Paris Needs More Taxis!

Marie-Claire wanted me to have a “real French breakfast” today, but apparently after this I just get full access to the fridge for breakfast, which is fine with me because it was delicious! I got bread she bought at the bakery yesterday (a baguette, a croissant and these rolls with chunks of really light, airy salt on them), butter, 2 types of jam (apricot and this really yummy orange and elderflower – anyone know what that is? – jam from Sweden), honey, yogurt and tea (Sarah – it was Earl Grey).

When Marie-Claire was showing me around the apartment yesterday, she showed me where I could keep my food in the fridge and also a cabinet where I could keep non perishables and said something along the lines of “like ingredients for cake” but I was thinking things you need to make a cake like bundt pan and knives and all I could think was I don’t want to go buy a bundt pan in France!

I decided to head into Paris early before going to orientation so I could check out the famous “Pomme de Pain” that Sarah had recommended. I ended up not finding the one I was looking for and went into a Monoprix instead. This one was much more impressive than the one near my apartment and fulfilled all my expectation and more, including and ready-made food section, from which I selected an Indian Chicken Wrap.

The first day of orientation was not so much orienting and more just being spoken to about not being stupid. Oh well maybe Monday will be more interesting. They double booked my schedule and gave me two classes at the same time on the same days, so something will have to change there. I did find out that we get a pass that gives us unlimited, free visits to the Louvre the entire semester, which I am quite excited about. That almost makes up for only getting to spend an hour and a half exploring the museum the last time I was here. Also, apparently the famous French transportation strikes usually happen in October and the lady said sometimes the metro kind of works but we should be prepared to walk. I just Googled the distance between my apartment and my school, there is 8.2km between the two and Google estimates that to be a 1 hour and 50 minute walk. Can’t wait! After orientation Abbey, Brand and I headed for a lunch/ snack and then proceeded to spend a very long amount of time waiting for a taxi that would take Abbey to her apartment since she in on crutches. Paris really does need to hire more taxis.

I also bought my Passe Navigo today, which gives me unlimited access to the Paris metro and bus system. It will be nice not to have to buy a ticket every time I take the metro, but goodness plunking down 60 euros at once for transportation is hard, especially knowing that I have to do it every month! I had wanted to go grocery shopping this afternoon since I need to start providing some of my own meals soon, but by the time I finally got back to the apartment, I was just too tired, so that will be on tomorrow’s to do list. I figure Saturday is a good day for that anyway.

For dinner tonight we had ratatouille with veal, a green salad and some red wine. We discussed various fruits and vegetables and the new hybrid mixes they are coming up with. Marie-Claire once again tried to make me eat more and I was able to get away with just taking a little more salad and turned down the fruit or yogurt, but maybe I’ll have some tea in a little while. Sadly I think I’m going to try to catch up on my American TV right now, I know I’m terrible!