Wales #2. Dodging puddles – and bullets.

I’ve always felt that a large part of whatever little charm I possess is my naïveté and underlying assumption that the people I meet are good people. It’s not something I’m ashamed of…but it’s not always something I’m proud of either because I end up looking like a fool.

Take yesterday for example.

I somehow found myself agreeing to a shady waitressing job, being assured that it’s normal in the UK for waitresses to receive 2 pounds under the minimum wage, cash in hand, and that I’d be the only one working there – along with the boss and his brother. It wasn’t until I got home (after accepting a MUCH more legit job elsewhere) and I talked to my friend Carrie-Anne who was like… 

‘erm…Elyse, that’s SO illegal’ 

that I realized they’d blatantly taken advantage of my foreigner status and naturally trusting personality.

'...oh yeeeeah'

When I told a friend about this he said to me that I needed to go re-watch ‘Taken’. And it’s true.

The first time I watched that movie I had to pause it and call for backup after the first 20 minutes. I was shaking so hard, was so traumatized… because that girl flouncing innocently around Europe was me, and my dad is awesome - but he's no Liam Neeson.

I'm not writing this story to have anyone worry about me btw. This blog has just become a space for stories about my life and inevitably the things I learn along the way. Yesterday was a wake up call because everything has been going so well here so far. It's honestly seemed like a dream land.

So yes. The bright side to the story is that I ended up getting a really awesome job at a pub in Cardiff, the ladies who own it are incredibly friendly and on top of all that, I'm probably going to be renting my own room by the end of next week within walking distance of one of my best friends. All this within 5 days after I gave myself a timeline/budget of 2 months to try to get myself settled over here. It's been amazing. My original plan wasn't even to stay in Wales but this is how it seems to be working out! I was meant to go to England but, when you think about it... what's so great about England anyway? I mean...really, only their flag's a big plus ;)