day 2

Oh well what a day. I went out and right off the bat got rejected from all the places I was trying to contact for a shared apartment. But I knew I should at least go looking for a job because I could always stay at the hostel if need be. So that is what I did. I walked around with a list of restaurants I was targeting, and started handing out resumes. Most of the chefs were off today so I didnt meet many but I was told to come back tomorrow, as well as I got a 2 week stage at least in the begining of may.

So heres the best part of my day. Im walking in a part of Strasbourg called Petite France. There were a bunch of restaurants that I wanted to apply to. As I walk down the street I see a small sign in the window that advertised a room for rent. I called the number and the guy says he'll be there in 30 minutes to show me the room. So Im waiting and I see a restaurant down the street. I walk towards it and a old man comes out of one of the buildings and asks me what I am loooking for. I tell him im looking for a job. He says to me the place is closed. I told him I am also looking for a aprtment for a few months. So he says to wait here he's going to get some keys and show me an apartment. Turns out hes a property owner and owns a few buildings in the city. He shows me the room and its ok pretty small for 350 euro a month. I haggled a bit and got him down to 320. we agreed to meet tomorrow. So I go back towards the other apartment that I am supposed to meet at and I get there and I realize the restaurant on the corner is one on my list. So I am standing there I go into the kitchen to talk to the chef. We have ashort conversation and as we are talking the landlord walks up. We introduce each other and he takes me up to the apartment and he shows me it..its quaint, nice view though...bed, washer, fridge, stove and bathroom.

I accept it and he asked me to come back at 6:30 to write up an informal contract (when his son gets back he'll type up a formal contract). So this place costs 300 euro a month. I met him at 6:30 and this is the best part of it all. My landlord is the owner of the restaurant on the main floor...and its also the best restaurant in Strasbourg...and what I mean by best is when it comes to authentic alsacian cuisine (what I am looking for) this is the place to be. They do a few hundred covers a day...AND THEY ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR COOKS. I gave him my resume, and my recommendation letters from my chef in lyon as well as the one from germany...and he asks me how much i want a month and he said that was fair...and that he'll talk to his chef de cuisine in the morning. Then he gave me a tour of the restaurant, introduced me to the staff as a canadian chef. I couldnt believe it.

Well so tomorrow I am going to bring my stuff in the morning to my apartment and I also have a few meetings in th emorning to discuss stages and possible work. I am keeping all options open but I hope it all works out for the best.

So to celebrate I went to a little restuarant that I was told I can stage at in May for dinner. and I had Choucroute which is a staple here in Alsace. It was good but the Spatzle that it came with was cold...but i didnt say anything. I still want to stage and possibly get paid work.

Tomorrow after my meetings, if I dont stay somewhere for work I will tour strasbourg. This is a beautifull city. And it really doesnt take long to go from one end to the other...but they still have a tramway adn buses...oh well...but yey...and of course yey for jessica coming soon to be with me..
yehuda