I was reading back over my posts and trying not cringe. Clearly, I am so excited by my experience that I am putting a Disney-like glow on my first few weeks. It isn’t that things aren’t as good as I’m reporting but perhaps my enthusiasm should be balanced with some reports of the frustrating bits.

France is a place where things happen slowly. Businesses aren’t always open even when they are advertised to be, and people take their time getting things done. It took me 3 separate visits to Orange to get a phone and “temporary plan”. I was told initially that I could only get a plan if I put down a security deposit of 450 euros because I only had an American passport. I was also unable to have any identifying documentation (passport, proof of residence) scanned and had to have the originals. That cost me two separate visits! This dumbfounded me because I was able to buy a house with a scanned copy of my passport! Ultimately, they did not charge me a deposit but it was a Herculean task to leave that store with a working phone.

Buying a car was easy by comparison. I was able to go in and sign some documents and show them my American license and passport. That part was easy. It was a bit more difficult to get the international bank I’ve procured to transfer the money into the dealership’s account. It involved downloading documents, filling out multiple forms and having my kind neighbor double check my translation accuracy.

The international bank has been a consistent challenge. I was recommended it as it was able to be accessed online, included options for insurance as well as banking, and had an English speaking support line. They do have an English speaking helpline but they are only accessible for 3 hours each afternoon and often one has to wait on hold for 45 minutes. The online website is translatable but when using the English version the site frequently glitches. You can only make requests for transfers or changes to your account through messages which takes time. I usually wait a day for a response. It is super frustrating.

This week another frustration was buying a double bed quickly and easily on Facebook marketplace only to realize that I was unable to fit the flipping box spring upstairs despite multiple attempts and disassembly. My poor neighbors came over and twisted and turned this thing on both staircases only to be met with the cruel discovery that it was impossible. How infuriating. Why are my staircases both built for gnomes?

The final and perhaps most annoying frustration is that my international shipment has not arrived. Not only has it not arrived in the time I was told it would (8-12 weeks on the outside) but I rarely can get a response to the emails I send inquiring after its whereabouts. I believe the shipment has arrived in France but I have yet to see it. It is hard to nest or settle when you have nothing to do that with. I’m sick of cooking and entertaining with two bowls, four plates, and two mugs. I’m tired of looking at my blank walls. I miss my photographs, books and knick knacks. Perhaps most pertinent is that I only have summer clothes and it is getting cooler everyday. This is getting increasingly less pleasant.

So, it is not all sunny days and blue birds alighting on my shoulders. In fairness, this life is not without challenges but it is still so lovely. I hope this provides my readers with a more balanced view and diminishes resentment stateside. My life in France is not easy but goodness, what a wonderful opportunity it has been!