Thursday 28th February

Woke up feeling really tired this morning and all the smoke last night had left me with a dry throat. We had been told to come to the art school at 11 so we could meet some of the teachers so off I went reluctantly. It was pouring again today, and by the time I got to the art school my shoes were soaked and water was seeping up my jeans - nice. Unfortunately there weren’t many teachers around to meet, so we met the administrator instead! Sorted out a student card which was good. I say cards but they are actually pieces if paper with a passport photo stuck on it and hand written details. So easy to fake if anyone wanted to. Had nothing to do after that until 2.00 when we had been invited to attend a lecture, or conference as they call it, on something which translates as ‘The City Brain’, so we went to the supermarche. I found a kettle for only 17 euros - hooray!!! I can now easily make a cup of tea. Mary and I also got some photos printed while we were there. We then decided we needed a hot drink to warm us up - it was actually quite chilly today - so we went back to the powder paint place. I don’t know why we went back here if we didn’t like the hot chocolate, except that it is close to the art school. It was nice and warming though. At 2.00 we headed to the conference, waited outside the room for about 10 minutes and no-one came or went. Luckily we bumped into a student who said it was at 3.00. Why can’t anyone give us the right time in the first place! At 3.00 we went back to the room and sure enough there were lots of people. The room is quite big with white walls and black curtains again, and a big projector screen in the middle of one wall. There are proper lecture desks with bright red chairs and the little table top that swings over when you’re seated. Although I didn’t understand much at all, only the odd word, the talk started off being quite interesting with birds-eye photographs and film clips. Then the time carried on and I started to feel extremely tired and I could see the other girls feeling the same. The room was so dark and the lecturers voice was very mono-toned. I think Grace actually feel asleep at one point! On and on it went. On and on. Eventually the lights went back on and we all started shifting about, getting ready to leave. But no, the lecturer kept going. By this point it was about 4.30. And hour and a half of french we couldn’t understand - surely there can’t be that much more. And it was really cold in there. We were finally free to leave at about 5.00. Jesus. At least in England we get a coffee break. But just as we thought we could escape home for some food and a sleep, Patricia called us over to meet some teachers. We said hello and Mary answered ‘three months’ to the question ‘where are you working?’ Then Patricia said she would like us to help the 2nd years set up an exhibition tomorrow on the outskirts of town so we then had to organise getting the bus, and after finally arranging to meet a girl called Marinna at 10 tomorrow morning, we were free! Now about to watch ‘Bride and Prejudice’ in french while attempting to do some work. Damn, forgot to buy a dictionary again!