The First Week (or two...)

Well..... I lied, it's been five days since my last blog and I said it was only going to be one or two. Anyway, the program itself (IES) has gone very well so far. The first week was just a bunch of orientation such as....how does one live with a new family in a foreign country in a different language? Luckily I have been to France (as well as other European countries) three or four times and so I would say that I already have a small understanding of French culture. For example, breakfast isn't really a meal like it is in N. America. Here, it's just a pastry and jam (and maybe cereal). However, it's a damn good pastry and jam and therein lies the difference between N. America and France. They definitely believe in quality over quantity when it comes to food. Of course, there are negatives here too. For example, hygiene is not of the highest priority.... people only take showers on average once every two days and since water is so expensive the shower lasts about two minutes. Also, I am lucky enough that my "mother" here does my laundry however, it takes a full day or two for the clothes to dry because dryers don't exist in France! Another really cool thing to experience here is the metro. Whhooaaaa! If you've ever stayed in a big city (ie - Justin in NY), then you've been on the metro. But, for someone like me, it was awesome! The fact that you can get literally anywhere in and around the city in no time at all is incredible. If only every city had big subterranean tunnels. Technically I don't live in Paris. I live in Neuilly-sur-Seine which is literally a 5 minute walk from the border of Paris so it's a suburb. If you look at a map it's just outside the 17th Arrondissement (district). The area is very nice and quite chic and I live in an old apartment block on a big avenue. I live indirectly with a family of six. Yes, that means four kids [three girls(16,14,6) and one boy (10)] and having met all of them, they are extremely nice and interesting. Both the parents are really nice to me as well and have done everything they can to set me up and make sure I'm ok. So, what's nice about my situation is that, I live in a tiny little room on the top floor (5th) of the apartment block and they live on the first floor. So, with a shower, fridge, sink, and microwave in my room, I have pretty much everything I need. And if I ever need company I can always just go downstairs to visit my family. So, with that all said, I think you have a good idea of how I am living in Paris.... next time I shall tell of my classes, other students, some outings, and the fish soup...