Getting settled

As mentioned in the last post, I had this entire week off classes, which was extremely nice. Finally time to sleep, eat, explore, run, stand in long lines for various bureaucratic necessities and try to find an apartment. Some of these activities were more successful than others.

This week the number one week the number one priority was to get my carte de sejour. My visa issued by the consulate this summer (which was a huge headache in itself) only lasts for 3 months, and so before it expires I had to present myself to the "prefecture de police" - a division of the authorities that would allow me to stay in France for a full year, and after that year I can always choose to renew it. I was told that it would be a lot faster to get this done at Cite, where I am staying, rather than doing it at Sciences Po or making an appointment with the Prefecture myself. All I can say is I don't want to know what the "less fast way" would have been. I arrived at the office in our administration building at 10:30 on Monday. After standing in line for 45 min to receive my number, I was given #49. By 12:30, they were calling #7. No joke. I proceeded to go back to my room for the afternoon and come back at 3:30 (they are open 8:30-4:30 M-F). They were only at 15. I know.

Needless to say I needed to step up my game if I was going to get my carte. I woke up on Tuesday at 7:30 (which was dedicated since I had been at a wine and cheese the night before) in order to get to the office at 8, 30 min before it opened. Good choice because I ended up being #2 in line for the prefecture de police. Excellent I thought, now I will be out of here quickly. Think again. I wasn't helped until 9:50, and it took until 11:15 for them to complete my folder. And I was #2. Now if that isn't absurdly slow, I don't know what is. The best part is that now that I have my carte, its not official until I get a medical check, with an appointment three weeks away. I love the French.

The administrative building at Cite. Who knew such a beautiful building could bring such frustration?

All this waiting in lines left me a little tired and stir crazy at the same time. This was the motivation I needed to get back to running a bit more regularly. I have now run 6 out of the last 8 days, nothing too special but better than nothing. Being a multi-sport athlete, this has been very different. I haven't run that much in such a short space of time in years. Running here is very different. The parks that are around, while very nice, are very small and full of people. Forget a quiet run all by yourself. Most people will run in these parks. In my runs around the city, I have seen hardly anyone else running on the street. I don't know if its considered indecent to be seen sweating in public or what. I've hardly seen any other females running either. All and all a bit weird. There doesn't seem to be a big sporting/athletic culture, and yet there are hardly any obese people either. And they love wine, bread and cheese. Start puzzling...

Parc Montsouris, across the street from Cite Universitaire, where I go running.

Despite having stood in lines to get my carte de sejour, my carte etudiante and my carte bancaire, I also was able to get out during the week/weekend and do some touring around the various arrondissements (neighbourhoods) to see some of the sights. There are 20 in total, I live in the 14th. Some highlights of the week were Sacre Coeur, which I only saw briefly during a scavenger hunt up in the 18th on Thursday, Chateau de Vincennes in the 12th, and the Musee de Carnavalet in the Marais/4th (where I also had the world's best falafel). The history geek in me never ceases to have my breath taken away by the architecture of these buildings, and wondering about the lives of the various people who lived in them

Sacre Coeur, Corina at Chateau Vincennes and Victor Hugo's house in le Marais

I also have done a bit more sampling of the student nightlife. The best night out so far was this past Thursday. In Europe, there are exchange agreements between many universities to promote exchange in Europe. This program is called Erasmus. Apparently every Thursday in most areas where these Erasmus exchanges happen, they host these international parties. I decided to venture out for my first real club experience in Paris at one such Erasmus

party after having stuck primarily to bars. Good call. Free entrance to all students before midnight, the place was packed and the music was great. It was awesome to bump into a number of familiar faces too! Conveniently I have no class on Fridays, so I think could become a regular occurance :) My new Pit night (shout out to UBC!)

The lower level dance floor at Club Mix

International mix: l-r australian, romanian, canadian and japanese!

Friday I also experienced a very celebrated Pont des Arts. It is a pedestrian bridge over the Seine a few blocks from Sciences Po that overflows with students from all over the world coming to enjoy a gorgeous over some music, wine and food. It has such an amazing atmosphere.

Following our little pre-party on Pont des Arts, I headed to my first ever Salsa Bar. A small hole in the wall close to uni. So much fun! There were two distinct rooms, one with newbies trying their best to follow the beat, and a second room with more experienced dancers.

It was also really cool because these dance rooms were in a converted wine cellar/cave. Very cool ambiance. I am particularly excited to come back later on and show off some new and improved skill from the salsa and ballroom dancing classes I have signed up for this semester through the sports association at Sciences Po. Best thing is I get 2 credits for the classes!

Eva, from Germany, and I at La Pena, the Salsa bar

Tomorrow is my first day of classes, so officially the end of summer. Now back to the grind. All 12 hours of in class Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. I love being an arts student. I'm actually kindof excited, hopefully I'll start meeting some more French students, and learn some stuff on the side. Novel idea. First up tomorrow is 20th century Chilean History. Sounds like fun :)

On the housing front - still nothing :( Hopefully something positive to report later this week!

A la prochaine les amis!