This past weekend I started the long and arduous process of turning my empty flat into something a little cozier. This is what I’m starting with:
Bedroom
Livingroom
Kitchen (with lots of cleaning products)
Not a bad canvas, if I don’t say so myself 🙂
All the typical things that have to be done to set up a new living situation are in the works (getting utilities going, cleaning, adding my name to the mailboxes…), but the fun part is furnishing and decorating. Right?! Well it would be if I understood a little more French.
I’d say that although this is a really fun part of transitioning to a new home, it’s also been quite challenging for me. Even if I was fluent in French, the procedures used by utility and furniture companies here are quite complex. I have been relying heavily on my co-workers to help me get things done, which leaves me feeling a bit helpless and burdensome. Though they continue to reassure me that I am not, I can’t help but feel bad that my personal life is taking up so much of theirs.
On the bright side, things are starting to come together. Perhaps in a few days I can post some updated photos of how things are coming along. I think it will be a month or so until enough details are in place for me to feel like this is my home, but progress is progress…
As an aside, my flat is directly across the street from a huge church (read: no sleeping in on Snudays! Ding-dong-ding!) called Saint-Esprit. On Saturday I practiced my paparazzi skills and snapped a shot of a bride and groom making their grand exit:
Nice day for a white wedding!
My co-worker, Sophia, tells me “God put you in this flat across the street from the church so you can get some ideas (about marriage).” We’ll see 😉
Ciao!
The Perpetual Passenger 