Me celebrating the weekend on Place Stanislas.

One week down, three to go
I have successfully completed my first week (okay, four days) of work here in Nancy. I've negotiated the post office, the laundromat, the bank to get change for the laundromat and the supermarket all with my very rudimentary french. And, I bought a very nice new mechanical pencil at the paperie. However, I hope no one asks me what I did last weekend beause I only know how to converse in the present tense. I am living in a dorm with the undergraduates, which is strange and kinda fun. It makes me feel like a freshman again...except most of my classmates don't speak english.

I found the best route to work in the morning that brings me past a very nice arc that reminds me how lucky I am to be in France for a month, all expenses paid. I've gone into the same bar for the last three mornings to get cappucino. European coffee does not suit my well-developed american coffee tastes - its WAY too strong and bitter. So, I settle for the watered down, froufy version. I chose this place because the owners ugly black pug sits in the door watching the traffic and the dog made me smile.

After work, I had a beer (or two) at a cafe on Place Stanislas to celebrate the weekend. I must admit that I'm feeling more relaxed then I have in quite a long time. I think France agrees with me.


The Porte de la Craffe. The office where I work is just on the other side.