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Loving The English Pubs in Bordeaux

Friday, January 31, 2014

If there's been one thing I have been consistent with since day 1 of being in Bordeaux, its been Monday night quiz at Cock and Bull. I've clearly got my priorities straight huh? My small town in N.J. is about 6 times smaller than Bordeaux, but might have equally as many pubs, and if there's one thing I know it's that there's nothing better to have between friends than a great pub.

Me (left) and Anne Fleur (right) in matching clothes no less
The first time I came to Cock and Bull was to meet up with Nicole and her water polo girls. I brought Mat with me. It was almost like a blind date...but with friends. We had no idea who these people were, if they spoke our language, where they were from, we kind of were just thrown into the mix. On this night I met Anne Fleur (yes Anne Flower), she spoke only French, and I spoke only English; there was zero communication between us.
I wish I could go back to that moment when we awkwardly sat around at the table, trying so hard to make conversation but failing miserably. It was almost too international that it at times felt like it couldn't work. Luckily, pub quiz is in both French and English, so even if we had no idea what each other was saying, we still had a chance to win (doesn't happen often, but hey we try).
The best part about this group of friends? Even though it was really hard at first, we all came back every single week to try again. Of course alcohol helps and all, but we actually kept learning from each other. Anne Fleur now speaks English, and I now speak French. Who would of thought?
Between my friends there's Americans, French, a New Zealander, a Hungarian, a Greek, and sometimes a Spanish guy too. We've turned Cock and Bull into the United Nations. It really is a good spot to meet people though (and get a solid buzz on). Even the other day I came across a group of Americans just looking to make friends like the rest of us. 
So If you win the quiz you get a pitcher of beer. Quite frankly I prefer their 5€ mojitos (as you can see in the picture) but hey, beggars can't be choosers. They make killer drinks here, all equipped with dirty names that I pray to God never come out of my parents mouth. It's clearly a younger bar.
I know it seems pretty insignificant--going to a pub on a monday night for a quiz, but it's turned into way more than that. I learn something new from these people every single week (whether I remember it  or not the next day isn't always certain); from a new word in another language, to something about the other's culture, to just drunken personal talk over way too many mojitos. Cock and Bull has turned me into a Monday lover. Yep, I said it..I LOVE MONDAYS.




I'm an American girl living in Florida, so why do I write about the South of France? I have my husband, Mathieu to thank for that! (From the name you can assume he is indeed a Frenchman). We've lived in Bordeaux and have also traveled the country together. Our relationship has resulted in more adventures and cultural experiences than I had ever dreamed of. Thus my inspiration for showing others what France and its surrounding countries have to offer.

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