I received a lot of advice before I graduated college.  The overwhelming majority of people urged me to take this time to do things I won’t be able to do when I become a “real adult” (i.e. get a job that doesn’t require taking orders or making photocopies for other people).  Never one to ignore good advice (although my parents might disagree with that statement), I decided to live the next year in a different country.  In 19 days, 2 hours, and 20 minutes, I leave for Paris.  But really, who’s counting?

I’m kind of cheating.  This won’t be a new country.  I studied abroad there in college.  I’m not as nervous as I was a year and a half ago.  This time I know other human beings in the city.  I can also speak more French than “Do you speak English?” and “You are wrong.  The clothes aren’t pretty” which were two of my only French phrases.

Don’t take that to mean I’m fluent in French.  My conversations usually follow this pattern (although in French):

Me: Hi.

French Person: Hi.  How are you?

Me: Good.  How are you?

French Person:  Good.  I went to work and went out with friends.

Me: Sorry, can you repeat that?

French Person:  I went to work-

Me: A little slower.

French Person: I went-

Me: Slower.

French Person: I went to work and went out with friends.

Me: I don’t understand.

French Person: Which words?

Me: Yes.

And then they begin talking in English.

I kept another blog in college, http://meghantravelstheworld.blogspot.com/, but all my French friends demanded access to that one.  It’s hard to write about people when they can read it.  My twin sister, C, (who isn’t coming with me, but should definitely come visit HINT HINT) helped me set this one up in secret.

And so begins my second Parisian Experiment…