Re-bienvenue en France !

Bonjour from Paris, everyone! I arrived Wednesday afternoon, and after a couple of hours in the airport, hassling the employees to stamp my passport (to no avail), I am officially in Paris.

I forget that the French can be kind in their own way. I think my experience was definitely skewed the first time around because I did have so many American friends with me. There is a specific kindness to American English; for example, hardly anyone says, "Have a nice day", and those that do would more likely say "bonne journée", the meaning of which is more akin to "Good day to you", which definitely doesn't have the same ring to it!

Anyway, the kindness I experienced while lugging my nearly 130 lbs of luggage up and down so many flights of stairs to and from all two of my metro transfers (though maybe more out of pity than anything else) was stunning. I never had to carry all of my luggage up or down the 15 or so flights of stairs that I experienced on my way to chez Alexis and Hannah. People were very kind, though I did take particular note of one guy, who, when he asked me which way I was going up out of the metro station and I didn't reply the one he needed, he gave me this look of disgusted incredulity that I can only express as lovingly familiar. It almost felt like home.

On another note, I can't even imagine having impaired mobility in this city. Those stairs really did me in, and my legs (and arms) are still howling. Though that was probably also from the 6 flights of stairs at Hannah and Alexis' apartment, too. No elevator. Awesome. =D

It is so good to be around Hannah and Alexis! My first night in, Hannah and some friends and I went out for an apéro of a very sweet-tasting beer-type drink down the block, and it was super fun to be alternating between Spanish and French and English again. Afterwards, we got back to the apartment and watched funny youtube videos and made delicious vegetarian carbonara. I fell asleep probably around 10:30 pm and woke up at what I thought was 9:00 am. I had looked at my laptop clock, but realized that it was still on New York time. Boy, was I surprised upon learning that I actually woke up at 3:00 pm! I know that I often sleep more than most, but those nearly 17 hours were exactly what I needed to jump-start my recovery from jet lag. Here's hoping it's gone for good!

Yesterday, we made spinach and goat cheese feuilletés, which were so good, but even better with the Sancerre wine that accompanied it (I thought of you, Chrissy!). Wow. Best white wine EVER. I'm not often fond of whites, but this changed my life forever. Just, wow.

Today, I'm off to my old stomping grounds. Going to see if I can figure out my old cell phone chez Bouygues, headed to Reid Hall to say hi to my junior Smithies abroad, and then making my famous petits gâteaux americains for dinner at my host family's house tonight! I am quite excited to be back.

Holy merde.

Remember that time that I had metro troubles this afternoon?

DOES NOT COMPARE with metro troubles this evening.


I was already running late for meeting up with Rebecca, Rachel, Hannah, and Abby when I ran to the metro station. I made it to the metro station, but I JUST missed the train. I waited another 5 minutes for the next one and felt like crap because I was already late. I got onto the metro and waited for my stop. We were only 3 stops into the trip, when the lights went off completely.

We halted to a complete stop. The lights came back on.

After a couple minutes of waiting without moving, the conductor came on the speakers. What I caught in my shock was that someone had been in front of the train and they were under the impression that he was paralyzed. I called Hannah and told her what I had heard, including that they were waiting for the "papers" to arrive (apparently, he had said "pompiers" and not "papiers". I always thought that "pompiers" were firefighters, but I guess they deal with those things, too).

I was stuck on the metro for 45 minutes. 45 minutes of silence on my part, because I didn't really want to talk to anyone. I was pretty shaken, especially compared to everyone else, who were laughing and talking since the initial announcement. There was hardly any remorse. I wanted to reach out to someone who felt equally shaken, but it seemed that everyone was just like "yeah, whatever, this happens all the time". Which I guess it does happen with some frequency here.

On the plus side, we started moving again finally, and I got to meet up with my friends in the 6eme arrondissement at Chai de l'Abbaye. Rachel and Rebecca were already ready to hit the road after having had their beverages. I ordered a hot chocolate with Bailey's (c'mon, I totes deserved it). I sat and talked with Hannah and Abby. Mostly about the "diabeetus" guy. It was hilarious. It was really nice to speak in English with them after struggling in French all day.

We headed out in our separate directions. We're becoming professional French kissers (oh lalalala!). We do the "biz" (the double cheek kiss) when we leave now. We almost look French! It is neat.

I got on the metro until Montparnasse. I got off and had to get all the way to the other end of the station to get my train. They have those moving walkways like at the airport. I had to wade through 6 guys sitting on the moving armrest. One had a guitar, and all the rest were just singing "Svweeeeet Hooooooome Ahhhlaaawwwbaaahhhmuhhhhh!" It was hilarious. I laughed out loud. Mostly alcohol-induced, I imagine. But hilarious nonetheless. I probably would've done the same laugh even if I didn't have an ounce of Bailey's in my system.



Okay. I am washed. Pajamas, then BED. Bonne nuit!

Le festin est sur mon chemin.

Attention! New banner! I made it! It is not very good. I wish I knew more HTML.

The first picture is from my host sister. She made it for me. It says "Bienvenue", which means "Welcome".


This weekend has been awesome. Yesterday, for Abby's birthday, Hannah and I went over to her host mother's apartment to have dinner with her and fêter (celebrate). It was wonderful. We drank champagne and talked about everything, and it was absolutely adorable. Afterward, we walked to the cinéma next to Hannah's apartment and saw "Metropolis". It was very interesting. Also, trippy. I can't even explain it. I don't have the willpower. But it was fun to watch and very neat to experience my first film in France being silent and from Germany.

I will post pictures. My next post will be all pictures, I think.


Today, Abby, Hannah, Rachel, Rebecca, and I walked from Reid Hall to Ile St Louis and all around. It was gorgeous. I just had some problems getting to Reid because the metro stopped before my stop. There was some problem at the Montparnasse stop, so I had to take an hour trip through 3 lines. It was crazy. I was quite impressed at my finesse and ability to not get lost!

We strolled around looking for this really good ice cream place called "Bertillon", but they had an ENORMOUS line. We went to the one next to it. I had nougat ice cream. SO GOOD.

And now I'm off to find a club in this town! Good night, world!

Things have changed for me! But that's okay. I feel the same. I'm on my way...

I've been watching this video like it's my job.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XBE49k3zzM

Her cover videos and my pile of peanut butter that I brought with me have been satisfying my needs for American/English-speaking things. Though there's a lot of English around here.

I feel sad when people try to speak to us in English! I try in French, and I don't even use any English words, but they always know that I'm American! It discourages me a little bit, but I haven't broken my pact yet. Every French person I've talked to, I've spoken French to, or waited until the French explanation of what I meant to say popped into my head. I have been letting myself be more lenient around the other Smithies though. I've found that there are three types of Smith JYA Paris students.

They are the following:
1. Pretends to know what's going on in class and muddles through French conversation only with the Smith administration, until it's time to leave the classroom and it's English all the way.
2. Generally directly translates from English to French without adhering to French conversation rules. These are the folk who don't know what I'm saying when I try to speak like a French person, and I instead need to refrain from any colloquial language and speak more slowly.
3. Speaks and tries to think in French all the time, and only breaks from French to complain to others about our director.

^ That last one is me (among others, who are the ones I'm closest to in the program). I just don't get a good vibe from him.

My host mom isn't here tonight, so my host dad, sister, and I are left to fend for ourselves dinner-wise. We usually eat in a half hour, so I'm going to go outside after I finish posting this to see if I can help with dinner.

Right now, I hear classical music outside my door. Before, I heard dad and sister next door playing something on the computer. I kept hearing "Strike!" I'll have to ask her later what she was playing.

About my family:
Host dad:
Is adorable. I feel that he's awkward like me, which makes our interactions easier to understand. However, I always feel like we're never really done with our conversations when one of us leaves awkwardly. I learned from him "Beuh.. ben, voila." I expect to perfect this phrase before I leave.

Host mom:
She's about half my height and reminds me of every cute mom I've ever known. She always makes sure that I tell her when I need something, and she wants me to feel like a part of the family. She makes THE best food ever.

Host sister:
She's 10 years old and really bitty. I always hear her through the house, which I like. She is super-witty and makes me laugh out loud quite often. I usually ask her about the words I don't know. Yesterday, when I asked her what "moquette" meant, she grabbed my hand and we ran to her room. She showed me the carpet on the floor, since that was the easiest way for her to explain it. Now, she's playing one of her father's dozen recorders.

That's what else I love! There's always music in the house. They all sing wonderfully, and they know their "do my sol"s by heart. My host sister plays the cello and the recorder. Yesterday, she and her dad played a beautiful duet. It was THE cutest thing I've seen in a long time.



It should be about time for dinner, so until next time!


FUN FACT OF THE DAY: The metro in Paris doesn't have all of the doors automatically open at stops like in New York. If you want the doors to open, you have to push down on a little lever on the door!