Faire du Shopping

Today, I didn't have to be anywhere until 3:00 PM, so I woke up at 11:00 and went to the supermarche for some more groceries. I got some couscous, a baguette, some different types of cheese, and some salami. It was not very expensive for all I bought; about 10 euros. I went back to the apartment and tried the brie cheese that I bought, and oh! C'est horrible!!! Absolutely disgusting. It tasted like a dead person's feet. So I decided to throw it out, and tomorrow, I'm going to find some Gruyere, which I remember liking quite a bit.

After the cheese experience, I left for school. Today, at orientation, we talked about meeting French people by volunteering and what not. It was very brief, and then I left with some friends to go shopping. You see, the government mandates two sales a year; one in January, and one in June, I think where all the stores have to go on sale. So I was able to buy some things for ridiculous prices. I didn't spend over 10 e total. I bought boots, some earrings, some leggings and a shirt. Now that I've bought a Parisian outfit, I don't have to go shopping anymore.

After shopping, I had dinner with my host family. We had salmon and then potatoes with cheese, and then of course cheese, wine, and fruit for dessert. We talked about Moby Dick and argued over whether he was a whale or something else.

After dinner, I took the metro across town to the Bastille where there were some bars to hang out. We went to an American bar (eck!) because someone from IES was friends with some other people abroad in a different program and it was their last night in Paris. They were playing all sorts of motown oldies music very loud. It was kind of strange, and there were way too many Americans there. We didn't stay there long, because we had to go be back at the metro before it closed for the night. The reason we went out tonight, though, was because the transportation system in Paris is going on strike tomorrow, and we will not have any way to get around. The buses, trains, and the metro will all be closed. They said that they think it will only be 24 hours, but they aren't sure if it will go longer. They probably will have to cancel meetings at IES on Thursday, because to walk would take over 3 hours for most people.

Tomorrow, I will meet with a group for an intense language workshop. I am sad, because my meeting is early (at 9am), so I'll have to wake up at 7 to get there on time. So for now, I must go to sleep. Bon nuit!

Leah