One who wanders isn't necessarily lost

This past week, we started orientation at ESCP.  I met lots of people from various countries, including a couple girls from Argentina, a guy from Germany, and another from Belgium.  There are also a number of people from Illinois and Texas taking classes at ESCP this semester.  In the basement of our school there is a cute (and cheap) bar, and there was a party there last Tuesday night.. it was really fun and we met a lot of nice French guys.

On Wednesday, my roommates and I went ice skating at Hotel de Ville, the city hall, which was lit up with sparkling lights and Christmas trees.  The weather has been perfect the past two weeks, so I've just been wearing a fleece jacket most days.  It was raining all day today, but then again I'll take Paris in any weather!

One of my favorite things to do, and in my opinions one of the best ways to explore a city, is to just walk around and take everything in: the buildings, the cafes, the people... I walked to Notre Dame, down Rue de Rivoli, and around le Marais neighborhood.  (It is probably a good thing I am walking so much, as most of my meals consist of chocolate croissants, baguettes, and pasta!)

Speaking of food, I have yet to have a bad meal in Paris.  Whether it's cooked by my roommates or a meal at a cafe or brasserie, everything is superb.  One of my favorite menu items is the "croque madame," which is similar to a grilled ham and cheese sandwich with a poached egg on top.  When grocery shopping, you often have to go to a few different places: a boulangerie for bread, a delicatessen for meat, an epicerie for spices, and a patisserie for desserts.  (Or you could be lazy and go to the nearby Monoprix supermarket).  About every other day we walk to a nearby boulangerie and buy huge baguettes (for 90 cents).. even the bread at a mediocre or below-par boulangerie is better than you will find anywhere in the States.

My roommates and I spent a few hours at the Louvre the other day.  I will probably return many more times over the semester- both when I have visitors and even just on my own.  In three hours, I explored the Egyptian wing and saw the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory (my favorite).  We walked through the Grand Gallery and saw many of the Italian and Spanish paintings.  On my next visit, I want to spend time in the Richelieu wing, which houses everything from crowns, jewels, and furniture of Napoleon and many French kings/queens.

I engaged in some shopping over the past few days and bought some European clothing essentials: leather boots, a brown leather jacket, leggings, and a spring scarf.  On a similar note, I just bought a Eurostar ticket to visit my friend Becky in London!