I'm sitting in the computer lab in Grenelle right now for probably the 4th time today. I've had to live without internet (I'm too stubborn to pay the 10euro for three hours of internet at the Fiap) for the past two days, and to be able to use the internet whenever I want or need to sort of feels like Christmas. Sad, but true. It's terrible how dependent everyone is on the internet. Perhaps once I live here for a while I'll use it less...perhaps.
Soooo, I got mon appartement cet apres-midi, and in all honesty, I don't think I have ever been so happy about anything in my life. It is the greatest living situation I could possibly imagine. Seriously. I'll be staying at the "French House" that I'm assuming AUP owns, located in the 4e arrondissement right across the street from the St. Paul metro stop. I'm living with 5 other AUP women including one from Northeastern. I realize that a 6-person apartment may seem extreme but it made me depressed just thinking about living by myself. And the apartment! Oh.mon.dieu! It's amazing!!! Absolutly beautiful!! Hardwood floors, two balconies, kitchen, toilet and shower IN the apartment (a rarity for most of AUP housing), living room, dining area, the list goes on. The view(s) are lovely as well; quintessential Parisian view. Some people have views of the Eiffel Tower from their apartments which, I'll admit, I'm a bit envious of, but seriously, there are really no flaws to this place. It's in a great location, too. I didn't have the chance to explore the neighborhood, but from what I did see, it seems to be bustling with people and actvity. I'm in love. I move in tomorrow evening. I can't wait to get out of the Fiap. It's defnitely not the worst place in the world but now that I have a real place to live it's a real downer in comparison.
But anyway, enough about my super amazing apartment. I found a great Chinese restaurant where a bunch of us NU kids went for dinner this evening. Chinese food in France is infinitely better than the stuff in America. They also serve takeout so I'll be sure to stop by sometime between classes.
I also encountered my first Romanian gypsy this afternoon on the metro. He stood next to me and played the violin and then asked me for money. I think he knew I was an American, even though I tried my hardest to look disinterested. I happened to be sitting with a Romanian girl from AUP at the time, so I was lucky enough to get her perspective on the gypsies. Verrrry interesting. We talked about Romania a lot and now I desperately want to visit soon. Only 2-3 hours by train from Paris, she says. I'll be checking out eurorail rates asap.
In other news, I've found that wine and cocktails are custom at any and all meetings and social gatherings. I love that a social meeting with academic advisors or any other important people = wine and snacks. I feel so grown up. But it works, you know? What's wrong with having a glass of wine at social events? It makes me more sociable and considerably less awkward in public for the first time in my life. I wish it was the same in the States, but alas, things are quite different.
