Alumnus by the way, is the singular for Alumni, apparently VIF insisted they use the correct terms when describing past teachers in the program.  I didn’t give a crap, I just called ‘em old hands but she went on about being an ‘Alumnus’ who knew her way around well.  She was very finicky about what she wanted and I was quite happy to defer to her, when it came to which flat.  I was basically happy anywhere that had a roof.  We ended up finding a really quiet place late in the afternoon, but the landlords only took cheques or money orders so we had to return with one the following day.  We filled out the applications, (more forms), then I nonchalantly asked the landlady, “What if someone turns up with a cheque book and writes one on the spot, will you give it to them?” and she hesitated to answer so…we figured that they were indicating that they were mercenaries just like anyone else and they’d give it to whoever paid first.

          At the next morning we were waiting when they opened, and paid by check and that was that, we had it.  Notice I said check the second time and not cheque as it is really spelled.  Yes our hosts have their own quaint spelling of this word.  Next I had to get a hold of a car.  I mean I had to own a car as I was just hiring the onw I was driving and had paid two weeks worth of rent up front. I couldn’t see myself buying a car for the pittance that I had left over at this stage, but you never know, Tyson’s Corner was the word for cars, must be a corner where there are car yards.