Day Fifty Eight: Thanksgiving

Because the apartment has an oven, I hosted Thanksgiving dinner in Nemours. Between 15 to 18 people were supposed to show up. Unfortunately, France is experiencing strikes right now, so only 11 people actually came. Still, 11 is a large number of people.


I got the bird from the appropriately named "Thanksgiving" restaurant and market in Paris. It was my first time cooking a turkey (thanks parents for your cooking tips!) and I must say that it turned out beautifully!

Because of the strikes, the turkey didn't arrive at my apartment until 7PM. We didn't eat until 12:30AM! Everyone brought a dish and a beverage to share. Good times all around.

Red and Eliza enjoying themselves... er something.

I Live In a Circus.

Yesterday, as I was putting away my groceries, a male voice says: “Hi! My name is Charles. I’m from Oregon.” Startled, I whirl around to find a man in his mid to late 50s, standing in my kitchen.Apparently he had been invited by the school, picked up in Paris by a certain academic administrator, and dropped off at my apartment where he was left to fend for himself. Thanks for the advance warning guys! I’m glad I’m not a super awesome kung fu fighter or I would have taken his head off the moment I heard him speak. I’m also glad he wasn’t a serial killer; I’d probably be dead right now.

I fed him.I listened to his life story.I gave him an extra toothbrush. Charles slept in Crazy Man’s old room. When telling him about Crazy Man and the original condition of the apartment, I spared some details thinking he’d probably sleep better that way. Oh yeah, around 9PM, after our dinner, aforementioned administrator came to take Charles to dinner. Again, no warning. Communication is key people!!!

Day Thirty Five: Apartment From Hell

I knew my vacation couldn’t pass smoothly. There’s no heat or hot water in my apartment. It went off Wednesday during the night. The school thinks that it might get fixed by Tuesday. Tuesday! There have been some other freaky things happening around here, but this wins the prize for most exasperating.
I spent last night with Red in Ablon. Red tutors three wee ones in return for housing. I think she has a pretty sweet deal. She lives above the family garage in a newly renovated studio with lots of light and modern conveniences. I’ll probably be staying with Little J until next week.