No time to explain!!!

So here are some pictures for you!!!

in the cybermaison

So far the cybermaison here in the little town of Vitrolles (some little town; the evidence of capitalism is overwhelming here because in some parts a lot of the inhabitants are a little less than rich; so therefore huge megastores larger than any ones i've ever seen have sprung up here like "Carrefour" with it's cafeteria "flunch" & etc). There are a lot of imeubles here (appartment buildings) or HLM's (like social housing) where mostly immigrants live.

what can i say? it's been teaching me not to take anything for granted at home....especially internet access!!! hello! it only took me forever to get back online and connected.

there is so much paperwork here in France; even the french know it.

anyhoo, i dont know how good've an idea it would be here to post up my address and my portable phone number, but that seems to be the only way to contact me and i can't contact any of you!

i finally found lodgeing with a nice french lady who actually lodged this girl who worked in vitrolles last year! their family is really nice because they treat me more like i'm some kind of international guest, rather than the girl who is renting from them. they might even take me with them to the French alps over Toussaint (or the All Saints holiday).

anyhoo before i forget; portable number is (33) 628619827. and to send me post; write to
5 rue Roy René, 13127 Vitrolles FRANCE. thanks!!! hope you all get my postcards very soon!

love amanda

p.s. i so want to post pictures, but it sucks because i don't think these computers allow any funny business. so hopefully some day i'll mooch internet access off of a friend who is living with an update family who actually installed a line of internet access through the whole neighbourhood.
more updates soon! i still feel like i'm just starting out because the endless paperwork here hasn't ceased! i need my cart de sejour and i need my carte bancaire. sigh.

from france with love

love and miss everyone very very much.
please note that i don't have inet access. i dont even have a home yet really. a nice french lady who cares has taken pity on me and has helped me out a lot. the only thing is its like not supposed to be her problem to figure out so im really just hoping and praying to God that things will settle out more. i will update again when Im more settled with some interesting things to say.

so far im not going to complain though. this is my own undertaking and ive figured some things out for myself and ive kept busy so i just need time now to figure things out and to keep piping up and asking ppl for help. im speaking a lot of french though because ppl here really dont speak english. which is cool. don't think its improving much yet; but hey ive still got less than 9 months eh.

more updates soon.

ps. whats really funny over here and that has really made me think about my major in school (canadian studies) is how when ur a foreigner ur really seen by your nationality first and foremost. more updates on that soon too!

from france with love

love and miss everyone very very much.
please note that i don't have inet access. i dont even have a home yet really. a nice french lady who cares has taken pity on me and has helped me out a lot. the only thing is its like not supposed to be her problem to figure out so im really just hoping and praying to God that things will settle out more. i will update again when Im more settled with some interesting things to say.

so far im not going to complain though. this is my own undertaking and ive figured some things out for myself and ive kept busy so i just need time now to figure things out and to keep piping up and asking ppl for help. im speaking a lot of french though because ppl here really dont speak english. which is cool. don't think its improving much yet; but hey ive still got less than 9 months eh.

more updates soon.

ps. whats really funny over here and that has really made me think about my major in school (canadian studies) is how when ur a foreigner ur really seen by your nationality first and foremost. more updates on that soon too!

dont have great internet access yet. just imposing on other ppls kindness at the moment to do this. the south of france is not the kind of euro place you wouldve imagined. more updates soon. doing ok though. because i met some hospitable ppl. havent started the orientation or at my school yet. so more info to come soon. im already feeling super broke though as ive paid for so many things lately like food, water, accomodation, sim card, calling card &etc etc.
i miss everyone. makes me appreciate home a lot more. hoping my french improves soon. good that nobody speaks english to me here. dont think ive learned any new phrases yet, because ppl slow down to alk to me and they try to use more simple phrases im sure.

love you all. update me on whats going on in ur lives too.

Amanda