My first week in Paris

This past Sunday, we arrived in Paris. We've been staying at the FIAP Jean Monnet, which is adequate, I suppose, though they charge ridiculous fees for things like Internet access and laundry. Tomorrow, I move into my appartment. More on that in a bit. My sort-of diary of what I've done this week, not covering the boring stuff:

Monday the 14th: We took a short cruise down the Seine, during most of which I was barely conscious. Got an amazing view of the Eiffel Tower, but stupidly, I forgot to bring my camera. Well, I'm here for close to four more months...
That night, I and some friends went out to a bar - a little hole-in-the-wall place called Le Crocodile, which serves an amazing variety of cocktails. My mango-flavored drink was a tad expensive, but delicious.
Tuesday the 15th: visited the Université Paris VII campus, where we have the option of taking classes. Quite frankly, it's a Goddamned architectural nightmare. Ugly ugly ugly.
Wednesday the 16th: the Centre Georges Pompidou, an absolutely fantastic modern art museum; they had a brilliant exhibit of art installations inspired by cinema. I need to go back there sometime. I also stopped with some friends at what's reputed to be one of the two best gelato chains in Paris (the other being Berthillon). It was still quite good, but I'm disappointed to report that I can name two gelato places in les Etats-Unis that I found better. Paris, you can do better.
Thursday the 17th: Guided tour of Chinatown; mostly pretty dull, until we visited a gorgeous little salon de thé, L'Empire des Thes, which had delicious tea and macarons - cream-filled sandwich cookies which vaguely resemble American maccaroons but which are far superior. We also briefly stopped at the Bibliotheque nationale (where are the goddamn accents on this thing?) which is almost unimaginably huge; besides four gigantic towers filled with books, it has a large courtyard/garden, a large museum, multiple bookstores, a cinema, and a number of cafes. Another place I need to visit again.

I had a bit of interesting drama regarding my apartment, but it's very attractive and I'm looking forward to living there. There's also a Middlebury student living with Mme Baumann, Dan, who seems pretty nice, though I only saw him briefly. Preparing most of my own dinners will also be an exciting adventure. Finally, last night, I discovered the pleasures of chocolate-flavored vodka, though sadly, the price - 4 euros for a shot - is far less pleasurable.

Because certain parties have demanded it, a few of my photos from Bordeaux:

View from my room


The vineyardCeiling of la Grand Theatre:

Bordeaux: the river at night