I finally managed to see that studio round the corner from here. It’s a converted factory situated behind a row of houses in the Tervuurestraat. This was my most hopeful possibility seeing as it’s close to here and even closer to the hospital. It’s quite secluded too, and quite private.
The conversion has been very well done and looks quite impressive too, and it wasn’t too dear. But all of ly illusions were shattered as soon as I entered the place. Apart from the place being used as a furniture dump, there was a great deal of evidence of damp on the ceiling that had been painted over – although the stains were coming through again. The estate agent denied that it was a water leak, but as soon as I opened the cupboard door, there was no mistake. All of the wallpaper was peeling off the wall in there.
The result of all of this was that I tuned on my heel and walked away. There was no way that I could possibly live in a place like that.
Earlier in the afternoon I’d been to see another place. That wasn’t too bad and the rent was reasonable, but the service charge was absolutely extortionate. I’ve been quoted figures of between €30 and €50 per month for that. This guy wanted €120. As well as that, the previous tenants were smokers and the place was totally unhealthy. And so I walked away from there too.
But last night I suffered from my exertions during the day. I couldn’t sleep for ages – chatting to Liz on the internet through the small hours. And when I did fall asleep and awoke in the middle of the night, I felt so dreadful that I thought that I was going to have another round of serious health issues.
In the morning, I wasn’t feeling much better and only managed a light breakfast. I couldn’t even drink the coffee. And apart from going out to the supermarket on the corner for my baguette I had a very quiet morning. I arranged this appointment for the expensive place, and I made other enquiries too, being turned down on “student” reasons.
I didn’t even eat all of my lunch, spending most of the afternoon crashed out, setting the alarms for the visits that I had to make. And for tea, I finished off the lunchtime butties.
Yes, I’m clearly not well again, although much better than I was the last time that I had serious health issues. I suppose that I shall simply have to stop pretending that I’m in good health, and make more of an effort to adapt to a new lifestyle, no matter how much I might hate the idea.
I am very sorry that you are not feeling well Eric but if its any comfort to you, you shouldn’t have to live in an arsehole place with damp sprouting from every wall and cupboard.
Do you not think that some of this might be depression? It is very easy to lose one’s way when constantly bombarded by defeat? But try not to be defeated because I and all your friends are rooting for you. Be of good courage, young Skywalker and never give up!!
Ohh yes, there’s definitely some element of depression involved in all of this. It’s like the old American saying “when you are up to your neck in alligators, it’s hard to remember that you are only trying to drain the swamp”. And I’m not even sure that looking for accommodation is the right thing to do anyway. i’ll find that once I’ve signed a 12-month contract that they won’t want to see me again after the first time. I’m quite prepared for that.
All in all, it’s a bit of a mess
I wonder whether you could grow mushrooms in that closet. There’s a potential business venture for you.
You don’t fancy coming over here and posing as me in order to get me through my bus driving test on Friday, do you?
Bit of a short notice unfortunately. But you’ll be fine – just remember the “cutting in” and “cutting out” due to the long wheelbase and to give yourself plenty of room.
Fortunately postponed.
Crossing railroad tracks is fun….
100-300 yards before, cut on the hazard lights
10-15 yards before, stop
Apply handbrake, put the transmission in neutral
Open driver’s window, open door
Command children to be silent
Turn off internal fans and air conditioners
Listen for train and look both ways
Close door
Slip transmission into drive
Release handbrake
Drive across looking both ways
Once the arse end has cleared, turn off the hazard lights
Proceed as normal
Quite a process!
Stopping to pick up and put down also involves hazard lights, an extending stop arm, 8 way flashers and an extending barrier.
The passenger bus license is a walk in the park compared to the school bus license.