Orientation Day 1

Okay so I am writing on a French keyboard again so this one may be a bit shorter till I can use my computer. I didn't post yesterday so I will just cover that.

I left Hugo's sister's place an hour and a half early to get to my program even though it was only a 40 minute Metro ride. This ended up being a good choice because it took me about 20 mins to figure out how to get a ticket from the machine. The Metro ride was easy due to excellent directions from Hugo. Once off the train I ran into troubles again. I couldn't find where to go, so I asked in a shop. They didn't know. So I asked a securiy guqrd who pointed me in the correct direction. Then a man ssmoking pointed me again, and after being confused by the door that wouldn't open, Jean Philippe let me in. Jean is the summer program coordinator.

We then had an orientaion meeting where we covered the basics of paris, and the program. We got map books, lunch passes, and METRO TICKETS!!!!! I am glad to not deal with the stupid machine again. We then took a little walk around the neighborhood and ate lunch. We also went into the French equvalent to Target, which is near our hotel/apartment.

I met my room mate, Hallie. She is from Florida and brought about 3 times as much stuff as I did. She is very nice, and a Music major, so we get along well. We have a very small room with one closet, two small (very hard) beds, a mini kitchen in the hallway and a bathroom (with a shower door that only covers 1/3 of the shower, so everything gets wet :p ).

Later we took the Metro and went to another part of the city to have a guided walk with Jean. It was very fun! He showed us many shops, the gay district, a famous falaffel shop, the Jewish neighborhood (which is next to the gay area, go figure?), and ...NOTRE DAME!!!!! It was beautiful. I would put up pictures now, but I can't so those will come tonight. It was amazing and beautiful!!!! There was a service going on so we had music as we waked through. We couldnùt go up to the bell tower so I will have to go back. I lite a candle and took lots of photos of the stained glass for you Mom!!!

We then went to a nice 3 course French dinner (courtesy of the program!). I had this amazing wine drink that I will find the name of for you Carly so you can look it up, but it was white wine and berry liquor. Super tasty!!!! Anyway delicous dinner(where we met the other new student Aaron), then back to the Hotel for unpacking, shower, and sleep! Busy busy day!!!