An American Girl in Paris (Part Deux)

There are no words....Commencer, my mom wanted me to fly with the group which I thought was a little ridiculous to pay $600 for an extra ticket, but as always mother is right ( or where money is concerned) Nevertheless, I agreed to fly to NY and stay at a hotel for a day the joined my group on the six hour flight the next day. Now for the young collegiate, the 18+ drinking age of Europe is very much an attraction of studying abroad. Since France is famous for its vin I was very excited to try some for the first time on the plane. But it was just not working for me, so I did immediately have the taste for it…yet. My first week in Paris we stayed at the FIAP, a very nice youth hostel in the 14th arrondissement. We did the usual trip to school/orientation meetings and discovered the city. I got a French telephone, which I hate because I have recharged it four times. International calls are killing me, but the perk is that incoming calls and texts (domestic and international) are free for me. Thank you SFR!!

I had to stay at the FIAP an extra two days because I made the unfortunate mistake of finding my own apartment (or should I say hole in the wall), which was not ready until the 20th. We’re not going there, but apparently my very safe neighborhood is très chic. I’m just ten minutes from campus, which means extra sleep time compared to my other comrades who were placed from 25 to 90 minutes away, who have to take the metro.

So in Abroad at Home we discovered that the best way to discover is to get off the beaten track. Although I visited the typical sites, the best way to discover Paris is to go in search of a good bar. Mes amis et moi did this every nite for about two weeks and thanks to bar hopping (and our French Insider, Louis) I pretty much know my way around Paris, at least enough to get around. And the subway (le metro) is way easier for me than it was in NY (and cleaner too!) Now it is true what they say you must develop a test for wine while in France. The first time I tried I hated it so much, I never thought I would try it again. But, I actually like it now…un vin rouge Bordeaux to be exact, but un Sauvignon is nice too. I have not fallen head over heels for the cheese though that might take a while. But my first love in Paris will forever more be bread and chocolated. Un viennois au chocolat is my ultimate weakness. Its like a baguette, but it has chocolate chips all throughout it. Its my typical breakfast choice, if I ever wake up in time to get to the Boulangerie. Finally, the people of France are very kind and willing to teach you, at least most of them. The guardian of my building and I had a fight two weeks ago, in which I’m pretty sure she cursed me out when I could not keep up with her French and she refused to speak English with me. I’m pretty sure she stalks me when I get back to the building because she’s always watching me get on the elevator. I really don’t know how she knows it’s me. The shopping has been fun. There are two weeks twice a year when Paris has this huge sales of up to 70% off. Of course, I took full advantage! Truly the food is amazing. What can I say, I love Paris…France.