Summer Internship: Part 1

So everyone has been asking me when I am coming home. It's true that I have been gone for a while, but when the time arrived in Portugal for me to decide whether or not I would stay for summer, I couldn't imagine the idea of leaving so soon. However, I didn't just want to stay for vacation, I wanted to work or intern. I had started looking here and there for internships as well as jobs. The choices ranged from nanny and teaching English to working in the mayor's or a tourist office. I originally thought I would have the opportunity of working at the Portuguese Embassy in Lisbon, Portugal, but that idea didn't play out and I was offered a position at a tourist office in Fort-Mahon, France.

For those of you who are not familiar with the town, Fort-Mahon-Plage is a small beach town in Northern France on the English Channel. I have visited many times before with family friends, and it has it's charm, but it was not until I began my internship that I realized how much I really enjoy this small town. I also had the opportunity of having my internship count for credit at my university back in Madison. I just have to do a ton of reading, weekly reports, and a final project to turn in, but I'll receive academic credit which is nice.

I decided to post my weekly reports here on my blog. Even though I am about halfway finished with the internship, I will already post what happened the first couple of weeks and hopefully keep this up regularly. I do not have as many pictures yet, but I plan on filling my blog up both with pictures of around the office as well as some upcoming trips I have planned with my sister Katya (who comes in officially 9 days!!!)

Week of June 6

Fort-Mahon-Plage is a small beach town located in northern France, on the Picard coast. Surrounded by other beaches like Le Toquet and Quend, Fort-Mahon is family beach. Water sports like wind-surfing and activities like biking and horseback riding are available for children and parents. There are apartments to rent as well as hotels and RV sites where people can come for the weekend or for several weeks, especially during the summer. During the winter Fort-Mahon is almost completely closed because of the weather (the north of France is a lot colder than the south in general), so spring and summer are the seasons in which there is the most movement and activity. “Avenue de la plage” is the main avenue where most restaurants and vendors bring in customers. The size of Fort-Mahon makes is simple to get around and find activities, hotels and basic things like parking locations or a certain restaurant.

My internship at the Tourist Office of Fort-Mahon-Plage, France began Friday June 10. I was surprisingly not too nervous, and it helped that the other employees were super friendly and helpful. I received my work hours for the first part of the summer and was trained on how to handle some basic tasks of the tourist office. Some of these tasks include responding to phone calls, entering data into the computer, and of course the best methods to use to respond to visitors’ questions. I have only been working for two days, but have already noticed a pattern in the types of questions asked: the events for the weekend/month in Fort-Mahon, the “Quankokoi” (a monthly guide that is published every month of the activities in the area, Fort-Mahon and surrounding beaches and bays), activities for children, as well as information regarding available hotels, inns and camping sites.

There are specific weekend events in the town and throughout the month that are not difficult to discuss with visitors who come to the office. However, when people ask about surrounding towns, their activities and directions on how to arrive at these places, I seem to have more trouble. I have been to Fort-Mahon before with family friends in the past when I have made trips to France, but a lot of the time I either don’t remember specific information or have not yet experienced the activities of which I am expected to inform visitors. A little bit every day – either when things are slow at work or after I’ve finished for the day – I look in detail at the brochures in the office. Details regarding times, prices of activities and distance from Fort-Mahon are important factors that many people consider.

Since the majority of the people that come in the tourist office speak French and some slang of the “Picardie” region, I have been speaking French as well. There have been some visitors from Belgium (the Flemish part), the Netherlands and England who prefer to speak English, but for the most part I am expected to understand visitors in French as well as respond. There are obviously still some problems of miscommunication and misunderstandings, especially in this region where there are a lot of slang words. For example, yesterday a woman came in asking if we had any information on the “Réderies” in Fort-Mahon. I responded that I wasn’t sure and then went to ask my collegues. In fact, “réderie” means “brocante” or “vide-grenier” in “real” French, meaning garage or yard sale. Of course, these upcoming weeks there are yard sales everywhere as well as information so it must have seemed unnecessary for the woman that I had to ask for details.

So far I have enjoyed getting to know the people of Fort-Mahon, the employees and what there is to offer. I find myself repeating a lot of the same information, but at the same time I understand that I am also practicing my French, how to adequately inform visitors’ inquiries, and any fear I might have had in speaking in a foreign language.

Week of June 13

I had my “weekend” during the week because I am required to most work weekends and holidays. Although it was strange to me coming back to work on a Thursday, I think I will like this system. It will make going to doctor’s appointments or travelling much easier because there will not be the rush and masses of people there usually are during the weekend. It also provides a good system for the employees with children, as they can have time with them during the week. This week was a lot of repetition of last week, except that I have been able to answer emails and mail by myself. I know the morning routine: coffee, change posters and documents displayed on the windows, and the other basic tasks. Answering the phone and understanding the French has become a bit easier. Every since I got an address wrong and the director from the radio station at Amiens criticized me for not knowing more details about a certain upcoming event, I have been a lot more careful and have just had to ask people to repeat things. It must be a bit annoying for those who call, but people are usually patient, including my boss who stood up for me on the phone when the director from the radio station called.

Other than responding to phone calls and emails, I have been helping with projects using Publisher and Excel, laminating posters as well as creating them. Since I am used to Mac, I’ve had to ask my boss for some help for Publisher, but in general I am enjoying the creative side of the job. Responding to mail is the same process: address the envelope, place the documents, weigh and stamp, mark as “Répondu” and file the address into the computer. However, the various events and planning are less structured and therefore provide for some change in my responsibilities.

I have been noticing many more differences between the paid employees and the administrators. Although there are several administrators, or bénévoles, that invest a lot of time into their jobs, it seems that the regular employees are the ones who put the most work and time in. For example, my boss Audrey has been at the Tourist Office for 10 years. For the past two days it has just been her and I working in the office, minus the occasional visits from the bénévoles. Many come in to ask Audrey to do ‘this’ or ‘that’, and while they might be little things, it hinders her from doing her main job. After ten years, she is used to it, but it must have taken some time. The bénévoles are my bosses too, so I am polite, offer them coffee and ask how they are doing (even when they have stolen my chair and desk to chat with another bénévole while I am working).

I speak English at least once a day, which is interesting because Fort-Mahon-Plage is so small. It is encouraging to know that tourism is growing in the area and that the town is attracting people from England, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and even the Czech Republic. 

The Last of Portugal… for now.

Sé de Lisboa

My exams went smoothly and I passed all of them (since I’m writing this post so late, I can write that for sure), but the last week was a bit strange. In visiting Lisbon and Porto with Laurent, I started to realize how much I really do like Portugal. Despite the rants about termites and cold water, it really is a beautiful country. Yes, it might be in an economical crisis, and I’m not saying that is not a problem that should be fixed, but I do think we have something to learn from Portugal. In Lisbon, we ran into some French people who were searching for their campsite. We were at the Castelo de São Jorge when we met them and so after playing translator between them and the bus driver, they told us “You know, it’s crazy trying to find out where we are supposed to go, but at the same time, everyone is so nice here… We (speaking to Laurent) really have something to learn from the Portuguese”. It’s true. In general, every Portuguese person has been very hospitable to me during my time abroad. I’m not only speaking of my dad’s friends Mario and Rosa, or Alex’s family, but the waiters, the professors, and even the train controllers.

As we visited Lisbon and Belem, I was reminded of my time there in February with my dad and Mario. It was strange to make it back full circle like that, but in a way good. We ate at the same well-known restaurant, O rei dos frangos, and the same waiter who served us in February, served the Frenchie and me. When the waiter noticed us speaking French, he directed us to the French page. It was hard to directly switch from French to Portuguese…I often either found myself speaking French to someone or Portuguese to Laurent (just ask him). However, I smiled at the fact that the waiter said to me “Oh…portuguesa?” and moved to the Portuguese part of the menu. Yes! Success! A big difference from when I first arrived in Lisbon after a dramatic flight from Paris and my dad said that I had to ask the waiter for water. I was terrified then but now it was a pleasure.

Tram in Lisbon looking out to the river

Laurent walking to his Castelo de São João

Random cute boy

We spent the next day relaxing in Coimbra, resting from the long bus ride back from Lisbon. To save money we decided to take the longest train possible to Porto – 4 euro per person. It took two hours instead of one with a stop in Aveiro – just enough time to take a picture and drink a coffee. In Porto we visited a bit and walked to Ribeira right by the river and bridges. After our franschina full of grease (enough to get on Laurent’s white shorts), we walked along the river and took pictures in front of the Ponte Luís I and searched for jet skis (there were none to rent). Laurent bought some kiwi jam (which he gave after to his grandmother) and we spent the rest of the day on the beach.

Porto

Portugal was seriously an amazing experience. My time abroad was nothing compared to Northern Europe. The climate. The food. Cost of living. People. The lifestyle. The last few days spent with Laurent also include saying goodbye to cobblestone streets leading to my apartment. My American, Spanish and Portuguese roommates. The internet that gave out every three hours. Summer nights in the middle of April. I am finishing this blog post in July, and I can tell you – I DO miss Portugal. I still speak with my Dad every now and then, and I will continue because I don’t want to loose the improvements I’ve made in the language. Portugal, despite some frustrations that I have mentioned in previous posts, was a beautiful experience, and without being cheesy I will guard the memories and friendships I have made for a very long time.

Belém

The best part of the flight to France? I was 11 kg overweight and the attendant did not mention a word. Obrigada, TAP. 

Leiria, Fátima and Batalha

One of my American roommates, Alex, or lovingly known as ‘Alesshandra’, has family in Leiria. Leiria is located in between Coimbra and Lisbon and is close to Fátima and Nazaré, a well-known beach town. When we arrived at the bus station in Leiria, Alex’s aunts and uncles warmly greeted us and took us out to dinner in Nazaré. We enjoyed fresh shrimp from the area, cooked cod and wonderful conversation. Alex’s tia welcomed us into her home, complete with full bath and hot water and super comfy beds. It’s the simple things that I remember from this trip.

Fátima

After a great breakfast, complete with a homemade galão, we visited Fátima. Fátima is a major religious site in Portugal. As we visited and read the history of the church and area, memories of cartoons about the story came into memory. The story includes three children that each received a secret from the Virgin Mary in the 20^th century. In the film, two out of the three secrets were revealed. The secrets included events that would occur in the future, and according to the story, all three occurred. It was interesting to make this connection with films and stories that I saw and heard when I was younger. After Fátima, we ate (of course) and then visited the ‘grutas’.

The last part of the trip included a trip to Batalha, a small town where another part of Alex’s family lives. There was a medieval fair that day that surrounded the cathedral of the town. For the last three months Alex mentioned here and there how much she loved Renaissance fairs, and although nothing sounded more boring, I have to admit that if they are anything like what we saw I Batalha, I can see the charm. The monastery is decorated with intricate handiwork on the walls, ceiling and floor, as well as elaborate tombs (including the tomb of King D. Duarte).

At the Monastery of Batalha

We ended the day with gelato and coffee before heading back to Leiria to drop me off. Alex was going to spend another day with her other family, but I headed back to Coimbra. While waiting for the bus to arrive, there was a small type of garage sale nearby. We looked around at old books and movies. I noticed a Portuguese cookbook that was the same as the one displayed in my kitchen back home. Made me miss my mom a bit more. There was also a plate with a cat’s face on it…Just it’s face. Yes I DID consider buying it for my apartment next year, knowing my future roommate Katie would love it. However, when the woman told me it was five euros, I almost laughed out loud… Oh, just kidding, I did laugh out loud, told her it was for a joke and I wasn’t looking to spend that much on it, and so she tried to convince me, telling me her opinion of how “cool” it was and brought the price down to 4.50. Yeah.

That's Alesshandra!
So needless to say I left Leiria without a cat plate, but with a full stomach and some great memories with Alex and her family. 

36 Hours of Barcelona

Since I never made it to Barcelona, Spain in October because of a cancelled flight, I had to make it over while in Portugal. I arrived Friday night and left Sunday morning solo. Although the language of Barcelona is Catalan and not Spanish, people were pretty nice when I used English, French or Portuguese or a mixture of the three.

I booked a nice hostel near Las Ramblas and so was pretty close to the main tourist attractions. I started with Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia. Although still in construction, the cathedral of the Sagrada Familia was amazing to observe. I was most impressed with the interior and the reflection of colors present throughout the cathedral because of the light shining in.

Las Ramblas was packed with tourists, and despite the fact that I hate being a tourist, I definitely was one. I had my taste of tapas and sangria in a restaurant on Las Ramblas and visited the famous St Josep Boqueria. Filled with all kinds of fruits, vegetables, candy and foods, yes I did grab a mini pizza and some more sangria…

In the afternoon I visited the oceanfront and Barceloneta, as well as the corner where the Picasso Museum is. I took some photos and visited before enjoying a café leche near the port. Before returning to my hostel I went grocery shopping for breakfast the next morning and to find some dinner. Since my hostel was cheap and centrally located, there had to be some problem. While well located, it was on a small road unknown to most taxi drivers. It took my about an hour and a half to find it Saturday late afternoon, since obviously my map was no help from the beginning. When I finally found it, I was ready to take a shower and sleep. I had walked all day in my Coimbra sandals, but my feet were still sore. However, the view and the sites were well worth it. I was inspired to pick up Catalan because of this trip, and who knows, maybe one day I will.