Orientation

So this week I started orientation at BU, had a placement exam and got all the administrative details settled. I also started riding the metro, which was amazing this morning on the way to school since it crosses the Seine and has a view of the Eiffel Tower the whole way (and by "whole" I mean 2 stops). It's very close but a good 25 minute walk from where I live, so when it's warmer I will probably choose that route.

The subway system is really easy to understand but the doors on the trains are funny because you have to manually lift a lever to get them to pop open. Also on the subway, you can experience french humor - which is upfront and without censorship - through the many advertisements. The "it" ad right now is for condoms, showing how they have many alternative uses so you should always carry one with you (i.e. if you just won a fish at a carnival and the bag breaks, you can inflate one and put water in it and save your fish)....a little odd but makes you laugh.

I have also gotten familiar with french dog poop since it seem all dog owners never clean up after their pets and leave land mines all over the street and sidewalk. It's something I've learned to watch out for (so caution if ever in Paris!).

My last observation has to do with saying hello. Remember in Beauty & the Beast when Belle walks into the town in the morning and everyone is saying "bonjour" to each other? Well the song in the movie may make it repetitive but it's truly how it is in Paris. Everyone says bonjour to shopkeepers and such, and if you don't, they think you are rude and sometimes will refuse to serve you. When walking through a marketplace this morning, everyone exchanged bonjour's even if they were just walking by. This sort of politeness and formality makes french a truly charming language.