Well well...where do I start! Haven't seen a clearer night sky ever before in my life!! So much so, it pulled me lazy bones to actually start writing this blog as a first hand experience of an English speaking-vegetarian-solo woman on a vacation...nah...on work-assignment to New Caledonia. So this is what makes it a unique experience.
Coming back to the night sky... for the first time I've noticed with naked eyes the milkiness formed behind the prominent stars...for as far as my eyes can see! It's amazing and breathtaking for a while too....and makes me think afterall my situation isn't that bad :-)
Yes, it's a striking place in many ways... the first glimpse of the country outside the airport and I wanted to sigh 'Beautiful'!! The landscape is plush green with small nestlings jostled between seemingly black mountains...not to forget the view of clouds stuck to some of the peaks. It was a long 1 hr drive to my hotel and I was relieved to find a place to rest after all the sky-hopping from half way across the globe! The rest of the day was quite un-eventful unless I mention the conversation witht he receptionist for finding some vegetarian food! I actually thought it impossible and was pleasantly surprised to find quite many veges on my plate! Eureka! I'll Survive here!! :) This is what I thought before I realised the whoppingly high cost of apartments if I'm to stay here for short term ( long term isn't an option with my dear hubby waiting for me in Singapore...yes you guessed it! We have been named a globe trotting couple by our 'well-wishing' friends).
The next day brought more surprises...I can't open a bank a/c here for short term stay!! What will happen to the poor Euros lying idle in my bag since I left 3 days back and hoping to see the light of day?? How will I rent a place, eat or shop?? Didn't I say I don't want to be the first person from my company arriving here?? What was I thinking before taking this up? After the usual Status update calls to the organisers and assurances of things being sorted soon..I found myself at a completely unlikely place...brought out by the most devious karmic goofup! A PG acco with a middle aged lady...the thot seemed nice initially until the reality of the place stuck me... vast cultural difference and ahem..well I wasn't expecting a trouser-less uncle around :-P (lol...I can actually laugh at it now!). Endless emails and desperate conversations later I had the details of my compensation with me using which I could afford renting a decent service apartment. My husband urged me to latch the door n sleep...how could I tell him..there wasn't any! :-D The lady's mom and niece were adorable... good to know that even outside my birthplace some hosts do like to stuff their guests with food! I could actually make a conversation with my mono-syllabic French!
Huff! the tough night passed somehow with me catching up on sleep till my dozing mind realised where I was! I almost flew outside the door when the person incharge for me came to pick me up! Yes, I was scared...not because the people around me were not good...on the contrary they were exceptionally kind...but because the system was so alien to me that it left me insecure and out of place.
I finally checked into a hotel apartment that day...and woaaa what a view! opens directly to sea!!
Am I on my single-moon here? :) ....more posts to follow on my experiences in this Oh so beautiful country!!
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