Settling in

So I've been in Paris for two weeks now. Still familiarizing myself with the city and it's customs. There are many things that I thought were natural conveniences that even France would have, but things have definitely been different. The couple Lauren and I are staying with have been absolutely wonderful. They are very helpful and accommodating, and just want us to feel at home as part of the family.

This last week has been pretty low key. I haven't been taking as many photos as I would like, but I don't want to look too much like a tourist. I've been eating out with and enjoying friends, as well as having delicious home made dinners nightly with Lucile and Gille.

Other than our field trip to Fontainebleau, I've been staying in Paris wandering with Lauren and going out. Mostly relaxing, eating, and going to class.

[Outside our friends' flat and before we had phones. We had to wait till they looked out the window to see that we were there in order to let us in. We waited on the street and ate bread and cheese for 15 minutes before we were discovered. This is a good example of what most building's look like in Paris. All apartments in the city are beautiful 5 or 6 story buildings with lovely architecture and iron railings around window balconies]


[After we made it inside and had dinner. This is my housemate Lauren, and a classmate Justin]


[From our busstop, this is a photo of the church that is across the street from where we meet for classes. Saint-Germain des Pres]


[Inside our classroom. My instructor Will for our conversation class, and some classmates]


[A Parisian street not far from where we take our classes]


[Moufftard; a street where we've gone a few times to drink]


[metro]


On October 16th, my class went to Fontainebleau, France. It was a 40 minute train ride south of Paris. We visited The Royal Château de Fontainebleau where Kings and Emperors of France had made residence at one point or another. It was here, in the staircase entering the palace that Napoleon Bonaparte bid farewell to his old guard before going into exile in 1814. Francis I, King Henri II & IV, and Marie Antoinette were among the people who lived here temporarily. Leonardo da Vinci had visited the château at one point as well. They also had a modern art exhibit throughout the palace. I was really confused until it was explained to me. There was some weird stuff sitting in apartments and staircases. But overall it was very beautiful and quite fascinating.

[The front of the Chateau]



[Grand entrance hall]


[Modern art]


[Marie Antoinette's private chamber]


[Napoleon slept here]


[Statue]


[Myself in front of the Chateau]


Next weekend I'm going to Amsterdam with a group of classmates so expect more pictures soon!