One week gone already

I can't believe how fast time has gone by since I've arrived. It's already been a week! I mostly feel like time has gone by so quickly, but I'm getting more comfortable and used to the city so in some ways I feel I've been here longer. Monday morning I visited an apartment just outside of centre ville, but in a good part of town. It was a very cute furnished studio that I fell in love with. The landlords didn't know if they wanted to rent it for only 8-9 months, so I would have to wait until the afternoon to see if I could have it or not. Then, I went to my other school, College Jean-Philippe Rameau. I met the lovely teachers I'll be working with and we had lunch together. I had been in contact with Helene through email and she was so nice- it was great to meet her in person. There is also Sylvie, who graciously invited me to stay at her house if I couldn't find housing in time as well as two other English teachers I may work with. After lunch, I got the phone call saying I could have the apartment- what a relief! My mom and I have been looking for anything to take, so it was great to feel some weight lifted off of our shoulders.

After sleeping in Tuesday, we spent the day in town shopping. We bought some blankets and sheets for my bed and enjoyed the fact that we weren't still searching for housing! For dinner, we met with Christophe- a local in Tours and friend of my high school French teacher. I actually had the chance to meet him at my teacher's house this summer in Rockford while he was visiting the states. We met at his apartment which was very near the chateau of Tours and just across the street from the Loire River. He took us to a restaurant where they bring hot stones to your table, then you cook your choice of raw meat right there. It was really unique, and delicious too!

Yesterday we wanted to take a day to enjoy our surroundings as we are fortunate enough to be in an area famous for all the ancient chateaux. We went to Amboise, a town of about 12,000 about 20 minutes away from Tours. Christophe recommended a tea house and bakery near the chateau where we had breakfast. We then spent at least 2 and a half hours in the chateau itself. It was an absolutely gorgeous mix of some Gothic and some Renaissance architecture. After a lunch break, we went to the Clos Luce, a manor where Leonardo de Vinci spent the last few years of his life at the request of the king in Amboise. The main floor was still furnished and open to visitors while the basement had miniature models of many of his inventions.

Last night I met about a dozen other English assistants in Tours for dinner and drinks. Everyone was so nice and I hope to become friends with many of them. There are assistants from England, Uruguay, New Zealand, and all over the U.S. What a great mix of people from around the world!

Today I signed the lease for my apartment and met the landlords. They are an older couple who live in the country, just outside Tours. They seem so cheery and down to earth, even inviting me to stay with them for a weekend whenever I want! I warned them that if they meant it, I would call them and take them up on their offer.

Tomorrow I go to Orleans for an orientation and my mom leaves to go back home :( I am so happy she came with me. There are many times I may have decided to pack it in and give up if she hadn't been by my side. I only wish we would've had more time to enjoy ourselves and spent less time worrying about where I would be living. We have to get up early to catch our separate trains, so it's off to bed for us!