...we've only just begun! alors!

tyrone, lenny and i have made it to our new apartment in paris. the flight was pretty turbulent, right from the take-off (i've never experienced turbulence while ascending). i was worried about tyrone and lenny in the hold. they were probably pretty scared. the good news is we all made it across the pond safely.

my new roommate kathryn is currently in the states, so the three of us are here on our own right now. tyrone and lenny are getting used to their new digs. lots of new strange noises (the apartment is on the ground floor and faces the street).

i got to the apartment around noon yesterday. the first thing i did was get supplies for the boys. kathryn left me her map book, which is so helpful in getting around the city. i still got lost a little, but found my way just fine (i don't like holding the map in my hand like a tourist, so i missed a turn). i have already been mistaken for a local, as a woman asked me for directions in french. of course i couldn't help her (even if i understood her, as i just got off the boat myself!); perhaps one day soon i will be able to answer something other than "sorry, i don't speak french" (at least i can say that en francaise!).

i came back to the apartment and lay down on the bed to just think about my next move. when i opened my eyes, five hours had passed. i was pooped! still am a bit. or maybe just in shock. i still can't believe i did this. i'm also pretty sore; i think from the packing. i just need to rest a bit.

when i finally went out again to the market across the street it was about 8:00 p.m. the sun was low in the sky; not even twilight yet. it stays light in the spring and summer much longer here than l.a. lots of people were still shopping.

today i went to look for a scratching post for the cats. i am having trouble finding a pet store, but kathryn will help me with that on monday when she comes back. on my journey today i ran into a big farmers market just a few blocks away. they were selling all kinds of things, not just fruit and veggies. my walk gave me a little insight to the neighborhood. it's very mixed, with lots of north africans and asians. reminded me of new york when i was a kid.

the weather is not hot and not cold. it's cloudy, so a little gloomy, but i'm wearing a t shirt, light pants and a sweatshirt (the same as i would in l.a.). the apartment is teeny tiny. i am sleeping on a full size mattress/day bed in the living/dining/kitchen and living out of my suitcase. it's ok because at the end of the month kathryn and i will move into a two bedroom (it won't be much bigger, but at least i will have a bedroom). my address is 20 rue Sambre et Meuse 75010 Paris. But don't send me anything! we can't fit one more thing into the apartment, and besides, my name isn't on the mailbox.

i will take a few more days to get used to the place (and by place i mean paris) and continue with m french lessons on rosetta stone, and then start my job search. fingers crossed something happens soon!

more later