A week in Paris already!

After orientation week, we finally got to move into our permanent foyers. Mine definitely takes some getting used to because it is not similar at all to dorms/life in the U.S. The foyer is pretty old fashioned without an elevator-which meant me lugging my 50 pound suitcases up 4 flights of stairs. Also, ALL of the lights are on timers so that if you want a light to stay on for more than 2 minutes, you have to press it constantly (the same goes for the showers here). This is a definite change from the U.S. where we indulge in lights whenever we want them and forever how long we want them. I'm adjusting though and I'm realized how much electricity/water is saved by these European methods. Also, no one in my dorm (besides Alyssa and I) speak English. It's actually not common for a lot of people to know/speak English here so we've been practicing our French quite a lot. But sometimes there's definite language barriers that are hard to get around. 

This past weekend, a group of us went out to check out the night life. VERY FUN. The clubs are all massive and there are always lines to get in. However, at most places, girls don't have to pay cover, which is nice but drinks are EXPENSIVE. Vodka & anything runs around 10 euro here so it's not a great idea to go out looking to buy a lot of drinks. We've also been going to a lot of smaller cafes and hanging out for awhile and then jumping on the last metro home.

Yesterday, was the FIRST day that I didn't get lost on the metro or take a wrong train. It's been a struggle but I'm close to conquering the extremely confusing Paris metro system. To get to school, it's only about a 25 minute trek but it includes 3 different metro stations and 2 transfers. We've learned to hustle through the metro in order to catch all of the trains at the right times and also that French people do not like lines, so if you want on the metro, you just have to push your way through like everyone else. 

Classes began yesterday and my first class was a 3 hour long French History class.....taught ALL in French. It was a bit hard at first but I think that I'll get used to it in time. Today I had "Romanticisme" which is all about the European Romanticisme period and includes a trip to a different museum (except we go to the Louvre about 10 times) once a week. It seems really interesting and I'm excited to learn some Art History while here. 

I am also taking French Theatre, Phonetics, and Panorama of French Literature. All are taught in French so we shall see how easy/hard those are later this week. 

I'm going to attempt to use the very old washing machines here to do laundry tonight and then wake up early for class and a few metro rides to explore Paris more! Today was beautiful out and we bought paninis and ate in Les Jardins Luxembourg for an hour or so and then ventured over to the Pantheon. There is definitely A LOT to see and do in Paris at all times! 

Alyssa and I with our new French boyfriend.