or how much of internet addict you are, this may not be a problem. But if you do crave the internet and are not guaranteed a connection upon arrival, I suggest the following tips.

Project64

This was probably the biggest life saver for me. For those of you that aren't aware, Project64 is a N64 emulator. In short, it's a program available for free download that allows you to play your favourite N64 games on your laptop. The games, referred to as ROMS, can also be downloaded from a separate website.
I must have spent countless hours rejoicing my childhood moments on these games. Although the gameplay can be a little difficult to get used to at first (the fact that you laptop lacks a analog stick and you have to make  do with the direction keys), it is definately worth downloading this program.

Most games will run on just about any generic laptop, I.E you don't need to have amazing computer specs to run this program efficiently. But I do recommend you close down any programs which take up a large amount of the CPU for smoother gameplay. EG Virus scanners etc.

Project 64 can be downloaded here:

http://www.pj64-emu.com/downloads/startdown/34/

Although there are a variety of websites that boost Project64 ROMs, I prefer this site:

http://www.freeroms.com/n64.htm

The program itself is dead easy and straightforward to use. Simply download the ROM ( I suggest keeping them together on a file located on your desktop) Then open up Project64,

File > Open Rom > Find Rom

It's as simple as that. You can also change the default control (Options > Controller Plug In) to suit your gaming needs.


On another note, if you do find gameplay to tedious using your keyboard, you can buy N64 controllers with USB adapters for quite cheap online these days.

That's all I have on Project64, any questions feel free to post below.


DVDs


Now, to most of you this may seem like an obvious one, but depending on your suitcase space and dvd collection itself, you may be limited to bringing dvds upon your travels. For this, I recommend you try to find a way of ripping the DVD to your laptop. Failing that, download it. Although I do not recommend either of these methods as they are illegal, it can be down and there are plenty of guides on how to do so out there.

When I got bored of exploring Hyrule on Project64, I simply loaded up my favourite film, Memento, and an hour and a half soon flew by.


Last but not least, an obvious but often taken for granted:

Solitaire

A very simple, yet EFFECTIVE way of killing time. Not much to say about this one. Pretty much everyone know's how to play it, and it can be found by clicking Start > Games > Solitaire.




That's pretty much it from me guys. If you can think of anything I've missed then let me know! But make sure you do a bit of research before you leave guys as life without internet and be killer!
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Picture of the beast D:

Small children and pregnant woman may want to leave the room....


















Ok guys so the camera really doesn't do it justice here. But the silver plate is about the size of 2 DVD CASES . THAT'S HOW BIG THIS BEAST WAS. Body was bigger than my thumb D:

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New photos/Ad sense disabled ;_;

Some new photos here guys including a panoramic type photo I made using a program called photostitch. Individual photos below. Oh and my adsense was banned. Dam you Google :[ Either way, still using this as the legit blog it was in the first place so yeah check these out and lemme know what you think :D


Panoramic

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Photos of Strasbourg

These photos are all taken by me guys :D I said I'd provide pictures once I could, so here we are:

I'm so lucky to be here! Was going to take more pictures today but it's raining so doesn't look as awesome. This weekend I'm going to venture around the city like a proper little tourist and take way more photos! Hope you enjoy these in the mean time!
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