Well I am finally here.
I'm suffering from a brief attack of a disease commonly known as "writer's block". However, I need to take this chance to write a blog as I have not yet managed to connect to the internet in my little house.
Wednesday was such a long day, I left my house at 8 o' clock and arrived in Nogent at 7 o'clock, absolutely knackered.
Cambridge > Nogent le Rotrou in four daunting steps;
1. Cambridge > King's Cross
Fairly straight forward, train filled with self important businessmen.
2. St Pancras > Paris
Eurostar, best invention ever.
3. Paris Gare du Nord > Paris Montparnasse
Fairly easy to navigate the metro, although also slightly terrifying as little pickpockets try and take your things. More fool them though 'cause I got padlocks bitches!
4. Paris Montparnasse > Nogent le Rotrou
Pretty long train ride, spent hugging my suitcase and pondering the mental state of the woman sat opposite.
As I sat on the Eurostar, little bubbles popped in my tummy when I saw the brief outline of the Eiffel Tower. I had finally made it, after all these months of planning and wondering what my town would be like.
So Nogent itself is a typical little Northern French town, complete with men in flat caps and the nicest smelling bakeries you will ever encounter. Think of all the typical things you find in a town in Northern France, and it will be here. I've done a bit of exploring already and the town is small enough to walk around everywhere, which is great. I'm still in a bit of a culture shock, getting used to drivers on the right hand side of the road, even little things like the weird food you find here. It has all been a bit hectic, meeting the entirety of the teachers in ten minutes was frightening, but not so frightening as sitting on a chair in front of 40 French kids while they ask you questions.
Anyway, no rest for the wicked and I am off to a teachers' social in order to mingle with my future colleagues.
Bisous!
Sounds good! I'm going to have to apply for my assistantship soon and am thinking about where to apply to. What region is Nogent counted as being in according to the British Council? I would quite like a smallish town near Paris but I guess it's sort of the luck of the draw.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great time!
Freya
Xx
Hi,
DeleteNogent is in Orleans-Tours. If you really specifically want somewhere near Paris then make sure you put your region preference first, as generally you only get your first choice on your first preference. When I applied I put large town, in the south of France, teaching lycee kids.. Now, because I really wanted to teach in a lycee I put the age as the most important choice, so I ended up in a lycee, in a small town in Northern France. Can't complain though, it's great!
Thanks!
Becky