Hi there.
My name's Christophe, I'm french.
It's been now 5 years since I've landed in Chicago for the first time in September 2003.
I started up a new life by myself and the only way I found to share my days here was to write a series of Email to my friends, stories I was telling: stories of my everyday life.
There is about 25 of them I will try to translate at least one a day.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2003 5:15 PM
News from Chouchou (AKA Christophe)
" Voila" Hello everyone
There I am, in Chicago; for those who didn't know I came here to start a new life. I have a job as a server in a French restaurant in the north suburb.
Yes, after 16 months, I finally left Disney World. And it is not without pain.
I hope you guys are alright.I'm sorry to have to write a group message even thought I personally hate them but I'm at the Apple Store on Michigan Avenue and I doubt they would appreciate if I was taking my time to write Emails...
I'm starting working this afternoon hoping that everything will be OK. I'm really scared but the team seemed very nice to me.
I'm still amazed where I'm leaving. My apartment is right next to the Michigan Avenue, in comparison it's like living 5 minutes from the 5th av in NYC.The only bad thing is that the apartment is completely empty. I have no tables, no chairs, no bed, even the kitchen is empty.
Anyway I'm gonna take my time to make my nest. I have to go I'm gonna try to write some personal Emails to some of you.
XOXO
Miss you all
Christophe
" Voila" Hello everyone
There I am, in Chicago; for those who didn't know I came here to start a new life. I have a job as a server in a French restaurant in the north suburb.
Yes, after 16 months, I finally left Disney World. And it is not without pain.
I hope you guys are alright.I'm sorry to have to write a group message even thought I personally hate them but I'm at the Apple Store on Michigan Avenue and I doubt they would appreciate if I was taking my time to write Emails...
I'm starting working this afternoon hoping that everything will be OK. I'm really scared but the team seemed very nice to me.
I'm still amazed where I'm leaving. My apartment is right next to the Michigan Avenue, in comparison it's like living 5 minutes from the 5th av in NYC.The only bad thing is that the apartment is completely empty. I have no tables, no chairs, no bed, even the kitchen is empty.
Anyway I'm gonna take my time to make my nest. I have to go I'm gonna try to write some personal Emails to some of you.
XOXO
Miss you all
Christophe
Wednesday, October 15, 2003 6:01 PM
Hi
I really want to say to people in France to stop wining about the cold weather, I'm in Chicago and the cold here is a bitch.
Everything is great, I'm with Ornella that came to visit for the weekend so I can't stay long but I will give you some news very soon.
XOXO
Christophe
I really want to say to people in France to stop wining about the cold weather, I'm in Chicago and the cold here is a bitch.
Everything is great, I'm with Ornella that came to visit for the weekend so I can't stay long but I will give you some news very soon.
XOXO
Christophe
Wednesday, November 05, 2003 9:54 PM
Hi there!
Here's some news of the little Chicagoan.
Here everything is great. I'm living my new life happily. Today is my 2ND day off and I'm kinda bored...I guess I really like working.
With Sandrine ( my friend and roommate: we met in Florida) things are doing fine, little by little we are furnishing the apartment starting by the most important: the kitchen. 2 days ago I cooked one of my favorite dish: "Alsatian sauerkraut". Or more like Polish/German sauerkraut. I didn't find anything else but polish sausages.But whatever it's always better than a Big Mac right?
Near by we have a cool store with a pretty name: " Treasure Island" and so it is! I found real Dijon mustard from Dijon, Greek yogurt, French baguette that taste like French baguette etc...My little Pandora box, and not that expensive!
I'm starting to meet more and more people. Well I spend most of my days at Starbucks coffee on Michigan Av around 1H15Pm so of course I see the same people over and over again.
I'm always amazed how people are friendly here.Yesterday I was walking by Marshall field and a guy stopped me..I thought I was gonna get mugged or something, but no. He just asked me if I was from NYC, cause I was wearing a NYPD T-shirt...after a few minutes I found myself telling him my story and him trying to talk to me in French.French seems to be the language adopted by the gays somehow..Anyway we exchanged phone numbers and told each other to go get a coffee soon.And all of this happened withing 10 minutes.
Last week a young girl stopped me in the street and told me she loved my style and wanted to take a picture of me for her art project..of course I couldn't refuse.
The week after I see her again when I was about to go get my coffee of the day, she showed me the picture she took...I thought: Not so bad after all!
So how about you guys? How are you all doing? Most of the people I'm writing to don't even live in Florida anymore.
So you that is back to France and is thinking about the easiest way to kill yourself cause you're so bored, well good luck. And for the ones that still in Orlando, keep on living the dream, the Sex-parties, the argument with the roommates, winning about how English and Mexican people tip like shit. Keep on the very low motivation for work but high excitement for the swimming pool. Have fun taking the " Dynamiques" bus with the retarded drivers that takes you everywhere in the Mickey kingdom. But most of all keep on showing your Disney Id everywhere you go like you're just a number with a picture.
I miss you guys a lot. Live your life like you're gonna die tomorrow that is now my saying.
XOXO
Christophe
Here's some news of the little Chicagoan.
Here everything is great. I'm living my new life happily. Today is my 2ND day off and I'm kinda bored...I guess I really like working.
With Sandrine ( my friend and roommate: we met in Florida) things are doing fine, little by little we are furnishing the apartment starting by the most important: the kitchen. 2 days ago I cooked one of my favorite dish: "Alsatian sauerkraut". Or more like Polish/German sauerkraut. I didn't find anything else but polish sausages.But whatever it's always better than a Big Mac right?
Near by we have a cool store with a pretty name: " Treasure Island" and so it is! I found real Dijon mustard from Dijon, Greek yogurt, French baguette that taste like French baguette etc...My little Pandora box, and not that expensive!
I'm starting to meet more and more people. Well I spend most of my days at Starbucks coffee on Michigan Av around 1H15Pm so of course I see the same people over and over again.
I'm always amazed how people are friendly here.Yesterday I was walking by Marshall field and a guy stopped me..I thought I was gonna get mugged or something, but no. He just asked me if I was from NYC, cause I was wearing a NYPD T-shirt...after a few minutes I found myself telling him my story and him trying to talk to me in French.French seems to be the language adopted by the gays somehow..Anyway we exchanged phone numbers and told each other to go get a coffee soon.And all of this happened withing 10 minutes.
Last week a young girl stopped me in the street and told me she loved my style and wanted to take a picture of me for her art project..of course I couldn't refuse.
The week after I see her again when I was about to go get my coffee of the day, she showed me the picture she took...I thought: Not so bad after all!
So how about you guys? How are you all doing? Most of the people I'm writing to don't even live in Florida anymore.
So you that is back to France and is thinking about the easiest way to kill yourself cause you're so bored, well good luck. And for the ones that still in Orlando, keep on living the dream, the Sex-parties, the argument with the roommates, winning about how English and Mexican people tip like shit. Keep on the very low motivation for work but high excitement for the swimming pool. Have fun taking the " Dynamiques" bus with the retarded drivers that takes you everywhere in the Mickey kingdom. But most of all keep on showing your Disney Id everywhere you go like you're just a number with a picture.
I miss you guys a lot. Live your life like you're gonna die tomorrow that is now my saying.
XOXO
Christophe
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2003 6:41 PM
Hi Everyone
So I keep on writing what some of you now call " The Chicago Chronicles".I apologize to all of you that are fed up to read my " Novels" but I like writing so suck it up.
Today Thursday, November 13Th it's exactly 10:49 AM and I'm at a Internet cafe by the Intercontinental. The outside temperature is about 32 degrees.Winter has come but if it was only that it would be fine...
Indeed, a few days ago it came during the night, it covers the window's frames, the sidewalks, the roofs..2 years that I haven't seen "IT": 2 years I haven't touch that cold and powdered texture.
The snow fell on the night of Monday and I was thrilled to see it.
As I recall it didn't really snow in Orlando..
the fashion has suddenly changed. Everybody is starting to wear their most beautiful coats. Michigan Avenue looks now like a gigantic runway showing off the most prestigious designers in the world. Even the trees are wearing a "blanket" of Christmas lights which gives a real charm to the city.
Something that I've noticed was that right after Halloween the pumpkins were then transform not into coaches but into Christmas trees, and all the departments store already showcase their best collections.
In a couples of days, it's Thanksgiving. The restaurant is closed so I'll be celebrating with Maryline ( from Florida) and Sandrine.We, I believe, are invited by a friend from work, If he still remembers cause it's been 3 days since we saw him... I just hope there will be no turkey for dinner.( I know it's Thanksgiving).
Maryline which I met while working in Orlando, joined us yesterday. She had some little issues with the immigrations but arrive safe and sound after all.It's now time to reorganize our everyday tasks: " Who is going to pay the rent and how much?", " Who is going to buy groceries?", "How do we organize the cleaning of the place?".. Well that is far away from the mess I lived in with my roommates from Orlando!And I really don't miss that at all.
Day by day my mood is improving, I feel more and more enthusiastic. I'm starting to plan a future here in Chicago even though I can get kicked out of the country anytime.but I really see myself living in a big apartment by the lake with a big bed, so big that my whole family can sleep on it.A kitchen that is functional, cause I love to cook!!! A dog and who knows but why not a husband.
Well I have big dreams...
What am I going to do today?? Go see my " friends" at Starbucks? Oh I know!! Spa Day!!! and then shopping!Oh my god I'm so gay...
And then I'll go see a movie there is some really good ones lately. And tonight I'll go to boystown and have a cocktail surrounded by handsome guys not like in Orlando.
Alright for those who wants to reach me here's my phone number: 312 951 7206.
There is a voice mail so don't hesitate to leave a message.
Kiss you all!
XOXO
Regards, Christophe
PS: If you decide to come around here you're welcome at my place!
So I keep on writing what some of you now call " The Chicago Chronicles".I apologize to all of you that are fed up to read my " Novels" but I like writing so suck it up.
Today Thursday, November 13Th it's exactly 10:49 AM and I'm at a Internet cafe by the Intercontinental. The outside temperature is about 32 degrees.Winter has come but if it was only that it would be fine...
Indeed, a few days ago it came during the night, it covers the window's frames, the sidewalks, the roofs..2 years that I haven't seen "IT": 2 years I haven't touch that cold and powdered texture.
The snow fell on the night of Monday and I was thrilled to see it.
As I recall it didn't really snow in Orlando..
the fashion has suddenly changed. Everybody is starting to wear their most beautiful coats. Michigan Avenue looks now like a gigantic runway showing off the most prestigious designers in the world. Even the trees are wearing a "blanket" of Christmas lights which gives a real charm to the city.
Something that I've noticed was that right after Halloween the pumpkins were then transform not into coaches but into Christmas trees, and all the departments store already showcase their best collections.
In a couples of days, it's Thanksgiving. The restaurant is closed so I'll be celebrating with Maryline ( from Florida) and Sandrine.We, I believe, are invited by a friend from work, If he still remembers cause it's been 3 days since we saw him... I just hope there will be no turkey for dinner.( I know it's Thanksgiving).
Maryline which I met while working in Orlando, joined us yesterday. She had some little issues with the immigrations but arrive safe and sound after all.It's now time to reorganize our everyday tasks: " Who is going to pay the rent and how much?", " Who is going to buy groceries?", "How do we organize the cleaning of the place?".. Well that is far away from the mess I lived in with my roommates from Orlando!And I really don't miss that at all.
Day by day my mood is improving, I feel more and more enthusiastic. I'm starting to plan a future here in Chicago even though I can get kicked out of the country anytime.but I really see myself living in a big apartment by the lake with a big bed, so big that my whole family can sleep on it.A kitchen that is functional, cause I love to cook!!! A dog and who knows but why not a husband.
Well I have big dreams...
What am I going to do today?? Go see my " friends" at Starbucks? Oh I know!! Spa Day!!! and then shopping!Oh my god I'm so gay...
And then I'll go see a movie there is some really good ones lately. And tonight I'll go to boystown and have a cocktail surrounded by handsome guys not like in Orlando.
Alright for those who wants to reach me here's my phone number: 312 951 7206.
There is a voice mail so don't hesitate to leave a message.
Kiss you all!
XOXO
Regards, Christophe
PS: If you decide to come around here you're welcome at my place!
Friday, November 21, 2008
Sent: Monday, November 24, 2003 9:13 PM
Chicago Chronicles part 3
Monday November 24Th 2003, it's 1.49Pm om Michigan AV. 27 degrees.
There are days when you wake up in the morning in such a good mood that it makes it hard to believe it can go wrong.
This weekend for instance. Generally 2 days long, but this one felt like eternity.
Saturday, November 22ND, early start at 5Am. We had a co-worker (Chris), to drop off at the airport and in exchange he'll lent us his car for the weekend....( Are you for real?? French people would have never done that!!! I barely trust my mother..). So anyway that screamed ROAD TRIP!!!
Back home, first obstacle is parking.Chicago is an awesome city...to walk in.But a nigthmare if you have a car to park.The lack of parking and mostly the price of public parking ($27/day or $15/h) sounded outrageous to us. $15 here, $20 there, well that car cost us quite some money.
The gas also was insane!!! I really thought there was a leak somewhere, we spend 40 dollars in gas over the weekend. We didn't even leave Chicago.
Well we couldn't really...the day after having the car I've noticed it wasn't where I parked it.Some people called "Towing trucks company" were kind enough to move it a little further ( like 5 miles away) and park it for us in a $165/Day parking.How lovely...
And of course it would have been way too easy to just go , pay the fine and get the car back, Nope..since we were not the owners of the vehicle we couldn't. It was quite hard but after some negotiations we finally got the car and left it in our building parking till Chris comes back.
Back into the apartment we started notice a smell.Not like a burn smell or anything like that, more like a shit smell...The toilet was clogged and had overflowed.Charming.After that the bathroom has never been that clean!Now to resume we have a car we can't enjoy that cost us more than a week of car rent, and we have to go to the Starbucks next door if we wanna use the bathroom..Awesome.
Alright I'm just gonna go do some shopping, it's getting cold and I need a hat, I guess I'll go to H&M since I'm now broke.
I hope you guys had a better Weekend.
XOXO
Christophe
Monday November 24Th 2003, it's 1.49Pm om Michigan AV. 27 degrees.
There are days when you wake up in the morning in such a good mood that it makes it hard to believe it can go wrong.
This weekend for instance. Generally 2 days long, but this one felt like eternity.
Saturday, November 22ND, early start at 5Am. We had a co-worker (Chris), to drop off at the airport and in exchange he'll lent us his car for the weekend....( Are you for real?? French people would have never done that!!! I barely trust my mother..). So anyway that screamed ROAD TRIP!!!
Back home, first obstacle is parking.Chicago is an awesome city...to walk in.But a nigthmare if you have a car to park.The lack of parking and mostly the price of public parking ($27/day or $15/h) sounded outrageous to us. $15 here, $20 there, well that car cost us quite some money.
The gas also was insane!!! I really thought there was a leak somewhere, we spend 40 dollars in gas over the weekend. We didn't even leave Chicago.
Well we couldn't really...the day after having the car I've noticed it wasn't where I parked it.Some people called "Towing trucks company" were kind enough to move it a little further ( like 5 miles away) and park it for us in a $165/Day parking.How lovely...
And of course it would have been way too easy to just go , pay the fine and get the car back, Nope..since we were not the owners of the vehicle we couldn't. It was quite hard but after some negotiations we finally got the car and left it in our building parking till Chris comes back.
Back into the apartment we started notice a smell.Not like a burn smell or anything like that, more like a shit smell...The toilet was clogged and had overflowed.Charming.After that the bathroom has never been that clean!Now to resume we have a car we can't enjoy that cost us more than a week of car rent, and we have to go to the Starbucks next door if we wanna use the bathroom..Awesome.
Alright I'm just gonna go do some shopping, it's getting cold and I need a hat, I guess I'll go to H&M since I'm now broke.
I hope you guys had a better Weekend.
XOXO
Christophe
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