Deauville, Trouville, Dives-Sur-Mer, Cabourg

So after an amazing night out I woke up ridiculously early (sorry Laura!) to get home and out again to meet Dana for a spontaneous road-trip! And yes, we went to all of these places in my title in one day. My journey to Université...funny story actually, when I was travelling there on the tram...the driver's voice came over the tannoy and said something along the lines of the imminent arrival of a ticket inspection in conjunction with the Police. I've never seen a.) so many people composter (like validate) their ticket, or b.) so many people get off the tram at the next stop. Now for me I had two choices...I was already late, but my pass ran out in fifteen minutes, so I would just get to Université before it did - if the tram stayed on time. So I went with the "wing it" option and hoped that I could blag my way out of a fine if need be. Turns out I didn't even need to bother preparing a phrase...no ticket inspector or policeman came within spitting distance of the tram! I guess it was the tram driver's idea of a joke...

Anyhows, I got in Dana's car and we opened a map of Normandy and chose an area and went for it, and this was the result! This picture is of Dana in Deauville...I see these trees everywhere in France and I have absolutely no idea what they are, if anyone does know please let me know as it is starting to bug me! As you can imagine my level of tiredness is now into a sort of dreamy contemplation.

This past week I've been back, I've been thinking a lot about France, and how my year abroad is going and all that jazz. I can't believe just how much happier I am now, in my second term in France. I have finally settled in fully, before it definitely felt as if I was trying to live in too many places at once. Now I have eventually got over this, well...it feels like a weight has been lifted. I've began to realise that I should never have felt like I was wrong in any way, to feel like I did or to act how I did...and talking to other people recently has more than made me realise that I should not have needed to have gone through what I did before Christmas. What a difference a month makes?! I feel so much more positive, in fact...more positive than I have done in over a year, and life just keeps getting better. I'll admit, I look back and question why I did do some things. My language is improving too, I guess it's because I'm no longer stressed, or unhappy...and I'm taking things in my stride a lot more too. Hard stuff becomes less so, and I get to enjoy the easy stuff better. When I'm talking with new people I'm no longer panicking about whether or not I will understand them...I just say if I don't know/understand what they're on about! I'm no longer constantly worrying, and I'm getting to enjoy quality time with my friends out here in France. In some ways I feel bad for feeling so good, because I know there are some people who are really not enjoying their year abroads, but I guess it's just what you make of it...and I think I am finally in the right place to grab the bull by the horns! Long may this last.

But what can I tell you about the places we visited I hear you ask! So, a potted version of each town...Deauville: lots of old buildings, very expensive, the famous planches with all the names of celebrities on them, Dana and I saw four Porsches in a row which was quite exciting, town is very pretty and the beach is gorgeous...I can only guess what it must be like in summer! Had a great lunch at a little Italian restaurant called Il Parasole...if you are there, you have to find it...not only because the food is really really good, but also because it is the cheapest restaurant that we could find in town.Trouville: like Deauville, in fact, across a small body of water from it, and it has a massive Casino. Dives-Sur-Mer: little tiny town that was on the way to Cabourg, very cute and picturesque - worth a visit but I wouldn't want to live there permanently! Finally, Cabourg: got an awesome church that is Tudor in style (black and white!), a really big posh hotel and a busy high street containing mainly restaurants or estate agents.


I had an absolutely awesome day, and even though I was battling tiredness I wouldn't change it for the world! The chance to see other towns in my area is not one that I can pass on, and I really hope for another spontaneous road-trip again soon!


NB: all German driving experiences I have partaken in have involved your car driving very close to the car in front, especially when becoming stationary. I have come to realise that instead of being terrified of it I should just accept as normal and move on!