Jennie in Europe

[Eskimo_Nell]

I've swapped a few e-mails with Jennie. She's thinking of a few small cons in the UK, I'm trying to persuade her to think of Angouleme, the biggest Festival of BDs in Europe, possibly in the world, (typically 250,000 attendees over 4 days) and which will have a hall dedicated to American BDistes in 2008. This coming January. She still gets the same free plane ticket.

C'mon Jennie, don't be scared. We don't bite!

r

[JennieB]

But it's in France! I don't speak French. I went once in college and all I learned how to say was "I'm sorry". In Italy I just learned "How much is that?"

BDs?

[Ruestir]

After just going to France, you'd be surprised at how many people can speak a little English. It at least allows you to communicate a little. Knowing the phrase "parley vou ingles?" helps. And yes to you people who may know French, I know that isn't how you spell it, but for non-French, the phonetics are correct for the proper sound. :P

[Kamn]

But it's in France! I don't speak French. I went once in college and all I learned how to say was "I'm sorry". In Italy I just learned "How much is that?"

BDs?

Not realy a problem. Get a friend (or make a friend) that speaks the language AND understands YOU. Maybe someone in the family speaks the lanugage? If so, tell'em that you need them to help you, and that they need to see France!

[Jackob]

BDs?

I keep thinking Bondage, but that's probably wrong. :D

And you need to visit Denmark. :dgrin:

[Compton]

I keep thinking Bondage, but that's probably wrong. :D

And you need to visit Denmark. :dgrin:

Danish is pretty easy to understand. If not speak. When I was dating my ex and her friend (now mine) would visit they would converse only in Danish when they didn't want me to understand. It didn't work past a couple of days. I couldn't speak it but I could understand what they were talking about.

French....ummm yeah not so good. Thats what my wife is for. I do however offer her services as a translator for you Jennie. As she is always volunteering me for stuff I don't feel bad. And besides she's always wanting to go to France.

[ExO_DsR]

BDs?

BD is short for bande dessinée. French for drawn strip.
Speaking the lingo of a country can be handy, but it isn`t a requirement anymore. In most hotels of europe (at least western europe) you can speak in English. People will understand you.

(I`m now checking how far this con will be from my doorstep :p, Bah.. 850 km :-S))

[sableagle]

I speak enough French to get by ... and pretty good German, and can understand some Dutch, Spanish, Italian, Portugese* and even Mississippi.

Didn't help much trying to talk to the guy sitting outside a caravan in one spot. American tourist. Didn't understand a word of it.

Can it be ... that Jennie ... has never been to a genuine patisserie?

Oh my. That has to change.

Oh yeah, and the wine's all good when you buy it direct from the producer and it's about a dollar a bottle. I'm not giggling. Really I'm not.

*Okay, actually I just recognised which spam e-mail it was. Still ...

[Eskimo_Nell]

But it's in France! I don't speak French. I went once in college and all I learned how to say was "I'm sorry". In Italy I just learned "How much is that?"

BDs?

I expect you'll find people falling over themselves to be your translator, but as other people have already commented, it's really not a problem. If the organisers are dedicating an entire hall to American comics, they have to expect some Americans.

As regards getting there - France has a very efficient and cheap train service, (unlike the UK or the US, public transport is not only for the deprived or weird, it's for everyone) so you can book your flights into Bordeaux or Paris and take the train from there (the website is www.sncf.fr, click on the Union Flag for English). Preferably sooner rather than later, otherwise I might not get your tickets to you on time - we have a postal strike here. It's wonderful! No bills! But not so good for getting tickets to people...

I've sent details of how to book a table into your inbox. If you are prepared to take a table in one of the less central halls, that's €70 including tax, for all three days. As regards accommodation, there's an Ibis on the outskirts of town for € 37 a night.

BTW, I would *not* recommend flying direct into Angouleme aéroport as they are extending the runway and flight scheduling is severely disrupted at the moment, and likely to stay that way for several months.

r

[Eskimo_Nell]

I found out that there is another festival internationale not far from Angouleme, to do with caviare - now the Caspian is so polluted and overfished, the best caviare is from the Garonne.

I don't speak fandom in either English or French, but if you're really concerned about the language issue I can translate normal French for you.

r

[sableagle]

droule = drool ...

mmmmmm = mmmmm ...

awwwww = awwwww ...

aiieee = eeeeek ...

... and if they're saying kawaii desu you can whack them with a rolled-up copy of le Monde without having to read it first.

[Eskimo_Nell]

It seems to me your fans are spread around Europe - Belgium, Denmark, Spain, England - and Angouleme is on the mainline between Paris and Bordeaux. It's inexpensive to get there. The trouble with cons in England is, they're in England. It's an island. Difficult and expensive to get to. The mainland makes more sense.

r