English/French lifestyle

This is the end of our trip in Liverpool. This three months were very interesting as regards the discovery of  a new culture and the general background in Liverpool. Before closing this blog, we would like to introduce the main differences between the english and french lifestyle.

As you know the United Kingdom is one of the countries where people are used to driving on the left hand side. Even if we didn't drive any car during this three months, we found it hard to get used to this new traffic, mainly when we had to cross. Hopefully, most of pedestrians are secure with the signal of the traffic lights and the warning on the floor " LOOK LEFT " and " LOOK RIGHT".

Thanks to the double coach and a huge amount of taxi, you can easily move in the city. We noted that the english buses operate differently: you get on and get off the bus by the same door close to the driver. This way seems to operate well and makes it possible to avoid controls. In fact the driver start as soon as everybody has shown their ticket.Then we pointed out the politeness of passengers who are grateful to the bus driver.












As regards the taxi there are two different categories:
-black cab that you can take everywhere in the city.
-Delta taxi which is the cheapest company. You have to call  and wait for them.

We have to admit that it's impressive to live in a foreign city, but quickly we noted the presence of various monitoring systems (bus, club, store, street...).Throughout the day you can see several policemen move all around the city.Everypeople who get into the bars are systematically controlled with their ID. Unlike to the France, servers don't take any order at your table, you have to order at the bar.
We regret not having seen typical english pub in Liverpool in comparison with London.

With the daily life, we have learned more about the english way of life:

- letter box in the door

- EDF with a key
- location contract (no important paper like employment contract or a guarantor if you are a stranger student...)
- electrical outlet with a button  ON/OFF
- carpet in all the home (except in the kitchen and the bathroom)










Finally, we enjoyed living abroad for three months and we are looking forward to doing this again.

A weekend in London

Live in the United Kingdom was a good opportunity to visit London and at the same time meet my aunt, my uncle and my cousins (kévin's familly) who have lived in Orpington for years. In only two days we have succeeded in visiting and walking around the whole of London. Definitely, we claim that London has nothing to do with Liverpool. Indeed, London which is the capital city of United Kingdom is a big tourist city. Certainly, we have heard much more french speaking in two days in London than within two months in Liverpool. Then you can appreciate the London accent which is much easier to understand.

The Shard

Tower Bridge

St James's Park

Big Ben

Camden Town

Notting Hill

Piccadilly

The Climbing Hangar

The Climbing Hangar is probably the place where I have spent most of my time during this last month. As a child, I used to climb in a similar hangar in Toulon, my native city. I was very impressed when I discovered such a place in liverpool which is the biggest bouldering centre in west Britain. I hadn't climbed for quite a long time and I have to admit that I start to be addicted. All the staff is so cool and helpful which enable me to meet and speak with many climbers. The Climbing Hangar is made up of two large rooms with brilliant climbing for all ages and abilities. Let's go climbing!

The Beatles story

You cannot come in Liverpool without visiting The Beatles Story. It is not like a museum without noise and just some annoying texts, we are immersed in the Beatles world. Whole site are reconstituted, "The Cavern", "Mathew street"..., and the music sound everywhere. For about one hour, we went back in time of the Beatles.
This video will better explain to you.

It was an extraordinary visit .

US and traditions

When we talk about English, we think: Pub, Fish and Chips, Cheese Cake, Tea... But as you know, in the United Kingdom there are England, Wales, Scotland and the Northern Ireland. Each country have is own traditions and US even if few of them are the same.

- National day of United Kingdom

• St George's day is the national day in England. It is on April the 23rd. The colours of St George are a white flag with a red cross.
• St Andrew's day is the national day in Scotland. It is on November the 30th
• St David's day is the national day in Wales. It is on March the 1st
• And we think that everybody knows St Patrick's day which is the national day in Ireland. It is on March the 17th. And it is celebrate in England, in France...

United Kingdom and France have several common traditions like Christmas Day, Easter day, New Year's day... But some are more important in United kingdom for instance Halloween, on October the 31st. Contrary to France, many people celebrate Halloween. They buy lot of candies and children go around neighborhoods shouting "Trick or treating".




France and United Kingdom have not exactly the same bank holidays. 
- Boxing day: it is on December the 26th. On this date, the traders receive a "Christmas Box" for their work and Banks and stores are closed. Boxing day is also a day devote to visit family and sport.
- August bank holiday: the latest Monday in August

Poppy remembrance day: English wear a poppy in tribute to soldiers who died during the two world war..






In Liverpool there is a tradition since 1836: Grand National Steeplechase. It is a horse race in April.