Les Leçons de Paris

So tonight marks my second full day in Paris and it feels like it has been two weeks!  We have crammed SO much into each day, and added with the time change, jet lag, beginning information, etc., it has been extremely eventful. While I cannot convey everything that has happened in text form, I have decided to point out what this experience has taught me so far.

1. Iceland is properly named. Walking onto the tarmac was a shock to the system!

2. Airports aren't as scary as I used to believe. After navigating Iceland's airport along with the Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, I am feeling pretty good about my future traveling in August.

3. The birds in Paris are WAY too comfortable around humans. I do not like this.

4. While I am having a ton of fun, I actually have to do work here. This is not a vacation; it is more like various educational field trips of which I have to study and take a cumulative, overarching exam at the end. I knew this ahead of time, but it is now settling in as I grasp pamphlet after packet, trying to soak in as much knowledge about the landscapes we are visiting.

5. I am actually a lot more comfortable now with my French speaking ability than I was when I came to France in high school. Previously, I was extremely nervous to speak in French and very little did I take the chance to do so. But, even on the very first night I arrived, I began speaking French with Parisians. While I am at a loss for words many times and fail to conjugate things correctly, I am learning to become more confident with my knowledge. Also, I have found it really frustrating when I speak with Parisians in French and they just talk to me in English. Even when I continue to speak with them in French, most of them have none of it. Hopefully this changes when I am in La Rochelle!

6. The metro brings emotions of highs and lows. First off, we completely conquered the system within the very first day. In the afternoon, we ventured out on our own to visit the Eiffel Tower and so we had to figure out the metro right away. It was awesome! But, the metro is also somewhat bad at the same time. After instances of attempted robbery, a stolen wallet, a missing NaviGo pass, a near fist fight, and the feeling of warm bodies squished up against each other (none of which but the warm bodies actually happened to me personally, don't worry mom and dad!), the metro isn't necessarily our best friend. But it is convenient!

7. I really like Poutine (a Canadian dish made of gravy, fries, and chicken). Tonight we went to a Canadian bar in the middle of Paris called "The Moose" for a friend's birthday, and I decided to try the Poutine because of the influence of my Canadian (but kind've really Minnesotan) friend at Mankato. It was awesome. 

So, as one can tell, my experiences here have been really eye-opening and fun! I can't wait to continue to work on my speaking skills and experience the city in depth. Also, I will try to blog as much as possible, but my days are so busy here that it is hard to find the time. Hopefully I will be able to update again soon. But, until then, bisous! :)