settling in

after a big day of travelling which consists much of heavy duty lifting, i passed out around 9pm (GMT+1).
(i really want to ask why they have to make the steps on their trains so up high? WHY?)
my luggage was simple (2 pieces only) yet quite heavy.

since i wanted to live in a relatively small town in order to experience the "authentic french life", i was expecting all the inconvenience of living in a small town.
but hey, i was fine living in a place like wellington, i should be fine living anywhere on the planet.

day 1 & 2. arrival & settling in

flying into CDG was all sweet and smooth.
then it all started to get really confusing after landing.
first, getting over the fact that there are well over 5 different ticket-selling counters, but 8 am seems to be a bit too early for them to start working.
even the long queueueue was already starting by the escalators then through the glass doors with several turns to the counters, nobody was doing anything about it.
10 mins later, the 1 of the 3 people left, leaving only 2 working to serve.
it's not too bad, after probably 30 mins i got my ticket and the lady kindly reminded me 3 times that i should go to platform 4.
i wouldn't complain, after all, i was lucky enough to see them not on strike.

i was led into my dorm room by a person who never slowed down speaking french even though i've asked twice, nicely, in french.
it's a half-furnished studio with a tiny kitchenette and an ensuite bathroom.
nothing else.
i guess this is good cos i won't be exposed to the radiation emitted by the microwave?

so i had to start from square one, you know, the very basic stuff, like getting a jug kettle, frying pan, sauce pan, cutleries etc.
lucky that i was determined to bring my own duvet sets...
all this just reminds me of getting started in sheepland while i was a teenager.
the only difference is that now everything seems to be a bit odd cos labels aren't written in english.
and milk aren't to be found in fridges along with yoghurt and cheeses.
the french are so french, even little things like black pepper, come in at least 5 different types.
then i stood in front of the oh-so-many-kinds of pastas and got shocked and ran away empty-handed.
btw, their courgettes are so HUGE, i think in sheepland, only turnips come in this size.
and you know sheepland is famous for having giant size veges.
then tomatoes, they come in at least 5 different types as well.
i was overwhelmed by the variety and don't forget i'm living in a small town.

other than that, i've been fine.
as i've already said, i can survive living in wellington, i'd be fine anywhere else.

everything's gonna be closed tomorrow and my 24-hour wifi (wee-fee) trial finishes tonight.
i will come up with more stuff next week.

until then, bon week-end tout le monde!

early morning TGV station, voie 4, CDG.