househunting, back to school and slippers

I made it. I survived the train journey with all my luggage. A rather handsome business man thought I was French. Probably more to do with my bag having French on it that my fitting any French stereotypes.

By the time I reached the last train station I just wanted to hop in a taxi and collapse at the hotel, except the taxi driver refused to drive me as the hotel was "within walking distance". At that point my idea of walking distance had been to the taxi.

2 days passed quite happily - popping out to estate agents, the bakery just out. That was fine. I was getting somewhere with my hunt for a home. When the weekend strolled by it was like the whole world turned off. No-one replied to anything. I then had to change hotels to somewhere cheaper which meant dragging all my belongings across town. In the process I swapped internet for breakfast. My hunt came to a complete standstill which drove me absolutely insane. I got all worked up thinking I was going to run out of money and still have nowhere to live. It was a pretty rubbish weekend really.

Yesterday was my first day in school. After asking if I had any accommodation and hearing my deflated 'no', some of the teachers clucked and flustered and within and hour had arranged a room at the internat (the catholic place). Fine, I didn't seem to be getting anywhere on my own, except that after that being arranged, I'm getting replies to all my enquiries about flat shares I'd seen advertised. Sod's law??

Also contributing to my stress levels had been the lack of communication from my school. That's not true, I had a number of e-mails, the lack of important information i.e. what time to turn up on my first day. I simply strolled in when I felt like it. It didn't seem to matter either. I was given a form to fill out before being introduced to a few English teachers one of whom then dragged me off to her class. Straight in then.

Pretty much all I've done so far has been to introduce myself and try to get to know students. It's gone a bit like this:

1st class - "I come from Manchester"

                "ooh The Beatles"

2nd class - "Miss, do you like roses?"

                  *teacher says that this student always asks such intelligent questions*

                  "No I don't, only to pretty girls!"

3rd class - "What sports do you do?"

                 "I was on my uni's cheerleading squad last year" *short silence before every boy puts up his hand*

                 "Miss, do you have a boyfriend?"

The revelation that I do not ski and out of fear of breaking a bone don't fancy my chances have been met with  a surprised silence. Although one student was offered up as a ski instructor and Austrian milk was suggested to strengthen my bones.  Also, I apparently resemble Katy Perry. This can go with the comparison that I dance like her too. She best watch out!

Overall my first impression of this school has been quite good, even if the students aren't allowed to wear shoes and so wander around in socks or slippers. Hopefully, the weekend was just an opening hiccup.