Neighbors

I realize that it's been a few days since I've written, so I decided I should write an update. First of all, we still don't have a telephone landline, TV service, or internet service (except for a 3G key) at the house. It's been more than a month since it was all ordered. (Thank goodness for cell phones, or we'd be up a creek in terms of communication.) Apparently what we're waiting for is a phone line from French Telecom. I'm thinking they need to revamp something in the way they provide phone service, since you can get a new phone line in the US literally on the same day you order it. It's hard not having a landline, since I'd like to call people in the States, but that would cost an outrageous amount of money using my cell phone.

But on a more positive note, we've met some of our neighbors, and they're very nice. Jennifer met the woman next door, who speaks a little English. Then a little over a week ago, a man rang our bell, introduced himself as our neighbor, and brought us some lettuce from his garden. His name is Julien, and he's a retired English teacher. He came every day for four days and brought us lettuce each day, but I haven't seen him for a few days now. I think he likes being able to practice his English with us.

The first day I met Julien, I told him that some of the outlets in our house weren't working, and that I'd checked the fuse box, where everything seemed to be in the right position. I asked him if he knew anything about electricity. He said no, but the neighbor across the street, Monsieur Robert, knows a lot about electricity. Julien suggested that I knock on M. Robert's door.

I debated that for a couple of hours. I felt timid about knocking on this man's door out of the blue, but on the other hand, it was a pain having about ten outlets, as well as our microwave oven, not working. So I got up my courage and knocked on M. Robert's door. He was very nice, and came over and looked at our fuse box and tested the outlets. He couldn't figure out what was wrong, and said that I should call an electrician.

So we've met three of our neighbors, and all of them are retired. Julien said that everyone in our neighborhood is retired, except for one younger couple whom I haven't met yet. There are about seven houses in our little neighborhood, and apparently they were all built in the late 70's, which is when our neighbors bought the houses. Luckily, our house has been completely renovated on the inside, so it's brand new.

To finish up with the electricity story, I got in contact with the landlord's office, and the landlord himself, as well as a team of three men, came over this week to make all the repairs that needed to be made. (There were problems with the plumbing and with some of the doors not locking, as well as with the electricity.) So right now everything is working properly in the house, and that's a relief.

I generally understand what people are saying to me in French, but I've struggled with all of these workmen. They seem to speak quickly and they use very specialized vocabulary (electrical and plumbing terms, for example). So I consider myself lucky that I get the gist of it. At least I think I'm getting the gist of it!