je voudrais.. attends... qu'est-ce que c'est? ou est-ce on se trouve...

Ahh, so many questions.

Yesterday was a bit frustrating. I'm learning what "bureaucracy" means, straight from the textbook example: La Reunion. In short, it took us ALL DAY to collect the paperwork necesary to turn in our bus pass applications, including a mini-application/photocopy/remplissant (fillingout forms) for a paper necessary for the pass application. Exhausting, very. After that, we couldn't find the place to turn it in, because they don't take them at the actual bus station. Logical? Not to us silly Americans.

I would say that yesterday was the most trying day I've had so far. Of course, it would be nice for the University or our ISEP coordinator to organize everything, but I like the challenge. It makes me think for myself, stamp my feet in frustration for not knowing enough vocab, and ultimately enjoying the fruits of my labor when I get what I've been working for. Ah, nothing like a driven, Type A personality in a land where every person, class, and bus runs late and no one blinks twice about it. I have to say, I love it here, regardless of my lack of familiarity with anything. Which, admittedly, can make one feel a little lonesome at times.

Honestly, I still think my body is adjusting, and it's hard to go go go when your body just wants to stay put. The heat really saps energy from you. I think I drink about 4 litres of water a day just to achieve homeostasis, not even feel like I'm caught up. Additionally, if you don't eat regularly (and well), you feel even worse. As a side note, I've had to all but abandon my vegetarian ways. It's really hard to eat vegetarian here. Nearly every dish here has meat in it, and they look at you very skeptically when you proclaim veg-ism. So, in an effort not to pass out every day from lack of protein and assimilate to the culture, je mange du viande (I eat meat). Le sigh. At least there's a lot of fresh poisson (fish) from the ocean. Because I live on the ocean. (!!!)

For my one week aniversaire of being an expatriate, a new adventure: actually turn in the buss pass application and go to the city to buy un ventilateur (a fan) for my stifling room. Allons-y (Let's go)!