Tuesday, October 12, 2004
Le Blog
Yes everyone, I am still alive. I wish I had more time to tell my story here on Dan's blog. What have I been up to? Mainly two things: trying to find my way through French bureaucracy and getting used to a very relaxing lifestyle.
As for the red tape, it is everywhere. It has actually become more funny than frustrating at this point. You want to make some photocopies? Wait a week for a photocopy card. You want to use the internet? Wait two and a half weeks for a username and password. I need to get my "carte de sejour" or long stay pass since I'll be here for more than three months. I dropped off all the necessary paperwork and was told to come back...at the end of November! At that point I won't even get the carte de sejour, but a receipt and will have to come back again to get the real thing. The U.S. is a lot of things but it's sure as hell a lot more efficient than this place. I need three signatures and two stamps to go to the bathroom!
On the other hand, I am seriously relaxing here folks. I mean it is going to be difficult to return to NYC after this stint. Most days I have one or two things on the agenda, but nothing serious. I am supposed to be working 12 hours a week and so far haven't even come close to that. They just don't have more time for me now. So I explore the city, read, plan what's for dinner, go to the library. Yesterday I played tennis, a sport I have always associated with a life of leisure, and I loved it. I'll be working on my forehand a lot between now and March.
As for specific trips I have so far been to Beaune, in the heart of Burgundy wine country. It's a lovely little town with a historic hospital (hotel de dieu) built in the Flemish tradition with a beautiful multicolor roof. Of course I also tasted some wine at a local cave. This past weekend I rented a car with some other language assistants and went to Ronchamp, a small town where there is a famous church, Notre Dame du Haut, designed by Le Corbusier. It was cool, and beautiful in a modern way. I'll take medieval architecture over modern every time, though.
Well, I will report more soon.
As for the red tape, it is everywhere. It has actually become more funny than frustrating at this point. You want to make some photocopies? Wait a week for a photocopy card. You want to use the internet? Wait two and a half weeks for a username and password. I need to get my "carte de sejour" or long stay pass since I'll be here for more than three months. I dropped off all the necessary paperwork and was told to come back...at the end of November! At that point I won't even get the carte de sejour, but a receipt and will have to come back again to get the real thing. The U.S. is a lot of things but it's sure as hell a lot more efficient than this place. I need three signatures and two stamps to go to the bathroom!
On the other hand, I am seriously relaxing here folks. I mean it is going to be difficult to return to NYC after this stint. Most days I have one or two things on the agenda, but nothing serious. I am supposed to be working 12 hours a week and so far haven't even come close to that. They just don't have more time for me now. So I explore the city, read, plan what's for dinner, go to the library. Yesterday I played tennis, a sport I have always associated with a life of leisure, and I loved it. I'll be working on my forehand a lot between now and March.
As for specific trips I have so far been to Beaune, in the heart of Burgundy wine country. It's a lovely little town with a historic hospital (hotel de dieu) built in the Flemish tradition with a beautiful multicolor roof. Of course I also tasted some wine at a local cave. This past weekend I rented a car with some other language assistants and went to Ronchamp, a small town where there is a famous church, Notre Dame du Haut, designed by Le Corbusier. It was cool, and beautiful in a modern way. I'll take medieval architecture over modern every time, though.
Well, I will report more soon.
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I got your postcard today. Looks like you mailed it almost a month ago. Don't blame me...I quit, remember?
コメントがあります？ Type something, please. It's less work for me.I got your postcard today. Looks like you mailed it almost a month ago. Don't blame me...I quit, remember?
When leaving comments, please don't remain Anonymous. Click on "Other" and pick a name!
Be sociable! No sign-up is required!
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