We arrived at La Rochelle airport around 5.50pm and was shocked as our plane seemed to be the only one there! The airport looks the size of one lounge at Heathrow! There's a cafe/bar but nothing else! Very bizarre! The flight was good, and RyanAir have slightly more leg room than EasyJet which is good for me. The only thing that would've made it better would've been if the woman in front of us changed her child's nappy. We were close to grabbing him and doing it ourselves at one point!!
It took us a bit longer than I anticipated to get to Poitiers, but next time I have to do it, I'll know what bus to get and where from/to. Our train was the last one to Poitiers (7.45!) - luckily we were there early enough to get a sandwich and our tickets.
We couldn't find a lift at the station so we went down a ton of steps with our heavy suitcases.. then up the other side. Then we got to Poitiers and again, couldn't find a lift (are there no disabled people in France?!) so, down the steps then up some more (a woman grabbed my suitcase cos i got the giggles half way up the stairs and nearly fell down!)
We got to our residence at about 9.30. The office seemed to be shut so we were quite annoyed as we'd already told the guy in charge we were arriving late. Sofia then knocked on a door and a guy came out - luckily he had our keys and we didn't need to sort out any forms until this morning. We then got settled in our room and were too wide awake after unpacking so had a look at everyone's rooms then decided to go for a walk to see what was about. It's really well lit here, which we really like because it feels quite safe because of this. We were walking up the road and think we walked a bit TOO far as we saw 2 women who were more than likely prostitutes!! (A great start!) Then we found a kebab shop on the way home so Sofia and Charlotte bought some food but the sight of the place made me feel sick so I didn't get anything! Once we got back, we were so tired, but ate some food (I gave and had a few chips!). We then tried to watch a bit of the film "10 Things I Hate About You" but just ended up chatting over it. Then I think I got to bed around 1.30am.
I slept really well. I have a sofa in my room that pulls out into my bed (it rolls back up easily with my bed sheets on, luckily). I'm really pleased with my room, it's really nice - I wished we had these residences in the UK - it makes much more sense! We each have a bedroom with a sofa bed, desk, a table to eat at, a bedside table, a small stand with drawers (that lacks a TV unfortunately) and some shelves and built in wardrobes. Then we have a little kitchenette with a nice sized fridge, all pots and pans, 2 hobs and a microwave. The only problem is there isn't an oven, but I'll get used to it easily enough. Then we have a nice sized bathroom with a shower. The people who we've dealt with in the offices seem really nice as well.
This morning I got up at 8am to go downstairs for around 10am to sort out the paper work and rent. It took quite a while to start with but we whizzed through it once it had been fully explained to us. It all seems to be very well organized.
After we did this, we went to explore the Centre Ville. Unfortunately we have to climb what seems like a million steps (or walk around the road which would take twice as long as it bends) to get to the Centre Ville or the supermarket etc. I found this photo online for you to get the sort of idea of the agony my legs are in at the moment!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/davers/354758687/ The photo doesn't show all of the steps - they go round slightly too. But, I managed it well enough! The town centre is really pretty, very typically French. We found a Monoprix (but we aren't sure if it's the cheapest one yet - it might work out cheaper to get a bus to Auchan).
My fingers feel like they're going to come off after carrying back our food and suitcases from yesterday.. luckily we found a bus stop that goes back to near our residence. For the rest of the day, we've mainly been relaxing and watching DVDs!
Then we just popped to the station and I saw a sign for a lift.
It took us a bit longer than I anticipated to get to Poitiers, but next time I have to do it, I'll know what bus to get and where from/to. Our train was the last one to Poitiers (7.45!) - luckily we were there early enough to get a sandwich and our tickets.
We couldn't find a lift at the station so we went down a ton of steps with our heavy suitcases.. then up the other side. Then we got to Poitiers and again, couldn't find a lift (are there no disabled people in France?!) so, down the steps then up some more (a woman grabbed my suitcase cos i got the giggles half way up the stairs and nearly fell down!)
We got to our residence at about 9.30. The office seemed to be shut so we were quite annoyed as we'd already told the guy in charge we were arriving late. Sofia then knocked on a door and a guy came out - luckily he had our keys and we didn't need to sort out any forms until this morning. We then got settled in our room and were too wide awake after unpacking so had a look at everyone's rooms then decided to go for a walk to see what was about. It's really well lit here, which we really like because it feels quite safe because of this. We were walking up the road and think we walked a bit TOO far as we saw 2 women who were more than likely prostitutes!! (A great start!) Then we found a kebab shop on the way home so Sofia and Charlotte bought some food but the sight of the place made me feel sick so I didn't get anything! Once we got back, we were so tired, but ate some food (I gave and had a few chips!). We then tried to watch a bit of the film "10 Things I Hate About You" but just ended up chatting over it. Then I think I got to bed around 1.30am.
I slept really well. I have a sofa in my room that pulls out into my bed (it rolls back up easily with my bed sheets on, luckily). I'm really pleased with my room, it's really nice - I wished we had these residences in the UK - it makes much more sense! We each have a bedroom with a sofa bed, desk, a table to eat at, a bedside table, a small stand with drawers (that lacks a TV unfortunately) and some shelves and built in wardrobes. Then we have a little kitchenette with a nice sized fridge, all pots and pans, 2 hobs and a microwave. The only problem is there isn't an oven, but I'll get used to it easily enough. Then we have a nice sized bathroom with a shower. The people who we've dealt with in the offices seem really nice as well.
This morning I got up at 8am to go downstairs for around 10am to sort out the paper work and rent. It took quite a while to start with but we whizzed through it once it had been fully explained to us. It all seems to be very well organized.
After we did this, we went to explore the Centre Ville. Unfortunately we have to climb what seems like a million steps (or walk around the road which would take twice as long as it bends) to get to the Centre Ville or the supermarket etc. I found this photo online for you to get the sort of idea of the agony my legs are in at the moment!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/davers/354758687/ The photo doesn't show all of the steps - they go round slightly too. But, I managed it well enough! The town centre is really pretty, very typically French. We found a Monoprix (but we aren't sure if it's the cheapest one yet - it might work out cheaper to get a bus to Auchan).
My fingers feel like they're going to come off after carrying back our food and suitcases from yesterday.. luckily we found a bus stop that goes back to near our residence. For the rest of the day, we've mainly been relaxing and watching DVDs!
Then we just popped to the station and I saw a sign for a lift.
