Paris

Hello everyone, sorry for the delay in posting but since I have arrived in Paris, I have had to rely on internet cafes and now my phone. I have unlimited internet (not data) on my phone for month. Now, that I know that I can post using my phone, I'll try to be more diligent.

I have a blog typed out and save on my computer and will have to get that posted via an internet cafe. That has info of my adventures so far but here is a little update:

I am safe and have been able to attend the Paris Ward twice. It meets at 9:30am with RS happening first, thank goodness for that b/c on the first Sunday, I thought I had my directions right but was lost within a 3 block radius for about 40 min. and no one could tell me where the street was. Lesson: Parisiens only get to know their immediate surroundings and when asked for directions, they will usually tell you the wrong thing. I eventually bought a little map book. Most places I need to find are on hidden side streets.

I found a place to live in the suburbs. It's 20 min. Away by train from Paris...or 14 km. Not far but since I am a chicken of nightfall, I make sure I am back home by 8:30pm there are still a lot of commuters that late at night. My home is in the basement for 370 euros/month and everything is included. I have a kitchen, bathroom (shower, sink and toilet) and a desk, double bed and wardrobe. I'm supposed to have internet but my computer won't connect:( The suite is a little bigger than my bedroom back in Van. I like it and the little Ville or city called "Villemomble" is charming. I am 5-7 min from the train, grocery store, internet cafe, patisserie, bank machine and laundromat.

I have been looking for work and have applied at about 15 english schools and only 3 so far have said no, become a student or get a carte sejours (a long stay visa). I need to apply to more places but since I have to use the internet cafe for my research...it's so time consuming.

I stayed at a B&B when I arrived and getting there with both of my 50lb bags was a little challenging. I have experienced the kindness of strangers here and I'm so grateful for that. The landlady was very nice and wants me to keep in touch with her so that we can do some sightseeing. She was going to take me to the Eiffel tower at night but then I found my place and had to move. Maybe one day I can experience that..probably closer to the winter.

My french is very basic and I know lots of vocab but not for what I need. I spent money on some unnecessary things but it worked out in the end.

In one week I spent 2 months rent and a B&B fee (I was given 2 days refund) plus refilled my sim card until I finally got the hang of how the minutes work here. I can now start to conserve my money.

Favorites: a store called IDEM in the 11th district - very economical and contemporary household items.
- Picard - a grocery store of just frozen food/meals/desserts, etc. Cheap and I can find ready to cook potatoes...scallopped...fried, etc.
-Office depot - 3.70 to make 50 copies plus they give you your own Copycard that you can refill.
-Marche Franprix - another grocery store but it's so nice when you are in Paris and don't want to spend 2 euros or more for a juice, water or pop. You pop into one of these stores and a 1 ltr of water is .86 cents.

I am learning things as I live here and tomorrow I get to go to Ikea. The prices are in Euros but it's still so cheap!
I also made some new friends at Church that are from the US and are working or studying here. So, it's nice to know people. Now, I need to study my french. I bought a french/english dictionary today. Time to improve my french skills.

Bon soir.