Where It All Began: Day 1, Paris

My first day in Paris!

I arrived in Paris earlier today around 10am. I left San Francisco early that the day, before getting up around 4:30 with only 2 or three hours of sleep. You know how it is, you can’t sleep the day before because you’re so excited. My aunt and I took the BART train to the airport and it was my last train ride after commuting on the train for the previous four years. For the past month, I was worried about my baggage. First it was reducing the shear volume of things I wanted (key word — wanted — not needed) then it was a weight issue. My first lucky instance of the day — I managed to get away with both of my checked baggage being slightly over weight and I was charged $40 less for the second package than I had anticipated!

I said my goodbyes to my lovely aunt whom generously let me spend the last two weeks with as I waited for my student visa. I did not feel like taking out my computer and camera out of my carry-ons through security so there some some slight delay there when they had to rescan and look through my items. No big deal to me — I knew I was being lazy. I made a connection in Chicago. During my first flight, it hit me that I was leaving. All I could think about during that short time of loneliness was of my sister. I tried to hold back the tears. When I arrived to Chicago, my flight to Paris was delayed due to storm. Luckily, this storm was quick (unlike the quasi-typhoon at the Jackson, Mississippi airport I had experienced weeks before).

On the second flight, I got a chance to sleep and re-charge. I usually have trouble spelling, but my large headphones, iPod, and black sunglasses let me take a 3 hour nap on the plane. Usually when you have to sit near the back on a plane, you feel like you get the short end of the stick. I actually lucked out and sat in front of three empty seats so my neighbors and I spread out. I had the aisle next to me and an open seat not he other side. Ahh the comfort of more personal space!

I arrived in Paris around 10am the next day. I originally had to checked bags but in SF they checked in one of my carry-ons to I did not have it with me. I was a little worried of the possibility of my bag not arriving. I lucked out big time in Paris! I quickly found a free cart (it would not have been humanely possible for me to carry everything I had even though I was determined to make-it-work! int he worst case scenario) and all of my three bags came out first, one right after the other! I quickly met my taxi driver whom my parents arranged to meet me. He was dressed in a nice suit and quickly took me to his car. He drove a black Mercedes and there was not hint that it was a taxi. I felt so lucky (and not to mention grateful). We hit some traffic on the way to where I would be living in Paris. The poorer looking part we passed through reminded me of Algeria. The people, the sidewalks, and the dirty buildings. The slightly gloomy sky, comfortable temperature, and greenery (it is so green compared to California!) resembled Montreal, Canada.

After discussing music with the taxi driver, I look outside and notice the classic Parisian architecture of the the buildings. Little did I know that I was approaching my new residence. Out of no where, the streets started to look familiar (I had previously analyzed where I would be living on Google Street View). The wonderful things I had heard about where I would be living were validated. The beautiful church across the street was there surrounded by a little garden was a small taste of the beauty I would encounter during my first day here.

I was greeted by the lovely Madame whom is the grandmother of the children I will be baby-sitting and teaching English. I lugged in my heavy bulky baggage up the elevator with the Madame after thanking the taxi driver. She quickly showed me to my new room. What luck! The lightening is unbelievable and the room is more spacious that I had imagined. I spend some time settling in and then I get invited to Madame’s house for coffee. I usually do not like black coffee but this was the most delicious black coffee I ever had!

I had trouble figuring out the wifi connection so all I had was the clock tower to let me know what time it was. I met the children’s mother that that day after being unconscious (napping heavily) for an hour. She is a very lovely woman. Both her mother and herself speak English so if I struggled with my French, I had a back-up. My French requires improvement but practicing with Madame is off to a great start. When the mother was ready to leave, she offers to show me a little supermarket down the road. I head off with her then explore on my own. I buy some bread and cheese and indulge in some Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. After a long journey to France, I told myself I deserved it.

I took another trip outside the apartment. I wanted to cross the main street where the metro station is located. I wanted to take a look to see how close La Defense (Europe’s largest business district). I cross the street trying to look as casual as possible and look left — l’Arc de Triomphe! My heart flutters! I was not expecting it to be that close! I look right — La Defense with it’s modern architecture. What a beautiful site. I have to look at it every time I take the metro to class after the summertime. Talking about getting lucky.

As I walked around the main street, I became very self-conscious of myself. Everyone and I mean everyone was in suit attire. The men were handsomely dressed and the women were beautifully outfitted with most in heels. There was even a man dressed in a salmon-pink suit who made it look so classy. Luckily, before I left on my little stroll, I made sure to not dress like a bum. As I walked back to the apartment, my thoughts raced through thinking about my wardrobe. Fortunately I have some nice clothes to wear, but let’s just say most of it isn’t. This only motivated my need to get a job as soon as possible!

I Skype-d with my mother and sister that evening and recounted the story of my day. I contemplated writing my first journal entry after plugging in my computer but I could barely keep my eyes open and my body upright.

Before I hit the hay, I look up sunset/sunrise times. Can you imagine 9pm looking like it is only 4pm? Well I experienced it. Sunset here is at 10pm. Crazy! I know I won’t be minding the 16 hour days the Parisian summer had to offer — I get more time for activities!