“I love the Ghibili movies”; “I want to go to famous places in Nagoya”; “ I want to experience Japanese culture”. If you feel this way, I feel you should go to the Ghibli Park near Nagoya. Throughout Japan the park is well known so an advanced reservation is needed. Because of that you need to book two months in advance of the day you want to go. In this article I will explain about my experience and the things to watch out for if you go. I shall think about the characteristics of the Ghibli Park.
The first characteristic is the number of buildings from the movies. If you enter the buildings, you feel like the characters had actually lived in them. I think for people who really like the movies this is the best part of the park. Inside the buildings everywhere everyday objects were placed when I first saw it really surprised me. But just because you really like the Ghibli movies doesn’t mean people who don’t cannot enjoy the park. There are many Japanese style buildings so I feel anyone can enjoy the park. But there are some things to watch out for. That is the tickets, there are many types of tickets but if you buy the cheapest one then you can’t go inside the buildings. If I’m being honest if you can’t go inside the buildings. Then I kind of feel that it is not worth going to the Ghibli Park. So, if I’d recommend buying a ticket class which allows you to enter the buildings.
The second characteristic which is thought about the Ghibli Park is the food. There is a menu which is limited to the park only, so for people who want to experience precious memories, I think this is a strength of the Ghibli Park. When I went to the Ghibli Park, I ate in the in a restaurant called the “flying oven” in the witches’ area of the park. There I ate fish and chips; it was really tasty, and my friends said their food was also good. But the thing to beware of is the queues. I went on the weekend last time so there were many families who came to visit the park. At the park there aren’t many restaurants, so the queues always seem to be long. So, if you have got time I would recommend going on the weekdays.
Generally, the Ghibli Park is a good place. There are many places from the movies and food as well, I would recommend traveling around with family and friends. If you do that think it would be even more fun.
Yo con mis compañeros de piso disfrutando el balcón de Katarina a pesar del frío 🙂
A principios de noviembre, el sol seguía brillando como siempre, aunque con un cansancio que insinuaba la inminente llegada del invierno. Dicho esto, en un finde de
La kombucha catalana de FLAX + KALE.
temperaturas agradables que superaban unos 20 grados, yo y mis compañeros de piso aprovechamos para irnos a la playa como si fuera la última oportunidad del año. Salimos con la intención de evitar las playas concurridas turísticas de Barcelona, cogimos el tren fuera de la ciudad hacia la playa de Masnou cargados con mantas, comida y una reserva de sangría en la mochila. Llegamos a un lugar secreto donde pasamos el día relajados mientras mis amigos en Inglaterra sufrían el frío… ¡un día perfecto!
El cierre de ese fin de semana trajo consigo un esperado influjo de aires fríos, y me di cuenta del error cándido de solo traer camisetas y un par de sudaderas como la temperatura bajaba. Durante el siguiente período, logré salir un par de veces con mis compañeros de piso, aunque nos vino mejor quedarnos en el piso disfrutando de copas, juegos de cartas, y buena conversación. Les enseñé a mis compañeros un juego de cartas denotado “Gatitos Explosivos”, con las cartas en español y pasamos un buen rato. También tuve el placer de probar kombucha catalana (foto incluida), elaboradas aquí en Cataluña de manera sostenible y con ingredientes locales, ¡una verdadera delicia! A quien me lea que se encuentre con ganas de probarla, así como la comida fabulosa catalana, recomiendo mucho el restaurante Teresa Carles en el centro de la ciudad para poder disfrutar de la gastronomía del territorio.
Playa Masnoú, una playa tranquila y bastante vacía – 30min del centro de Barcelona en tren
En cuanto al trabajo, el ritmo siguió siendo exigente, aunque este mes me presentó la oportunidad increíble de asistir a un simposio científico internacional de medicina regenerativa por parte de mi empresa. Este evento animado y lleno de estudios punteros nos dio una perspicacia en la versatilidad de células madre por medio de multíples charlas cautivadoras. Fuera del trabajo de mis colegas, lo que apoyé con orgullo, aprendí una miríada de investigaciones fascinantes. El papel de macrófagos en la recuperación de lesiones, los entresijos del pH ósea en la regeneración de células precursoras hematopoyéticas, y la acumulación de cambios géneticos durante cultivo de hPSC aún no forman la mitad de los ejemplos. Fueron 15 charlas fascinantes en un solo día. Irónicamente, ¡en este momento me tocó la medicina regenerativa por la sobredosis de ciencia!…
Ahora, mientras nos acercamos a la Navidad, la ciudad brilla con luces y decoraciones festivas. Pronto volveré con mi familia para celebrar, pero definitivamente echaré de menos Barcelona. ¡Hasta el próximo año!
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ENGLISH: You can be cold in a hot country too…
REGENBELL symposium of stem cells and regenerative medicine. Yo y mi compañero David con el poster de su trabajo de doctorado, con lo cúal le apoyo para mi propia tesis.
At the start of November, the sun still shone brightly, though with a weariness which hinted at winter’s imment arrival. On a warm weekend with temperatures above 20°C, my housemates and I seized the chance to head to the beach, treating it as the year’s last opportunity. To avoid Barcelona’s crowded tourist beaches, we took the train to Masnou, armed with blankets, food, and a stash of sangria. We found a hidden spot, relaxed all day, and savored the warmth while friends back in England faced the cold—a perfect day!
The end of that weekend brought an expected chill, and I quickly realised my naive mistake of packing only T-shirts and a couple of hoodies. In the following weeks, though we ventured out occasionally, we mostly stayed in, enjoying drinks, card games, and great conversations. I introduced my housemates to the Spanish version of “Exploding Kittens,” and we had a blast. I also got to try Catalan kombucha (photo included), sustainably made with local ingredients—a true delight! For anyone curious, I highly recommend trying it, along with the incredible Catalan cuisine. If you’re in Barcelona, don’t miss *Teresa Carles* in the city center, a fantastic spot to experience the region’s flavors.
Work remained demanding, but this month gave me the incredible opportunity to attend an international symposium on regenerative medicine hosted by my company. The lively event showcased cutting-edge research and offered insights into the versatility of stem cells through numerous captivating talks. Beyond proudly supporting my colleagues’ work, I gained exposure to fascinating studies, from macrophages’ role in injury recovery to the intricacies of bone pH in hematopoietic stem cell regeneration and the accumulation of genetic changes during hPSC culture. These 15 fascinating presentations were a whirlwind of inspiration, although ironically, I think *my* brain was the one which needed regenerating after the onslaught of information!
Now, as the holiday season approaches, the city sparkles with festive lights and decorations. Soon, I’ll return to my family to celebrate, but I’ll undoubtedly miss Barcelona. See you in the New Year!
L’automne est tombé sur Lyon. C’est la première fois de ma vie (a part que pendant les vacances) que je pouvais porter un t-shirt dehors en Novembre. Uns de mes plaisirs du mois recent était de faire du vélo au bord du Rhône en rentrant de l’école. À chaque fois, je suis remplie d’un tel bonheur grâce à l’atmosphère créée par les rayons de lumière dorée se reflétant sur le fleuve, les feuilles dans toutes les nuances d’orange et les gens partout : en train de courir, de partager un verre en terrasse ou de profiter en famille. De plus, j’adore aller au Parc de la Tête d’Or, puisque j’habite pas loin – à peu près 5 minutes à pied ! Pendant les jours fériés récents (le 1 et 11 novembre), tout le monde est allé au parc, et j’ai adoré le sentiment que tout le monde voulaient profiter d’être dehors, se balader autour du lac, ou même voir les animaux dans le zoo gratuit. Il y a aussi une boulangerie incroyable sur ma rue, et j’y vais souvent pour acheter du pain ou une viennoiserie. Malheureusement je n’arrivais pas encore à masquer mon accent anglais, car je me trompe toujours sur les genres, ou la prononciation parfaite. Quand même, je vais continuer à essayer, et un jour j’en arriverais…
Malgré des suspicions, je peux confirmer que l’halloween est bien fêtée en France. Je ne savais pas si c’était un phénomène aussi grand qu’en Angleterre ou aux États-Unis, mais j’ai quand même apporté un serre-tête d’ange dans ma valise en emménageant ici, au K.O. Moi et une de mes colocs, nous avons invité une variété d’amis, de nationalités et de grandes écoles diverses, et la soirée s’est pas très bien passée. Quand on est sorti, il y avait du monde partout dans le centre, tout le monde se sont déguisé, et j’ai adoré l’ambiance de convivialité et d’avoir l’occasion de commencer une conversation avec des gens inconnus par rapport à leur déguisement d’halloween.
Etant donné que je cohabite avec mes trois colocs depuis presque trois mois, je voulais vous présenter mon expérience jusqu’à maintenant, ainsi que de partager quelques phrases ou expressions que j’ ai appris. Toutes étudiantes dans de grandes écoles à Lyon, deux d’entre elles étudient la communication, et la troisième prépare un diplôme pour devenir enseignante. Dès le tout premier jour, elles m’ont montré rien que de la générosité, de l’inclusion et de la patience. Même si elles m’ont complimenté mon niveau de français au début, il est évident qu’il a beaucoup augmenté au fur et à mesure de ces trois derniers mois. Seulement une d’elles parlent anglais, ce qui est très bien pour moi puisqu’on parle français la majorité du temps, mais si j’ai vraiment du mal en traduisant une phrase anglaise, elle pourrait m’aider.
J’ai appris tellement des nouvelles phrases, par exemple : Avoir que dalle = n’avoir rien du tout ; Sécher un cours = ne pas aller à un cours ; Poser un lapin = ne pas aller voir quelqu’un sans prévention : Avoir la flemme = ne pas avoir envie ; Chiner à une brocante/braderie = chercher une affaire à une vente à bas prix. De plus, j’ai appris beaucoup des petites expressions souvent dites, comme « genre, quoi, en mode, ben, tu vois, en fait ». Soit a la fin des phrases, soit au milieu, elles sont utilisées pour montrer l’effet en racontant une histoire, ou « genre en parlant comme d’hab quoi ». C’est incroyable que les français parlent si différemment à l’un et l’autre par rapport à leur âge, ou la situation qui constitue d’utiliser un registre spécifique. En tant que apprenante de français comme une langue étrangère, j’ai appris le registre du français soutenu/standard dans les cours de français à l’école et à l’université en Angleterre, mais j’aurais pu seulement apprendre le langage familier et le monde inconnu qui est l’argot français, ici en France.
En gros, il y a des moments qui sont parfois gênants quand je prononce mal un mot, ou quand je ne comprends pas ce qu’elles ont dit, mais en général elles ne me jugent pas, en fait elles disent souvent que mes fautes sont « mignonnes ».
Moi et une de mes colocs :))
English translation:
Autumn has fallen on Lyon. It is the first time in my life (except on holiday) that I could wear a t-shirt outside in November. One of my favourite things to do in the past month has been to cycle along the Rhone river on my way back from university. Every single time I am filled with such happiness due to the atmosphere created by the golden rays of sunlight reflecting off the river, the leaves of all shades of orange, and people everywhere : going for a run, having a drink outside, or spending time with family. I have also been loving going to the Parc de La Tête d’Or, since I don’t live far from it – about a 5 minute walk! During the recent bank holidays (the 1st and 11th of November), everyone went to the park, and I loved the feeling that everyone wanted to enjoy being outdoors, walk around the lake, or even see the animals in the free zoo. There is also an incredible boulangerie on my street, and I often go there to buy some bread or a pastry. Unfortunately, I still haven’t managed to hide my English accent, because I always make a mistake on the genders, or the perfect pronunciation. Even so, I am going to keep trying, and one day I’ll manage…
Despite what is said, I can confirm that Halloween is well celebrated in France. I didn’t know whether it was as big of a phenomenon as it is in England or the US, but I still brought an angel headband in my suitcase when I moved here, just in case. One of my flatmates and I invited a variety of friends, all of different nationalities and universities, and the evening went really well. When we went out, there were so many people in the city centre, everyone was dressed up and I loved the jolly atmosphere and to have the opportunity to strike up a conversation with random people about their Halloween outfit.
Given that I’ve lived with my three flatmates for almost three months now, I wanted to talk a bit about my experience so far, as well as to share some phrases and expressions that I have learned. All students at Lyon universities, two of them study communication, and the other is studying teaching. From the very first day, they have shown me nothing but generosity, inclusion, and patience. Even if they complimented my level of French in the beginning, it’s obvious that it has improved a lot over these three months. Only one of them speaks English, which is really good for me since we speak French the majority of the time, but if I really struggle to translate an English phrase, she could help me. I have learned lots of new phrases, for example : Avoir que dalle = to have absolutely nothing ; Sécher un cours = to skip class ; Poser un lapin = to stand someone up ; Avoir la flemme = to not be bothered ; Chiner à une brocante/braderie = go bargain-hunting at a jumble sale. Also, I have learned lots of little expressions often said like « genre, quoi, en mode, ben, tu vois, en fait ». Either at the end of sentences, or in the middle, they are used to add effect whilst telling a story or “well like just speaking like this innit”. It’s incredible that the French speak so differently from one another depending on their age, or the situation that requires the use of a certain register. As a learner of French as a foreign language, I learned the formal/standard register of French in my lessons at school or university in England, but I could have only learned familiar language and the unknown world that is french slang, here in France. On the whole, there are moments which are sometimes embarrassing when I mis-pronounce a word or when I don’t understand what they said, but in general they don’t judge me, in fact they often find my faults to be “cute”.
C’est mon troisième mois au Québec. Octobre a été très chargé et j’ai hâte de résumer le mois.
J’ai eu la chance de voir les aurores boréales avec mon colocataire. On a fait un bbq et profité des lumières et on a regardé jusqu’à 2 heures du matin. C’était absolument incroyable… je n’ai jamais vu autant de couleurs. Je me sens très chanceuse parce que c’était un truc sur mon «bucket list ».
Les aurores boréales
It is my third month in Quebec. October has been very busy and I can’t wait to recap the month.
I had the chance to see the northern lights with my housemate. We had a bbq and enjoyed the lights, we stayed awake until 2 in the morning. It was absolutely incredible…I have never seen so many colors. I feel very lucky because it was a thing on my bucket list.
Comme j’habite dans une petite ville, il n’y a pas beaucoup de transport public. Donc, j’ai dû acheter une voiture d’occasion pour faciliter ma vie, surtout car l’hiver arrive. Mon propriétaire m’a aidé à trouver une voiture qui est un peu d’un « banger »… mais c’est correct pour l’année. Même si la voiture était bon marché, avec l’aide de John Speak, j’étais capable de la financer et avoir la liberté de profiter au maximum de mon année à l’étranger… (Merci mille fois 🙂 !) Je l’ai emmené dans un garage pour la faire vérifier. Pour cette raison, j’ai appris beaucoup de vocabulaire automobile en français. Maintenant, je peux comprendre la majorité des pièces de la voiture, donc si j’avais des problèmes je pourrais les décrire. Avec une voiture, je peux me déplacer et faire plus de choses. Par exemple, j’ai fait deux randonnées : une au Mont Sainte-Anne et une autre à Charlevoix.
Mont-Saine Anne randonnée
As I live in a small town, there isn’t a lot of public transport. So, I had to buy a car to make my life easier. My landlord helped me find one that is a bit of a « banger », but it is okay for the year. Although the car was cheap, with the help of John speak, I was able to afford it and have the freedom to make the most of my year abroad…(thank you so much :)!). I took it to a garage to get checked. Therefore, I learnt a lot of French car terminology. Now, I can understand the majority of the parts of the car, so if I have any problems I could describe them. With a car, I can get around and do more. For example, I did two hikes, one to Mont Sainte-Anne and another to Charlevoix.
Au sommet
Au Mont Sainte-Anne, j’ai fait une randonnée et j’ai pris la téléphérique pour redescendre, j’adore que ce soit à ma porte! Les arbres se couvraient de teintes vives de rouge, d’orange et de jaune, créant un paysage magique. Lorsque je suis allée à Charlevoix, c’était WOWW! La vue sur le fleuve Saint-Laurent était à couper le souffle, avec les montagnes en arrière.
Chaque jour est nouveau et différent et j’ai hâte de voir ce que le mois prochain m’apporte!
La télécabine de Charlevoix
At Mont Sainte-Anne, I did a hike and took the cable car down, I love that it is right on my doorstep! The trees were adorned with vivid shades of red, orange, and yellow, creating a magical landscape. When I went to Charlevoix, it was woww!The view of the Saint Lawrence River was breathtaking, with the mountains in the back.
Every day is new and different, and I can’t wait to see what next month brings!
Pris sur mon appareil argentique à Annecy, cette photo encapsule la vivacité des couleurs des produits frais au marché ainsi que l’architecture charmante de la vieille ville d’Annecy. Le photo a une qualité granuleuse, mais quand meme je l’adore, ainsi que la joie de voir enfin une photo deux mois après sa prise !
Mi colego David y yo, ¡llevamos por casualidad atuendos muy parecidos!
Después de el primer mes caótico, octubre en España ha pasado como un torbellino. Tipicamente, al principio los días parecen eternos como adaptas a un nuevo ritmo. No obstante, como desarrollaba mi ritmo poco a poco, las semanas siguientes empezaron a pasar a toda velocidad. Mi formación laboral está progresando, y mi jefa está dándose cuenta del valor de contar con un chico quien habla inglés nativo. Dado que las publicaciones y comunicaciones científicas siempre se escriben en inglés, ya me pidió ayuda con títulos y aún un abstracto de publicación. En sus palabras, el título que elaboró ella estuvo bien, pero quería que fuera más “sexy”, por ende, mis
El efecto de las inundaciones al autopista (que, por suerte, no tomo para llegar a trabajo)
habilidades vinieron bien acogidas para darle un toque especial. A pesar de no ser científico profesional, ni uno quien ha terminado el grado, ahora puedo denunciar, oficialmente, que un titulo que escribí yo va encabezando una publicación científica que está en proceso de revisión con la editoral. Me parece un logro interesante, y aunque el título no es español, agradezco mucho tener un valor que vale suficiente para ser involucrado. Estoy encajándome bien al grupo, y aún salimos para comer y tomar algo hace un par de semanas… Me parece bien tener familia española, en el equipo, somos solo otro chico y yo rodeados de mujeres, lo cual genera algunas bromas; incluso nos llamaron “gemelos” cuando por casualidad un día nos vestimos igual… ¡sacamos una foto!
En el piso, ha llegado un nuevo chico mexicano, quien reemplazó a otro que se mudó a un piso vecino, ¡con mejores condiciones, qué envidia! La noche después de su llegada salimos para disfrutar Halloween. La noche de su llegada, salimos a celebrar Halloween y nos disfrazamos. Aunque no llevábamos un disfraz completo, usamos unas máscaras de lucha libre que él trajo desde México. Los días siguientes trajeron más diversión sino también más caos, como después de una cita con una chica colombiana se me robó la cartera en el metro, un recordatorio claro de los riesgos de una ciudad tan internacional como Barcelona. Es decir, los ladrones se aprovechan de la ciudad más internacional de Europa, y aunque vivo aquí todavía necesito andar con cuidado. Por la mayor parte me cuido bien, sin embargo, al acabar un poco distraído por mi compañera (quien me captivó mucho, tengo que admitir) olvidé poner la cartera seguramente en mi bolsillo abajo en los pantalones cargo. Por suerte, me di cuenta rápidamente de perderla, y pasé la tarde siguiendo el AirTag que había por dentro. También hice amigos con dos policías quienes me llevaron en coche mientras seguíamos el señal. Aunque no la recuperé con éxito, por ser estudiante y no Bill Gates, perdí solo el DNI y la cartera, sin dinero, que me dio más frustración que problemas. Ahora tengo seis carteras vacías en casa, cada una con una nota que dice “que consigas trabajo”, una especie de chiste para recuperar un poco de dignidad.
En mi última actualización, destaqué mi emoción para un viaje planeado a Valencia para bucear, todavía, por desgracia el clima no cooperó. En poco tiempo, España recibió una cantidad de lluvia comparable al total anual. Las lluvias torrenciales causaron inundaciones que paralizaron la ciudad y las autopistas, lo que aplastó mi esperanza de ir buceando. Este desastre ya dio un golpe literal a casas, coches y aún vidas, por ende subrayando la necesidad de prepararse mejor para condiciones más extremas. Justo como el Reino Unido no está bien preparado para el calor, España tampoco lo está para las lluvias intensas. El sistema de alcantarillado no soportó la cantidad imensa que tuvimos, y la forma del paisaje alentó la acumulación de aguas en zonas más bajas. Como el cambio climático intensifica estos fenómenos, esperemos que España desarrolle un plan para el futuro.
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Máscaras de lucha libre con mi compañero de piso mexicano
After a chaotic first month, October in Spain has passed by like a whirlwind. Typically, in the beginning, the days seem endless as you adjust to a new rhythm. However, as I gradually found my pace, the following weeks started to fly by. My professional training is progressing, and my boss has realized the value of having someone who speaks native English. Since scientific publications and communications are always written in English, she has already asked me to help with some titles and even a publication abstract. In her words, the title she came up with was good, but she specifically wanted a “sexy” title (I think she meant captivating), so my skillset came in handy to get it to have a good ring to it. Although I’m not yet a professional scientist or even a graduate, I can now officially say that a title I wrote heads a scientific publication currently under review. I see this as an exciting achievement, and although the title isn’t in Spanish, I appreciate having skills that are valued enough for me to be included. I’m fitting in well with the team, and we even went out for dinner and drinks a few weeks ago. It’s nice to feel like I have a Spanish family here; in our group, it’s just me and another guy among a group of women, which makes for some fun jokes. They even called us “twins” one day when, by chance, we ended up dressing alike — so of course, we took a photo!
In my apartment, a new Mexican roommate has arrived, replacing a previous one who moved next door, with a better deal — so lucky! The night after he arrived, we went out to enjoy Halloween. Although we didn’t have full costumes, we wore some lucha libre masks he brought from Mexico. The following days brought more fun, but also a bit of chaos: after a date with a Colombian girl, my wallet was stolen on the metro, a clear reminder of the risks in such an international city like Barcelona. Thieves take advantage of Europe’s most international city, so even though I live here now, I still need to stay cautious. For the most part, I’m careful, but as I got a bit distracted that night by my date (who captivated me, I admit), I forgot to keep my wallet secure in the lower pocket of my cargo pants. Luckily, I realized it was missing quickly and spent the afternoon tracking it with the AirTag inside. I managed to make friends with two policemen who drove me around while we followed the signal for a while. Although I didn’t get it back, as a student (and not Bill Gates), I lost only my ID and the wallet, with no money inside — more of a pain than anything else. Now, I have six empty wallets at home, each with a note inside that says, “get a job,” as a little joke to restore some dignity.
In my last update, I shared my excitement for a planned trip to Valencia to go diving, but unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate. In a short period, Spain received almost a year’s worth of rain. The torrential downpours caused flooding that bought the city and highways to a standstill, crushing my hopes of diving. This disaster struck homes, cars, and even lives, highlighting the need for better preparation for extreme weather. Just as the UK isn’t well-prepared for heatwaves, Spain isn’t ready for heavy rains either. The drainage systems couldn’t handle the immense amount of water, and the landscape’s shape encourages water to accumulate in lower areas. As climate change is making such phenomena a lot more common, lets hope that Spain develops a plan for the future.
Die Nächte sind zwar länger, dunkler und kälter geworden, aber man kann nicht über diese Jahreszeit in Deutschland meckern. Plötzlich werden zahlreiche Weihnachtsmärkte von sich als Kobolde verkleideten Menschen errichtet. Letztens habe ich mich mit einer Freundin und ihren Mitbewohner:innen verabredet, den Hamburger Dom Weihnachtsmarkt, der größte in Hamburg,zu besuchen. Den ganzen Tag vorher hatte ich mich auf diesen Besuch gefreut und der Weihnachtsmarkt war keine Enttäuschung.
Zuerst hatten meine Freundin Molly und ich uns getroffen, weil die andere Menschen wegen einer Verspätung mit der S-Bahn verschobend angekommen waren. Es wurde einen Glühwein, ein Apfelpunsch und eine heiße Schokolade von einer gemütlichen Laden bestellt, danach saßen wir an einem kleinen Tisch und haben die Getränke genossen. Dann haben wir uns mit ihren Mitbewohner:innen getroffen und wir sind direkt mit den Achterbahnen gefahren. Zum Glück kotztete niemand von unserer Gruppe, deswegen kauften wir Glühwein von einer der vielen Laden und standen vor dem Riesenrad, dessen bunte Lichter dieser Blick zu einem der schönsten machte, die ich je in Hamburg gesehen habe. Natürlich wollten wir auch die Bratwürstchen ausprobieren, sonst wäre es kaum keine echte Erfahrung von einem Weihnachtsmarkt.
Leider wurden die Hände einer Mitbewohnerin von dem eiskalter Wind gefroren, jedoch trage ich immer Handschühe, falls es plötzlich kalt wird. Es gibt kein schlechtes Wetter, nur schlechte Kleidung!
Inzwischen steigen die Uni Arbeit und den Zeitdruck an, dementsprechend beschäftige ich mich mit den von der Uni Hamburg angefordeten Aufgaben sowie den Politik und Deutsch Aufsätzen von Edinburgh. Der Leseprozess der Seminartexte dauert noch eine Weile, da eine 40 Seiten wissenschaftliche Fachzeitschrift auf Deutsch zumindest zweifach die Konzentration benötigt, als einen akademischen Text auf Englisch.
Dieses Wochenende wurde ich zu dem Hamburger und Germania Ruderclub Siegesfeier eingeladet, auf dem ich mich sehr gefreut habe und bei dem ich auch viele neue Leute kennengelernt habe. Ein traditionelles Hamburgisches Gericht, Labskaus, wurde angebotet: es entsteht aus gemischtem Rinderhack, Corned Beef und Kartoffeln, zwei Spiegeleiern, eine Essiggurke und gesalztem Hering. Die Kultur und Stimmung an einem echten deutschen Veranstaltung mit traditionellen Speisen und Bier hat mir sehr gefallen.
Riesenrad an dem Hamburger Dom
Although the nights are becoming longer, darker, and colder, you can’t complain about this time of year in Germany. Suddenly numerous Christmas markets are being erected by people dressed up as elves. Recently I met up with a friend and her flatmates to visit the Hamburger Dom, the biggest Christmas market in Hamburg. All day long I looked forward to it and the Christmas market did not disappoint.
Initially my friend Molly and I met up because the others came later due to a delay on the S-Bahn. A mulled wine, apple punch and hot chocolate were ordered from a cosy stall, after which we sat at a small table and enjoyed the drinks. We then met with her flatmates and went straight on the rollercoasters. Luckily no one from our group was sick so we bought mulled wine from one of the many stands and stood in front of the ferris wheel, whose colourful lights made this view into one of the most beautiful I have ever seen in Hamburg. Naturally we wanted to try the Bratwurst, otherwise it would hardly be a proper Christmas market experience.
Unfortunately one of the the flatmates’ hands became frozen from the icy cold wind but I always have gloves in case it suddenly becomes cold. There’s no such thing as bad weather, only a poor choice of clothes!
Meanwhile the uni work and time pressure is increasing, consequently I am busying myself with tasks and work from Uni of Hamburg as well as the politics and German essays from Edinburgh. Reading the seminar texts still takes quite a long time since a 40-page scientific journal article requires at least twice the concentration of an academic text in English.
This weekend I was invited to the celebration of achievements event at DHuGRC which I really looked forward to and an which I got to know many new people. On offer was a traditional Hamburg dish, Labskaus, which consists of (corned) beef and potatoes, two fried eggs, a pickle and salted Herring. I loved the culture and atmosphere at a real German event with traditional foods and beer.
Je ne peux pas croire que nous sommes déjà en novembre. Ces derniers mois ont été si remplis d’aventures et d’expériences que je viens tout juste de remarquer que le temps passe si vite. Cette année ne durera pas éternellement. Je dois en profiter tant qu’elle est là.
I can’t believe it’s already November. These past few months have been so packed with adventures and experiences, that I’ve only just noticed the time slipping by. This year won’t last forever. I’ve got to enjoy it while it lasts.
Mes parents sont venus me rendre visite il y a quelques semaines – je ne les avais pas vus depuis nos adieux à King’s Cross. C’était très spécial de pouvoir leur faire découvrir cette ville que j’ai faite mienne. Bien que j’étais occupé – ils sont venus en plein milieu de la période des examens de mi-semestre à Sciences Po – il y avait quelques endroits que je tenais vraiment à leur montrer.
My parents came to visit me a few weeks ago – I hadn’t seen them since our goodbye at King’s Cross. It was very special to be able to show them around this city that I’ve made my home. Although I was busy – they came right in the middle of Sciences Po’s midterm season – there were a few places I really wanted to show them.
La première nuit de leur arrivée, nous sommes allés dîner au restaurant de la Grande Mosquée de Paris. Cela peut sembler controversé, mais je ne raffole pas de la cuisine française ! Elle est plutôt bonne, mais trop souvent fade. Heureusement, le restaurant proposait une cuisine nord-africaine : j’ai dégusté un délicieux tajine et réalisé à quel point les plats épicés m’avaient manqué.
The first night they arrived, we went for dinner in the restaurant of Paris’ Grand Mosque. This might be a controversial opinion, but I’m not crazy about French food! It’s nice enough, but too often bland. Luckily, the restaurant served North African cuisine: I had a delicious tagine and realised how much I’d missed spicy food.
En parlant des examens de mi-semestre, je suis ravi qu’ils soient terminés ! Pour une raison étrange, l’université programme des examens le samedi matin, donc le mois dernier a été assez intense. La période d’examens s’est terminée juste avant Halloween, ce qui m’a permis de me détendre avec mes camarades de classe lors d’une soirée déguisée.
Speaking of midterms, I’m glad they’re over! For some reason the university schedules exams for Saturday mornings, so the last month has been pretty intense. The exam period ended right before Halloween, so I was able to blow off steam with my course mates at a costume party.
En dehors du travail et des études, j’essaie de passer plus de temps à courir. Je suis censé participer au marathon de Paris en avril, bien que je me sente assez peu
Before the Grand Mosque
préparé. J’ai rencontré quelques amis coureurs qui habitent à proximité, et nous avons tendance à courir en groupe ces jours-ci – cela m’aide à rester motivé.
Outside of work and study, I’ve been trying to spend more time running. I’m supposed to be doing the Paris marathon in April, although I feel pretty underprepared. I’ve made a few running friends who live nearby, and we tend to go as a group these days – it helps motivate me.
Enfin, ce lundi était le jour du Souvenir. Comme à Londres, Paris organise une procession pour commémorer l’occasion, à laquelle a assisté Keir Starmer cette fois-ci. Contrairement à la Grande-Bretagne, le jour du Souvenir est un jour férié en France ! Le parc Montsouris, près de chez moi, était rempli de familles malgré le froid.
Lastly, this past Monday was Remembrance Day. Like London, Paris holds a procession to commemorate the occasion, which was attended by Keir Starmer this time. Unlike Britain, Remembrance Day is a public holiday in France! The Montsouris park, near where I live, was filled with families despite the cold weather.
La vie à Paris commence à redevenir normale. Même si je n’ai jamais assez de temps, un vague rythme a commencé à s’installer dans ma vie : je fais du jogging, je travaille, j’assiste à des conférences, je vois des
International potluck!
amis, j’étudie le français, j’essaie de nouveaux cafés. Entre-temps, j’essaie de faire quelque chose de différent chaque semaine. À mon arrivée, je ressentais un désir intense de tout voir, tout faire, tout goûter. Honnêtement, même si c’était incroyable, le premier mois a été marqué par une étrange frustration, celle de passer à côté de certaines choses – la vie quotidienne semblait toujours s’interposer. J’ai compris que cette année est un marathon, pas un sprint (ironiquement, je cours le marathon de Paris en avril), et je peux prendre mon temps, tant que je fais un effort chaque semaine.
Life in Paris is starting to feel normal. Although I never seem to have enough time, a vague rhythm has started to enter my life: I run, work, go to lectures, see friends, study French, try new cafes. In between, I’m trying to do something different each week. When I first arrived, I felt this intense desire to see, do, taste everything. Honestly, while amazing, the first month was also undercut by a strange frustration that I was missing out – as real life tended to get in the way. I’ve realised that this year is a marathon, not a sprint (ironically I’m running the actual Paris marathon in April), I can take my time, as long as I make an effort each week.
Depuis que j’en avais entendu parler pour la première fois, je voulais assister à une conférence au Collège de France. C’est une école de recherche célèbre qui propose des conférences publiques sur tous les sujets imaginables (et bien d’autres encore) – il suffit de s’y rendre. Il y a deux semaines, un mercredi matin pluvieux, un ami et moi avons assisté à une conférence sur la sociologie en Europe et en Chine, un sujet que je connais très peu.
Ever since I’d first heard about it, I’ve wanted to see a lecture at the College de France. It’s a famous research school which holds public lectures on any topic you can imagine (and many you can’t) – all you need to do is show up. Two weeks ago, on a rainy Wednesday morning a friend and I attended a talk about sociology in Europe and China, about which I know very little.
Le week-end suivant a également été assez culturel. J’ai assisté à un concert de piano gratuit à la Salle Cortot, un beau bâtiment associé à une école de musique. Le lendemain, j’ai visité le cimetière du Père Lachaise, qui est l’un de mes endroits préférés dans la ville car il y règne une grande tranquillité. Un musicien que j’aime beaucoup, Jim Morrison, y est enterré, ainsi que d’autres personnalités comme Oscar Wilde et Chopin !
The following weekend was also quite cultural. I attended a free piano concert at the Salle Cortot, a beautiful building associated with a music school. The next day, I visited Pere Lachaise cemetery, which is one of my favourite spots in the city as it’s so peaceful. A musician I like a lot, Jim Morrison, is buried there – along with others including Oscar Wilde and Chopin!
Enfin, j’ai organisé un dîner avec de nouveaux amis dimanche. Le thème était “auberge espagnole internationale” : chacun devait apporter des plats de son pays d’origine. Cela s’est avéré être une excellente idée – j’ai pu goûter du pain plat algérien, une quiche au fromage de chèvre, et des crêpes argentines. Cela m’a fait plaisir de me sentir enfin installé.
Lastly, I hosted a dinner party with new friends on Sunday. The theme was “international potluck”: everyone was meant to bring dishes from their country of origin. This turned out to be a great idea – I got to try Algerian flatbread, a goat’s cheese quiche, and Argentinian pancakes. It made me feel glad to be settling in.
Our university organized a sports day for all the exchange students. Instead of having our usual Korean language class, we went to the sports hall and participated in various athletic activities and games. In particular, the game description was explained in Korean in the OX (True/False) quiz, so I was able to practise my Korean listening skills.
The students were divided into teams. My team wore gray t-shirts. The other teams wore red, green, or blue. The teachers encouraged us to cheer for our team and actively participate in all the sports activities.
The field day was much more fun than I thought. I thought the field day would be very tiring, but it was actually a lot of fun. I even won a prize because my team won the three-legged race! The prize was spicy ramen. Ramen is a popular food in Korea. I don’t like spicy ramen, so I gave it to my team members. The lively atmosphere made me feel more comfortable.
Jegichagi
We also played jegichagi, a traditional Korean game. The origin of the game is shrouded in legends. The purpose of the game is to kick a coin-shaped object called jeggi wrapped in Korean paper to the side of its feet. The difficulty of the game is that it is very difficult to keep kicking the jeggi. The person who kicks the most without dropping it on the ground wins. The green team had an outstanding player who is very good at jegichagi, so the stadium was filled with cheers and applause! It was really nice to be able to understand Korean culture in depth by experiencing these traditional games firsthand.
A refreshing break after a busy day
After a day of running, jumping, and cheering, I visited a café and enjoyed a refreshing cup of lemon mint tea. If there’s one thing Korea is truly famous for, it’s the cafe culture! Isn’t this tea cup just beautiful? I felt like I was back in England.
Firework Display
I watched the annual fireworks show with my Korean friends by the Han River. The show lasted for two hours, with many Seoul residents and foreigners attending. Although we have fireworks in England too, this show was truly amazing! The sky lit up in rainbow colours, with bursts falling like stars or blooming like flowers. Some fireworks even formed the word “Seoul” and blended perfectly with the music. It ended with a big bang and dazzling lights. After the show, I had a meaningful time talking with my friends about fireworks in England and Korea.
Midterm Exams
This semester, I am studying hard for my midterm exams. I will be tested on my reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. So, I feel a bit stressed. However, I recently went to a bookstore and bought Korean language study books, which will help me improve my Korean reading, writing, listening, and speaking ability. Although it’s been tiring, I think that I am making good progress in each area. I believe that when I study hard I will be rewarded for my effort. To celebrate the end of the midterm exams, my classmates and I will have a party! We will order fried chicken and eat together. We will also go to Karaoke and sing together. I think it will be a fun way to reduce stress.
운동회
우리 대학교에서 교환학생들을 위한 체육대회를 개최했습니다. 평소처럼 한국어 수업을 듣는 대신, 우리는 체육관으로 가서 다양한 운동과 게임에 참여했습니다. 특히 OX 퀴즈에서 게임 설명이 한국어로 설명되어 있어서 한국어 듣기 실력을 연습할 수 있었습니다.
학생들은 팀으로 나뉘었습니다. 우리 팀은 회색 티셔츠를 입었습니다. 다른 팀들은 빨강, 초록, 파랑색 티셔츠를 입었어요. 선생님들은 우리에게 팀을 응원하고 모든 스포츠 게임에 적극적으로 참여하라고 독려하셨습니다.
운동회는 생각보다 훨씬 재미있었습니다. 제가 운동회는 매우 피곤할 거라고 생각했지만 사실 매우 재미있었습니다. 우리 팀이 2인 3각 경주에서 이겨서 제가 상을 받기도 했습니다. 상은 매운 라면이었습니다. 라면은 한국에서 인기 있는 음식입니다. 저는 매운 라면을 좋아하지 않아서 팀원들에게 주었습니다. 활기찬 분위기가 저를 더 편안하게 해주었습니다.
제기차기
우리는 전통 한국 게임인 제기차기도 했습니다. 이 게임의 기원은 전설로 가려져 있습니다. 게임의 목적은 한지로 싸인 동전 모양의 제기라는 물체를 발 옆쪽으로 차는 것입니다. 이 게임의 어려운 점은 제기를 계속 차는 것이 매우 어렵다는 것습니다. 제기를 땅에 떨어뜨리지 않고 가장 많이 찬 사람이 승리합니다. 초록 팀에는 제기차기를 아주 잘하는 뛰어난 선수가 있어서 경기장이 환호와 박수로 가득 찼습니다! 이런 전통 게임을 직접 경험하면서 한국 문화를 더 깊이 이해할 수 있어서 정말 좋았습니다.
바쁜 하루 후 상쾌한 휴식
하루 종일 뛰고 점프하고 열심히 응원한 뒤에 저는 카페에 들러 상쾌한 레몬 민트 차 한 잔을 마셨습니다. 한국에 진정으로 유명한 것이 있다면 바로 카페 문화입니다! 이 찻잔 정말 예쁘지 않나요? 마치 영국에 와 있는 듯한 기분이 들었습니다.
저는 한강 강가에서 한국 친구들과 함께 매년 한 번 열리는 불꽃놀이를 보았습니다. 불꽃놀이는 2시간 동안 이어졌고, 서울 시민들과 외국인들이 많이 참석했습니다. 영국에서도 불꽃놀이를 하지만, 이번 불꽃놀이는 정말 멋졌습니다! 하늘이 무지개색으로 빛나고, 별처럼 떨어지거나 꽃처럼 피어났습니다. 일부 불꽃은 “서울”이라는 글자를 만들며 음악과 어우러졌습니다. 마지막은 큰 소리와 함께 화려한 빛으로 끝났습니다. 쇼가 끝난 후 친구들과 영국과 한국의 불꽃놀이에 대해 이야기하며 뜻깊은 시간을 보냈습니다.
중간고사
이번 학기, 저는 중간고사를 위해 열심히 공부하고 있습니다. 읽기, 쓰기, 듣기, 말하기 능력을 시험받게 됩니다. 그래서 조금 스트레스를 느끼고 있습니다. 하지만 최근에 서점에 가서 여러 가지 한국어 공부 책을 사서 읽기, 쓰기, 듣기, 말하기 능력을 향상하는 데 도움이 될 것입니다. 열심히 공부하면 제 노력에 보상을 받을 거라고 믿습니다. 힘들긴 하지만 각 영역에서 조금씩 발전하고 있는 것 같아 보람을 느껴요. 시험이 끝난 후에는 잠시 쉬면서 친구들과 즐거운 시간을 보내고 싶어요.
중간고사가 끝난 것을 기념하기 위해, 저와 제 동급생들은 파티를 할 예정입니다. 우리는 치킨을 시켜서 함께 먹을 거예요. 그리고 노래방에 가서 함께 노래 부를 것입니다. 스트레스를 줄이는 재미있는 방법이 될 것 같아요!
Remember, every small step brings us closer to our goals. Until next month, stay motivated!
기억하세요, 작은 발걸음이 목표에 더 가까이 가는 길입니다. 다음 달까지 동기 잃지 마세요!
「ジブリの映画が好きだな」「名古屋の名所に行きたい」「日本らしさを感じたい」。その時はジブリパークに行くと良いと思う。日本の中でみんなに知られているので、予約が必要だ。それなので行く日の二ヶ月日前に予約しておいた方がいいかもしれない。この記事で僕の体験と気をつけるアドバイスを説明しようと思う。その特徴からジブリパークの魅力を考えてみたい。