Je suis bien arrivée! Five days in ; five months to go. Even though I have visited Paris before when I went to Belgium, I am overwhelmed by all this Molière meets moderne capital has to offer.
Imagining myself getting used to living here and finding a routine that seems "normal," is highly unlikely. Perchance when work and school are gently folded into the daily mix, I will start to feel like I really live here. I'll keep you posted. Presently, I'm in the adjustment/holy shit I'm in Paris-phase.
Even though I might be able to communicate well in French and blend into the crowd of bustling bodies, I'm such a tourist at heart. I feel like a shell-shocked pedestrian walking down my street... how can I not, especially as an American francophile?
I am surrounded by 15-19th century architecture.
I can see the Tour Eiffel from my terrace.
I discovered medevial ruins right down the street this afternoon and five minutes later, two blocks down the corner, passed by a café that Marguerrite Duras and Jean-Paul Sartre frequented...wow.
I can eat fresh baguette at the boulangerie everyday (not saying that I will errday...trying to be healthy "coughcough") for less than a euro( .90 centimes, to be exact).
AND I have the chance to live, study and work here?!
Too much. Well, "too much" in the sense that I don't want any part of it to be taken away BUT I just can't soak it all up yet.
I'm very blessed. I'm not religious, I'm pretty much agnostic, but being here IS a blessing!
Today marks the first day that I haven't perserverated my thoughts on people back in NY. Of course, I am writing about home right now, so I am clearly thinking about my life there. Ahem, to clarify, I have not thought about home in a de-constructive way today. Hoorah. I know I'll be back in a relatively short amount of time so I need to profitez de chaque moment, which I am trying to do! Céline Garelli, the director (and French momma) of the NY study abroad program, reassured me with the proverb "il faut donner du temps au temps," which means (from my perspective) that it is necessary to be patient with worries that impair the present; that it takes time to realize that those concerns may not exist in the future; that time has the power to heal present wounds.
Un livre ancien sous le bras
Le fleuve est pareil à ma peine
Il s'écoule et ne tarit pas
Quand donc finira la semaine
-Appolinaire
French customs didn't question us, it was strangely smooth. Everything continued to sail smoothy...until we suddenly realized that things weren't going so smoothly...
We were not at the right gate (2E) to meet our French momma, Céline. We had planned to meet her at 10am and we were a wee bit concerned that we couldn't find her at that time. Well, I gave her a ring-a-ling, asked her where she was (at 10:30am after waiting in what we perceived to be Gate 2E). Nuh uh. We were under the sign for the shuttle to 2E...NOT gate 2E, woops! Nice first impression. It backs up the 'stupid American' stereotype. Gosh darn it. Anyways, we ended up shuffling to Gate 2E and were still welcomed by Céline's worried, yet open, arms.
Christine, the two Laurens and I are living in different places in Paris. Christine is living with a très chic host family near me, on the Boulevard ST. Michel, Lauren Slezak is living in Foyer Didot (a French apartement complex for college students), Lauren Eggleston is living in the Fondation des Etats-Unis (a primarily American dorm with some international/french students) and I am living in Foyer International des Etudiants (an international hostel for women which also is one of the academic buildings of the Sorbonne). Lauren S. and I wish we organized our living situation better, our plan to have an apartement fell through but we'll be able to make new connections in our different foyers, I've been spending all my out of class time exploring Paris with her...we both are so excited about the culture, life and delicious food that awaits us.
MY HOME FOR THE NEXT 5 Months
Living Situtation: Foyer International des Etudiants
CONNORS Fiona
Chambre: 219
93 Boulevard St. Michel
75005 Paris, France
_t.jpg)

The Foyer International is beautiful location in the 5th arrondisement, bordering the 6th. The Boulevard St. Michel is a very active and young area as the main Sorbonne campus is only a few blocks north of my hostel. I was so drawn to the authentique early 19th century architecture of this building, it started hosting international students in 1909 and it features a beautiful library and a breath-taking terrace view. Some limitations is that doors close Sun-Thursday at 11pm, but they are open all-night on weekends. When my internship and school starts, it will just fine.
I was under the impression that I would have my own room but I upon arriving at the foyer, I was told that I would be living with a French student. It was annoying to hear that at first, but I've adjusted to it. Anne-Sophie is my roommate, she's also 21 years old and from Nante, France. She's studying architecture and art history at the l'école du Louvre. She is a free-thinker, a non-facebook user (which I consider a plus) and has a great sense of style. We don't have to fill up our chill out room time with small-talk, which is really nice.
During the day I have been fairly deconnected from technology, no phone yet and no computer for the majority of the day and the service in my foyer is shaky. I have to say, it hasn't been a big deal (except for having to wait for the connection to load pictures for this blog right now) . The only people I need to contact at this point, who I wish I had a phone for, is Lauren and my friend Lena. Wednesday I will be getting my SIM card for my phone. Guess what? I'll only be paying two euro a month for my cellphone (unlimited texts and 60min of international calls), c'est incroyable. There is a relatively new phone company called "Free Mobile" which offers ridiculously low cellphone rates. Almost too good to be true.
LENA CAME TO VISIT ME ON MY FIRST DAY... here are a few pics of my room! I love the wooden floors.
The library located two floors above my room!
This is the view from the terrace...c'est plus que magnifique!
Le soir: la Tour Eiffel était allumé.
La vie est belle.
LES JARDINS DE LUXEMBOURG

Saturday I saw my first rally on the Bouelvard ST.MICHEL. It was against the War on Iraq. I support this cause and appreciated their enthusiasm. It was not violent by any means.
SCHOOL/INTERNSHIP SITUATION
Lauren, Dan (from SUNY Oswego) and I will have slightly a-typical study abroad experience because we will be working in Paris for eight weeks(March 4th-April 27th) and taking only two classes at the Sorbonne.I originally had a little blurb about the intership that I hope to secure next week but I was told by the director of the internship program earlier today to make sure to not publically post about the work until it is secured and I have the employer's consent to blog about it.
I hope to be working at a non-profit organization that is working towards education and prevention of sex-trafficking.
COURSES AT THE SORBONNE (Paris IV)
This is one of the most famous academic buldings of the Sorbonne. It is located on the Boulevard St. Michel three blocks away from my foyer (see picture below). Lauren and I will be taking our Civilisation cours in PARIS IV. The Sorbonne consists of PARIS I-IV.
This is a group shot (see below) of the SUNY (State Universities of New York) students in Paris. This week every morning we have orientation from about 9:30h to 14h with Céline. This picture was taken today (Monday at Place de l'Opera).
YES...On est des vrais touristes! WE took a tour of Paris on the Seine on FRIDAY.
Friday night: first "fête Parisiene"
I met a girl named Eszter from Budapest. She's studying le Droit (Legal Studies) in Paris and living in my foyer(1 door down from me). She invited me to a party at her friend's place. I took Lauren with me. We bought some cheap 3 euro wine...which is readily available. Wine is sometimes cheaper than soda in bistros! The party was a nice mix of Erasmus students and Parisiens.
L'as de Falafel: 34 Rue des Rosiers 75004
- Lena, or seasonsed 2-week connaisseure and gourmandaise of Paris, took Lauren and me out to what she claimed to be "the best falafel in town" on Thursday, our first night in Paris.Doesn't she look like she's in falafel heaven in the photo?
-My tummy was a little grumbly beforehand (in the sense that it was upset from plane food while at the same time longing for food) but after I had the veggie falafel sandwich, it was completely at ease.
-No complaints,the falafel was atleast 8x better than the Meditterean place where I work at home.
-I loved the quartier where this falafel joint was, it was in the Marais.
-My sandwich was 7.50 euros. What's nice about French additions (checks) is that the tip is included so you pay what's on the tab, and you are not required...or expected, to leave a tip.
I met a girl named Eszter from Budapest. She's studying le Droit (Legal Studies) in Paris and living in my foyer(1 door down from me). She invited me to a party at her friend's place. I took Lauren with me. We bought some cheap 3 euro wine...which is readily available. Wine is sometimes cheaper than soda in bistros! The party was a nice mix of Erasmus students and Parisiens.
Saturday afternoon, after orientation, Lauren and I had an expedition to get cellphones, which failed. We did; however, suceed to get our SIM cards mailed to us from chez "FREE Mobile" so hopefully by this Wednesday we'll have phones. We ended up making dinner at my place (pesto spagetti) and met up with Lena and some Skidmore students at Stolly's (http://www.qype.fr/place/277651-Stollys-Paris). WE met our first French friend in Paris later that night, Maxime. It was funny, we were all looking for the Boulevard ST. MICHEL when we found eachother.
Later that night, Lauren and I discovered the magic of "MacDo." I will explain it later on...
FOOD SITUTATION
Pas de "meal plan." So I have been grocery shopping and cooking for myself for the most part, I love it! Fresh fruits and veggies are relatively cheap and I have been able to find lentil, quinoa and other healthy goodies...but, I want to explore the delicious French food as well... I am not going to skimp out on trying some delicious desserts and hearty food, I'm just going to up the ante on my Luxembourg garden prancing.
GOOD EATS (version parisien)
Here are a few yummy and relatively cheap (relative for Paris) EATS so far:
- Lena, or seasonsed 2-week connaisseure and gourmandaise of Paris, took Lauren and me out to what she claimed to be "the best falafel in town" on Thursday, our first night in Paris.Doesn't she look like she's in falafel heaven in the photo?
-My tummy was a little grumbly beforehand (in the sense that it was upset from plane food while at the same time longing for food) but after I had the veggie falafel sandwich, it was completely at ease.
-No complaints,the falafel was atleast 8x better than the Meditterean place where I work at home.
-I loved the quartier where this falafel joint was, it was in the Marais.
-My sandwich was 7.50 euros. What's nice about French additions (checks) is that the tip is included so you pay what's on the tab, and you are not required...or expected, to leave a tip.
Café la Sorbonne 13 Boulevard St Michel, 75006 Paris
-Céline treated the orientation group to coffee and dessert after orientation on Saturday. We were given the choice of Tarte aux Pommes, Pana Cota et Crème Brûlée. A few of us, including myself, quickly decided on the crème brûlée.
Crème brûlée expérience (in the moment):
-The first spoon dive is a sugary crunch crunch munch THEN creamy ahhhmazingly rich custardy consomption. Repeat THEN Repeat.
-It was so great to enjoy with coffee, I didn't leave any to spare in my big serving bowl.
Crème brûlée aftermath
-Lauren started to feel queasy about 30min after the brûlée ..it hit me an hour later. It hit us real hard, but we recovered without making a trip to the W.C. (it was a close call though).
Lauren reminded me of the film Amélie when Amélie discusses how she loves the noise of the creme brulee shell cracking open with a spoon. I took a lil' vid of Ryan and Mei-Lin cracking the crème.
The Magic of "MacDo"
Not a big fan of fast food
But McDonalds or "MacDos" of Paris are CHIC.
and have Modern Décor.
Mc Cafés serve french pâtisseries including: macarons, éclairs and petits ganaches au chocolat.
Skinny French people are seen frequenting these MacDos.
MacDo serves rather delicious salads
and
juicy burgers for a euro or two.
I'm loving it...
Lauren and I went there Sat/Sun night
but that won't happen again.
I hope...
The Magic of Mac Do.
Et, voila!
Photo reel from MacDo:
67 Rue du Montparnasse 75014 Paris

Chez Louise
8 rue Croix des Petits Champs, 75001 Paris
MONDAY soir I had the best rattatouile chez Louise (see picture above) which is near the Louvre. Lauren ordered the Coco vin and loved it to. Louise was a warm and welcoming host. I want to go back there at somepoint. My plate was moyen-expensive at 10euro50centimes. It was worth it though.
LES MACARONS
Pierre Hermé: 39 avenue de l'Opéra 75002
Paris
Pierre Hermé: 39 avenue de l'Opéra 75002
Paris
We're seeing lots of chocolat decorating windows for St. Valentin which is approaching. February 14th is also our first day of class!
SACRE COEUR: Sunday afternoon
Beautiful, spiritual, artistic, quaint and a must-see when you visit Paris.
Beautiful, spiritual, artistic, quaint and a must-see when you visit Paris.
Vintage shopping
I hate going to malls but I like vinatge and thrift shops. I didn't get anything but Lauren and I looked at a cool vintage shop near Sacre Coeur and went to a place called KILO SHOP near l'Hotel de Ville. Good deals. I'm just steering clear of buying clothes at this point...
KILO SHOP: 69/71 rue de la Verrerie 75004 Paris
ON the walk from vintage shopping to the Foyer I snapped this lil vid.
Abrupt end to the blog but I'm Running off to the Musée Carnavailse right now (13h20) because I have to meet up with the SUNY group at 13h45. Tchuss!
a la prochaine, FSC
No comments:
Post a Comment