Top of the list of things to do: get a job. I'm using monster for now and am also going to look into some of the employment agencies which come highly recommended. I met a guitarist who runs a music school, he's been looking for someone to give violin and viola lessons. I'll admit I was hesitant to accept his offer at first, but he persuaded me with his conviction that it was a great idea. His name is Daoud, he's Algerian, and very enthusiastic about music and life in general. I might already have a student. We also started a band, playing manouche/ jazz/ rock music- there are two guitarists and me. The other guitarist's name is Frank (just like in my previous band! aaa!) and he's got a head firmly planted in the clouds. We got together last Saturday and practiced over pizza and beer until 4am. I hope this all continues as such.
There have been a lot of bureaucratic hoops to jump through (and wheels to grease). The final registration for my school is next Wednesday, classes start on the 21st. I've been putting together my demand for housing aid, called the CAF, which is state run and would reimburse about 40% of my rent. Also I have to become legal and obtain a Carte de Séjour, I've filed all the correct papers and now just need to fork over 55 euros and get a medical exam. School, the CAF, and my Carte de Séjour, and that should be it. I hope!
Working as a Violist in France would be wonderful someday. Apparently you have to give a certain number of performances within 10 months and then you can apply for a subsidy from the state, unemployment should you be unable to find work, and of course free health care. I wonder if I could live here as a freelance artist, if I would be able to get a visa. If it's anything like the states I might be able to stay in France for a year and work after receiving my masters.
The apartment... oh my. It's more the Landlord who's worrisome. The other day when I got home my landlord and his son were working in the hallway, fixing a hole in the tile. Sounds totally normal right? Except my landlord, who's 65, was in swimming trunks and topless. I told him to go put a shirt on because he was making me uncomfortable. The next morning I asked him why the extra charges for water and such were 20 euros for my roommate and 30 euros for me, even though my roommate has a larger room. He said "It's not me who decides these things it's the Comptable!" So I asked him for the name of the Comptable and he refused to give it to me. Which leads me to suspect that there isn't a Comptable.
But I have to laugh still because the whole situation is pretty ridiculous. That anyone would think they could behave this way and NOT come off as suspicious is pretty... stupid? Ya! Plus I don't feel threatened by him, and on the bright side he has responded (in a more or less timely manor) to all of my concerns. He's just kind of shady... It helps I have a roommate too who's a young guy and not a weakling.
The second person to move in, after me, is Benoit. He's a french 20 year old guy from a town near Avignon. He spent the last two years in Perpignan getting an associates degree in environmental technology (we concur, Perpignan is a shit hole!). Now he's in Lyon getting another degree in engineering, I think. He's really nice, eats a lot of pasta with La Vache qui Rit. The only problem is he's a mumbler, which makes understanding ever so much more difficult. Benoit, weather he knows it or not, is going to be my litmus test on how I'm progressing in french.
In general I would say I'm able to understand people, I've noticed improvement already. EVERYONE of the native French speakers I talk to ask me where I'm from two sentences into our conversations, and the first guess is always Quebec. I got a lecture from the guy at the post office today about how I should just tell people I'm from Quebec because the French are less kind to Americans. He explained (of course, the cue growing steadily behind me) that it's because the French are jealous. America has such a strong cultural influence on the world, which we usurped from the French during World War II, along with their industry. Whenever he's abroad and he feels threatened by anti-French sentiments, he just claims he's Swiss. Something to think on anyway; I already have a Quebecois accent from three years selling train tickets over the phone, to Quebecois going to Europe. If I should ever feel threatened by anti-American sentiments it could be a saving grace. Yet I am American, and 98% of the people I love in the world are in America. And it's not like I had a choice, but being American has worked out very well so far, I must say. Hm. I'm going to brush up on my Canadian trivia.
I'm off! More later!
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