Lunch

I normally eat on campus but the lines sometimes take 30 minutes. So today I went to McDonalds.  Got a bigMac, fries and Coca-Cola for 5.50 euros.  Although most french restaurants are slow, I was pleased to discover that the McDonalds' in France are essentially the same as they are in the states.  The line was as big or bigger than the other restaurants, however everyone got their food in 3 minutes or less.  The building was packed but the lines keep moving because there were about 20 people on staff.  The McDonalds where I went must make a fortune, especially considering that they have no competition (Wendys, Burger King etc.)

On the subject of American businesses, I was speaking to a European person about hours of operation, and they couldn't believe that we have 24 hour gyms, libraries, grocery stores, gas stations and diners.  Apparently malls being open on Sunday is also weird.

Typical French Food

Closing thoughts: you cannot find peanut butter here, they use more mayonnaise than ketchup, the only mustard they have is Dijon mustard, and there are no bagels or drip coffee (aka Black Coffee).  The coffee they drink is called espresso in America.

By the river

Préfecture de l'Isère cont.

View from the courtyard in the back

The courtyard in the back

The courtyard in the back

Better late than never

It has been awhile since I visited the Préfecture de l'Isère (last Sunday... the other post discussing it was late too).  However I am going to start posting the pictures of the inside.

It rains in the valley but snow on the hill

Today was the first time that it rained since before my arrival.  After it stopped raining I went out to discover that at the high altitudes it was cold enough that it snowed.  I guess this is just the beginning of what will probably be a long winter.

The internet has been out for almost three days, but now it is back.  Today is also the day that the tram workers went on strike because of pension cut backs.

The Tram

Préfecture de l'Isère (the national government locally represented)

In case you didn't know, you can click on the photos to see them in their actual size.

Ford Focus RS on "main street".  The main street is not a typical American college main street because there is nothing special or different about our main street  (ie. restraunts and such).  My dorm however is right across the street from a Ducati dealership.

Neighborhood

The beginning of the downtown area

Near the University campus

BNP Paribas

Just opened up a bank account, about 40 pages of legal documents in a foreign language.  Had to "lu et approuvé" then sign my name a bunch.  I do not have any monthly fees, but if my balance drops below 500 euros I get charged 8 euros per transaction.

Cafeterias in France

There are probably about 20 places to eat on campus.  Most of the places are like bakeries. You can buy a baguette with chicken lettuce tomatoe and cheese, and 2 pieces of fruit for 3€.  Everyone pays cash because there are no student cards like there are in the States to swipe.  Because I am on a meal stiphen, I receive 250€ per month. At three meals a day of 3€ each, I have 27 days per month paid for. 
In France, people ,take a lunch break from noon to 2PM.  During this time, it seems like the whole economy just stops.  You might wonder what you would do with so much time, but in reality, you actually use most of this time eating.  Because everyone leaves work at noon, the walkways are very crowded and the trams are packed.  Once you finally make it to one of the University restaurants there will be a long line which moves very slowly. All said and done, it takes about 2 hours to eat in France.

The tram station

Internet

Just so Carlton knows, my speed test is 1.57 Mb/s download and 0.34 Mb/s upload.  Tomorrow I sign up for the swim team.

My dorm room

Just got internet