Saturday, August 31, 2013

Getting Settled

     I don't have too much to say about today so here we go:
1) Saw a man publicly urinate. 
2) Went for a run (more like a walk/jog) and realized, "wow, this run sucks but at least I'm in a beautiful place!".
3) Ate some delicious bread.
4) I'm getting a house mate tomorrow. She is my age and from Spain. Excited. And then another girl from America will arrive shortly after that.
5) When I access the internet, everything is in French. It weirds me out every time. 
6) I can't think of anything else because although it is not yet 8pm here, I'm tired. Night! (But for real, because even though it's only 8, that seems like a great bed time tonight).

Friday, August 30, 2013

Day One

     So, I've been up since the morning of the 29th. It is now (in Chambery time) 8:34 pm on the 30th (easily over 24 hrs). You would think that I'm about to pass out from exhaustion but I'm not. I actually feel restless. Why? Because I usually sleep with the sound of a box fan, but I don't have one here. Although ridiculous, this makes me anxious. And I'm not use to the sounds of this house and city yet. Hopefully the adjustment period will be brief. Anyhow, moving on to the actual voyage . . .
    I met and sat by some lovely people in the terminal or on the plane. So the actual travel time wasn't all that bad. On the flight from Detroit to Amsterdam, I got to watch Star Trek: Into Darkness and the new Great Gastby movies so all in all, a very successful flight over. The most difficult part of the journey was lugging approx. 90 lbs of luggage (carry on, two checked bags, and personal item) for over a mile up hills and over sidewalks. That counts as my workout for, well, for quite a while. I finally arrived at my destination, settled in, and explored Chambery a bit. Shopped at a local market, took pictures, the obvious "first-day-in-the-town" things.
    The day is coming to its end now and disclaimer: although I came here to learn French, man I miss English! I also miss the simple things in life like showers that weren't created in the 1800's . . . and fans. Oh yes,and of course, all the people I left behind. That sounds casual about the people I left, but (warning: cliche moment ahead) it sucks not being able to see, text, or call them.
     Thus, Chambery is gorgeous. I'm sure I'll make new friends. I'm sure I'll eat more than my fair share of fabulous food. But I'm still not sure about this whole "sleeping-without-the-sound-of-a-fan" thing.
   P.s: here are some pictures I took today of the town/my adorable bedroom.
 
  

 Top left: a cafe
 Top right: A Jean Jacques Rousseau library!
 Middle: a fresh fruit market
 Bottom left: the Chambery mountain (the mountain also happens to be my view from my bedroom)
Bottom right: my bedroom 

    

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

One Day More

     So today is August 28th. My plane for Chambery, France departs tomorrow. I've just finished packing today. It's rather last minute but hopefully I didn't forget anything vital. I've pretty much packed mostly jackets since I'll be around the French Alps. 
     The French Alps. France + Alps. I can't believe that I'll be living there for four months. Although, "living" might be a bit of an overstatement. Why you ask? Because I have to cook for myself and cooking and me don't go hand-in-hand...But, that's when I'll have some bread, cheese, and wine.