Sedan, Sedan, Sedan

I know I keep apologizing for the lack of updates but it has been difficult here in Sedan-almost from day 1. Writing is difficult when you live in a depressing and desolate area. My window overlooks a factory and an elementary school and our kitchen/living room window overlooks the ZUP (the Zone Urbaniser en Priorité) which is the equivalent to public/social housing. The landscape is dull, the sky is constantly gray, there are no stars at night, and on most days on average there are 2 hours of sunlight. Sounds like a great little oasis in Eastern France?......If only I could say that. Sadly, I'm 100% sure that once this program is done, I will never return to this town again (unless for some odd reason I end up working on a show that tours in the Ardennes).

But, I've been growing more frustrated since returning from the Salon Du Vin and experiencing the amazing Parisian life. We have more than 1 Parisian friend, something we can't say here. Our only friend in this town is one of our neighbors, he is 27 and lives with his father and younger brother. The people here are very nice, but they do not speak proper French (let alone a word of English). Whenever we travel, everyone is sympathetic or scours when we tell them where we live and they respond with "I'm sorry, why do you live there?" Or, "I'm sorry, why don't you move?" 
This is why I haven't spoken much about Sedan since my arrival. It is almost exactly how I expected it to be, but for some reason I thought it would be tolerable. The only tolerable aspects of living here are my colleagues, neighbors, and 12 hour work week. Recently when attempting to describe Sedan to others in the Academy of Reims, someone had come up with the clever notion that Sedan is "the Detroit of France". Everyone laughed, but then the two of us American assistants actually thought about it, and yes, Sedan IS the "Detroit of France."

This is a panorama taken from the street corner where I live/work. I live in the building to the right of the lamppost 

Ever wonder where sedans came from? Well, they were invented right here in Sedan, France. Unfortunately since the recession hit France, the economy here has dwindled significantly. The Christmas lights (not even on every street in down town Sedan) stays on for less than 5 hours......what?!?!?! Why even have them up if they turn off after 9pm. There are more for sale signs than rented/owned space.

Taken on Armistice Day, Place Alsace-Lorraine

This is where all the delinquents hang out. 

Fun Fact: we have to pass this to get to the closest grocery store 

 Taken from the corner of our building

At least the trees are pretty in Autumn