Chalons-en-Champagne

After the two day orientation, I arrived in Chalons-en-Champagne. One of the English teachers at my school, D, drove me from Reims to the high school I'll be working at.

I stayed last night with S, my "welcome and contact person," and another one of the five English teachers at my school. Which means I got to sleep in a real bed last night, and eat real French meals with her family (her partner, two of their children, and a tabby cat). She assured me that she would help me with my errands, and told me that I won't have to worry about working this week. Next week I'll observe and coordinate lessons with the 5 teachers, and then I'll start in full the week after that. She has been such a help to me: calling the boarding school for me to ask about housing, explaining what phone I need and where I should open a bank account, taking me with her to the market and showing me the town, and of course, even welcoming me into her home!

Today I tried to find housing too-a real priority! I am very blessed to have been welcomed into a home but I don't want to trespass on their hospitality for much longer...and really I need my own address to do things like open a bank account and get paid! However I think we found a place, so we're going in the morning and I'll move in tomorrow! It's sort of like dorms but the rooms are private, and three other assistants are living there now. They seemed happy to be there (and when we saw them they were speaking French and cooking in the communal kitchen), and I think I'll like it. It is basic (small room, shared showers and bathrooms for each floor, and worst, no fridge) but not expensive...and once I get settled in and adjusted I think I'll be happy there too! It's also in a good location for me: close to the center of town and not far from my school. Another good thing about it is that the lady who works at the front desk will help me with my immigrant papers (but unforturately she speaks very fast and I can't understand)!

I signed my papers which officially install me at the high school this afternoon. I was also taken by S to see the things that she has collected from other assistants' stays--when they leave, they leave behind sheets, pots and pans, an iron, all sorts of stuff. I got a French cell phone too.

S has been showing me around the town as we try to accomplish these errands, and I already know my way around a bit. I like Chalons: it isn't big, but I can walk everywhere, I feel safe, and it's very charming. I'll post photos soon!