Figuring Things Out

Perpignan is still new and unknown.


I'm learning about my new city bit by bit.  I now know that grilled snails are a specialty and there's an entire store dedicated to selling snails at the Place de la Republique.  I know there's a cute river running through the city... but that I can't get down to sit on the enticing grass.  I know that bedsheets cost me 20 euros, but a nice bottle of wine is 2.75.  I know that only places selling food are allowed to be open on Sunday, so that makes everything quieter. 

I'm getting settled in here and still have a lot more to learn and figure out.  But for now I'm content.  My first priority is complete as I've found an apartment to call home for the next 7 months.  It's a short walk to whatever I need as well as the center of town and the train station.  I have two roommates here, one from England, the other from South Korea.  I'm excited to get to know them better (especially since I don't yet know anyone else here). 

My orientation for my job is in two days, and I'm wondering what that'll be like.  The French seem very relaxed about doing things.  Only 1 of my 3 schools has returned an email to let me know when I can stop by to meet the teachers that I'll be working with as well as figure out my schedule for the year.  That school is in an outlying village called Baixas, which is made up of mostly winemakers.  Looks like a cute place to spend some afternoons!

Le Castillet

Anyways, everything is going well.  I still feel new to the city and I know I have a lot more to figure out before it becomes "home."  And that's the beauty of it ... this is quite the adventure.

The view from the terrace on my roof

To France Again!

Thus, it begins! The next adventure is underway.

Here's the deal. I've graduated and still don't know what I want to do with my life. So why not take a year and think things through from Europe? Ok!

I accepted a position for the 2013-14 school year to teach English to elementary kids (ages 7-11) in Perpignan in southern France.  I have been assigned 3 schools in which I'll be teaching a total of 12 hours.  Sounds like a hard life, right? Well, I also have 5 weeks of paid vacation.  Oh darn...

So yesterday I arrived here in Perpignan.  I took 3 planes and 2 trains, while traveling over 24 hours, to arrive in a city that I didn't know.  Not only am I not familiar with it, but I also don't have an apartment yet.  I also conveniently forgot to write down any address for a hotel I had picked out on the internet.  Nevertheless, after a little wondering (with my heavy suitcase), I found a good spot to rest for the next couple of nights. 

The next few days are all about situating myself in this new city.  My first priority is housing, and I have a few apartment showings to go to.  After that, I'll be looking into a phone and opening a bank account.  I also need to visit my schools to meet up with the people in charge and introduce myself.

My work contract officially starts on October 1st with an orientation that day.  Then, teaching officially starts on the 14th.

Wish me luck!