New Room

Moving in day!
This morning I had the bright idea, based on years of summer camp bunking/dorming experience, that I would head over to the hotel around 11, when I would check out of the present hotel. That way I could get the bed I want and settle in. Well, the maid started bugging me to leave just after 10, so I checked out and walked across the street to the new hotel. It felt slightly ridiculous, but it was certainly convenient. As I approach the main desk, the lady behind the counter says are you with Rutgers? Well, after I finally understood what she was saying, it was very simple checking in. And what do you know, my roomies were in the main lobby waiting for the elevator. So much for my genius plan.
Anyways, my roomies seem fine and sane. We'll see. One of them did have a glass of wine at 1:30 in the afternoon. In the hotel room. Just before going to take a nap...whatever. I'm rooming with I think the only non-humanities majors. The two know each other so they are sharing a room with a double bed. I'm taking the pull-out couch (which btw pulls out only about 6 inches. it's a single bed...weird.) At orientation before the program the girls from last year said the rooms were really crowded. Umm, they should stay in some of the places I have! Decide for yourself though, photos below.
Tonight I have orientation and then a dinner with the group. Hope the restaurant has a vegetarian option, since about 70% of the places I've looked at on the street don't have anything without meat except maybe one appetizer. Whatevs. Class tomorrow. Gotta go finish my reading...

Excuse the awful pics. My camera died, and I am temporarily left with my computer. If anyone is wondering, the photos are flipped to be correct. Wouldn't want to offend anyone (cough*cough)...

Spent the day outside today. After waking up well into the day (I definitely needed the sleep!) and leisurely getting ready, I decided I'd visit the Arenes des Lutece, a park with a Roman 2nd century amphitheatre. Needless to say it was really amazing, and it didn't seem to be a tourist hot spot. Brought my sketch book and tried to loosen up after a year of drawing almost never. The weather was perfect, and so I spend a while wandering through an antique street market on my way to and from the garden. I bought 100 old stamps to decorate the non-class journal I bought for the trip. Close to my hotel, I couldn't resist and bought myself a fantastic crepe for lunch! It was slightly disheartening, though, that after ordering in French, the man selling the crepes asked me where I was from...in English.

I found what looks like a really cool vegetarian French restaurant across the Seine from where I'm staying. I had planned to try it tonight, but the new shoes I was wearing cut my walking tolerance a bit short. I think I might try lunch tomorrow, if the new hotel will take my luggage early. Tomorrow is the last day on my own for a month, and I will definitely miss the freedom! I didn't even bring my watch with me today. It's wonderful to have some time totally to myself. Don't worry, I still miss everyone at home (maybe...). As I always say on fun vacations: You think I'm coming home the end of July, but really I'm gonna to go ahead and move here! :)

Here are the photos for the day. Just sketches with either oil pastels, charcoal, or pen.  The only difference between the last two is that I added pen to the second. This was a decision made after a man came over and asked to see my work and I think was actually disappointed, so I stepped back and tried something rash for me: mixing media. Please, tell me whether you think my decision was a success or not! Feedback is always helpful...

Today was my arrival in Paris! After two flights, too many security checks, and an airport shuttle to my hotel, I am finally here in Paris, getting settled. Didn't get here until almost dinnertime, so tomorrow will be the day I really get started. The photos are from my hotel. Two from the balcony outside my room and one from the stairwell. I'm in an area with a lot of cafes and more local than tourist stores. I spent the evening out walking, admiring the eclectic architecture of anything from apartments to a rundown hospital. I think either tonight or tomorrow, I will go back and sketch it.

Well, that's about all the excitement for today. I might go catch a coffee in a little bit. Or catch up on sleep. Definitely a smooth transition into Paris! Now if only I could stop answering people's questions in Spanish... :)

Travel Chaos

Eek! Trying to figure out where I will stay and what I will do between July 17th and July 28th...Have to figure out something before the flight tomorrow night. Oy, still have a lot of work to do! We'll see what happens... :)

Start of an Adventure

This will be my space to record my six-week trip to France, and give updates on where I am and what amazing things I'll be doing for the pleasure of my family and friends. I will have internet in my hotel, so I will attempt to be fairly diligent about posting. The adventure begins this Friday, so wish me luck and keep reading!