The moment I’m writing this, I’m probably having a mild fever, so I’ll try to do my best.
This week was c-r-a-z-y. I moved in Tuesday, and the first days in the apartment were not at all easy. To begin with, the apartment was really (really) dirty, and there are (still) things that need to be fixed. Curtains, some small furniture in the bathroom,hangers, fix the IKEA bed I bought. But let’s take things from the beginning.
Tuesday I got my stuff and suitcases and got into the bus. Thank god my Greek friend was at the bus stop and helped me move the 3 large suitcases, while also letting me leave them at her place while I went to sign the contract for the apartment and all. That’s true Greek spirit. (that’s what I like about us greeks anyway, although other people and colleagues also offered to help)
The real-estate agency denied to clean the apartment before I move in, (taking advantage of the fact that I really needed to move). Anyway, Wednesday was a no-courses day, so I had the opportunity to visit IKEA with my Tunisian friend, and get some basic stuff (that I could transport with the bus). I also got a first clue of how the IKEA system works, because the next day, Thursday, a French friend offered to drive me to IKEA to buy (and maybe transport) the rest stuff I needed, like a new bed.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t fit the bed to the car, so I paid for a delivery. I also got a small furniture (MALM) to place beside the bed (also MALM), some kitchen stuff, some bedroom stuff. Anyway, IKEA is a cool place, no news about that, but it’s a bit large for me. I hate big open spaces and I was really tired anyway, so I couldn’t enjoy the whole procedure.
And then came the cleaning day. After all I realized I have a thing with cleaning. I can’t stand living in a dirty apart. Anyway, right now the place is shining. Yuha.
Between all that, I tried to get myself an internet connection. That was something. And why? Because I had to face French services. Again. Oh gosh. So Friday, I decided to skip the morning lessons and go to France telecom. I thought, well, I’ll go at 09:00 and I’ll be done maximum 10:00 so I’ll also have the time to go to the supermarket and buy some stuff. NOP. France telecom (like most of the shops) opens at 10:00. Yes. TEN O CLOCK. Imagine that. At 10:00 already there were 10 people waiting outside. The French were really pissed off and I had small conversations with some of them, who told me that “in a global market, we can’t continue like this in France.” Damn right you can’t!
The opening/closing hours of the shops are pretty much the big problem here. Firstly, every shop has a different timetable. Some supermarkets close at 19:00, some at 19:30, and some at 20:00. Go figure.
And then, when you finally get your way INTO the shops, you have to face the second problem: French employees. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD. I have to wait for 30’, 40’ or even 1h to get an employee to help me. And most of the employees can answer only if the question is between the questions they learned at their traning. (what training?) It’s like they have a list of 100 things they know by heart. If you ask something SLIGHTLY different they do one of the following things: 1) they answer to a different question. 2) they say that it’s not their responsibility and you have to go to another service/shop/office 3) they give a wrong answer. I think I miss the times I visited a similar shop in Athens, when 2 employees asked me immediately what I need. And although the Greek employees are not better-trained, there is a small possibility you run into some smarter guy who’ll help you get the job done.
Anyway, after 2 visits to France Telecom, I managed to get myself a new ORANGE 18Mb connection + digital TV + infinite calls for 35E/m. Not bad. They told me it will be active in 10 days.(bullshit) I hope cause I’m with no access since Tuesday and it s u c k s. Not I have that much time to surf anyway, but when you get back home after a tiring day, and you’re not in the mood to go out, and the French TV is playing Us Series and Films with no subtitles, with French actors talking over them (… s u c k s B I G …) , you have to do something.
And, Saturday early morning, I woke up with a mild temperature, feeling cold and all. I wasn’t that surprised. That week was the most difficult week since I got here, considering I had to 1) follow the lessons lasting from 09:00 to 16:00, and moving at the same time, and then fixing the place, and trying to find something to eat, supermarket, wash, organized, be on time in the different dates with the real-estate agent, organized the schoolwork. So for 5 consecutive days, I woke up at 08:00, returned back at 20:00, worked at the apart until 23:00, and then sleeping on the couch while watching TV. ( the new bed will be such a luxury after all these nights sleeping in crappy beds or couches )
Damn, I realize my english are getting crappier and crappier here. (I suppose that’s because I rarely speak or think English around here. I met many internationals from various countries in the uni. but until now we don’t hang out that much. I think I’ll organize an international meeting when I get myself some peace of mind). Oh, about that, internationalism is all over my small group of new friends. Tunisia, Cameroon, Madagascar and of course France. Cool.
My second homesickness attack happened sometime around Thursday. What I miss is someone calling me “malaka”, telling me “kalimera”. I’m telling you, word up, if I run into someone and he suddenly shouts “RE MALAKA!!!” I’ll just go and give him/her a big hug. What I also miss, is greek yogurt and greek milk. The milk really sucks here. Not much variety in dairy. Or maybe I should stop shopping at ED ( = DIA ). Some FETA also. And tzatziki. And a big huge salad with extra olive oil and RIGANI. I’ll make the first person who’ll visit (if i manage to get some free time) to bring me some.
I met a 2nd Greek doing ERASMUS in Aix! Cool!!
got 2 go..
