Today was the first day or orientation stuff at my school, IES. Actually though it was barely anything at all. They gave our schedule for the next two weeks ( finally ) and went over some of the basic rules and regulations. I was there at 10 ( they split us in the two groups starting at different times ) and I was done by 12. Everyone else seemed to know each other because almost everone lives on the other side of Paris - I think once we start our french classes it will be easier to make some friends. Today I just went off on my own which is what I prefer to a big group of people anyway.
I visited the cemetary at Monparnasse because it's just a block away from my school. I had read that Baudelaire and Man Ray are buried there among other famous people. The cemetary is really big though ( not as big as Pere Lachaise cemetary ) and it was difficult to remember where I was supposed to look ( they were out of maps of course ). After I wandered around there for awhile I went back to the apartment to drop off my school books and then I left again to do some sight-seeing.
At my school they gave me a pass that allows me to go to the Louvre for free anytime. It's pretty cool and I plan on using it to its full adventage ( even though I actually don't like the Louvre ). So I planned on going there and as I was leaving Dominique told me that the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays. Sooo...instead I went to ( ready for it? ) Conciergerie, Invalides, Notre Dame, and the Eiffel Tower. Uhhh. I was very tired after today that's for sure. Everything was interesting although Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower not as much. I felt like I had to be a tourist for a day because even though I speak French all the time sometimes I forget that I'm in Paris.
I even ate at McDonalds tonight. Or well it was kind of lunch I guess. Either way....McDo is so much better over here and I have no idea way ( maybe it's because they serve beer and salade nicoise.... ).
A funny thing about today is that it was flooded with a mass of Scottish people dressed up in their kilts and whatnot getting drunk and shouting rugby cheers. I saw them at Gare du Nord on my way to school this morning - at the Gare du Nord ( still ) on my way back home - at all the sights I visited today - and at various Metro stations. It was insane. I still hear chants every so often. I don't think their game is even tonight....
:)
Oh and my address in Paris is ( if you want to send anything) :
Gretchen Deuel
c/o IES
77 rue Daguerre
75014 Paris
FRANCE
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
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6 comments:
Gretchen-
here is aquestion for you,
Do you know what is under a Scott's kilt? his socks and shoes!
Did you see any of our people at the cemetary??? Ha! Ha! You may think you saw some pretty cool sights and history but I was in the Fargo dome today... I know you must be jealous!
Love you,
Dad...
Gretchen...it sounds like you are really enjoying yourself...one of the best parts of international travel for me is discovery and walking around really accelerates the whole process. It is great that you are getting out and doing some tourist things and then you can concentrate on discovering other places, foods, which you will always remember!
Love Rick
Hey Gretchen! Love reading your blog - it is fun to see the pictures too. It seems like yesterday when Dan and I were there - we stayed in the Best Western over on Monmantre - I don't think it iwas too far from where you are. I have to agree, Sacre Couer was my very favorite in Paris too. (Dan would say that it was the public loo at the base of the stairs - when someone is done, the whole thing automatically washes itself out!!!)
Take care and love you!
Jill
Hi Gretchen,
I loved reading your entries. It is so interesting and I know I will never see Paris except throught your eyes. The food sounds so good and interesting. What a great experience. I am so in awe of you, to go to another country and live and speak and understand their language is outstanding. I will be anxious to continue learning about your adventures. Love, Pinky
Hi Gretchen,
I loved reading your entries. It is so interesting and I know I will never see Paris except throught your eyes. The food sounds so good and interesting. What a great experience. I am so in awe of you, to go to another country and live and speak and understand their language is outstanding. I will be anxious to continue learning about your adventures. Love, Pinky
Hey darling!
I hope you are having an awesome weekend. And I wasn't kidding about the lack of posting making me sad :( it is my wake up reading before class.
Love ya
KT
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