Today is my month-iversary of arriving in Paris, and this upcoming Sunday I will be 1/3 done my semester.... What?!? I can't believe it. I really can't. But, also, I am very pleased with how much I have accomplished in only a month. I can only hope I can see the same amount of new places in the next 2/3! Also, my mom and Emily arrive in Paris one week from today!!!
Remember what I said in my last post about not picking up a routine because all I would be able to show for it is good grades and good health? Well, the funny thing is, if you fail to create any routine at all, your health is likely to suffer, as mine did this week. I am surprised I did not mention this before, but there a serious lack of drinking water in this city. Like, absolutely no water fountains to be found. At all. And, if you do come across water, you don't want to drink too much because then you'll have to pee... with no public toilets to be found. So, I think that, plus a lack of sleep, caught up with me and I was a tad dehydrated. Just gotta keep on top of it and I'll be fine.
Because I wasn't feeling well last Monday, the escargot extravaganza was delayed for a week. My host mom joked that I'd probably being "feeling ill" every week so I wouldn't have to try it, but the day finally came this Monday. Much to my surprise, I actually really enjoyed the escargot!! The sauce is delicious- sort of like pesto, but really garlicy. You just have to get past the texture (which, about 2 months ago, I would never be able to do). After I ate my first one, my host dad proclaimed "Congratulations! You are officially French!"
Remember what I said in my last post about not picking up a routine because all I would be able to show for it is good grades and good health? Well, the funny thing is, if you fail to create any routine at all, your health is likely to suffer, as mine did this week. I am surprised I did not mention this before, but there a serious lack of drinking water in this city. Like, absolutely no water fountains to be found. At all. And, if you do come across water, you don't want to drink too much because then you'll have to pee... with no public toilets to be found. So, I think that, plus a lack of sleep, caught up with me and I was a tad dehydrated. Just gotta keep on top of it and I'll be fine.
Because I wasn't feeling well last Monday, the escargot extravaganza was delayed for a week. My host mom joked that I'd probably being "feeling ill" every week so I wouldn't have to try it, but the day finally came this Monday. Much to my surprise, I actually really enjoyed the escargot!! The sauce is delicious- sort of like pesto, but really garlicy. You just have to get past the texture (which, about 2 months ago, I would never be able to do). After I ate my first one, my host dad proclaimed "Congratulations! You are officially French!"
Alors, this weekend I took a semi-spontaneous trip to London, UK. My best friend, Laura, is studying in Seville, Spain this semester, and she decided to travel to London for her birthday weekend. I miss her very much, so I decided to tag along!
Arriving in an English-speaking country really threw me for a loop!! They say it takes 21 days to create a habit, and I've been in France for about 28, but I didn't realize how much my thought process had changed! When I was approaching the information desk to get some help with the Tube (the metro in London), I caught myself formulating my question in French in my head and psyching myself up. I was getting an adrenaline rush like I was going into a soccer game or something. I never noticed it in France. But, the funniest part was that I forgot how to talk to an adult figure in English for a second. Once I realized I was about to speak to her in French, I kind of just stood there and didn't know what to say. "Uhhhhh..." It was a freaky experience.
Luckily, the Tube is even easier than the Paris metro, so I had no problem getting to where Laura was staying. I thought traveling by myself was going to be scary, but it was amazingly easy (wow I almost wrote that in French). As expected, Laura and I picked up just where we left off and we had a great weekend of sight-seeing and catching up. Pure bliss :)
I think this trip to London was everything I needed and much more. I haven't been incredibly homesick in Paris, but of course I have been wondering what it would've been like if I had chosen another city/program. The most frequent thought is what if I had done the London program. I really miss Elon people, and London is solely for Elon students, so I would have only been with people from my school. But, after this weekend, I can say with 100% confidence that I made the right decision in choosing Paris. Paris has a certain "je ne sais quoi", as they say, and it took a trip to London to help me figure that out. I also realize that I don't need to be with people from my school to make great memories. So, London, thank you for reuniting me with my best friend and helping us create some fantastic memories, but also for helping me re-appreciate Paris, if you will. London, je t'aime.
Arriving in an English-speaking country really threw me for a loop!! They say it takes 21 days to create a habit, and I've been in France for about 28, but I didn't realize how much my thought process had changed! When I was approaching the information desk to get some help with the Tube (the metro in London), I caught myself formulating my question in French in my head and psyching myself up. I was getting an adrenaline rush like I was going into a soccer game or something. I never noticed it in France. But, the funniest part was that I forgot how to talk to an adult figure in English for a second. Once I realized I was about to speak to her in French, I kind of just stood there and didn't know what to say. "Uhhhhh..." It was a freaky experience.
Luckily, the Tube is even easier than the Paris metro, so I had no problem getting to where Laura was staying. I thought traveling by myself was going to be scary, but it was amazingly easy (wow I almost wrote that in French). As expected, Laura and I picked up just where we left off and we had a great weekend of sight-seeing and catching up. Pure bliss :)
I think this trip to London was everything I needed and much more. I haven't been incredibly homesick in Paris, but of course I have been wondering what it would've been like if I had chosen another city/program. The most frequent thought is what if I had done the London program. I really miss Elon people, and London is solely for Elon students, so I would have only been with people from my school. But, after this weekend, I can say with 100% confidence that I made the right decision in choosing Paris. Paris has a certain "je ne sais quoi", as they say, and it took a trip to London to help me figure that out. I also realize that I don't need to be with people from my school to make great memories. So, London, thank you for reuniting me with my best friend and helping us create some fantastic memories, but also for helping me re-appreciate Paris, if you will. London, je t'aime.
Now it is time for me to present an ode to a company we all know and (most of us) love, Starbucks. Yes, it is an American company. Yes, I feel super guilty spending money there while in Europe (because it's so dang expensive and because I can get it in America). BUT, Starbucks is, as my poetic mind put it this weekend, the tiny green ball of hope glowing in the distance just when you think you are lost forever. I think Laura and I stopped in every other Starbucks we saw in London to coordinate plans with people. The only way to contact people while I am over here is through my iPhone with WiFi, and say what you will about Starbucks, but they kick butt in the reliable WiFi department. WiFi is necessary to survival while abroad, so I guess you could say Starbucks saved our lives...
This weekend I have a class trip to Loire Valley, and word on the street is that we're having a fancy dinner in a chateau. Keep the adventures coming!!!
Bisous!
Claire
PS. Currently writing and editing this post in.... Starbucks. I know, that's really lame. In my defense I was on my way to find a cute coffee shop to do homework, but I couldn't find one with good WiFi and time is of the essence!
This weekend I have a class trip to Loire Valley, and word on the street is that we're having a fancy dinner in a chateau. Keep the adventures coming!!!
Bisous!
Claire
PS. Currently writing and editing this post in.... Starbucks. I know, that's really lame. In my defense I was on my way to find a cute coffee shop to do homework, but I couldn't find one with good WiFi and time is of the essence!
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I just received the news of my Nana's passing. I love you very much and I am sorry I cannot be there. I am forever grateful that I was able to visit with you a few days before I left, and that Dad was able to read you all of my blog posts. Thank you for being you, and you will be with me forever.
I love you, Nana.
I just received the news of my Nana's passing. I love you very much and I am sorry I cannot be there. I am forever grateful that I was able to visit with you a few days before I left, and that Dad was able to read you all of my blog posts. Thank you for being you, and you will be with me forever.
I love you, Nana.