I made it!!! The journey was pretty exhausting. For the most part, I slept through the two flights, but I was still exhausted. Sleep on the plane doesn't really count. On the train, I was trying to stay awake to watch my bag (everyone puts their larger suitcases in a common spot right by the doors), but I kept dozing off anyways. The TGV is really nice, the seats are big and comfortable and there's a ton of leg room. The ride is really smooth too. The flights were not so great - American Airlines is very no-frills. The only TV's were in the aisles, and the food was not very good. And the seats are tiny!! And the guy next to me on the second flight kept fidgeting which was annoying.
Then I managed to walk about half a mile to the hostel, which was kind of uncomfortable since it was hot and humid and I had so much stuff. The hostel was not great, but it was only 22.5 euros, and it included a free breakfast. The main part of the breakfast was a huge chunk of bread - very French!
There was a girl in my room at the hostel who's in the same program, so we split a taxi to the dorms. There, the program director greeted us and informed us that we would "have to exert ourselves a little," since our rooms were on the 4ième étage (that's the 5th floor to Americans!). Luckily, someone helped me most of the way with my 50 pound suitcase.
The dorms are, uh, not great. They're kind of old and gross. It's also a little unsettling how frequently the program directors tell us to always lock our doors... But today someone put a seat on one of the toilets, so obviously things are looking up!
This week is mostly orientation stuff. Yesterday was a general orientation to France and the program, and today there was a meeting on housing. I still don't know where I'm living! Scary!
This Saturday, we're going to the beach and giant sand dunes. And le Musée des Huitres (Oyster Museum)! We're supposed to try one... I'm a little apprehensive. Can't I experience French cuisine with, say, a croissant or some cheese??
À bientôt!
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