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

[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.