Right well, here I am, overtired and baffled, sitting along
in a big, big flat somewhere in France. It is a ridiculously big flat and I’m
still a bit confused as to if/where other flatmates might appear from but at
least it’s very very nice and brand new. Clothes away, diffuser out (rooms that
smell good are A*) and I even have a microwave (this morning I had pretty much
zero furniture). I even have two irons and a big sofa, a desk in my room and
lots of chairs. Lots of chairs. I
hope I make some friends to sit in them or I’ll be going all Marius-in-Les-Mis
(“Empty Chairs at Empty Tables”, for those less in the know).
I met some of the other English teaching staff today, and
had lunch with them – they all seem lovely. Some are even kind enough to speak
to me in English a bit. Nadine said she could drive me to the shops every week,
so she’s currently top of the bae list. They have also told me I am not allowed
to speak French to any of the students, nor tell them I can speak French at all
(ha - oh no, how terribly difficult that will be).
Meanwhile, others only spoke French to me and I actually
kept up (surprised). They chatted a lot about previous-assistant-Brian, who was
American. He, and I quote, “had a very kamikaze approach. Oh he
was such good fun! Didn’t speak a word of French”. This means I have such a
lot, but also so very little, to live up to there – so thank you, Elusive
Brian.
They all admit that public transport is genuinely a bit of
an issue here, but a lot of them commute to other towns so hopefully I can nab
a few rides. There was a bit of grimacing when I said I didn’t have a car
(great) so that bodes well.
So I am here. Bit scared but hopefully
tomorrow’s big admin day will help sort my main questions (am I seriously living
alone in an apartment that the Von Trapps could comfortably inhabit? Where’s
that pesky oven at? Etc)
Bring on da cheese.
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