A week has passed since I arrived in Réunion and I literally cannot believe how fast it's gone! With that week I haven't achieved a huuuge amount but I keep telling myself that the setting up takes time (setting up including several daily naps).

So I arrived into St. Denis last Saturday to find that my case had not been so lucky. Usually I would have started crying, had a few major breakdowns and refused to leave the airport but this time, I felt strangely calm and even thanked the man who broke the news to me before wandering off outside. It soon became clear that not having the case was actually a blessing as I found myself on a bus and then on a trek from the station to the hotel. I say trek and what I acutally mean is a five minute stroll but NOTHING in this heat is easy.

When I finally arrived at Hotel du Centre, I was a mess. Unfortunately I had forgotten to leave my coat in the car when I got out at Heathrow so, due to the lack of space in the baggage department, I had to wear it. Wearing a winter coat in 30 degree sun is heat rash waiting to happen. Team that with thick, black leggings and the results are disasterous. Luckily though, the receptionist seemed just as keen as me to get me out of public view and quickly gave me my keys. Discovering my room had aircon was like discovering the Daily Mail website for the first time... incredible.

Anyway, I went for a walk along the sea which is nice but no real beach to speak of in St. Denis and I was too tired to really appreciate anything. I had been kind of disappointed when I arrived at the airport by how European everything was. I hadn't actually expected Réunion to be like France, even though it technically is. But soon it became pretty obvious that although alike in some ways, this place definitely has a touch of Africa about it, verified later by the hotel cockroaches.

On Sunday my case was delivered (from Italy) so I sat around looking at it for a while and not much else that day. I had to be up pretty early on Monday to go to the airport to meet James, a guy from Sheffield who has also come out here. He also was the only person on his flight to loose his bag but after we'd sorted that out we headed for the uni. It felt like the first day of school, yet again. But when we arrived, getting into our rooms was mega easy though we had to pay 800 euros upfront for April, May and June's rent which seemed a bit bizarre and felt very painful. The people at CROUS, which is like France's uni accommodation service, were so nice though, especially compared to Pau and really helpful.

I'm in Cité Internationale which is apparantly the best block to be in. I was lucky enough to get a balcony with a sea view which I am in love with. It even came complete with drying lines which is excellent, given the current sweat situation. I saw some deck chairs in the chinese supermarket and although I think they're aimed at the toddler market, I reckon once I've shifted some xmas pounds, they'd be a sound investment.

On Wednesday I had an interview for a teaching job once a week and was really happy to get it. The woman interviewing was so lovely but did seem to have an almost unhealthy obession with Samuel Pepys. So we find out next week when and where we'll be teaching - I'm kind of hoping I get a more remote school but then knowing my time keeping skills, maybe somewhere easier to get to would be better.

Registering hasn't been that easy because, like 'actual' France, offices close whenever they want. Next week we have to sign up for classes and sports(!) etc which will probably be even worse but we'll see.

There aren't many of us new here yet. Everyone seems nice but it's always kind of awkward at the beginning. Last night we finally met some of the people who have been here for a semester already and they've been really friendly, inviting us out and organising a beach party for tomorrow so that's been really good and definitely helps to feel more settled. Obviously it's strange because they know eachother so well already but I guess that's always the way when you've been somewhere for a while. Can't wait to really meet everyone properly and I think this weekend will be good for that.

Finally, have realised that Primark granny pants are not only the most comfortable things ever but if you soak them in cold water they cool you down AND sooth sunburn - £2 well spent there. Have also realised that eating only watermelon as originally planned is not possible here as watermelons cost roughly the same as gold. Unfortunately the national speciality is... cheese and chip paninis, which definitely doesn't bode well from a health/physique point of view.

Anyway, as usual, TRES fatigue, so am going to head to bed. Have bought a fan (lost the instructions which made putting it together one of the hardest things I've ever had to do) which allows me to forget, at least at night time, about the upsetting heat outside.

Missing you all lots as always and please keep me updated with all your news. xxx