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| I still need another 50 euros to pay for my metro tickets. |
Getting a job in Paris is only part of the task of moving your life here. It is a big part for sure. Getting this job certainly helped us get a long term visa. It facilitated getting a bank account. They are helping us with the move financially. It also gives us a starter network. Getting settled over here is much easier because of this job, but adjustment is not 100% easy.
Finding a place to live is much more complicated than in the states. Recent changes in the law made it more difficult for landlords to evict tenants. Because if this, landlords are requiring much more upfront documentation like proof of employment, financial records (in some cases), last three pay stubs, and rental insurance. For those of us who just got here, some of this is quite burdensome. It is a good thing that we gave ourselves 3 months to find a place. You definitely need some lead time to get things in order. I just keep telling myself that this is all just making me stronger. We are in France. Things are done differently here. We must work within their rules to get things done. Once we get over this hurdle, we will have more knowledge and experience to get through it easier the next time or tackle the next challenge. I know for me, the unknown makes me nervous. But with each step towards the goal, I become more sure footed and feel more comfortable with the task. I just need to keep moving forward.
I also noticed that I've had to make other minor life adjustments. Dinners were once a regular evening ritual that Thomas and I would share. I found those times a nice way to transition from work to relaxed evening mode. Meals are no longer that involved - for one thing i only have two burners, no counter space, only salt, pepper, and garlic, dull knives and no Thomas for the moment. The meals are simple and quick. But I still have it with a glass of wine. I am in France after all.
Espresso is now my morning beverage. My brother, bought us a Keurig single cup coffee brewer for Christmas so I was in the habit of having these coffee pods that you put in the machine to make your coffee. Unfortunately, they don't have Keurigs here. There also isn't a coffee coop at work where we pay 25 cents for a cup coffee. Instead, outside my office, no where near a kitchen, we have miniature nesspresso machine. Even on the largest cup setting it makes some pretty strong coffee/espresso. I have two cups which usually lasts me all day. Maybe that is why it is 12:14pm, and I am no where near tired.
Lastly, I have started hoarding coins. Because European credit cards and credit card readers us chips rather than strips, my current plastic does not work in metro machines. This by far has been the biggest inconvenience. Every week, I have to delve into my purse and try to scrounge up 12,70 euros in coins so I can buy the carnet (10) metro tickets. I really should get the Navigo metro pass, but in order to get the monthly pass I have to some how put 66 euros on the card. I am certain that the ticket machine will not have the patience to wait for me to put 66 euros worth of coins into it. Even if I used the 2 euro coin, that is still 33 pieces I will have to use. I think I may be allowed to "recharge" the metro pass at an ATM. I am still waiting for my bank card however. Once I have that, I will definitely investigate this option.
Ah, Paris! On the positive side, my research today lead me to a useful blog about things to do in Paris.