I find this quotation more and more appropriate the longer that I am here. Today, I finally resolved my problems with my French class (!!!!) The very condensed version is: I was not originally registered for a French class (insert sending lots of emails here.) Then I was in class A, then moved to class B (a lower level of French.) Then I sent a lot more emails and visited the language office not once, not twice, but three times today. I was moved back into class A, which is when I discovered that the Monday session of class A is at the exact same time as one of my journalism classes. So I have finally ended up in class C. At UNC, I would have registered myself one time and would be able to arrange my own schedule, instead of the email/office visit/attend pointless classes version of "problem solving" over here.
In other news, I got a metro card. This means that I can see the city more freely, since I was trying to condense trips to save money on tickets. I was waiting to the weekend to run my errands and see the sights (because I was able to buy an unlimited day ticket that is only valid on the weekend.) The problem is, that is when everyone else is running errands and seeing sights as well.
Other random events: I accidentally wandered into Chinatown last week. I took the wrong branch of a road at a giant traffic circle, and I ended up walking into the 13th arr. Many Asian families live in this area and so there are a lot of Chinese, Thai, Japanese, Vietnamese, etc restaurants. I will have to go back purposefully if I ever get an egg roll craving. On Sunday, I walked to a park about 15 minutes from where I live. It is in the most posh of all the French neighborhoods. It was fairly crowded—people walking, running, soccer games, and lots of roller blade-ers (roller skating is very big here.) The weather here has actually been nice the past few days (it’s only rained once in three days!) unlike much of the East Coast.
This is a picture of the front of the Foyer. My window/balcony is on the 6th floor, second from the left.
Emily, you are living in such a beautiful place! I am glad of your metro card, feeling like you have to condense all these errands in one spree can be stressful and hectic. I'm so excited about your exploring the French culture... And when you get back, we are going roller blading (you'll have to teach me some French tricks!)
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