So... Visa appointments are definitely not what I expected them to be at the French Consulate in Los Angeles. When I signed up, I was expecting an interview (en Français) and that they were going to ask penetrating questions, like "What do you plan to do in France?", "Will you be traveling?", "Are you in any way affiliated with any nationalistic terrorist group?" (okay, maybe not that last one). I asked a friend who had just gone to the Spanish Consulate and her experience, and she described it to be more or less what is stated above.
Mine went like this: I open the door, and turn around a short corner to see a security guard smiling (somewhat creepily) at me. I approach the desk, and share a few words with him, and show him my appointment confirmation. Asking if I spoke French, I responded yes. "Ouvriez la porte et assiez-vous" (open the door and have a seat). I opened the door to a tiny waiting room on the left, and to the right were two glass windows, one with a woman on the other side. When she called me up, all I had to do was literally hand over paperwork (half of which I was told to bring she didn't even ask for). I was out of there in 10 minutes, including waiting time.
So, recap: My dad drove 8 hours to pick me up, then drove 2 hours to Los Angeles, sat through traffic for 30 minutes on I-405 only to travel 8 miles, got lost along the way, just to spend 10 minutes at a glass window. He also had to drive 8 hours back. Just for a stupid stamp??
Just for a stupid stamp.
Because without that stupid stamp, I wouldn't be able to spend more than 90 days in Lyon, which would be problematic seeing as I have enrolled at the Université de Lyon for the entire year. It seems like such a waste of time, energy and money, but in the end you realize that things have to be done.
What if we viewed everyday tasks in this perspective? What if I said, "But I have to get on my bike, cycle to class, sit there for 3 hours and then work? Ha. Don't think so."?
It's this kind of thinking that will eventually screw over humanity. We all have that tendency to be a bit lazy with things we don't want to do. Technology has even catered to our need for "efficiency". Yet I think we can all agree that there is a huge difference between efficiency and laziness, although we as humans tend to mix them up to the point of synonymity.
Why am I spouting off nonsense? I meant this post to talk about my apartment!
It's not official yet, but I am being sent the contract, and I'm more excited than a third world child finding a stash of food! It's a two-bedroom apartment, with a kitchen, 1 bathroom, and living room/entrance. When I looked at the photos of my bedroom, I was so confused. It. Is. Huge. Here is a photo just to prove its gigantic properties:
A bit blah, but no matter. I will use my amazing interior decorating abilities!
Also: There is an Ikea in Lyon, how convenient is that?
How freaking exciting is this? Knowing where I'll be living? IN FRANCE?
Hell yeah.
It's really close to downtown as well. Although it's not located on the Presqu'île (which is where the heart of the city is as far as night life among other things goes), but it's not a 5-minute walk over the bridge, and you're there!
Okay, so it's like a 7-minute walk. Here is where the efficiency/laziness principle comes in. We all have legs. Let's use them.
Well I think I've extinguished my supply of rant for the time being. The next step is the most daunting of all I've done yet: packing for the plane.
Okay, so it's like a 7-minute walk. Here is where the efficiency/laziness principle comes in. We all have legs. Let's use them.
Well I think I've extinguished my supply of rant for the time being. The next step is the most daunting of all I've done yet: packing for the plane.
À bientôt!
xoxo
