I made it, I actually did it... I woke up this morning and it hit me that I am actually living in France... I packed up my English life into a mini and here I am.
After a moments realisation, and a few hours of reflection I think my brain now comprehends the fact that I'm living in Bordeaux... and I'm Happy :) Who'da thunk it?! Mind you, as my friends and family well know, there have been many tears and tantrums along the way. I decided (with the help of the mother) that organisation must be the key. So a little trip out to visit in early September seemed like a good idea. Mum found a little B&B just outside of town for us to stay in, the owner of which must be the most helpful woman in the south of France. After traipsing round 15+ estate agents in the centre of Bordeaux, trying to decipher the crazy terminology, and finding only 2 suitable appartments to view I was beginning to think that a park bench was the only option. But then a little ad in a newspaper landed me where I am now... a little flat above a farmhouse in a small village outside Bordeaux. Châteaux and vines are all around, and the little villages couldn't be more French...
With the house sorted, next on the list was a bank, after one unsuccessful attempt I managed to arrange a meeting at the bank down the road, after 2 hours in the office, speaking French, and several trees worth of paperwork, the bank account was ready to go, and my room was insured (phew!) That evening was definitely time to try out some of the local wine, and very nice it was too!
So, the trip was over, back home I returned to begin my goodbyes, write lists galore, (to do, to pack, to pack again, to buy, to pack, more to do, to see, to buy for the children, to unpack, etcetc.), work, and mainly to plan. I have never felt so stressed, I worked, I visited, I planned, I worried, and tried to get some sleep. The few weeks flew by and before I knew it, it was the day before I left. For those of you who have never done it, packing up your life is an odd feeling, I found happy memories everywhere I looked. Sad to leave, but excited for new beginnings, and apprehensive of the unknown, I crammed as much as possible into my little mini, including my dad, and off we drove down to the south of France...
And that, my little bloggers, is where my year abroad began.
A Bientôt,
Alice (pronounced Aleeeeees)
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