I arrived on Monday the 29th with my German host family graciously moving me into my humble abode.
Salome and I in Paris!
L'Arc de Triomphe!
I spy with my little eye..something metal.
The grave marker of the great Jim Morrison.
“People fear death even more than pain. It's strange that they fear death. Life hurts a lot more than death. At the point of death, the pain is over. Yeah, I guess it is a friend...”--JM
A few new friends at a super swanky restaurant/hotel during an excursion to Chantilly, France. During this meal we had a 3 course lunch...ya know just saving room for the 4 course dinner we had later that night....
And here's where we stayed..
Just kidding. That's the castle in Chantilly, which we did in fact tour.
A picture from a scavenger hunt we did this week. Even though there are only 50 students in the program we represent 14 different countries. Here's just an example..
(L to R) Singapore, India, USA, USA, Canada, USA.
AND FINALLY... the pièce de résistance.......
My Dorm Room
I have my very own apartment in the 11th arrondissement of Paris, which once held the Bastille. It's more like an apartment since I don't have a room mate and many (lovely) French students live in the same complex as me. Unfortunately I'm at the skill level of a 14 month old French baby, so my go to sentence with Frenchies in the elevator is "Desole, je ne parle francais tres bien." and they go "Oh so you're one of the Americans? New York University, right?".
I might as well tattoo Uncle Sam on my forehead.
Anywho...
Ain't she a beaut?
My very own bathroom--or salle de bain.
My closet filled to the brim and photos mounted to the door.
Like in MTV's Cribs..everyone wants to know what's in the fridge. Well here ya go...Fanta, ice, and a lemon. The essentials.
Aside from stepping in dog poo the other day, I haven't had many bad experience so far in Paris (knock on wood) however I was quite horrified when I opened my suitcase and found...
THIS....
RHINO LOST HIS HORN.
This is what you get when you pack a wooden carving.
Final thoughts:
So far it just feels like summer camp. A fun trip, getting to know everyone, running around everyone's dorm rooms. But I know college will set in soon. Today was the 2nd day of intense French language boot camp, essentially. For the next week and a half, I have French class 4 hours a day, which is awesome and a bit overwhelming at the same time. My professor is fantastic though and I really am beginning to communicate en Francais.
Phrases of the Day:
Boulangerie--bakery. Literally you have no chance of surviving in France without knowing this word. And for .85 euro for a fresh more-than-foot-long baguette you will find most of your time is spent in one.
*Explicit Content Below*
Va te faire foutre!--Fuck off! This is essential for the subways--another place where you will spend a ridiculous amount of time. Just today my friend got a little more booty grabbing in the subway than ever appropriate. Feel free to spat this at anyone trying to put their fingers on your hot crossed buns.
Hope you found this enlightening and informative.
All my love,
Leah
