Arrival in The City of Lights

After a three hour delay of my first flight (Seattle-->Chicago), I had ten minutes to make it from the first flight to the second (Chicago-->Paris). By some miracle, the gate to which the first flight pulled up was literally right next to the one I needed to get to for my flight to Paris. Seems I keep adding to my epic airport stories...

I took a taxi to my homestay in the 15th after failing to understand how to pay for a bus ticket (damn machines...). It was expensive but after the traveling I wasn't really in any position to lug three pieces of luggage and my po' self around rainy Paris. The taxi driver was very sweet and we chatted intermittently. he asked me where I was from and when I responded "les Etats-unis" he would not believe me! he said my French was excellent and he thought I was European. Score. 10 points for Gryffindor.

Paris was incredibly grey and rainy when I arrived. however, Sunday promises to be sunny! Luckily it's been above freezing and actually kind of nice. I was surprised to find it balmier than Seattle.

Speaking of Seattle, I think I'm kind of homesick already. Well, perhaps that isn't true--I'm more just discombobulated and anxious for what is to come, which I know is completely normal. My host mother, Mme Clement, is in her sixties and really sweet and welcoming. She is graceful and chic and straightforward. I hear her setting up dinner (I hear from past students she is also an awesome cook). hopefully I can hold some food down as my body is very confused about this whole business.

Tomorrow morning I leave for my first day of IES orientation. First shot at public transportation on my own, too. Wish me luck. Oh, and that picture of the Eiffel Tower is the view from my bedroom. No big deal.