Get Into the Groove

Let's start this off with a little fact of reality that took me by surprise this past week: you have to take classes while studying abroad. After about a week and a half in Paris with a complete lack of academic responsibility, the time finally came for the vacation to end and for the studies to begin. However, I have to say that not only I am excited to begin the classes that will hopefully greatly improve my French, but I am also ecstatic to be forced to develop some sort of routine, or groove if you will, for my days here in Paris. Vacations are great, but sooner or later they must come to an end.

This past Friday was the first day of classes for our program with the Sorbonne, and I think all of us would agree with the fact that it went pretty well. I share a class with a couple other API students taught by Monsieur Antoni-Gautier, a very small, old, and quintessentially French man. At first I was skeptical of how I would like him as a teacher, but after only a few minutes, he eased all our nerves with his surprisingly good senses of humor, enthusiasm, and organization. He even gave us syllabi (something that French professors are NEVER known to do), and then told us to be happy because we would be getting our daily exercise by climbing the 10 long flights of stairs that lead to our classroom...at least we get a view of the Eiffel Tower he says. Though his class is everyday of the week for 2 hours each day, I'm pretty confident that we'll all enjoy his class, and that it won't be too difficult (hopefully). Other than the grammar class, I've also registered for a phonetics lab and two conference classes (History of French Art and the Cultural Geography of France) that will begin next week, so it looks like I now have to become a legitimate student again after my nearly 3 month hiatus from school.

Other than classes, this past week and a half has also been full of my continued explorations of the city. Needless to say, Paris is absolutely beautiful, but it's a different kind of beauty that I am used to for sure. Back home, especially in Charleston, I marvel at the natural beauty of my surroundings. Just thinking about it now, I definitely miss the golden marshes, sand dune-lined beaches, and the humid southern weather that characterizes my lowcountry home back in the US. Here in Paris, my appreciation stems more from the all too amazing architecture, art, and even fashion that can be seen at every street corner and metro stop. Speaking of fashion, it never ceases to amaze me to see how everyone dresses here! Every single day I see men, women, and even children that are dressed so well I feel like I need to spend an obscene amount of money to update my wardrobe to meet Paris' "chic" standards. I guess it just goes to show that while Parisians don't really care about exercise or hygiene (yes, the stereotype is true; it smells like no one showers here) they will go the extra mile to make sure that what they're wearing makes up for it...or so they might think.

Regardless of the differences however, I am finally starting to feel at home here. I won't pretend like these first two weeks weren't pretty difficult in terms of trying to adjust to everything, but now with both the daily schedule provided by the start of classes and the familiarity of the city provided by the non-stop walking around, things are becoming more second nature. Also, I'm getting very excited to start the process of traveling to other places. So far I've only booked a weekend getaway to Barcelona to meet Shannon in March, but I plan to make some serious progress this weekend by booking some more weekend trips and finalizing my two and a half week spring break ...needless to say I'll be booking a lot flight with RyanAir to accommodate my college budget!

Until next time, here are some pictures from around the city including a walk through the catacombs...creepy, no?

Jardins de Luxembourg on beautiful sunny day, something you must take advantage of while in Paris

Le Sorbonne, where I take classes...or at least where I wish I took classes

Thousand year old bones on the Catacombs. I'll admit it, I was scared.

At least it's sort of religious display, right?

Found these at the exit above ground. Maybe some got caught trying to take a souvenir. 

The bridge seen in Inception. One of the coolest I've seen thus far.

Can't ever get sick of Eiffel Tower

Possibly obsessed

Imma get me one of these house boats one day.