It's been a little over a week now in France. After coming in from the States I've been in Paris, had orientation in Grenoble for a day, and then returned back to Paris. It has been a lot of fun getting to know the city. Its big, there is plenty to see, and it is also pretty easy to get around. I've been staying in the same apartment in central Paris with Chris Gregores and another friend from Portland, Sean Spang. None of us speak any French but we managed to have a pretty wild time. A few days we even felt adventurous enough to go out by ourselves without the aid of Chris' cousin, who grew up and lives here.
On to the language challenge. So far, still so good but its looking dicey. We ended up having to pay 65 euros for shisha one night due to our limited ability to complain. It is just a lot easier to get ripped off. It also quickly becomes obvious that you miss a certain element to the entire experience. A few nights ago in Grenoble I needed translation from my roommate Ben to understand this deadlocked rasta telling us about how girls are nothing but trouble. It was 2 AM, we were at a tram station, and I would have loved to keep this guy going. I speak fluent "depressed homeless rambling" back home. Hopefully, by the end of my time here I can enjoy a conversation like this one. I met someone from Latvia who spoke English to learn that apparently it sucks there (shocker) but he said Prague was pretty cool. More language skills would really add a lot of value. I better get on it.
Other random observations:
Old European men have perfected the art of wandering aimlessly. If theres a perfect balance between looking both clueless and determined to go somewhere, those men aged 55+ have found it. I'm sure they are just enjoying living or doing something really poetic and European but if your people watching, its funny to see.
I was very impressed by my school in Grenoble (Grenoble Ecole de Managemen). The building is really nice, the people seem friendly, and its on the complete other side of town from where I'm living. I guess riding a tram won't kill me. Hopefully. I'm about to finish Kurt Vonnegut's "Sirens of Titan", if anyone has a good book recommendation, send it my way. I could use it for that commute.
Even though I havn't explored Grenoble, its very easy to get antsy. It's the same feeling I get when I'm in an international terminal at the airport. You look at the boards and you see all of these cool places that people are going. Its always been a little overwhelming for me. The cool thing is being around at a time where its not hard for me to get everywhere. The danger is going nowhere because you sit around daydreaming. I'm lucky enough to be in a lot of extraordinary circumstances, I just need to chill out, figure out where I want to go, and get there. Its worked for me in the past but right now there's a ton of options. I'm excited to see where I end up.
Yes mom and dad, I am still coming home in December. Don't read that the wrong way.
Time to pass out on the train, didn't get home until 6 this morning from going clubbing and my ears are still ringing. Paris is fun.
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