Recently I received a package that I had mailed to myself from France. The package was mailed in mid December, and it was received in the middle of February. Being the idiot that I am, I could not find the package slip with the tracking number on it, and after the first month went by, I was sure the French had lost my package.

Today was a big taking care of business day. If you can believe it, I finally got my bank card. It’s hysterical because for the past two weeks I’ve been receiving all this mail from the bank with messages about “top secret” numbers… so many numbers!

The slip said to go to the “FONDERIE” post office. It wasn’t too far from my house, so one morning before classes I found my way over there (with my trusty map of course). I love that feeling when you find the right street and you get all happy inside, thinking “it’s close! It’s close!” Right when I spotted the sign for “Rue de la Fonderie” I felt that feeling. I walked down the street and saw that yellow looking sign symbolizing LA POSTE. There was lots of construction work on the side of the road, so I had to criss-cross my way over to the building.

Believe it or not, the courier was a day early and came by Friday, when I was at home! How lucky, right? One small problem- as I was on my way out, my host mother was coming in, and she handed me an attempted delivery slip. I was surprised since I had been HOME THE WHOLE TIME so if he had rang the doorbell, I would’ve answered. She said “I can’t believe this, but…” and pointed to the written excuse on the delivery slip. “Recipient name is not the same name on door.” NO S#!@ it’s not the same name!! I am a guest in someone’s house; my name is not going to appear on their MAILBOX!

In the meantime, I forgot my passport that day, so I came back later in the week to show them the passport. Amazingly enough, the bank was closed from 12:00-1:30, and when I arrived with time to spare at 1:27, there were already a line of people waiting. Looks like I’m not the only one feeling the pains of French efficiency. I took my place in line, but out of the corner of my eye, I spotted the original woman that had helped me set up the account.