Troyes

After the stage ended yesterday, a professor from Romilly (where Meredith, one of my roomies at the stage, is stationed) picked us up and took me to my room in Troyes. Other than a huge spider living in the window blinds, the room is decent enough. Bare, but it will do its job of housing me temporarily until I find something permanent. The lycée is beautiful, as is the ville of Troyes. I spent all day wandering the city, stopping by the office of tourism for some maps, a tabac for a new phone card, and finally a kebab. The kebab shop I found is AWESOME, with a very nice owner who told me to come back soon and have coffee with him.

The only problem I have so far is with Orange. They will have to rename themselves Black and Blue by the time I get this sorted. They tell me now that they do not guarantee texts to and from the US, so sorry to everyone who has tried texting me. Last time I had NO problems with this, so I didn't even think to ask when I got my new phone. My bad there, but how do they become LESS advanced in only a year and a half??? The sales guys at Orange were quite sympathetic however, when I broke into tears after being told this. EVen they thought it was ridiculous. So if anyone has any advice, suggestions, or connections to Orange phone...

On Monday I begin my first week of observing the classes, meeting students and profs and getting acquainted. This, combined with having to get an apartment, a bank account, my carte de sejour and make lesson plans, should keep me busy enough. The main thing is the bank account, which I need to have by Oct 10 so I can request an advance on my first paycheck.

SUPER stoked though!!! Turns out I was wrong about the dates for my first vacation, which is during the week that Jess will be in London (first week of Nov). Sooo.... more time in Angleterre with my wonderful boy and a reunion with the lousy Brits!!! As soon as I get my teaching schedule I can book my trip. YAY!!!

That covers the basics for now. So basically, don''t try texting me unless you are not in the US. I will have regular internet access soon enough I hope, but email or calling is the best way to reach me now. I don't even have an address yet so I can't recieve mail. Oh well.

Best of all, it finally stopped raining. Super cool!!!

Ah, la France...

The boulangeries. The trains. The cigarettes. The goddamn wretched back-asswards keyboards. I must be back in Frog land!!!

After a long flight (which wasn't too bad thanks to the Valium Jess gave), I landed in Paris, waited in the customs line from hell, then embarked on the voyage to Reims. I highly advise against hauling 100 or so pounds worth of stuff around Paris-- this morning (rather, this afternoon) I woke up so sore and bruised it was ridiculous. Not to mention my mini meltdown in the middle of Gare de l'Est when I was worried I took the wrong Metro stop and would have to haul my bags up and down yet more stairs. On the plus side, I caught a brief glimpse of the Eiffel Tower on one of my many train rides.

Long story short, I made it to Reims. I fought jet lag yesterday by wandering around town, getting my cell phone set up, etc. (btw, apparently there is some issue with receiving texts from the US. I got one from Ally in England just fine, and can send them, but have gotten none back from any Americans. Call your carriers and complain people!!!)

Orientation starts tomorrow, and I have already met lots of other assistants. We went to dinner last night and shared a "girafe" which is basically a tall cylinder of beer with a spout, we each got two glasses out of it. Good deal indeed. I have yet to satisfy my kebab fix though, I did stop into one but they didn't have any poulet (chicken) so instead of looking for another one I just grabbed some pizza. Very French, I know.

The cathedral here is incredible but I don't know if it is any more/less impressive than St Julien. Yes, many a French king had their coronation there, and the outside details (gargoyles, etc) are impressive. But there's something so sacrilige about a gift shop in a church...

OK, I've had about enough of this goddamn retarded French keyboard. Is it time for Champagne yet??