Well. This blog is an experiment, as I have no idea who will actually read it, but I guess it's partly for me anyway. So maybe keep that in mind? I don't know. Anyway, Paris!
Living in Paris has been something I've dreamed about for many a year, so this is really a dream come true. I've been here for about 2 days, and so far it has wildly surpassed all my expectations. I really don't know what it is about Paris, or why I and thousands of other people feel this way, but something in this city is like a drug. It definitely inhibits any receptors of, well, pretty much anything except for dopamine. At least that's what it feels like. I walk around the city and all I can feel is wonderment, inspiration, and an overwhelming sense of satisfaction. I feel as though this is where I am absolutely meant to be, without a doubt. Did I mention I've only been here for 2 days? I can't imagine how I'll feel in 2 months, but we'll just take that one step at a time.
I started my travels by spending 6 days in Galway with my wonderful boyfriend, which was very fun. Due to the, um, inclement weather (galeforce winds and plenty of rain), we spent the first 2 days pretty much entirely indoors. On Saturday, however, despite the continuing rain, we opted for a day trip by bus that stopped at the Aliwee Caves, the Cliffs of Moher, and a slightly ruined castle. It was by far the best way to see the area around Galway in the limited time I had there. I'd love to go back to Ireland (especially in the summer when there might be slightly less rain...) and see more of it, but I certainly got a taste. We went out the pubs one night, where we spent a lovely time listening to a cover band that was a lot of fun, as well as a rather drunk Irish man, who we could not understand in the slightest. For all we know, as we were relying on simply nodding and smiling whenever he spoke, we agreed to go home with him or something. Luckily nothing dire followed the "conversation". His companion for the evening was another, probably drunk, Irishman, but this one was very different. He was completely silent, but demonstrated perfectly that one can communicate quite well without saying a word. He even gave Erik and I a kiss before they left, so I feel like the luckiest girl ever. I think he liked us. It was a short trip, but filled with very interesting moments.
After having an extremely stressful couple days discovering that I would be paying about 3 times as much as I expected for my flight from Dublin to Paris, I arrived here. We stayed in a hotel the first night and I met my group from Madison. They seem like a great group, and I've already gotten to know a few of them quite well. I expect they will be a lot of fun, and I will make some good friends here. Our first night, 6 of us went out to dinner at La Beurre au Sale, a creperie near our hotel. It was recommended by someone at our program center, and it was wonderful!! It was the perfect combination of company, food, and laughter. Our very nice waiter convinced us that we had to have cider with our crepes, so we happily obliged, and it was a very good choice. France has good cider! I had a salmon crepe with creme fraiche, and then a salted caramel crepe for dessert. It was as delicious as it sounds!
We have been doing a lot of orientation, with bits of exploration of the city on our own. We don't start classes til next week, and this Saturday we have a boat ride on the Seine to look forward to, followed by a welcome lunch at a very nice restaurant.
Last night I moved into my accommodations for the semester. I chose to do the homestay option, in order to improve my French as much as possible. We didn't know until right before we met our family who they were, so we were all very excited to find out. I am living, like many people, in an apartment with an older single woman. Thats the drab description. Where I am actually living is in a huge, beautiful, old apartment building with a wonderfully sweet old madame who seems like a treat! The apartment is filled with what looks like beautiful old furniture from the 1800's, lots of fine paintings, and even a wall covered by an old tapestry. I feel like I'm living in a dumbed down, slightly more modern version of Versailles, though that may be a bit of an exaggeration... My bedroom, which I have to myself, has 2 beds, as well as 2 dressers and a desk. I share a bathroom with my other housemate, an 18 year old British girl who I haven't met yet as she is in London til Monday. I think I will be very happy here, especially once my French improves enough that I can understand more of what my Madame says. She speaks incredibly fast French to me, not slowing down at all. I can understand most of it, but I hope it improves soon. It will be nice to have one other English speaker in the house, just in case.
Soon classes will start, and it will be a whirlwind of even more new experiences. I am taking French, a French Literature class about the city of Paris, and an independent study about French words in English. I think all my classes are going to be fun and interesting, and the best part is that I only have class 2 days a week, Tuesday and Thursday! I hope this will help with travelling, as it will be much cheaper to travel on Thursday and Monday.
More as it comes in, but that was a not-so-brief introduction to my time here in Paris! Happy reading (for whoever does end up reading this).
HOMESTAY!!! SO JEALOUS!
ReplyDeleteI was in the dorm and probably didn't get the feel for British daily life. But I still had a blast!
Imma be your follower. Because I like reading travel blogs.
Just when I was going to write you out of our will (on account of the mess here) you write the most fabulous blog. I may have to reconsider If you keep this up,
ReplyDeletemum