Saturday, September 6, 2008
I did it! I’m in Paris! After about 15 hours of flight, 4 different airports, and a trip on the Paris RER train system I arrived at 10am this morning, exhausted and a little bit dazed, in front of the American house (Fondation des Etats-Unis) on the campus of the Cité Internationale Universitaire of Paris. Here is my new address and phone number:
Rebecca Waterhouse
Fondation des Etats-Unis
15, boulevard Jourdan
75014 Paris FRANCE
Phone: 01-53-08-7330
My dear friend Chelsea drove me to the airport at 3AM (Thank you Chelse!!!) so that I could be there the recommended 3 hours before my flight. When we got there the airport was pretty much empty, and I waited with a couple of other travelers until 4:30 when the staff arrived to check us in. My first flight was from Oakland to Denver, then Denver to Washington, and from there to Paris.
The flights went pretty well, although I think I will avoid flying with United again. They’re cheap, but there’s a reason. Their service has gotten pretty terrible. They’ve cut back on things like food and drink and blankets. If you find one on your seat, lucky you. Otherwise you have to fend for youself. I spent 2 of my flights freezing to death. I felt a little sorry for the staff, too; on my last flight there were 4 flight attendants to 300 people. The French lady sitting next to me got very upset when she was forced to eat her airplane meal without any wine because they took so long to bring the drink wagon to us. She said “what kind of a place serves you food without wine?!” How very French!
My first flight was from Oakland to Denver, then
The Fondation building is very pretty on the outside; ivy-covered brick, with red curtains in all of the windows. Inside, the halls of the dormitory are pretty stark, but the rooms themselves aren’t bad. Upon entering the Fondation I was given keys to my room and mailbox, and a pamphlet of information about the building. I am on the 4th story, looking out onto a tree-covered campus and the Fondation of Mexico. Wireless internet is free here (although I have not yet managed to log into the system yet) and each room has a phone from which we can receive calls for free. To make calls, minutes can be bought at a relatively low price. Since it is the weekend I will have to wait, though, as their office is closed. There is a kitchen on every floor, and a common room in the basement that I have not yet visited.
I think that will be taking advantage of the kitchens; after getting settled I went to get something to eat at the Cafeteria in the main building on campus, and was a little disappointed. The main cafeteria seems to be closed until October and the café where I ate had little to choose from besides fried food and baguette sandwiches. It was cheap, but would get old very fast.
There are 40 different dormitory buildings on the campus of the Cité, admitting students of over 130 different nationalities. I don’t think I will have trouble staying active here. Already today I have seen a lot of students out biking, walking and running on the campus, and I think I saw two gyms marked on the map. After eating, I went for a walk around the campus and surrounding areas. I found a grocery store very close by, and got myself some shampoo and laundry soap. I walked a little farther and to my delight I discovered a boulangerie, where I promptly bought a chocolate croissant, which was perfectly crispy and wonderfully buttery. With that, I accomplished goal number 1 of this trip. I have sorely missed European pastry shops.
I have so much more to say, but for now this will have to do. I love you all and send hope to hear from you soon!
Later I'll post some pictures.
