September 27, 2008 (PM)
Dear Diary,
So back on the subject of my arrival: Plane rides were so-so. The one that sucked the most had to be the 8 1/2 hour one from Charlotte, NC to Frankfurt, Germany. I sat beside a 2 year old the entire way. Though she was super-cute, she also cried and fussed a lot. Silly me hadn't remembered to charge her mp3 player (so no music for Ashley) and her personal tv wasn't working either. For those of you who have never been on a long flight--there is a tv attached to the back of each seat so the person behind you can watch movies/tv during the long flight.
Anyway, my sinuses and head were hurting really bad, so the flight was anything but enjoyable. I didn't sleep at all until I arrived in Frankfurt. At the airport I met up with another assistant named JoAnna who is from Greenville, SC. After chatting for a bit, I laid down on the benches and slept for 2-3 hours while we waited for our plane. I heart her for the sole reason that she watched my things while I slept. That little bit of sleep allowed me to keep my eyes open and survive the rest of the trip. I doubt I'd have been able to communicate with Paule (my contact) when I arrived in Nice if I hadn't somehow managed to get a little sleep.
When we were arriving in Nice it was really cool. We landed on the ruway with very little room between us and the water. The view was amazing too, but rain sort of masked the beauty of it all. I met up with Paule, who drove me to my hotel. I had to pay 68 euros + 30 euro (deposit) before getting a key and putting my stuff down. Currently I'm staying in a room with a 19 year old English guy. He's pretty nice and easy to talk to. He's the one who told me to go to McDonald's for the free wifi. In short, he's a godsend.
Last night I paid about 5 euros for dinner and wifi at McDo and then about 4 euros at Monoprix for a little bit of food to last me the week. This morning I went back to McDo for the wifi and responded to a few emails. I went to Orange (phone store) and paid 20 euros for a 6-month SIM card. Later had to put 15 euros more on my card. Oh, and I was annoyed about not having a hairdryer so I went to Darty and bought one for around 13 euros but haven't opened it or used it. I think I'm going to return it because the girl who sold it to me said it was mostly for travel and would take a long time to dry my hair. Plus, I could really use that money (it's disappearing like crazy now that I'm here) and my hair's not that awful looking when it air dries....
As for the apartment that I went and visited...it seems like it could really work. It's 800 euro right off the bat. That's 400 euro deposit (get back @ move-out) + 400 euro (first month's rent). It's 4 bedrooms, 1 bath, 1 toilet, and a kitchen (fridge, stove, oven, microwave, sink). There's also free wifi and linens included. Electricity, water, and gas (heating) are included in rent, but the landlord said if we use it too much he'll stop paying for it. Other than that it seems pretty cool. Each room has a bed, table/chair, armoire, and tiny balcony. The apartment is currently a little dirty b/c the landlord's been cleaning it and moving stuff around. But it looks cute inside with graffitti in the hallway.
Seems like a fun place for people my age to stay. The only issues right now are whether the area is okay (it's near the train station--possible danger) and I need to find 2-3 more people to agree to live there with me before the guy will let me move in. So if I get people who are interested in it, I could move in as early as Tues (9/30) or Wed (10/1). Will have to email everyone tomorrow morning from McDo (wifi wasn't working tonight) and hoep they go for the bait. Perhaps I can open a bank account tomorrow without an apartment or deposit. I will have to wait two days. Nevermind. The banks will be closed tomorrow b/c it's Sunday. Perhaps instead I can look for more apartments, call Anne-Marie (the woman who offered me a temporary play to stay in Vence), and head to the beach. ;)
I feel somewhat separated from the world right now b/c of the lack of wifi and being in France without having assistants nearby to talk to about apartments, etc. Lori (the girl from NY) is not downtown and Bev (the Cali girl) doesn't arrive until Monday. I don't know how she's going to find an apartment b/c she's bringing 2 cats along. Not my problem, I guess. Because the apartment I looked at won't allow her to have them.
I'm glad this guy I'm sharing my hotel room with is English. Otherwise I'd be so lonely. Right now I"m on my bed writing, and he's on his bed doing sudoku puzzles. And we're listening to music on my laptop. :) Well, I don't know what else to write about. It's almost 11pm, so I guess I should go ahead and get ready for bed. I want to get up early and go steal wifi. And maybe do those other things I mentioned. Thanks for letting me complain and have my thoughts heard.
-Ashley
So back on the subject of my arrival: Plane rides were so-so. The one that sucked the most had to be the 8 1/2 hour one from Charlotte, NC to Frankfurt, Germany. I sat beside a 2 year old the entire way. Though she was super-cute, she also cried and fussed a lot. Silly me hadn't remembered to charge her mp3 player (so no music for Ashley) and her personal tv wasn't working either. For those of you who have never been on a long flight--there is a tv attached to the back of each seat so the person behind you can watch movies/tv during the long flight.
Anyway, my sinuses and head were hurting really bad, so the flight was anything but enjoyable. I didn't sleep at all until I arrived in Frankfurt. At the airport I met up with another assistant named JoAnna who is from Greenville, SC. After chatting for a bit, I laid down on the benches and slept for 2-3 hours while we waited for our plane. I heart her for the sole reason that she watched my things while I slept. That little bit of sleep allowed me to keep my eyes open and survive the rest of the trip. I doubt I'd have been able to communicate with Paule (my contact) when I arrived in Nice if I hadn't somehow managed to get a little sleep.
When we were arriving in Nice it was really cool. We landed on the ruway with very little room between us and the water. The view was amazing too, but rain sort of masked the beauty of it all. I met up with Paule, who drove me to my hotel. I had to pay 68 euros + 30 euro (deposit) before getting a key and putting my stuff down. Currently I'm staying in a room with a 19 year old English guy. He's pretty nice and easy to talk to. He's the one who told me to go to McDonald's for the free wifi. In short, he's a godsend.
Last night I paid about 5 euros for dinner and wifi at McDo and then about 4 euros at Monoprix for a little bit of food to last me the week. This morning I went back to McDo for the wifi and responded to a few emails. I went to Orange (phone store) and paid 20 euros for a 6-month SIM card. Later had to put 15 euros more on my card. Oh, and I was annoyed about not having a hairdryer so I went to Darty and bought one for around 13 euros but haven't opened it or used it. I think I'm going to return it because the girl who sold it to me said it was mostly for travel and would take a long time to dry my hair. Plus, I could really use that money (it's disappearing like crazy now that I'm here) and my hair's not that awful looking when it air dries....
As for the apartment that I went and visited...it seems like it could really work. It's 800 euro right off the bat. That's 400 euro deposit (get back @ move-out) + 400 euro (first month's rent). It's 4 bedrooms, 1 bath, 1 toilet, and a kitchen (fridge, stove, oven, microwave, sink). There's also free wifi and linens included. Electricity, water, and gas (heating) are included in rent, but the landlord said if we use it too much he'll stop paying for it. Other than that it seems pretty cool. Each room has a bed, table/chair, armoire, and tiny balcony. The apartment is currently a little dirty b/c the landlord's been cleaning it and moving stuff around. But it looks cute inside with graffitti in the hallway.
Seems like a fun place for people my age to stay. The only issues right now are whether the area is okay (it's near the train station--possible danger) and I need to find 2-3 more people to agree to live there with me before the guy will let me move in. So if I get people who are interested in it, I could move in as early as Tues (9/30) or Wed (10/1). Will have to email everyone tomorrow morning from McDo (wifi wasn't working tonight) and hoep they go for the bait. Perhaps I can open a bank account tomorrow without an apartment or deposit. I will have to wait two days. Nevermind. The banks will be closed tomorrow b/c it's Sunday. Perhaps instead I can look for more apartments, call Anne-Marie (the woman who offered me a temporary play to stay in Vence), and head to the beach. ;)
I feel somewhat separated from the world right now b/c of the lack of wifi and being in France without having assistants nearby to talk to about apartments, etc. Lori (the girl from NY) is not downtown and Bev (the Cali girl) doesn't arrive until Monday. I don't know how she's going to find an apartment b/c she's bringing 2 cats along. Not my problem, I guess. Because the apartment I looked at won't allow her to have them.
I'm glad this guy I'm sharing my hotel room with is English. Otherwise I'd be so lonely. Right now I"m on my bed writing, and he's on his bed doing sudoku puzzles. And we're listening to music on my laptop. :) Well, I don't know what else to write about. It's almost 11pm, so I guess I should go ahead and get ready for bed. I want to get up early and go steal wifi. And maybe do those other things I mentioned. Thanks for letting me complain and have my thoughts heard.
-Ashley
posted by ashley at
2:37 PM
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