After weeks of pain-staking searching and running all over Paris, I have finally found an apartment to call home. Apartment hunting in the City of Lights is a ruthless business. There are too many people searching and not enough apartments/rooms to go around. You have to be quick and ready to jump at it if you spot someplace you like. I met many a strange -or perhaps more appropriate words could include 'unique' or 'tres interessant' -person on my quest for a Parisienne adresse. And many a person who was willing to fight me for it. Ugh... give me a break!
There was one apartment I visited in the very prestigious 7eme, which would be shared with two other girls. The room was lovely but then the owner said 'oh oui, c'est vrai. Les deux autre filles aient acces a la salle de bains dans votre chambre.' : The two other girls would need to use the ensuite in my room to shower every day. Walk through my room, past the bed to the ensuite. 'Oh non Madame, c'est pas possible pour moi!'
A young French girl almost impaled me... yes, that's right, almost impaled me with the daggers in her eyes and on her tongue for another in the same chic 7eme. It was an interesting experience for me to attempt to talk back to someone in a foreign language... but at the end of the day, I was like 'hey, you can take it if you want it that much!'- I've got another 3 apartments to visit tomorrow!!
And I visited another which I think I could rightly call a 'shoebox'. It was 9 metres squared- it was entirely one room- with the shower placed nicely against the kitchen sink. Oh! And the toilet (a hole in the ground) was in the hall, which would be shared with 3-4 other apartments on the floor. Hmm... je pense, peut-etre pas! But it was fetching a rather hefty monthly price due to it's close proximity to Bir-Hakeim Metro and the Eiffel Tower.
Rue Mouffetard (lovingly nicknamed La Mouff) is one of the most famous and oldest streets (circa. the FIRST century) in Paris' Quartier Latin in the 5eme. It is a hip mecca for French students and tourists alike. Opening the door into the ancient building, which housed the apartment I was to visit, I felt like I was going back in time. Cobbled stone floor and walls, it was an amazing bit of history and architecture right here- but the actual apartment- well, not so much! I think my reaction after the owner opened the door was 'OH!' and then '...Oh...'.Yes, it was one of those 16th century buildings. Almost untouched by contemporary... well...anything. Need I say more?
And this is only a brief taste of a few of the beaucoup des appartementsI visited. It was difficult just getting more information out of someone about their apartments. Simple things such as sending some photos, answering questions about what is actually in the apartment ended up being a long trial. A lot of the time I received no answer or 'Oh yes, you could visit the apartment in person. But mmm... I'm not in Paris. I'm in... uh... the UK at the moment, so unfortunately you can't but happily send me the deposit anyway'. Woah, hang on a second! Oh, I would rather forget.
Can you believe that this is the view from my very first apartment?!
I am so happy and relieved that it is all over now. I have a lovely little studio apartment of my own. My very first apartment. It is amazing to think that my first apartment ever is in Paris with a balcony view of the Eiffel Tower!
My new home is located only blocks away from the Champ de Mars and the Seine. I love the area that it is in. Even though it is only walking distance to the Eiffel Tower, it is mostly residential- and not at all a touristy district. Everything I could possibly need is located in this quartier. Whether it be les restaurants, supermarches, boutiques, La Poste, les banques, boulangerie, boucherie, access to four Paris metro lines- it has everything. And yet, it is still a peaceful area to live.
Today, I went to sign the lease and pick up the keys. To my delight, I discovered that there is a twice-weekly market that is held right next to Dupleix Metro- 2 minutes from my front door. C'est Magnifique!
I will start moving tomorrow after I finish class (this will be my 5th week) at l'Alliance Francaise de Paris and officially begin living there the day after.
During the day, I would often sit here day or night (because it sparkles for 5 minutes every hour after dark) and simply just look at it. It was convenient when my Aussie friends visited and we could just watch the Bastille Day fireworks from my balcony rather than face the horror in the street
It was a cold winter that year. So much so, that snow covered the ground in Paris
This is where the Eiffel Tower should clearly be seen usually
I have been living with a lovely French family for the past four weeks in Vanves, one of Paris' southern suburbs or Banlieues. I feel so priviliged and lucky that I was placed with this family. I have learnt so much about the culture and dynamics of what it is to live a real French lifestyle. The family have worked hard to include me and we have still been able to have some of the funniest and serious conversations- even though my French is not advanced.
They have two very eccentric pets- a dog and a cat, both with very strong (and according to the family- very francais) personalities and thus often ending in tres amusant situations and moments.
I have been forced to use all the French I know and have been learning at l'Alliance Francaise as the family can not speak/understand English apart from the odd word here and there.
It is an experience that I would never exchange for anything. It is one of the best things I could do. To really learn about a foreign country's culture and customs, you really should try and live and immerse yourself in it. That is truly how you can reach your maximum potential. If you ever get the chance or opportunity to do so, live it.
I think I was lucky enough to be in the 'transition period' of just completing a degree and beginning full-time employment to actually be able to do this. It is obviously not easy otherwise to just pack up your bags and head to France. And it is mon grand espoir that by the end of my time in France, I will be able to articulate myself proficiently with the family so I can carry on a more sophisicated conversation.
Not to mention, I have also acquired a very keen taste for les fromages!!! I've tasted cheese made from the milk of cows, goats and sheep. From all over France, from high up in the mountains (Pyrenees, and the Swiss Alps) soft, hard, doux, runny, mild, 'un petit peu' smelly and very, very, very strong.
And always with a glass of red wine... c'est une bonne vie, non?
Musée Rodin Me in front of the Eiffel Tower