Paris Preparation

I'm sitting in my bed suffering from severe jet lag and there are a lot of thoughts running through my mind, both bad and good, and I've come to the conclusion that there are too many unknowns about Paris to spend time stressing over them. Sure, my french isn't great but I know how to say wine and coffee and really what more do you need in Paris?

There is a lot of preparation that goes into a semi-permanent cross-Atlantic move, but I've discovered there are really three categories to it all; packing, communication and accommodations.


Packing 
Packing turned out to be quite an endevenor. Bringing 8 months worth of clothes and shoes in two bags is no easy task. The bags ended up being 48 and 49 pounds respectively, which is (barely!) under the weight restriction. I'm still amazed I managed to fit it all, but I definitely have no room to buy so much as a sock in Paris. Considering the price of clothing in Paris, that's probably for the best.

Communication
The phone business turned out to be complicated as well. Verizon offered ridiculously expensive global plans and giving up my iPhone was really not an option for me. Luckily, the iPhone is a very internationally friendly phone and I managed to find a great solution. I've bought a SIM card for my phone and will be using it upon arriving in France. This will give me a new French number, which is really exciting but unforunately, not a great thing for staying in contact with everyone in the states.

If you have an iPhone, download the application "WhatsApp." This app uses WiFi connections to send text messages and because it doesn't relay on a service, it's completely free to send texts or pictures. Here's the link to download it in the app store WhatsApp. I am also a big fan of Skype dates, just keep in mind the 6 hour time difference and I promise to be good about emailing anyone back.


Accommodation 

• I'm living in the 11th arrondissement. My apartment is the "A" 

• I'll be staying with a host family, though it's not really a family because it's just one middle aged woman who has full grown children who no longer live with her. I do have one other room mate who is in the same program as me.

Paris will be amazing, but going is a bittersweet feeling. I'm leaving a great life behind in Ann Arbor and it just seems right to dedicate my pre-Paris post to all of the amazing friends and family that I won't be seeing for awhile and who I will miss quite a lot. Definitely send emails/facebook/carrier pigeons as necessary.

To all my friends studying abroad, hope to see you somewhere in Europe!

More adventures to come!

Bisous (word for kisses in French)
-A