October: Find an accommodation

Having just one week to find an accommodation, I spent a lot of time looking on Easy Room Mate and Gumtree websites.

One of the first things to do before starting the research is to get an English phone number, mostly because the British people are afraid by foreigner’s numbers. Then, I took several appointments the days after to visit at all 9 different roommates.

Before leaving, I put on my new armour, forged by one of the finest armourer of France in these days: “Olly-Gan”, specifically adapted to resist the bad weather conditions of this country. I must confess that I didn’t expect to use it so early, but I was in great danger of “cold” and I had to take some precautions. I also armed myself with my loyal shield, name in this strange country “umbrella” and which is entirely part of the local fashion, who knows why? Then, I was finally ready for my quest.

I was shocked by the layout, the state and the cleanliness of some share houses which hadn’t any living-room or worst, any table, fundamental for French people to be at ease. And everything with some prices that I’d rather count in Lucifer rather than Pound. Nevertheless, don’t be afraid, everyone can find something in Bournemouth that suit him/her in a roommate or in a host family or an apartment. You just have to follow a few tips:

• Be very careful of the beautiful women officer from the agencies or men officer if you are a woman, don’t let yourself be lured by them.

• The unspoken things. Because of that I almost rented a little flatshare with 3 persons while thinking it’s was a 2 roommates flat.

• Does the house have equipment? Does the equipment work?

• The area. Where is the closest supermarket, the bus stop, the work place…

As I gave you this good advice, it’s natural that I had visited my present shared house in less than 2 minutes before announcing to the agency that I was intending to move in, while I barely remembered where it was and how much furniture and appliances there were.

I have finally been lucky concerning the house position. Indeed it’s located near the train and bus station, the supermarket Asda and about 15 minutes from the beach and downtown. I’ve been a bit less lucky about the equipment: dryer broken, sheet and duvet cover from English fashion: PINK with Cupcakes… However I’ve got a living-room and a table!!!

Anyway, at that time the only thing that mattered to me was having finally found a place to live, and in less than 3 days. So, that night I went back to the hotel happy as a little boy to fight the British Imperial troops in Age of Empire (PC game) and I won, of course.

Mister Wine Note.