Meet little Blue!

I wasn't looking for either an apartment or a vehicle yet, but within the past week, both have become available/apparent. Above is the vehicle, which you may be surprised to find is at the higher end of the Rossmobiles. I test drove it Sunday and we're working out the details. Things we take for granted back home are sought after here: power windows that work, doors that lock, all windows intact, doors intact, paint not rusting, A/C, cd player, 4WD, actual coolant (not water, which they use here instead), windshield wipers that function, etc.

You get the idea. These cars are comical. Unfortunately Blue has no obnoxious stickers or nicknames. One student drives a car with all the windows heavily tinted (legal here, popular b/c pot is rampant although it is of course, illegal) and a chrome decal reading: Gangsta Bitch. These names never cease to amuse me. I was apprehensive about committing to a car so soon, but Frigate Bay where most students live is approx 7miles away. Bumming rides has gone relatively well thus far, but being without next semester isn't realistic. What about selling it upon leaving, you ask? Well, there is an overwhelming student monopoly on cars as you can imagine. Picture this: 144 incoming firsts, 115 vehicles avail. Now some students will live within walking distance from campus and others will split cars, but in general selling the car is a breeze especially if it's in relatively good condition. I've also heard many a story of the tried-to-be-cheap-and-bought-a-first-car-that-broke-down-immediately from upper semester students. I'm, going to try and avoid being an attractive white girl with a broken down car on the side of the road in a foreign country. I mean I can't control the situation if that happens, and eventually we will all have to deal with a flat tire given the nature of the roads, but this vehicle is more reliable than the majority I've seen and ridden in.

On to the apartment. My future roomie and I looked at two properties yesterday. When I say I wasn't looking, I mean someone came up to me in the water at the beach, drink in hand and asked if I needed a place to live. No clue what I was getting into, but figured it would be a good starting point, so called the landlord and set up an appointment. My jaw hit the floor when we walked in - love at first sight. I tried to read my friend's expression while we got the tour, but this was clearly my new home, most likely for the next 2 years.
We also looked at a little less expensive place with 7ths in it now which allows pets, but it was not as nice as the first. This is likely a blessing as it will prevent me from acquiring one or more dogs/cats. The other was your typical college run-down, dark, dank, not my style. A professor used to live in the first place, however. 2BR, 2 bath, full kitchen, huge living room, GORGEOUS view of Frigate Bay and the peninsula. I'm snatching it up immediately. One hitch: (wouldn't be me if it weren't complicated, right?) my roommate's car cannot make it up the hill without bottoming out horribly. i.e. we will not be roommates. Unfortunately this creates tension on multiple fronts since everyone locked down their roommates prior to searching for homes (the remaining 1sts including me do not have official access to the housing site yet) So, she's not happy with me and now I'm out a roommate. But I'm not deterred. This apt is amazing and I will be happy there. This is a first story level below a husband/wife, and they have 1 student living in a studio next to me. Higher end neighborhood (houses gated, professors live here, nicer cars), quiet. The other was clearly student living: not well-attended, going to be loud, house parties blah blah. Looking at one more prior to committing, but it's clear to me where my new home will be. Those of you coming to visit will see - and love it! I didn't take photos but I will in Jan when I move in :)

bye for now
lkc