You had me at "Bonjour"

Bonjour! Today was a very eventful first day in this amazing city. but first let me say that my mom and I got first class on the flight which was an amazing experience. We had a four course meal, reclining chairs, amazing blankets and pillows, and my mom enjoyed a free gin and tonic. So let me just say, if you are going to travel a long distance, think about splurging for the first class seats. And thanks to my dad for working at Delta. Because of him my mom and I not only got to FLY for FREE, but FIRST CLASS was also free. Ahh the good life.

When we got the airport it was only 7 am in Paris, so the city was dead. I am sure people were just getting their first hours of sleep. I was glad that we got there so early because the train was not that busy and so with our large suitcases we didn't really make anyone too mad. When we got to the Cite, which is where I am going to be living, we went to the USA house to check in my luggage and the woman at the front desk didn't speak English. Now I am going to be American for a minute. If you have students who are from the USA in this house, wouldn't you think that there should be a person manning the front desk who speaks English? I don't expect the entire country to, but I think that that is reasonable. Thanks to a bilingual student who was staying there, we got our bags checked in, but not before I had become frustrated and was feeling very uneasy about my decision. However, once we checked into the hotel (which is very nice) and started to actually roam Paris my feelings changed. My mom and I roamed the streets and went into a mall where I had my first Parisien success story. We went to a grocery store where I successfully bought two apples, a Coca Cola Light (not diet here), and a water without having to use English at all. I felt very proud at that moment.

Next, my mom and I had an appointment to be at the Eiffel Tower at 6 pm. I figured out how to use the transportation system, and so getting there was a breeze. I must comment on how fast and efficient the system really is. It took us about thirty minutes to get to the Eiffel Tower from across town. But it was upon seeing the Eiffel Tower that I remembered why I wanted to study here in the first place. I wanted to experience history. As I was looking at the Eiffel Tower, I imagined the 1889 World's Fair and when I was actually in the structure I wondered how Gustave Eiffel felt as he saw his brilliant creation come to life. On the way to the Eiffel Tower there were a million and one vendors who wanted to sell us miniature Eiffel Tower's and a slew of other things. I responded with a "no, merci" and felt myself feeling more confident that I could do this. I could study here.

But the proudest moment of the night was when I ordered my meal in French. Granted it was a chocolate crepe and chicken panini, but I did it in all in French. I said thank you and I would like, and when I was done I smiled at my mom with a look that a five year old gives their mom after they have tied their shoe for the first time. I don't know if the guy knew I wasn't French, but he was really nice to me.

There is much more to write, but we didn't get the right adaptor so my computer is dying. I shall finish filling you in tomorrow after I have seen Notre Dame and this one garden my mom cannot remember at the moment right now. Also, I am extremely tired. This seven hour time difference has drained me! Until tomorrow. Bonne nuit.