you get what you need

I think I guilted my dad into hopping a flight over here and visiting for a week. Still, I don’t feel bad. We had a blast. I took the train to Paris to meet him and bring him back, because it involves a train change and can be a bit difficult if you don’t know what you’re doing. Especially if you’re jetlagged and exhausted from a long, transatlantic flight (I speak from personal experience). Together, my dad and I figured out transportation to the Il de Ré and found my other school as well as negotiated the contract for my renting the apartment (which is always a trick when the real estate agent doesn’t speak English and your French doesn’t include real estate-legal lingo). But mostly, we just explored La Rochelle. I showed him all the places I’d already found, and we got to eat at neat little cafés or get ice cream from Ernest. It’s the local favorite ice cream shop, with so many flavors it might take me all year to try them. We took tours of the three medieval towers, doing all the touristy stuff I don’t usually do unless someone is visiting me.

Now I’m settled and starting work. Internet, tv, and phone are set up. I feel like I’m a part of the world again, and it’s wonderful. I can check the weather before going out in the morning so I’m not blindsided by a hot, sunny day or a thunderstorm. It’s amazing what we take for granted without realizing it.

I still don’t have my schedule for work finalized, but I know I’ll be spending one out of every five weeks on the Il de Ré, and the rest of the time split between two schools here in La Rochelle. For several days, I’ve been introducing myself to classes, answering their questions while speaking as slowly as possible. I was a little stunned at how little English they actually knew. In Paris, it seemed everyone was fluent; I always felt a little ashamed at how much I struggled to speak French when they could converse in my language so easily. Now I feel better. The students all asked to hear me speak something in French, and they were all impressed; one commented how I spoke French better than they spoke English. And, okay, not a fair comparison because I’ve lived in their country and have been studying their language for as long as they’ve been alive, but still. It’s a weird feeling to stand up in front of them and see how in awe they are of who I am and what I’m doing/what I’ve done. I can remember how I’d have seen someone in my position when I was younger, and I can’t believe that they’re really looking at me like that. Or thinking that I’m so grown up and old. Hell, I still feel like I should be one of them.

For your vicarious living, a picture of my dessert tonight. I intend to post these often, because I eat a lot of dessert that I feel you should be able to appreciate, at least in appearance if not taste. Also, if it inadvertently inspires any of you to come visit me, I certainly won't be complaining.

More school tomorrow, and then a three day weekend. I have to go to Poitiers next week for a day or so for an orientation. We had one on Monday of this week for dealing with administrative stuff: insurance, housing subsidy applications, insurance, visa info, etc. Next week will be about teaching, and advice for how to go about our jobs.

Poitiers is beautiful. I'll have to take pictures next time, and hopefully it won't be raining. It's much bigger than La Rochelle, which I should have realized but didn't until I actually saw it.