Parce que, oui.

[aruan]

We got housing assignments for the summer program yesterday. I now have an address! In PARIS! Still cannot believe I'll be living there for a month. For interested parties:

Eva Kis c/o CEA
22 Rue de la Sabliere
75014 Paris
France

Wow, that was surreal to type. Also, note to self: Paris icon. Oh, and do drop me a line with your address if you'd like postcards or sundry - I've got Miranda, Peter, Cooper, and Schiz covered, but I'd be happy to scrawl off many more. [ETA: Of course, baby boy thinks it's du rigeur to be in France this week. Hopefully, I won't be too passe to only arrive next Monday. ;)]

Had myself a minor panic attack yesterday afternoon when my mother suggested I leave my laptop at home. Scary stuff, freaking out in escalating degrees as I tried to fathom the implications of that, and it almost ended in tears. Forgetting Internet access, I'd still need to download photos off my digital camera-to-be, keep a regular journal, work on WIPs, listen to music, etc. Just, no. I consoled myself with a leather computer backpack from Samsonite, and all is right with the world again.

We (giddyupnow, crownzeal, and myself) have a fourth for Challenge! Whoo! Welcome raaone to our madness. Hope you'll find two enthusiasts and the queen who surpasses them all good company. In other not-so-happy Challenge news, I am just as dismayed about the VIP ticket prices as everyone else, but since I missed the tidal wave of fury yesterday, all I've got to say is that for $750, I should get at least three of them delivered to my hotel room.

If I have to make sense of the specifications of one more digital camera, my head will explode. Also, why can't they make reasonable-sized cameras with an optical zoom over three?

I need to e-mail people about France, my French teacher this semester, saturn92103, crazybutsound, the local CEA program director and my new roommate not the least among them.

Comments

[crownzeal.livejournal.com]

Dude, you have a French address! C'est magnifique!

[gjstruthseeker.livejournal.com]

And you have a hotass icon. *rawr*

Paris! I feel so... nah, there isn't a single sophisticated bone in this body. *g*

[canadiankracka.livejournal.com]

I am so incredibly excited for you! Paris! You're going to love it.

[gjstruthseeker.livejournal.com]

And I just remembered - you're the one who went to Paris with Saturn to see Justin, right? Because, if you'd be willing, I've got a couple of questions I'd love to ask, culture and clothing-wise. Don't worry, no landmark pop quizzes. ;)

[canadiankracka.livejournal.com]

I am. And I'd be more than happy to (try and) answer any questions you have.

[gjstruthseeker.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! It's just minor stuff I'm all twisted up about (so as to avoid thinking about the bigger things, natch.)

What kind of clothing do Parisians wear? Are T-shirts and jeans as common there as here, or would I stick out like a big American sore thumb? Not that I won't already with my college-issue flip-flops, but just a general idea of their casual dress would be great.

How good is their mass transit system (metro, buses, anything else)? By that I mean how extensive, ease of use, and getting to places any time of day.

How do they really treat Americans? I speak a fair bit of French (more than enough to carry on regular conversation), but I'm still very noticeably not from France (though I am European, but props to anyone who can discern that anymore.)

And maybe just a couple of general heads-up things? Things that you did on your trip you'd recommend? General observations? Anything at all, really. I've never been to France and have no idea what I'm walking into.

[canadiankracka.livejournal.com]

There were plently of people (including myself) in jeans and t-shirts, so no worries about that at all. If you plan on doing any of the landmarks (which I would assume you are) wear comfy shoes! Specifically for Notre Dame and Sacre Coeur and the Stairs of Doom (tm).

The metro and RER systems are amazing. It took us maybe two days to know it like the back of our hands. Very easy to use, and convenient!

J (who didn't know a work of french, although she rapidly improved with my teachings) wasn't treated any differently than I was, which was fabulous. I'm pretty sure they're immune to tourists, what with dealing with them on such a regular basis.

The people take their dogs (and cigarettes) everywhere, so hopefully you don't have much of a problem with either. Definitely do Versailles if you get a chance. Walk as much as you can. It's such an amazing way to get to know the city and it's pretty difficult to get lost (at least with a map). If possible, get a travel guide. It was wonderful.

Umm...that's about all I can think of. I hope that helps, and if you have any more questions or want clarification on anything, just let me know!

[gjstruthseeker.livejournal.com]

Good thing about the wardrobe, because I remember summers in Europe very well. I don't suppose air conditioning is nearly as prevalent as here, eh?

Nope, no problems with dogs or cigarettes. And Versailles is second on my list after the Tower, definitely. I prefer walking and have pretty good stamina (Times Square to 11th Street/Ave. B in platform boots, whoo!) so that's cool, too. Good to know things are that accessible, that I won't be needing to take public transit or cabs all the time like I would without a car down here.

You've helped bunches, thank you. I just really don't want to enforce any of the ignorant/rude (however unintentionally)/otherwise negative stereotypes, and would like to interact with the natives, so knowing that I won't be nearly as out-of-place as originally thought goes a long way to assuage all that.

[walkingshadow.livejournal.com]

Whee, address!! I will mail things to it once you are there! Just remember when you're mailing things out that postcards take fifty times longer to get anywhere; if you do send them, you're much better served by sticking them in envelopes.

Sorry I didn't call you back about the digital camera thing (er, or the writing exercise thing; I'm a bad friend recently, but I'll call you tonight), but I'm glad you've reconciled it. I had thought about it before, but then I dismissed it from my mind, because there are fifty other things standing in line for brain time, and it'll just have to wait its turn.

Also it's "de rigeur."

*scuttles back to work*

[gjstruthseeker.livejournal.com]

Yay for mail! I still want to see you this weekend, but stuff came up tonight. I'll give you a call at a decent hour tomorrow and maybe we can do lunch? Say, cheeseburgers? ;)

What did you decide about the digital? Because the math I did worked out to about $10 per roll of film, which isn't bad, but I figure I can't go without my computer anyway and I've made peace with the idea of a digital camera, so there you go.

The new phone number: 561-383-6169

God, I really do live in Palm Beach.

[walkingshadow.livejournal.com]

What did you decide about the digital?

Uh, I'm pretty sure I'm getting one. At the moment, I'm just going with the "all will be revealed to me in time," but basically I know that many, many people take digital cameras but not computers on vacation with them, and it all ends well.

I'm going to see a play with Marian and the parents tomorrow afternoon; then we'll probably catch a meal, but I could beg off that. Sunday my mum and I are looking to go dress shopping, as the Bar Mitzvah is looming (plus I need pretty things for the Cambridge dinners). So do give me a call, and hopefully we can work something out around all of that.

[gjstruthseeker.livejournal.com]

They get ginormous memory cards or buy some dock/accessory/thing that holds the pictures in stasis or a small printer that prints on the spot. Or just keep good tabs on how many pictures they take and edit judiciously. I've been trying to come up with another way, especially for such an extened trip (it would be one thing if we were gone for a weekend or even just a week), but I've got nothing, so if you've got a line on something, let me know.

Okay, dinnerish would be good. I've got heaps of research and paperwork that'll keep whatever I decide to do this weekend.

[saturn92103.livejournal.com]

Paris!!!

And my icon matches your post!

[gjstruthseeker.livejournal.com]

Paris!!!onze!! ;) Must.make.icon.

We're cool like that. Great minds and all that. And that's a great picture for the caption. It could be a beret (though not quite a raspberry one) on a cursory glance.

I am such a dork.

Anyhow, besides the standing 'we need to run into each other again, yo' sentiment, I am going to take this opportunity to pounce and ask you a couple of questions, if you don't mind. I desperately don't want to reinforce the ignorant/rude (however unintentionally) stereotype, and any help toward that would be much appreciated.

Did anything - customs, practices, behavior, etc. - catch you off-guard in France? I know it's not as if I'm traveling to Asia or Africa, but does anything socially/culturally different come to mind?

Were there any places you visited, not necessarily landmarks though those would be cool, too, that you'd recommend?

How not advisable are flip-flops generally (not for, of course, hiking the Stairs of Doom)? *clings hopefully*

How is transportation at night? Do businesses close early? How easy is it to get around without having to talk to passers-by? How not advisable is it to travel alone (which I tend to do a lot since I'm good with maps and not afraid to go walking to new places)?

And any other general advice/tips/suggestions/heads up would be fantastic, too.

Also, I fell asleep during Star Trek: Generations last night. Captain Kirk! What happened to Captain Kirk?! *chews nails*

[saturn92103.livejournal.com]

Don't mind at all!

Did anything - customs, practices, behavior, etc. - catch you off-guard in France? I know it's not as if I'm traveling to Asia or Africa, but does anything socially/culturally different come to mind?

Not that I can think of. I wasn't living there so it's definitely a different experience than you'll have. I was surprised at the acceptance of dogs. People take them everywhere! And they smoke a lot, too.

Were there any places you visited, not necessarily landmarks though those would be cool, too, that you'd recommend?

Obviously I loved the museums...The Musee d'Orsay (sp?) and the Picasso Museum were my favorites. (And, of course, Versailles.) I encourage you to pay for the audio tours at museums when you can. It makes a big difference. We wandered around a lot. Walked a ton and went into little out of the way bars and restaurants. That was probalby the most fun because it wasn't so much touristy. But, truthfully, most of what we did was of the tourist variety. Definitely go to the top of Notre Dame. There are also some great experimental theater and dance troups to check out and they're not too expensive. The Theater de la Ville has some great stuff.

How is transportation at night? Do businesses close early? How easy is it to get around without having to talk to passers-by? How not advisable is it to travel alone (which I tend to do a lot since I'm good with maps and not afraid to go walking to new places)?

I was completely comfortable riding the Metro at night. Walking, as well. It was so easy for two people who'd nev

[saturn92103.livejournal.com]

Dude! I wrote so much more but it got cut off. :(

We need to talk.

[gjstruthseeker.livejournal.com]

We do, definitely, and thank you so far, but Captain Kirk! Life! Balance! *meeep*

Man, two icons then. Don't suppose you have a ready source for screencaps?

[poofusgirl.livejournal.com]

eep! A Paris address! How cool!

I'd love to get a postcard from you from Paris. I'm not sure if you have my address, if you don't let me know and I'll email it to you. I'll get one to you myself. How long are you going to be there? Like when is that address no longer yours? lol

[gjstruthseeker.livejournal.com]

It's mighty wicked. I don't entirely believe it yet!

And I'd love to send you a postcard! You can either comment back with your address then immediately delete it if you're not comfortable with having it out there (the comment will still get to me, I get them e-mailed) or you can e-mail it to me directly at iwan2kno@ufl.edu.

I'll be there from the 27th of May until the 29th of June. Whoo!

[crazybutsound]

Yay! You've got a Paris address! And dude, you have to let me know what your dates are, because even if you have no time to get of Paris (which would be understandable with only a month there), I'm still only two hours away by train, so I'll come see you and be your guide... unless you end up being mine seeing as I don't know Paris much more than that, lol. :-)

And also, don't worry, jeans and T-shirts are like the uniform here, too. And as for the way you'll be treated, you won't be treated any differently from anybody in Paris, though you may be surprised by some of the waiters here and there as they don't need tips to survive and hence tend to be a lot more rude to everybody in general, lol. But you're going to love it anyway. Paris is brilliant. :-)

[gjstruthseeker.livejournal.com]

I'll be in Paris from the 25th of this month until the 29th of June, and if I have anything to say about it, I won't spend a single weekend in the city. I want to see as much of France as possible, and of course that means you! But I'd love it if you could come to the city as well and we could cavort together.

I've heard about the waiters from my French teacher, yeah, and only tipping on exceptional service. Speaking of sundry, is food in France, restaurants and grocery stores, terribly expensive? We're living in an apartment with a kitchen, but it'd be good to have an idea what kind of expenses I'm looking at. Also, is it true that wine is cheaper than water? I might not spend a single moment sober, either! ;)

I can't wait at all. Oh, and you need to tell me what footage to bring you! I've been on an organizing spree, so even a general type (interview, performance, solo, etc.) would be cool. And anything else you'd particularly like from the States, please let me know.

[crazybutsound]

Oooo, that's soon! Lol. So, unfortunately, that means I might not be able to make it to Paris... We shall see. But you are more than welcome to come and stay with me for a weekend, and there certainly is plenty to see here as well (my town is very very pretty, yep. and we have Roman ruins here, and a pretty medieval village half an hour from here... hehehehe)

As for food... Well, Paris is generally expensive, but if you go to the bigger supermarkets you'll get good food for a decent price, I'm sure. Also, good drinkable wine is NOT cheaper than water, lol. Any wine cheaper than water would be what we call "piquette", something closer to vinegar than wine, lol. That said, it doesn't mean you can't be drunk 24/7. ;-) *giggles*

If you come stay with me for a weekend, food and drinks and lodging will be provided for free, though. I may even cook something French, or at worst, take you out to dinner, lol.

And ooooo, footage! Well, I only have the things available on DVD, so Reel Nsync and concerts, both from nsync and Justin. Anything else... I don't have. You know my preferences, too, no? ;-) If you bring me Lance, I'll love you forever, but you're welcome to stay here even empty handed.

Anything else... Well, if you can bring me a Starbucks coffee house... bwhahahahaha. I guess not, uh? Mmmmmm.... peanut butter M&Ms are good too, because we don't get them here and I love them. But like I said, you don't have to bring anything for me to be delighted to meet you. :-)

Oh, and I shall e-mail you my address and cell phone number so you can get in touch when you get to Paris, if you want. I can't give you a normal number because I'm moving and don't have my new number yet, and by the time you get here, the number I currently have won't work anymore.

And I shall now stop rambling because you're going to freak out and refuse to meet the crazy French girl who talks so much it's giving you a headache, lol. But feel free to hit me through mail if you have any more questions, k? :-)

[gjstruthseeker.livejournal.com]

Roman ruins! A medieval village! Sound fabulous, but mostly, I'd love to meet and hang with you, do little local things and such. Thanks in advance for your hospitality.

If it is Lance you desire, then Lance it will be. I'll dig through things and see what can be roused. *scribbles a note about the M&Ms* While I can't quite finagle an entire Starbucks, I can arrange for their coffees or syrups if you tell me what you like.

And don't worry! As if I don't ramble, please. :) Whoo! Such fun! *bounces*

[tallories.livejournal.com]

Wow, how exciting! I can't wait to hear all about it from you. *hugs*

[gjstruthseeker.livejournal.com]

Oh, trust that you'll hear, hear, hear, and hear all about it. *g*