Let's all sit down for circle time!

Now listen up, kids!

So, let me explain to you how relatively simple things work in France (as far as I've gathered thus far): make them as ridiculously complicated as possible. My day started simply enough. The plan was to head into town around 13h to meet up with Anna (who will now be filling in the spot of 3rd roommate!) and get lunch. She would accompany me to get a phone. Brian would meet up with us. We'd get to know each other some more and call it a day. Sounds reasonable, right? I thought so.

As you all know, I've been waiting until I got my bank account set up in order to get a phone here in France. Well, yesterday I set up the account and I was really excited to buy an inexpensive plan that would let me talk to people in France and stop relying on facebook messaging for all forms of communication. Anyways, today when I went to get a phone, they told me I couldn't get a plan without a bank card. I told them I didn't have a bank card yet, but I had my account number and all of my bank information/ID with me, but they can't do the plan without the card.

However, I can't get the bank card until I have documentation of a residence to show the bank. I'm lucky they even let me set up an account in general using a temporary residence. "But this is easy, Tori!" you say. "You have an apartment, just ask your landlord for some proof of residency!" Great idea! However, the landlord can't give us proof of residency until we give her a bank statement and renters insurance (which is also done by the bank). I need the proof of residency for the bank, but I need the bank for the proof of residency! Luckily, I do have a bank statement to show the landlord since the banker was kind enough to set me up with just a temporary address. However, the banker obviously cannot sign me up for renters insurance without having proof of where I'll be renting.

So this cycle essentially ends up with me standing in front of a basilica arguing with the landlord on the phone. After what was I'm sure a pretty amusing conversation to listen to, she agreed to give me the proof of address when we meet tomorrow and I'll get the renters insurance to her ASAP. I win! (Do you now understand the circle time reference? haha)

I actually was standing in front of a basilica though! This is la basilisque Saint Sernin. It's absolutely beautiful, so I suppose if I have to be arguing with my landlord, in French nonetheless, in front of this gorgeous parish isn't a terrible place to do it.

But, I digress. I was eventually able to break the vicious cycle with my stubbornness calm and straightforward demeanor. Now let's take the time to unravel this web of confusion. My landlord WILL give us the proof of residency, which means that I can now get renters insurance for the apartment. It also means that I will be able to not only have a bank account, but I will be able to have checks and a bank card to go along with my account. And once I have this bank card, I will be able to sign up for a phone plan!

 So, in the meantime I finally caved and bought a go phone because getting the bank card could take another week and I just can't rely on facebook chat to make plans for that much longer. So now, I at least have a phone that I can call and text my friends, even if I have to buy the minutes. But, I was assured that when I go back to get my plan I can use the same phone and keep the same number, which does simplify things a bit at least. It's such a dinky little phone, but I didn't see any reason to buy a nice, fancy one when I'll only be using it for 7 months.

The plan for tomorrow is to meet with our landlord at 16h with all of the documents and money she requested. Hopefully we'll be able to sign and get the keys (AND the proof of residency) right there tomorrow. We're already receiving news about people having extra furniture and things for us to borrow, so hopefully it will only be unfurnished for a very short period of time.

That's the plan anyways. It's very possible that in the morning I could have a potential plot twist, but you'll have to wait and see!