For the past few days, I've been hanging around with another assistant who's British :) She says things like "jumpers" and "knickers" and talks about finding a "flat." It's been really nice to have some company (and someone to commiserate with me). Finally, assistante friends! People to go out into town with! :)


I also have been looking at apartments, and think I might be able to find one for next month. I'm fearful because I've never rented an apartment by myself, or even lived by myself! But I would love having a little kitchen and my own bathroom - and it's not a big difference in price either. It will be so worth it. I hope.


The end of my first month in France is coming up fast. I'll work this week, and then go on vacation through the end of October! Even after having a couple of weeks to settle in, right now, nothing seems normal, and nothing is regular: no regular meals, regular sleep, regular work schedule...not even regular trains because people are all on strike! But it's getting there, and I'm sure with some time, I'll get more used to things. The way of things is just different in so many little ways, from the proper greetings to the layout of the streets and the material of the sidewalks. Last time I was in France, I think I saw only the charming, or delicious, or quaint. :) I still find many aspects of French life so lovely, but the good is countered by bad this time around; some things are a bit irritating and inconvenient at times.


This weekend in Châlons, there is a Festival des Furies. More booths downtown in the marketplace, and some acts. Today I went with the other girls to see what we thought would be some dancers (it said something about "ballet" and "spectacle" on the signs). It turned out to be a sort of marching band parade - but not like an American marching band. This small troupe glided around the streets of Châlons playing instruments and poofing out smoke. Here are some photos I took: