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!!!