First Week of Class

Ah FDOC...

Let me just start out by saying it's true: the French university system and the American university system are very different. I won't spend too long talking about the trials and tribulations of trying to register for courses late as an exchange student but I'll just mention two things:

1) You don't email professors here. I was told if I email a professor before meeting them that they will resent me.

2) When I asked a professor on the second day of class (two days after the first) if she had had a chance to talk to the administration about whether or not I could be in the class she said that she hadn't. And when I asked if I could get her email so she could tell me when she hears back she responded a bit like this:

"The French system and the American system are very different. We don't get you answers as quickly here as you do in the US. I haven't forgotten about you, you're just going to have to wait longer."

She didn't give me her email.

On to the more fun highlights of the week...

P'tites Indécises: Met up with some friends at this restaurant/café in the 11th for lunch after our first class. It was cute and bright with a nice atmosphere and wifi. And they gave me a speculoos cookie with my coffee (score!). However, wifi wasn't awesome and service was a little on and off. The wifi could have been because we were all furiously trying to plan weekend trips though so I won't judge them on that. They have a great lunch menu deal, my salad and melon gazpacho was delicious!

Ran around les jardins des tuileries again, it's become my typical running spot and I still can't get over how pretty it is. I'm pretty lucky to live so close to it.

Les Jardins des Tuileries

Bistro Saint Dominique: Mrs. Flanagan was SO nice to invite me to a dinner here with her and her friends Chantal and Marta! I had an great time, and we spoke in French for the whole dinner which was tiring but very helpful for me - and they were very nice about helping me converse! Learned some useful phrases and got a lot of insider info about Paris from them. Service was pretty bad (rude waiter) but the atmosphere was very nice. Pretty neighborhood and nice lighting/booths inside. I got a crab/avocado dish to start followed by a truffle/ham mac and cheese (how could I not?). We all shared an apple clouftis for dessert as Marta told me it was very French and I was not disappointed of course.

Boat Resto U: I don't know the exact name of this place but it's one of the French university cafeterias. You're probably like "um.. ok.." but the french cafeteria system is AMAZING. The food is great and they give you SO much. You can get a starter, entree, and dessert all for 3,55 euros! They have great meats, fish, cooked vegetables, lots of side salads, cheese platters, charcuterie platters, yogurts, and lots of different types of tarts. American universities could learn a thing or two from them. OH! And this one was on a boat on the seine. Pretty cool atmosphere for sure.

Sugarplum Cake Shop: Went here to study/hang out one day after class. It's an adorable cutesy café in the Latin quarter with great coffee and pastries. They apparently have free refills on filter coffee from noon-3 (clutch!) and delicious scones. You can also watch them make cakes in their cake shop next store. Great atmosphere and wifi (the ideal combination).

Just a random little square I wandered through on my walk from Sugarplum Cake Shop. Gosh.

Margot made a cantaloupe sorbet for dessert one night this week! Once again why can I not just whip up these types of things at home...

We also made another appearance at Chez George which was super fun as always. Made some french friends who introduced us to the DJ (aka a guy playing music videos on youtube behind the bar), so we're kind of a big deal.

Café L'Arobase: Study cafés seem to be the theme of this week and this one is great! It's right between Paris 7 and Paris 1 so it's a very convenient location. They have good coffee and delicious desserts (Natalie and I shared a white chocolate and berry crumble pie which was to die for). I came back later in the week to try their lunch formula (bagel sandwich+salad+coffee). I've gotta say that the "New Yorkais" bagel was a bit laughable as it had maybe a slice of salmon and a dollop of cream cheese. So I guess New York does do at least one thing better than Paris. However, it was still tasty and I will definitely be a regular there. Side note: arobase means @ in French. They incorporate the @ sign in to the cup of coffee in their logo which is pretty clever.

La Grande Epicerié: Stopped in hear on my lackadaisical walk home from class and it was very worth it! Kind of a mix between Dean and Deluca and Whole Foods. I didn't buy anything but it was still fun to wander around and look at all the gourmet food being made.

Thursday night I had dinner with Margot, Christelle, and Gaelle and we made crêpes! It was very casual and very fun. Really felt like part of the fam and had some delicious crepes so definitely a great night to end the first week of classes.