One week in and I’ve already managed to freak out the guy who works in the cheese shop next door.
I see him every day– he’s always standing outside in the shop’s doorway– so I usually say hi when I leave for class in the morning.
This guy is somewhat close to my age and heartbreakingly gorgeous, but that’s besides the point. (Oh, it’s so not, but let’s pretend, shall we?) It’s just that kind of awkward “Bonjour!” + cordial smile, the kind where I’m trying to say, “Well, you’re sort of my neighbor except not really since you don’t live here, but I’m never actually going to talk to you, I’m just going to say hello so that we’re not total strangers, okay? Okay.”
Only I don’t think he’s actually in on this agreement, since, you know, it only exists in my head and stuff? Walking back from class today I saw him standing outside the shop talking to this little French boy who was passing by with his parents, and he was smiling beautifully at this kid. And then as I walked by I looked back and smiled at the guy, and practically whispered, “Hi!”, and he just sort of looked at me, stony-faced, and I punched in the digicode for my building and ran in and giggled to myself as I climbed the stairs.
I am such a child.
Yesterday a friend and I went to eat at the Port Royal CROUS restaurant. Have I mentioned this before? CROUS is a government organization that helps students in Paris and other French cities with large student populations. They have residences (that I couldn’t get into because I’m not staying for the entire year, boo), advising, and most importantly, lots of cafeterias and restaurants! Everything is subsidized, so a 3 course meal is 3 euros. THREE EUROS! The first time I went, I got grilled tuna, cous cous with cooked vegetables, passion fruit/pineapple yogurt, and a peach. And last night I got fish, fries, carrots, salad, and chocolate cake. For 3 euros. It’s not gourmet or anything, but it’s filling and yummy. I’m not used to food being this cheap! I’m totally going to take advantage as much as I can while I’m here. And it’s actually open to everyone, not only students!
So. My friend and I went to eat at one of the cafeterias, the branch closest to the MICEFA office, and we were a little early. The staircase leading up to the caf was roped off, and students started gathering, waiting for opening time. A man in a suit was waiting at the top of the stairs, glancing at his watch from time to time. We met a Columbian guy who had just arrived a few days previously to study abroad at Paris 1. He met up with a friend, and we went up to the cafeteria and had dinner together. We all spoke French, even though it didn’t come naturally to any of us.
When I paid, the cashier looked at me intently.
“Whoever did that to you, I’ll cut off their hands. Man or woman, I don’t care, I’ll cut off their hands!” he said.
That’s probably the most extreme reaction I’ve ever gotten to my birthmark, and I’ve gotten some pretty odd ones. I laughed it off and said, “Oh, it’s nothing,” because I still don’t know how to say “birthmark”. I should probably learn that, yeah?
After dinner I decided to walk back to my apartment. It actually wasn’t a very long walk– about 20-25 minutes– and it was wonderful. It was dusk, and I walked down Boulevard Saint Michel through St. Germain de Pres, and then along the Seine, past Notre Dame and across the bridge to where I live, Ile Saint Louis. I’m definitely going to do this walk again, when the light is similar, and take my camera along. Stay tuned!
I’m procrastinating. I have a presentation due Thursday, and I want to get it done tonight because we’re going to see Tartuffe tomorrow and it’s way too early in the semester for anything resembling an all-nighter. But it’s never too early in the semester for procrastination. And I don’t feel too bad about myself if I’m writing my blog. This is…this is productive, isn’t it? Haha.
On Sunday I had brunch at a cafe and read the New York Times on my phone. Then I did my laundry. There’s a tiny laundromat a block away from me. Here it is. I know, it’s fascinating.
I’m sort of mad at myself, I haven’t been keeping up with the current events of the U.S. election as much as I should be. I mean, it’s only normal, given how busy I’ve been. But if I was home around political convention time? You know I’d be watching CNN, like, 4 hours a night. And Daily Show and Colbert. I’ve caught up on the occasional episode, but I don’t really have time. Which is great. I do not want to sit around watching CNN in my studio. Except, of course, when it comes to the debates and the actual election. I will be staying up for those! Maybe I’ll even do a liveblog or two, however that would work on here…
Which reminds me, I need to get my application in for an absentee ballot! This is the first year I’m eligible to vote in a presidential election, and I will definitely be taking advantage! I don’t understand people who don’t vote. And that’s, like, 50% of the US. I do not get it. I mean, I’m sick of politics too, and I’m not even sure voting makes a difference, but as long as I have the right I’m going to exercise it, you know?
Yeah.
