Month 1 in La Rochelle

Can't believe it's gone by so damn quickly. Super quick recap! 

Met all the assistants - they're awesome. There are 12 of us Primary Assistants - 5 Americans (including me), 4 Brits (one is technically from the Isle of Man), 1 Scot, 1 Irish, and 1 Kiwi. Here's a picture of most of us at a dinner party Justine (my roomie) & I had the first week we were here. 

OK Week 1 - chaos and pandemonium - stayed in hostel, met assistants, drank & was merry, went apartment hunting, found apartment, went back to Fitzpatrick's Irish Pub - I've been there before, many times, only it was three years ago, and the damn owner remembered me! Got settled in new apartment (see bedroom on left), bought some new things, got lost coming home, partied, made friends. Set up bank account, couldn't cash traveler's checks, had meetings, woohoo. Paid landlord exorbitant amount of money to move into apartment. 


Week 2 - more meetings, signed up for insurance, gave lots of people access to French bank account. Got internet, tried to navigate bus system, got lost trying to find my way home, got irritated with bus system, bought a crappy bike, spent money to buy cool things for crappy bike (ridden it a total of 2 times). Spent more money on food and stuff (sensing a theme yet), had dinner parties, went to visit schools, met lots of new kids, went to beach, enjoyed La Rochelle weather & sunshine. Stumbled upon old friends and an old flame. Resparked said flame. 


Week 3 - visited other schools, got told I would be working Mondays & Fridays, whether I like it or not. Sicced Muriel on school district to set them straight. (now working Mondays & Tuesdays only). Had another meeting. Started teaching. Fell in love with children. Had some fun. Went shopping. 


Week 4 - Started officially teaching - taught same Halloween lesson 8 times (shoot me now). Met teachers, started building relationships, got sick of La Rochelle. Said goodbye to old flame. Was sad, for about a minute. Got over it. Went on vacation. 


:-) 
There, now you're almost caught up! 
Perfect vacation checklist & pictures to come soon!