What I like about Grenoble.

If you asked me where I live I would reply: J`habite á Boringnoble, France

Boringnoble because nothing happens here. Still I have to admit that I don't make great efforts to dig into its guts and discover more of it, so I admit I'm guilty as well.

However, the fact that it's boring doesn't mean that I hate it, I don't love it either, but there are few things I like about it. At this moment I can recall only one: Its graffiti or alike:

  

Personally I love the following series, the sheep "jesuisceuxquejesuis" something like "I am those whom I am", this sheep is everywhere and for me it is the face of Grenoble.

   

       

    

Visa to UK from France

Last thursday (March 15th) I just submitted my papers and passport for my visitor visa to UK and in the process I bothered a friend of mine with a bunch of silly questions about the process. Although I haven't got the visa yet, the purpose of this post is to record the steps I followed just before I forget the details that might help someone else in the future.

The process is made up of 4 stages:

1. Fill in the online application form and pay the application fee (95 euros at March 2012).
To fill in this application form you don't have to upload any paper, you just need to have clear your dates of traveling and the address of the hotel you are going to stay in. Additionally you might be clear about your budget and money available for the trip, they will ask you that.
Once you finish the online application form you will get a .pdf file with the form (which you will have to print, sign and submit with the other papers) with a reference number on it.
Request an appointment here to submit the papers in Paris.
With the reference number gotten, you just follow the steps in that simple website. I applied one Thursday night and there were plenty appointment slots for the following week, so you wouldn't have to worry about applying long time in advance. I booked mine for the following Thursday 14:00
Go to Paris and hand in the papers
My appointment was at 2pm, I arrived like at 1.30pm and still I was allowed to get in. You are not allowed to take anything inside, including cell-phones. The errant inside took me about one hour. The following is a very complete guide of papers given by the Visa service of UK, it is pretty extensive though, this other one is simpler. At the end the papers I took were the following:

• Printed version of the online application form
• 2 pictures
• The passport, obviously, and a copy of its main page.
• A copy of my French visa and my OFII stamp
• My last 3 bank reports (those that I get monthly by post) - original and copy. In French
• A letter of sponsorship from the institution that granted me the scholarship I have to live in France - original and copy. In French.
• One electricity invoice to as proof of accommodation here in France - original and copy. In French.
• Student certificate given by the school. Original. In English
• Flight bookings. Lyon-London, London-Lyon. In English
• Hostel bookings. In English.

As I don't live in Paris, I had to pay for them to send me back my passport, it is like 32 euro more. So have in mind that this application takes about 340 euros (95 of the application, the train tickets costed me 110 euro, the flight tickets costed me 90 euro, the hostel booking about 10 euro, and those 32 euro of the passport delivery). So be prepared!

Disclaimer: This is just my experience and it is not a guide to apply. No responsibility shall be given to the author for any mistake during the application.

---- March 22nd Update ---
I received a SMS saying that my package was sent today

---- March 23rd Update ---
I got a package at my place with my papers and my British visa stamped in my passport, UK there I Go!!