I've been in France for just over a week now, and things are settling in--I'm starting to feel at home!
My travels to Paris were tumultuous to say the least; I got lost, changed plans, hefted heavy suitcases, stumbled exhaustedly around the airport...then ran into a Parisian friend who bought me breakfast, carried my bags for me, and escorted me to a hotel so I could sleep off my crankiness. Tarik--I owe you a big one :)
After being in Paris for just over 24 hours, I caught the train to Nevers. It was only about a 2 hour trip, which is good to know--if I'm ever bored for a weekend, Paris is just a train ride away! And next time I won't have nearly as much baggage ;)
I arrived in Nevers just as the sun came out; a fellow assistant whom I'd only met online came to meet me at the train station and told me that she hadn't seen the sun yet, so having it follow me from Paris was a nice treat :)
Now I'm settled into my apartment (with a gorgeous late-afternoon view of the cathedral!) I'm also really close to the River Loire, which is great. I've finished the paperwork for social security, having a bank account, and getting a phone, plus the immigration paperwork; I've made friends, gotten drunk, spent too much money, and already considered buying a new pair of shoes--it's like I'm French already!
I've visited all my schools so far, and they seem great. The children are aged 7-11, and I'll be teaching them English with the help of their professors. I alternate among 3 schools, one of them in Nevers and two of them out of town in Fourchambault, so my travel time will be included in the maximum 12 hours I work per week. Our schedules are supposed to be finalized today, and that will make it even more real!
So far no major mishaps have happened (which is WEIRD for me--remember when I slept in a soup kitchen? Remember when I got locked in a bathroom as it was being disinfected?!) but I know they will ;)
Until then, I'm content to enjoy my drawn-out French vacation :)
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