How do I even begin to describe the anticipation I felt as my plane slowly began its descent toward Paris, not even a week ago? As the clouds melted away from the wing of our 747, I was presented with a stunning view: an endless landscape, peppered with twinkling lights and clusters of civilization amongst the lush meadows. Paris!
After we were detained on the airplane for another 20 minutes (something about a release form because we were potential carriers of swine flu?), I marched into Charles de Gaulle airport, ready for my excursion abroad. And, after what can only be described as a blur of incredible experiences (la Tour Eiffel, le Louvre, le Chateau de Chantilly, l’Arc de Triomphe, la ville de Montmartre, etc. etc.), the realization is finally setting in that this isn’t just some fleeting summer vacation; I’m living here for the next two months. And life in Europe is very different than life in the United States.
So, rather than bore you with the innumerable details of all the places I’ve visited so far (that will inevitably come later, when we talk in person!), I figured I’d write about some of the oddities I’ve encountered so far in France...
First of all, the French have a penchant for using “DOWN” arrows as a way of saying “Continue walking straight.” Now, maybe I was undergoing some culture shock at the time, but this brought me ENDLESS amounts of confusion when I was trudging around the airport, trying my best to locate “Café la Terrasse” (my rendezvous point with the study abroad people). Terminal 2? Downward arrow. So, head downstairs…and discover an upward arrow telling you to head up the escalator to…Terminal 2! What on earth…? Yes. Down means “straight” sometimes in Paris.
Moreover, taking a shower, it seems, has been transformed into some kind of game in my Parisian dormitory. There are no nozzles…or levers…or anything to adjust the water flow in the shower stall. There is only one, small silver button. And pressing it makes you wish you had never been born. The first time you press the button, you are rewarded with an icy blast of water to the face, causing you to leap back in horror. And the water flow ceases after about five seconds. The second pressing of the button will have similar results. And the third. If you’re lucky (and if you have not turned completely numb at this point), you may notice a SLIGHT increase in temperature when you press the button a fourth time…and, if you have managed to persevere up until this point, the water temperature will eventually stabilize, become unbearably hot, and then fluctuate between freezing and boiling temperatures for the rest of your shower experience. QUITE enjoyable, really.
Finally, I really can’t conclude this post without mentioning Parisian drivers. There is not one doubt in my mind that, if I EVER was stupid enough to attempt to drive myself anywhere in Paris, I would be killed. Immediately. For a great deal of the time, lanes do not exist in the city, and drivers swerve left and right, while bicyclists and motorcyclists weave in between them. And Parisians park in unimaginable places. Oh, is that parking space too small for even a bicycle? Well, a car will probably end up parking there. Really. And, as a pedestrian, if you DARE to cross the street when the “Walk” sign is unlit, you will be shown no mercy. Cars—not pedestrians—have the right of way in Paris.
But, with all of that said, Paris is a phenomenal place to live, and there is seemingly no end to the amount of sights to see. And, while I do find myself greatly missing certain things and certain people at home, I know that my next two months will be wonderful. Unforgettable. An entirely new world, teeming with things to explore. Plus, Parisian coffee is unbelievably good. So…that’s pretty much all I need. :)
Alors, allons-y! La voyage commence!
