l'installation (moving in)/ First Week

Monday morning, we (Jessica, Melissa and I) took the TER - the regional train system - to St Etienne. The student office at Jean Monnet had sent us the tram directions to our residence builings, but from there we were lost. We wandered to a the corner and started searching for signs so that we could at least place ourselves on the map. While we had it pulled out a local lady asked if she could help us. When she discovered we spoke english she flipped over and told us that she could show us the way. Perfect!

We made it up the hill to the building, le Littre and through the door. We found the land lady on the fourth floor and she came down with us to give us the keys. We went right back up and installed our luggage. St Etienne is located in a valley, so everywhere you go, it is either uphill or down hill, litterally. anyways, with our stuff in, we made our way to a local restaurant to grab a bite to eat. The salads were amazing. We then went to the mall across the street.

There we found the big store, Auchan, that is a Zellers/Walmart/Zehrs store. So on the first trip we bought bed linens, blanket, pillow, dishes, cleaning supplies and TP. Lugging that much stuff up such a hill is quite a workout! We unloaded and headed right back to get some groceries. It is just alot cheaper to eat at home then out, same as home. You can buy a 2 1/2' baguette for only 0,46 euros! it's great! and a block of brie is 2 and then a better bottle of wine is 3 euros. Life of a french woman is great!!

That night after all of the lugging and unloading, both Melissa and I attaked our appartments with a vengence only two girls of dutch descent and domesticness could. We scrubbed every surface we could (the walls are stucko so no can do). We did all the cupboards and shelves, the entire fridge and counter, the bathroom, and even the floor. All was clean to our satisfaction before even a single bag or suitcase was unpacked.

The Tuesday and Wednesday, we all just chilled and explored the city to get more acquainted with it and comfort ourselves in learning it, along with actually having a 'home'. The Tuesday afternoon, after going to the local chirstian bookstore to purchase a Bible, we were stopped by a lady named RuthAnn. She told us that she had over heard our conversation about being foreigners and that she wanted to invite us to her church and for dinner afterwards on Sunday afternoon. We agreed. We had nothing planned and this lady was very legitimate (her husband is the pastor of the church plant in their basement).

Wednesday night there was a soiree for the exchange students at a local pub. It was actually kinda cool because we had to speak frnech only, the german girl understood no english. There were people from Germany, Sweden, Seria, and Kentucky. It was good.

Thursday we went to the International Student Office, where we received sweet little back packs and maps of the city. She also gave us a whole bunch of forms that we need to fill out and get photos and all kinds of photocopies for. One is for the carte de sejour - the permanent residence card, the CAF - the government program to give housing rebates, and the other is to register as a student. So we spent Saturday afternoon doing that.

On Friday we were bound and determined to find shoes. The largest size that french stores carry is 41, both Melissa and I need at least 42 (it'll be tight, but it'll work). the bummer of it was that we had left alot of shoes at home because of luggage restrictions by the broke Zoom. But low and behold, we found one store that had some in stock. Melissa found some non running running shoes and I got some really nice bordeaux (red) coloured dress shoes.

It was quite the week, with its own adventures. Welcome to the year!