Things are finally becoming routine around here and I am forever thankful for that. I can't help that I've always been a schedule person, but luckily Europe is helping me work on that. In case you aren't familiar with Paris, they kinda live by their own rules. Shops and restaurants close at random hours of the day and people aren't worried about set times or deadlines (except for the metro. This place is exempt because everyone runs around like they are about to pee their pants). As I mentioned before, my schedule leaves significant gaps with hardly enough time for huge explorations in the city, but this week I committed to making the most of my schedule, despite my frustrations. I have such an intense craving for adventure and being in this amazing city has only made it worse, especially when I don't have enough time to see and do everything there is!
First off, I just realized how many hours I'm actually in school per week:
10 hours of Grammar (2 hr a day)
5 hours of Phonetics (until October 3rd) (1 hr a day)
4.5 hours of French Cinema
3 hours of English Teacher's Assistant (THAT I START NEXT WEEK YAY!)
.5 interview with my prof every other week
=23 hours per week...THIS IS NOT A JOKE
But thankfully when Phonetics is over it's only 18 hours on a week when I have an interview. To be honest this is probably the most class I have taken in college.
But despite all of that, I have managed to squeeze in some awesome solo trips in between my morning classes and when Grammar starts at 3.
France has so many gorgeous parks and gardens that I've made it my mission to visit as many as I can (I swear there's a lot more to do I just really like these so sorry for the picture overload). The Jardin du Luxembourg is next to my school and one I visit frequently. But this week I made my way to two more:
First off, I just realized how many hours I'm actually in school per week:
10 hours of Grammar (2 hr a day)
5 hours of Phonetics (until October 3rd) (1 hr a day)
4.5 hours of French Cinema
3 hours of English Teacher's Assistant (THAT I START NEXT WEEK YAY!)
.5 interview with my prof every other week
=23 hours per week...THIS IS NOT A JOKE
But thankfully when Phonetics is over it's only 18 hours on a week when I have an interview. To be honest this is probably the most class I have taken in college.
But despite all of that, I have managed to squeeze in some awesome solo trips in between my morning classes and when Grammar starts at 3.
France has so many gorgeous parks and gardens that I've made it my mission to visit as many as I can (I swear there's a lot more to do I just really like these so sorry for the picture overload). The Jardin du Luxembourg is next to my school and one I visit frequently. But this week I made my way to two more:
Parc de Sceaux
So this park has been one of my favorites so far (minus the Jardin du Luxembourg cause that one just has a special place in my heart). I discovered it from a Parisian photographer that I follow on Instagram. It was located a little outside of the city in a very wealthy french neighborhood. After I got off the metro I walked a little bit down the road and stumbled across this beautiful landscape with a chateau at the end. This was one of my favorite places, not only because it was absolutely gorgeous, but also because there were very few people there. It was a nice little escape and I will definitely be making another trip soon. I didn't have my DSLR so you can imagine how beautiful it was just from a little iPhone.
Jardin des Tuileries
On the opposite end of things, today I visited the Jardin des Tuileries which is situated right beside the Louvre. When I got there I found a nice shady spot with this lovely view to enjoy my lunch. Shortly after, a group of guys next to me began feeding the birds in front of them which led to a swarm of the most aggressive birds I have seen in Paris. Paris has many lovely features including pigeons everywhere you walk and the biggest black crows I have ever witnessed in real life (pictured bottom left). For those of you who don't know, I have a severe/irrational (rational though?) fear of birds because I have been attacked TWICE. Not once! TWICE! Yeah I don't know I guess birds just really hate me. But anyway, after the birds started to fly at my head, I decided it was a good time to walk around the grounds. Although they are beautiful, they are very concentrated with tourists considering it's location, so it may be a one time thing for me.
Not a garden or park but....
Not a garden or park but....
View of the Champs-Elysées from the L'Arc de Triomphe
After class on Tuesday, I decided to stay in the city with some friends and grab some dinner before heading to the L'Arc de Triomphe. We treated ourselves to some delicious food and a nice bottle of wine before climbing the spiral staircase up to the top of the giant arc (bad idea don't do that actually). The view was incredible and there was no wait to get up to the top. The best part is we made it just in time to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle on the hour. I still can't believe that I'm in this incredible city, but moments like these really make me appreciate where I am and how lucky I am to be here.
Even though I was frustrated with my time restraints, I'm determined to continue going on adventures as often as I can (and my health permits). Now, it's paying off. This week was filled with so many incredible moments that it's hard to put them all in one post. I am so thankful to have a sense of adventure that allows me to keep going, even after extremely long hours in my classes.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, I am not going to Marseille this weekend (I know, I lied) BUT I am officially going in October when Michael comes to visit (YAY 23 DAYS!!!!). My brother also just booked a trip to Paris and I'm really excited to see two of my favorite guys and show them around my new home. This weekend there is an event in Paris where many private places will be open to the public for free, so I'm sure I will have many new photos and stories to share after that (did I mention it's also Eclair Week at Fauchon????). Next weekend, my program has an organized trip to the Loire Valley which is home to some of the most beautiful castles in the world. Rumor has it we get to have a fancy dinner in a castle?? But I'll keep ya updated on that one.
Upcoming adventures include (possibly, hopefully, cross your fingers): Biarritz (France)/San Sebastian (Spain), Marseille (France), Vaux la Victome (France), Cinque Terre (Italy), Munich (Germany OKTOBERFEST!!), Utrecht (The Netherlands), and Dublin (Ireland)! Who knows if they will all happen, but I really hope I can make it all work!
In other news..
Last night, my little mouse friend paid me another visit. He silently crawled across the floor and back down a hole as I sat in my bed and watched silently. I've decided, at this point, to let the past be the past and become friends with the little guy. His name is Gaston and he likes to run around and sometimes hop in my bed when I'm not there. Pray that I don't get rabies????
Until next time, here's a selfie of my host family (please excuse my tired face)......AR!
Even though I was frustrated with my time restraints, I'm determined to continue going on adventures as often as I can (and my health permits). Now, it's paying off. This week was filled with so many incredible moments that it's hard to put them all in one post. I am so thankful to have a sense of adventure that allows me to keep going, even after extremely long hours in my classes.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, I am not going to Marseille this weekend (I know, I lied) BUT I am officially going in October when Michael comes to visit (YAY 23 DAYS!!!!). My brother also just booked a trip to Paris and I'm really excited to see two of my favorite guys and show them around my new home. This weekend there is an event in Paris where many private places will be open to the public for free, so I'm sure I will have many new photos and stories to share after that (did I mention it's also Eclair Week at Fauchon????). Next weekend, my program has an organized trip to the Loire Valley which is home to some of the most beautiful castles in the world. Rumor has it we get to have a fancy dinner in a castle?? But I'll keep ya updated on that one.
Upcoming adventures include (possibly, hopefully, cross your fingers): Biarritz (France)/San Sebastian (Spain), Marseille (France), Vaux la Victome (France), Cinque Terre (Italy), Munich (Germany OKTOBERFEST!!), Utrecht (The Netherlands), and Dublin (Ireland)! Who knows if they will all happen, but I really hope I can make it all work!
In other news..
Last night, my little mouse friend paid me another visit. He silently crawled across the floor and back down a hole as I sat in my bed and watched silently. I've decided, at this point, to let the past be the past and become friends with the little guy. His name is Gaston and he likes to run around and sometimes hop in my bed when I'm not there. Pray that I don't get rabies????
Until next time, here's a selfie of my host family (please excuse my tired face)......AR!