| I am here in France. The time zone is now GMT +1. I am living out of a suitcase. Sunday I leave for Paris. The orientation meeting with l'Académie de Creteil is on Monday. My first few weeks in the capital city could be rough. I won't lie. There is so much paperwork to be done. I have to go to the Préfecture for my carte de séjour. I have to purchase my Carte Orange and the Navigo badge for the RER. I have inscription with the lycées. I have to plan out my lessons. While this is all happening I will also search for an apartment. I have a few good leads, but nothing solid...as they say. Last night Violaine told me that there is an organized group called LE JEUDI DE LA COLOCATION. They meet once a month for a soirée and to meet others who are looking for a roommate or who are looking for an apartment. I think I'll go to the one coming up in a week. Maybe not. I also am going to start looking at the Sorbonne for postings of people looking for a coloc (french for roommate.) It's been nearly two weeks since I arrived and I feel as though I never left over a year ago. Sure things have changed. The tram lines are more complex. The university campus is getting a long overdue facelift. My friends live in different apartments or some just aren't here. Despite all of this, Strasbourg still has the same pulse. The cobblestone streets are as uneven as before. The cathedral with her pink façade and single gothic tower is still standing erect. Inside her walls people still light candles and pray. A tartine chevre aux amandes et au miel still is served at l'Epicerie. Bicycles with rusted chains are still left to die along the banks of the river. I'm dubious about my departure. Le monde bouge and so must I. Sunday I will say goodbye to Strasbourg and hello to my new home, Paris. It's a dream come true. Paris. I will make my home in Paris. I don't know how long or how deep my roots will go, but for a season or two I will find myself in an incredible place. It's a city rich in history and on now I will play a supporting role in the story. |
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| departure was supposed to be for the 10th of september. instead i won't be leaving until the 16th. it's a huge bummer. before i go to france i have to get my long stay visa, and the new french consulate policy is to have everyone who is applying for a visa, do it in person. so, i am taking a day and flying to chicago. it's a 10 minute appointment with an agent. then i'm done. so if anyone wants to hang out on michigan ave. for a day, let me know. i guess i can just read some more books....on a positive note, i won't be spending euros so i can save a bit more...still it's FRANCE or BUST.
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| september 10. departure. frankfurt. strasbourg. paris. life. |
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| i spent 10 days hauling around a potter-happy australian. now the real world is all up in my business and i'm trying to graduate. (it will happen) |
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