Settling In
Bonjour!
It’s hard to believe that Chris and I have been in Clermont Ferrand for nine days now. Time really does fly when you’re having fun, apparently! Chris started his new position within Michelin on Friday and I have been trying to get adjusted to living in a new country. People here are so nice and helpful! We have even had locals stop and welcome us to France. People are also quite gracious when I start stumbling over my french!
Good news-we found an apartment! We will receive the keys on Friday, and our shipping container will (hopefully) be here next week. Currently Chris and I are staying in another temporary apartment, which is close to where he works and within easy walking distance of downtown. That has been very nice, but I know that I am definitely ready to get settled and get our stuff back! Next up-buying a car.
While Chris has been working, I have been making it a point to go into town and work on using my french/run errands without him there to translate for me. It has helped me adjust to living in France much more easily! The biggest thing that I have learned so far is: to hell with being nervous or scared-just go out and do it. I also have been meeting new people and even went hiking with the International Women’s Club yesterday. They are a very nice group of ladies and I look forward to hiking with them again soon!
The food and wine here is amazing. I’m still adjusting to all of it, especially the wide variety of cheeses! We have tried a number of different restaurants, and so far my favorites have been an Italian restaurant called Bistro Vénetien, a creperie called 1513, and another lovely place called La Cassoulet. Overall, France is a really great place and we are really enjoying living here. It is starting to feel more like home and more “normal” as time goes.
Here are a few things that we have learned so far:
-It’s a normal thing to park on the sidewalk. Space is at a premium here so basically, if there’s not a no parking sign, it’s free game, apparently!
-Make sure to weigh your vegetables BEFORE you get to the checkout line at the supermarché or they’ll send you right back. Also, it’s a thing to rip open packages (like a 6 back of milk bottles or a box of coca cola cans) at the store and take what you need out of it, rather than buying the whole package. Milk and eggs are not refrigerated here, and no, it’s not gross.
-The locals dress for cold weather almost all the time. It could be 65 degrees out and sunny and people will be in a puffy jacket and a scarf.
-Saying hello and goodbye are everything. ALWAYS say “Bonjour/Bonsoir” (hello) and “Bon Journée/Au revoir” (goodbye), no matter what it is.
Until next time!