Le 15 Février 2009

Yesterday, I went to Napoleon’s tomb with some friends. Les Invalides is beautiful. Today, I went to the Gainsbourg exhibit to do my homework. The exhibit was dark and smoky; and with his music playing in the background it made me feel like I was in a 1950s New York bar in a black and white film. We had to answer questions about his music and photographs. Then I went to a restaurant with friends.

Le 12 Février 2009

I bought three French Cd’s from Gibert Joseph. They only cost 20 euros. Last night I went to a ballet at the Opera house. It was amazing. The second act, a love story, was my favorite but I loved all of it. The first one was a very classic style ballet, all the dancers wore white and black and it was full of complex formations. The last one was a very modern form of dance which was inspired by the music. The classical architecture of La Maison D’Opera is incredible. It was absolutely beautiful. Today after class I went exploring and came across L’Eglise de St. Sulpice. It was enormous and breathtaking. There are even catacombs under it.

Le 7 Février 2009

Today we had a homework assignment to go to la Musée Carnavalet and answer questions about the paintings there. We had a learning experience on the metro. We had to switch three times but two times we took the right metro line the wrong way and had to get off and switch. Now we know how to make sure we are taking the metro in the right direction. I had a delicious chocolate crêpe for lunch. My host mom is picking me up tomorrow morning. I am very nervous and excited to meet her. Hopefully we will get along well. Her last name is Tremblais Vignalou. She has two boys and a daughter. She also has a dog named Bakoudi and a cat.

Le 3 Février 2009

I got my Carte Navigo this morning so I can take the metro all over Paris! I had two 2 hour classes where I learned how to order food the right way. This came in handy when I got my sandwich for lunch. Then we took a historic walking tour across the city mainly focusing on the Marais district. It was amazing until the sun went down and it dropped to below freezing. I saw Notre Dame, the square where Marie Antoinette was killed and the prison she was kept in, Victor Hugo’s house, a few gardens, some beautiful houses from the 14th century, and lots of statues. Contrary to what is said, the French people I have met so far, for the most part have been extremely nice. The clerk reminded me to take the pens I just bought when I almost forgot them. Several men helped Anna and me with our luggage during the RER excursion. One random woman we met at the RER station even joked about how mean French people are; they love to joke. As long as you are polite they will be too.

Le 2 Février 2009

For my introduction to Paris, last night, a big group of us went to the Eiffel Tower. Looking up at it gave me a vertigo feeling. This could also be due to the intense jet lag I am still experiencing. It had snowed this morning. It was only ½ an inch and it melted by noon but it doesn’t snow often in Paris so everyone was amazed. I had my first Explorations in France orientation class. It was all in French. Then I bought three books and two pens for my classes at Gibert Joseph, a bookstore with seven floors.

Le 1 Février 2009

I met with Anna in Chicago and got here safely. The RER was ridiculous. Anna and I traveled from the Charles Degaulle Airport to the hostel in 20 foot increments, literally (minus the metro time). There were also lots of stairs. I am already sore. Anyway, I like the people in the program so far. Some of us went and had lunch (pizza) in Cafe Jaques, a cute little cafe very close to the hostel. The hostel is really nice. It is a modern looking hotel, more or less. We are sharing four to a room. The other three girls in my room are all from Elon too.