I just discovered that we each have a blog available on the site so would like to say something. As I move around a lot at the moment I will try to express something about the different countries I visit or live in.

I've been living in Bordeaux since October 2006 and as this is the second year I've spent in France I have begun to notice more and more differences between here and my country of birth - the UK. When I first left England I saw other countries with rose-tinted glasses, but the more time I spend elsewhere the more I realise what I appreciate in my own country. A lot of it comes back to the old integration vs assimilation debate. I feel privileged to have grown up in culturally diverse environment, throughout school, and where I lived. In the UK in Primary School we made greetings cards for festivals from different religions in order to understand different beliefs and celebrations within the society, and in Secondary School we had religious education classes which give us basic knowledge of the world's main religions. Here having worked in a few schools I realise that things are quite different. Religion (or awareness of it) is not part of the curriculum and I have heard some surprising views expressed, for example a friend who considered Islam to be 'the most dangerous religion'. I feel it can be dangerous to depend solely on information received through the media, ie on TV as an exaggerated report can have a great impact.

The idea of a 'cite', a group of usually state-funded tower blocks often far from the city and usually occupied by immigrant families can also be surprising. These isolated suburbs, hidden from the bourgeoisie and the swimming pools in the garden, do not do any favours for those who wish to live in French society like anybody else...

But having said all that I will conclude with some more positive thoughts. Bordeaux has been an interesting place to live. There is diversity within the city and I have been able to find my place here. Good memories include the arts cinema in an old church; Turkish and Arab mint tea and shisha rooms; the tuesday night slam scene; Senegalese friends and the West Coast hip hop club, and the beautiful Dune de Pyla by the sea. This year through friends' recommendations I have got to know the 'couchsurfing' concept (check out the website) and would recommend this to anyone wishing to make more connections.