Misc

Today was the first day of classes. They are going well so far and I can understand teachers’ accents for the most part. My fashion classes are going to be so amazing though! French is blah but necessary. Yesterday I visited a bird/flower market, inside Notre Dame and the Sacre Coeur. I’m not sure how much a hamster costs in the United States but here I saw some for 5 Euro which seems pretty cheap. The Sacre Coeur and Notre Dame were both so beautiful. The stained glass is nothing like what we have in our own little churches obviously. Mass was taking place in Sacre Coeur though so I wasn’t allowed to take any pictures, even after the hard work of 300 stairs.

I have also learned that people sure do like to push your buttons to try and make you buy things. Even if you say no that eggs them on because now they have your attention. No wonder the French always keep a blank face. OH! I did buy the September issue of French Vogue. No way I was passing that opportunity up.

I have had a few of the “must haves” foods, and I liked them all except for the croque-monsieur unexpectedly. I think I might have just had a bad one though. I also had a nutella banana crepe (addicted), a ham and cheese crepe, pain au chocolat (chocolate filled bread), Laduree macaroons, a chardonnay wine and a rose Cote de Provence wine I believe.

I have a pet here now too, a stray cat. His name is Jean-Claude because that’s my favorite French name. I always catch him up on the ledge of our window peering in at me. I don’t feed him though, because that’s just a bad idea. He is doing fine himself anyways. Today I saw him being sneaky while hunting a pigeon.

Giverny

Yesterday my roommates and I took a day trip to Giverny, France. It is where Monet’s home and garden with the famous lily pond are, along with a Museum of Impressionism. It was very beautiful, and Monet did all his own landscaping. Inside his house there were a few shelves of books about horticulture and gardens. His home was quite large too. I think he was well off before he became a famous artist though. We took a train to get there and it wasn’t too hard to use. We just didn’t know how to self validate our ticket with the machine. The worst part was the bike ride from Toulon (the train station) to Giverny, a 30 min bike ride away. From the start I did not want to take the bikes because they were more expensive than the bus and there was a greater chance of getting lost. However, I was outvoted so we took them and ended up getting lost for an hour. It was really frustrating because they gave us a bad map and all the street signs in France are small and up high on the building if there is even one at all. We asked a few town people for directions who actually told us the correct way, we just couldn’t wrap our tiny brains around it. Eventually we got there and everything was fine again. Here is a few pictures of the place.

Then last night I did my first Bus2Alps event, a pub crawl. We went to 4 bars near the Moulin Rouge and a nightclub on the Champs Elysees. They had specials for us crawlers at each bar, like a 5 Euro beer or mixed drink and a free shot. The French don’t drink like the Americans do (which is a good thing), so it definitely got some attention when there were 50 loud people waiting in the Metro stop singing Ole Ole Ole. The fancy club that we went to wasn’t that special though. The drinks were 12 Euro ($17) and nobody was dancing. I had more fun at the regular bars with music. It was funny though because before we got there the leaders gathered everyone up and said put on your poker face or you are not getting in, which really just made people start singing Lady GaGa. There were a lot of people that were not even from my CEA group. Many students were from the U.K. and a there were a few backpackers. It was a fun event though, and I think it helped strengthen the friendships I’ve made so far.  Dancing on the big air vent was fun too.  Man do my feet hurt from those heels...

First impressions don't mean everything..

Okay, so I have made it. I was sad the first day but I am getting better.  The flight was gross, and of course I packed too much.  American Airline made me pay $50 for a second bag, $150 for a third bag, and $50 because it was overweight.  Safe to say never making that mistake again.  While I was waiting for my flight to Chicago the gate was changed, and there wasn’t even an announcement so good thing I noticed the message on the screen. Also, as I was getting ready to leave the plane I noticed my passport was missing from my bag and we hadn’t even landed in France. At first I was sitting next to the only fat guy from France I swear haha (just kidding that was mean) and then after I got back from the bathroom the first time he had switched seats with this little kid. I have heard about how adults use children to pickpocket from you, so initially my mind went to this little kid. I couldn’t tell if he had it or not, but I really did check my bags multiple times to double check. Finally when people were starting to get off the plane I asked the other guy sitting next to the kid if he had seen anyone around my bags, he said no. He asked what I lost, I told him my passport and he gave me a look like “haha bummer... good luck with that one lady”. Then he said have you looked under your seat, so I did and voila there it was. I felt bad for immediately suspecting them but I couldn’t help myself. All I know is that was not a good feeling, and I never want to have it again. Then First impressions: the streets are a little dirty, they like to take their time eating, there is lots of smoke, and people drive way too fast and close to each other.  I’m pretty sure I got the shaft with the apartment situation. I mean that is just what it feels like. I know that many apartments in Paris are smaller and much older. It is very small and up in the boonies away from everyone.

I have met a few people so far, hopefully they turn into good friendships. Despite all that, it is such a beautiful city! I went on a bus tour of Paris so I didn’t really get to take quality pictures yet but I still did some through the window. Below is a picture of me in front of the Eiffel Tower, we did get to stop there for 5 minutes. Unfortunately the weather wasn't top notch.  The weather has been kind of weird.  It says 70 degrees when I check online, and the first day it was a cold 70 and today it was a hot 70.  I have mastered the Metro though! It really isn’t that hard to use, you just have to pay attention. Now I need to buy a monthly pass.  The orientation is going pretty well too. It is a little boring listening to the bucket loads of information they have, but it is quite handy especially the stuff they have said about safety. Basically, you just have to blend in and walk with purpose. There are two totally different Paris’, day and night. I sure do wish I brushed up on my French a little more, because guess what… they speak French. I went to 2 cafes so far and was able to at least order in French. Luckily my roommate is fairly good at making conversation. I ordered un croque monsieur and un lemonade (like sprite), and this quiche ham thing and sugar crêpes. Très bien! I also went to this restaurant and had pizza, salad, and chocolate mousse for only 10 euros. My roommates and I made dinner together tonight, lemon chicken with an onion sauce and butter noodles. Not too bad for being amateur chefs.

Well I think this is long enough for today… à demain! (until tomorrow)

The longest journey begins with a single step.

Leaving Fairmont today.  I can't believe how fast the summer went.  It goes quicker every time, crazy!  I finished all my packing yesterday, holy cow that was a process just like I predicted.  I had to buy a new suitcase and would you believe it was too big sizewise for airport restrictions, so I had to return that and get another.  Then my suitcase was a bulging 72 pounds, a little over the weight limit. Second suitcase still wasn't enough space, so now I have a third one which I will somehow have to roll with me, probably by my teeth. I used spacebags and they work pretty good, but lo and behold I found all my prettier sweaters in a college box in the basement so I had to save the packing drama for another day.  I had to wittle my stuff down a lot so thankfully mama helped with those decisions.  It is a good thing I started the process 3 days before I had to leave.  Damn fashion capital...

Looks like I will need some retail therapy in Paris.  ;)

Here is my bro trying to help with attempt #1.

$$$

This is what Euros look like. They feel much more delicate than a US dollar.

Busy Little Bee

Holy cow I am sooo busy!  This week I have to make my little cheat sheets with important numbers and contacts, buy some euros from the bank, call credit card companies and notify them that I am leaving, finish working at Hy-Vee, hopefully receive my international cell phone, register my housing with the state as soon as I receive my housing assignment and course list from CEA, and (shriek) start picking out clothes to bring.  Maybe I will even try fitting in a little study time for french.  Oh and let me tell you this, my hair right now is quite atrocious.  It can't be called brown or blonde, it's just blah.  Thank goodness I get it done this week. 

Two weeks left but it seems like there is still not enough time.  I lay in bed at night and my mind races.  Oh well, I can sleep when I'm dead.