It’s very daunting to be alone with your thoughts. It’s weird to not have someone to talk to and share the excitement of the new things I’m experiencing. I see everyone on their cell phones, here, and the one thing I want is to be able to call my mom or Danielle, or Laura, or Tracie or Jill and Carrie- the list goes on, but it’s weird, to not be able to just talk to people. There have been so many times, especially in the last month, when I’ve wanted my phone to stop ringing and now, I’d give anything to just talk on the phone again. I’m not sure, even when I do finally get a phone that I’ll be able to talk as much as I’d like. I’m going to miss calling my mom when I’m on my way to work in the morning or calling Danielle and talking about nothing for an hour or more. It’s different being alone. I know in spirit I’m not alone, but physically I’m on the other side of the world! I saw so many Americans last nite, at the airport, and today I haven’t seen one. My first day here has proved to be a little more emotional than I had really anticipated. I am without any form or communication. I am writing this and have no way to post it (yet). My television isn’t hooked up yet and I don’t have a cell phone with working cell service. Even if my phone was working it would cost me $2.29/minute just to call home-a small price to pay however to let my parents and my best friend know that I’m okay. I’m avoiding my suitcases, which is hard considering I have to step over and trip past them every time I leave my bed! It’s not that I don’t want to take care of them it’s just that I haven’t gotten any hangers yet. Looking around my apartment I feel as though I’m in a glorified dorm room! I know that this is a transition and will change over time.
I ventured out today. I just wanted to see the streets and shops and what was out there. My school, where I’ll be teaching is about 2 blocks away. Before I left the States, I had been warned that there were smells that came from street vendors and merchants; smells would take some time getting used. I haven’t encountered anything out of the ordinary. The first smell that I encounter, when I walk out of my building is that of the city. It smells dirty, maybe even a hint of sewage and then I keep walking and smell fried food being cooked along the street by a vendor frying up some kind of pancake looking food. Also, you smell fresh fruit as you walk by the numerous fruit stands lining the sidewalks. Further down, fresh fish is out and ready to be sold and strung along lines-there’s nothing like the smell of an open fish market. The fish though are incredible! There are huge fish on display and some of the fish sellers have tanks full of fresh fish and eels and what looked like some kind of sea snakes? The people here are always in a hurry. It’s a very different dynamic, than that of Nashville. I suppose it’s to be expected, I mean I don’t exactly blend, due to my height, but everyone stares at me. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m tall and clearly American or if it’s because I’m wearing sunglasses? It’s sunny and I like my sunglasses. Everyone I’ve encountered has been friendly and very helpful when I’ve purchased items. They do have many if not most of the items I would purchase in America. They also have several Parisian bakeries here. I wanted to try something earlier, but I’m not really hungry. The smells haven’t bothered me, but I suspect that my nerves and my not knowing the language have made me wary of eating. There is plenty of food to be had, I just can’t read the language and have no idea what is being served. I have yet to find any American food in my neighborhood. I did, however, on the drive here last nite, see a Dunkin’ Donuts (Danielle, you know how I love Dunkin’ Donuts; oh, and there’s a Baskin Robins here too!) Also, I saw a Papa John’s and McDonalds. I know I’ll adjust in time. There is so much to take in! I’ve been trying to take pictures of the world around me but I almost feel intrusive doing so. It’s only Wednesday, I’ll work tomorrow and Friday and then I’ll probably be out exploring all weekend!