A Black Girl in Paris: Day 2.5

It is now 10:00 p.m on Wednesday August 27, 2008 and I have just awaken from my nap. I call this day 2.5 because j'arrivé à Paris lundi, yet I'm still trying to figure out what day it is because I am so terribly jet-lagged.

Orientation for my program began on Tuesday morning at 9:00 a.m and 8:15 a.m Tuesday morning was my first independent experience on the Metro (the Paris subway system). J'habite dans le Montmartre area of Paris, north of the center of Paris, which is about 40 minutes train ride à mon école. After living in New York for 2 summers and mastering the Metro subway system in such a hectic city, I will say that the Paris metro is much easier and much more clean (the Louvre stop on the 4 train has sculptures and art in the actual terminal, tres joli!)

I almost feel as if my life as a Parisian won't begin until school starts on Monday, because this week has most definitely felt like summer camp (walking around Paris in big groups is not my thing, but I understand for the purposes of this "orientation week" it has to be done).

We did, however, take a tour bus around Paris for a panoramic view of the entire city and while je déteste big touristy American things, I actually was super happy to take this tour. We went to various places like the Louvre (this place is amazing):

Down le Champs Elysées from l'Arc de Triomphe to the Eiffel Tower:

As well as many other places, including the Notre Dame, the Seine, le Grand Palais et le Petit Palais, Musee d'Orsay, the U.S Embassy (great to know where it is) l'Hôtel de Crillon, les Jardins de Tuileries etc. etc. This is one big old city (literally, it is over 2,000 years old and with 20 arrondissements (districts) there is so much to see and enjoy). As I do have to attend ANOTHER orientation session in the morning, it is time for me to enjoy my rest (meaning I'm about to turn on Sex and the City season six. PART. deux and then fall asleep)

a Bientôt!!

Bisou Bisou,

Jennifer

PS.

I have 2 concerts en Paris that I would love to go to, yet, I need to pick just one. Would you go to Rock en Seine