I am here

So I am actually in Paris. I must say that is it awesome. I arrived around 7 am, got my bags then got a cab to my apartment. I am only staying here tonight then tomorrow afternoon I am taking all my stuff to the Cite when I will spend the month of September with the other international students.



My roommate, Judith, is very nice. She took me around the city a bit. The area where the apartment is called "Belleville" in the 19th arrondissement. There is a strong Asian population which means lots of cheap stores around. There are a lot of little markets and cafes around and I am less than a block away from a pretty major metro stop. The apartment is cute. My room is kinda small but I don't plan of spending lots of time in there.



Judith took me to the Sciences-Po today so I know where that is and we also went to the Cite so I kinda have an idea of where things are. I will be buying a year metro pass soon. I need to get my student card which is a bit of a hassle, stupid bureaucracy. There was a lot of walking and I was definitely feeling the jet lag but Judith was nice and did most of the talking for me. She told me that my French is pretty good, which is a nice confidence booster. Her old roommate apparently didn't speak French all that well and the beginning. I have used very little English and am feeling okay about my French skills. Tomorrow is the language test, so we'll see.



Lunch consisted of a baguette purchased on the street and some cheese and ham. Very tasty. Fresh bread...yum! French cheese...yum. That will most likely be the base of my diet for the next ten months but I think I can handle it.



So far so good. I promise pictures sometime soon but was a bit fatigued today and overwhelmed by how gorgeous Paris is. Pictures will come. I assure you.

I know you are thinking, "Maria, they are just cranes." I know one special reader who will appriciate this photo. These are cranes as seen from right outside of Charles De Gaulle Airport.

It's here!

My Canon A75 arrived this afternoon at 1:25 pm from Newegg.com in California and was left at the front door. I have spent the better part of the evening fiddling with it trying to figure out all the neato bandito feature. It has quite a few. There was a minor issue getting the manual focus to work as well as getting Mortimer to recognize it but I figured it all out. Maybe I should name my Canon A75. I am so excited. Thank you again, Phil.

It's coming!

Isn't it pretty. Phil ordered it today so I should have it by the end of the week I'm excited!

Thank you, Phil

I recently turned 20. In honor of this occasion one Mr. Philip Peter Boyle is going to buy me a digital camera. The intended use of this camera is to document my study abroad experience in Paris. Once I have the camera and am actually in Paris there will be relevant photos posted. Until then you will have to wait with baited breath.