Hello Everybody,
Great news, I HAVE A PLACE TO LIVE!!!
It's a lovely appartment in the 4eme arrondisement of Paris which is also known as "Le Marais". I have great memories in this neighbourhood, especially from two years ago when my family did a house exchange and my best friend Spiros came to visit. We spent most of our nights here causing trouble, discussing philosophy (especially works of descartes), and so on. Needless to say, I'm sure I will spend a fantastic year living here and creating new memories.
I have two roommates; Emma is from Spain and Laura is from Germany. They're awesome and we already get along really well! We're planning trips to go to different places in France and in Europe. I don't have a picture at the moment but I will post one of us in our new home soon :) Things finally feel like they're working out and I can now truly enjoy paris and fall in love with it all over again..
Love,
Clara
Monday 26 September 2011
Normandie
Hello,
This past week has been crazy! I still had no housing but I needed to get out of Paris and breathe different air, so I headed up to Normandie. When I was a kid we use to always go up there, it was our version of 'going to the cottage'. After seeing the beaches of my childhood, I decided to see mont st. Michel. I had never been but heard that it was a must see, and it did not dissapoint!
Afterwards I headed to Saint-Malo, which I had just learned is where the French left to go to Canada to form Quebec.. I didn't have many expectations for this stop, but it turned out to be one of the best of the weekend. The ocean there is so dramatic as the huge waves crash agaisnt the fortified walls of old saint-malo.
This past week has been crazy! I still had no housing but I needed to get out of Paris and breathe different air, so I headed up to Normandie. When I was a kid we use to always go up there, it was our version of 'going to the cottage'. After seeing the beaches of my childhood, I decided to see mont st. Michel. I had never been but heard that it was a must see, and it did not dissapoint!
Afterwards I headed to Saint-Malo, which I had just learned is where the French left to go to Canada to form Quebec.. I didn't have many expectations for this stop, but it turned out to be one of the best of the weekend. The ocean there is so dramatic as the huge waves crash agaisnt the fortified walls of old saint-malo.
Mont Saint-Michel.
Saint-Malo.
Wednesday 14 September 2011
Update
Hey everybody,
It's now been a little more than a week that I've been Paris and if I may be honest, it hasn't been fantastic. I understood before coming that the beginning is always hard, you have to start all over with the most basic things like getting housing or a bank account or a phone, but somehow the French system has managed to create a vicious cycle out of this. To get a bank account you must have a fixed address in France, to get housing you must have a bank account, to get a phone you need both...
My greatest victory this week was when after getting brutally rejected by the 'nice' lady at the medical insurance office, I returned determined to get free French health coverage and succeed with a bit of luck! I can now officially get hit by a car and receive treatment at any french hospital (success!)
To celebrate my small victories and my one week anniversary I was craving a piece of home. That's when I came across a Greek take-out place. The majority of the time I lived in Toronto was on the Danforth (Greek Town), so for me comfort food is a gyros. Let me tell you, that gyros was one of the best meals I've had in Paris!
So delicious!
It's now been a little more than a week that I've been Paris and if I may be honest, it hasn't been fantastic. I understood before coming that the beginning is always hard, you have to start all over with the most basic things like getting housing or a bank account or a phone, but somehow the French system has managed to create a vicious cycle out of this. To get a bank account you must have a fixed address in France, to get housing you must have a bank account, to get a phone you need both...
My greatest victory this week was when after getting brutally rejected by the 'nice' lady at the medical insurance office, I returned determined to get free French health coverage and succeed with a bit of luck! I can now officially get hit by a car and receive treatment at any french hospital (success!)
To celebrate my small victories and my one week anniversary I was craving a piece of home. That's when I came across a Greek take-out place. The majority of the time I lived in Toronto was on the Danforth (Greek Town), so for me comfort food is a gyros. Let me tell you, that gyros was one of the best meals I've had in Paris!
Getting medical insurance
Thursday 8 September 2011
Homeless in Paris
Finally here!! Paris is such a beautiful city, it already feels like home as I walk the familiar streets of my childhood. Yesterday I had a steak frites and then an eclair au cafe, and it reminded me why I came back here- the food is simply divine!
In terms of school, French 'Frosh Week' starts Friday and I am excited to finally get to know the university I'm going to be spending the next school year at. As for housing, I am officially homeless in Paris :( This is one of the hardest city to find a place to live, as there is such high demand but so little availability. But I am staying positive and am determined to find a place!
Here I am at the American Church fighting other students to read the bulletin on housing:
In terms of school, French 'Frosh Week' starts Friday and I am excited to finally get to know the university I'm going to be spending the next school year at. As for housing, I am officially homeless in Paris :( This is one of the hardest city to find a place to live, as there is such high demand but so little availability. But I am staying positive and am determined to find a place!
Here I am at the American Church fighting other students to read the bulletin on housing:
Monday 5 September 2011
Goodbye Toronto, Bonjour Paris!
So this is it, what I've been planning for a long time is finally here! My flight is tomorrow and I am super excited. My bags are packed (sort of) and I've said goodbye to my friends and loved ones. I'm not sure what to expect from this adventure, but no matter what happens I will embrace everything that comes my way with open arms!
Love,
Clara
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