6 truths about Paris

I remember before I came to Paris, I was reading every study abroad article about France and what it was like and what you may encounter. I used to treasure them like they were gold and now after spending two months in France, it was all lies!

Okay, maybe not all of it, but people have definitely left out important and, often not, interesting information about this city in their books.

So I figured, why not try to share them with you guys.

1. If you don't go to a program where it's all French 100% of the time, then chances are you are not going to learn as much French as you thought you were going to. I'm studying abroad in a program where my classes are in English and only 1 class is French. I would have loved to join the other programs where you have to sign a contract to ONLY speak French, but unfortunately I didn't qualify in the requirements. I have however improved my French, but because the people I hang out with like to speak only English, in the end, I still suck at making proper sentences. In my head, I am amazing! But once my mouth opens, it is nothing close to what I wanted to say.

2. The metro is absolutely easy to master. The beauty about Paris is that they have an amazing metro system that puts the US to shame. I can hop on a random train and know that I will eventually get home. Plus their maps on every station and every tunnel is so clear. It's kind of hard not to get lost. It may seem intimidating at first, but trust me, after awhile you realize you had nothing to worry about. You know, until one of the stations shuts down and everyone starts to panic.

Japan isn't the only country in the world where the train can get this full.

3. Women are ridiculous here in terms of shoes. They like to wear heels no matter what and let me tell you, I've tried wearing some for a night out and I will not be doing that again for a very long time. The sidewalks can be a mix of cobblestones and cement so they can trap your heels and cause sudden death. Last week it snowed and they still decided to wear heels in this weather, even if they had to shuffle everywhere. Who are you trying to impress?! Tell me! Who?!

4. Speaking of snow, Paris doesn't know how to react to it when it does come. Very rarely will you get snow that sticks and last week, I swear, Paris had a coronary when it happened. Metro's were slow. Sidewalks were slippery. People were in constant chaos. Okay, not really, but the transportation was not happening that day. And you know what the funny thing was? It all melted the next day.

C'mon son. This ain't Chicago.

But it does like to hail over here.

And you think I'm playing, right? 

5. Moving on from snow, the weather here is bipolar. It can be 30 degrees Fahrenheit one week and the next we are in the 60s. It may rain for a period and then the sun will appear for a good hour, only to disappear once again. If you're studying abroad in the Spring, remember there is still the Winter period before you actually get to the good weather. So don't listen to anyone who tells you to not bring any sweaters and long sleeved shirts. They are liars! Bring every piece of warm clothing you own because even if it's not that cold outside, it definitely will be inside. Electricity is very expensive in Paris, so where ever you end up living in, the heater will most likely be turned down very low where you end up sleeping in a hoodie, sweatpants, and socks. Oh, and bring an umbrella! No seriously, just do it.

6. Everything is expensive. A couple of French people even say that Paris is ridiculously expensive for no apparent reason. I absolutely agree. Considering that my USD has to change into euros, I became broke increasingly fast; especially when I remembered that I don't come from a family that lives in a castle and owns 10 cars. That was a reality check.

But then again:

Now I'm not telling you all of this to complain (okay maybe a little bit), but I thought these would have been nice things to know before I got here. Paris is still a wonderful city and I am still amazed that I made it here. I have definitely grown a lot during my stay here and this trip will forever be ingrained in my head. Paris has increased my passion to travel some more and I may take up on that feeling next year when I will be getting ready to graduate college.

Week 3 in France

I figured now would be a good time as any to start writing about my adventures in Paris. I've been neglecting my poor blog ever since I arrived in Paris 3 weeks ago.

It's been a world wind of experiences since I arrived here. It was a rough start the day I landed into Paris. My flight was delayed due to the snow storm that was passing through Europe. I was changed to 3 airlines just to make sure I would arrive in time for my program. I lost my phone in the taxi that dropped me off in front of my home-stay and I had no idea how to communicate to anyone at all.

But since then, things have definitely gotten a lot better. I met some great people in my program, been traveling throughout Paris a lot, mastered the metro, and been visiting conversation exchange events every week!

I've been to Chartres and Versailles, saw the Notre Dame church, and have been to the Louvre.

These are the gates to the royal apartments in Versailles

This is one of the hallways inside the apartments. Can you believe that they painted the ceilings like that?

Overall, I've been pretty busy getting to know Paris and it's history.

I'll do my best to update on all the things that I've experienced and learned in this amazing adventure of mine!

Of new paths and open doors

 

As I look at my calendar, it is officially January 15. In as little as 5 days from now, I will take my 45 minute drive to my international airport to France. I will arrive there anxious and nervous for my 8 hour flight to an unknown destination surrounded by unknown people. The language that I have spent many nights dreaming about and months studying will be all around me and I can't do nothing but hope that it will all not sound as gibberish.

I am worried about the host family that I will be spending with every day and night for the next 3 and half months. I am worried about the people labeling me as a dumb American. But what I am most worried about is the goal that I have set myself for the duration of my whole trip.

I have made a promise as soon as I entered foot into that airport to speak as much French as I can. If I ever want to reach fluency by the time I return back to the states then it's going to be time for me swallow my fear and accept the mistakes that I am sure is bound to happen. 

I have seen family members who have migrated into the States without a lick of English in those many bags of theirs and have managed to learn it even as they suffered criticism just because they were hispanic. People have judged them as stupid and nothing but problems, but I see them as inspiration. If they can stand up against the anger against their own race then I can stand up to accept the challenge in learning a language in just half a year.

In as little as 5 days, I will be heading to France. I will experience so many emotions, but I know the experience will be worth it. It will be like starting Freshman year of college of over again. I will be alone. I will have various days of good and bad, but at least I know after all of this,  I will be totally worth it.