The NEW apartment, roomies and Ikea

First things first, I have a new apartment. It’s the first one I looked at after the one I decided against. The scoop: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, one living room, one kitchen (with all the appliances including a dishwasher), and it’s on the 3rd floor with an elevator and a small patio that I get almost exclusive access to. I will be living with 2 other French girls. Valerie is in her mid-late 30’s I am guessing. I actually don’t even know her job. The other girl, I haven’t even met but she is a 3rd year law student. She seemed nice from her description. My room is really cool. There is a small twin bed, a desk and a large floor to ceiling armoire that will easily hold all of my stuff. I also have a big glass door which doubles as my window that opens up onto the small patio aforementioned. They have wi-fi and internet and all that kind of jazz. I have to share my bathroom with Valerie in the apartment. I am not so happy about that but that’s because I always wanted my own bathroom and I never get it. Oh well, some day I suppose. Anyway, I move in unofficially today since I am dropping off my checks for rent and deposit with some luggage but I will actually probably start sleeping there on Monday night.

Here is my room:

Here’s why: On Tuesday, this really great Scottish girl, Dawn, ended up in my room at the hostel and we hit it off right away. We have been hanging out, talking about stuff and having a great time. When I arrived at the hostel, I told them that I would be here for a week not knowing that you could make your reservation for one day at a time. Anyway, when I went down to the office yesterday to tell them that I would be leaving on Thursday, they were like, well, we can’t refund your money. (I paid in advance for a week.) I was like, well, that’s ridiculous because you NEVER told me that I couldn’t get my money back if I left before the week was out and I never thought to ask. So I have decided to stay at the hostel for the remainder of the week and weekend with Dawn and then move into my apartment on Monday to start my stay there on Monday night. I wish I had met Dawn earlier because I would have loved to live with her. She is really nice and fun but she is also leaving in April so that would not have really worked out for me in the long run. Also, we would be speaking English all the time which defeats the purpose of living in France and wanting a French experience. I am sure that we will hang out loads though. I feel like I have been grilling her on tons of stuff since I met her because I am very interested in Scotland and all the differences we have between languages and custom. And yes, her accent is AWESOME! And no, she does not know where the Loch Ness monster is.

(Jen and Dawn)

Yesterday, I also got to go to the French Ikea, which was EXACTLY like the American one. Right down to the restaurant of Swedish food. However, they did have a ---and I kid you not--- smoked venison wrap. And of course, I had to try it. Honestly, it tasted a lot like salmon because it was really smoked and not a lot of other taste was coming through. Anyway, I just thought that was awesome. Oh, and of course, Orangina from the fountain. Now they make Orangina with blood oranges so it tastes a little different but I love it anyway. I simply can’t get enough of Orangina, and thankfully it is so easy to get here.

I am just trying to orientate myself and know the city a little bit better. I haven’t really left downtown except to look at my apartment, which is only about 10-15 on the bus to get to the big train station downtown. There is a supermarket near my place and a florist. I still need to find the bakery shop, which is the most important for baguettes and croissants!