I have also been sick for the past week. I had just a stuffy nose at the beginning of the week, which turned into stuffy nose and sore throat, and now I also have a cough. I had to go to the Pharmacy to get some cough drops, that was an experience. I walked in and was looking around but I didn't see anything that looked like cough drops, which meant I had to ask the guy. Turns out they are behind the counter, kinda weird. So I told him (in french mind you) that I was sick in the throat and I needed some medicine. He understood but then asked me a question, which I did not. Turns out he was asking if I wanted spray or losanges but man did I feel like a fool staring at him with a blank face. They are not strong enough though. My roommate is sick too now and she got some that are better so at least next time (hopefully there is no next time!) I will have a specific brand to ask for.
I went to a giant flea market last Sunday. As you would expect quite a portion of it was junk, but there were some really cool pieces of antique furniture and glassware that made me wish I could ship it home. I did buy a watch which is silver and in the shape of a snake.
Next week I have to wrap up my visa stuff too. Turns out I still would be illegal in this country if I don't send in more paperwork. They need two more copies of my passport and visa, a housing statement from school along with an old electricity bill, a picture (which I now have to find somewhere to take one), and the original form I had stamped in Chicago. Oh and here is the best part...I get to spend 55 euro to have a medical exam that I don't want or need. Can't wait for that fun day. They better not take any blood!
School here is actually way more difficult than I thought it would be. It's not necessarily that the material is hard, it's just trying to find a balance with it all. Teachers here are a little more critical and vague with what they want in assignments. I want to do good in classes, yet I want to have friends, and I want to see Paris, and I want to lounge around. I don't know it's just different I guess..
Did I tell ya'll that I won a french phrase book from CEA? I haven't used it much but hey it's free. I also won two tickets to see a show at the Opera next weekend, but I can't go because I already booked Oktoberfest. That is quite disappointing but I will just have to try and get a cheap student ticket sometime.
Food: I went to a restaurant from the Rick Steves travel book. It was so delicious! I had this pastry stuffed with chicken and mashed potatoes. Then a chocolate cake to die for. I also had Dominoes that week, delicious bbq pizza but not something I'm too proud to talk about. AND I had McDonalds, which is almost better over here since it is not as salty and greasy. For my french class we went to a boulangerie where I got to help the guy crack and egg into the bowl! No shells...I think. Then at the end he let us eat what we made, this chocolate cake which was so much more than that. It tasted like a mix between cake, brownies, and mousse. That too was just too delicious. Good thing I don't remember what street it was on. ;) Today I went to the cafe Les Deux Moulins, which is from the famous french movie Amelie. It was so cute, and bigger than in the movie. I had a cheeseburger which was just good, not great. I also had Indian food! Granted it was a little bit spicy, but it was still really great. On the TV in that restaurant some old Bollywood clips were playing, so cute! I had this chicken mess, spinach dip with garlic bread, and lamb with rice.
I have been trying to find a country bar to go out to, but guess what...the french don't listen to country music. Bummer huh. No Toby Keith's I Love This Bar in sight.
I have also been trying to find some websites to watch tv shows from. I know I won't be able to keep up like I could in the states, but it would be nice to have two shows to watch when I am bored. In France you cannot stream from abc.com or hulu.com. Basically you are left with no choice but to try and find some copyrighted illegal website...or pay $3 to watch an episode on iTunes (not happening).
Last week my payment to CEA went through. That one hurt big time.
I will end this with some good news. I will be traveling to London over Halloween break, and then that Monday traveling up to Belfast Ireland for the day to see a Lady GaGa concert. I also will be traveling to Italy during my November fall break. We just bought our plane tickets online and wait for this... 10 euro!! So amazing. But we can only take a backpack on both trips because we will be staying in hostels and I don'y trust my stuff in there and we will be constantly moving from city to city.
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