Update, Food, and the Metro

First thing's first: a quick update on my current situation. I worked things out at the Alliance Francaise; apparently, they work through four week periods, so they basically billed me twice (once for the first four weeks and again for the next two). Totally fine now. Also, I've now officially registered and I start up classes Monday at 9:00am. I'm excited for that (plus they put me in the B1 class which means that I get to skip beginning French. I'm not sure if this is a great thing or a terrifying thing. I'll keep you posted).

On to fun stories. So, I survived my first grocery shopping experience here in Paris. I went to the Monoprix store (which is kinda like a fancy Publix but much smaller) and did my first shopping trip. Some interesting things that I noticed: first, the store was two stories. After perusing the first story and grabbing some items, I went to the second floor and immediatly felt like I had entered a JC Penny's. Apparently, Monoprix stores are half groceries and half retail clothing. Yea, it surprised me too. Second, they don't really have tomato sauce (like pasta sauce). What they do have, however, are bouillon cubes with different spices. I made some spaghetti two nights ago with a basil/olive oil bouillon cube and it was DELICIOUS. We need to bring those things to the States. Third, I am officially hooked on Franche-Comte cheese (thank you Leah Mader). The stuff is unbelieveable. I also went to a cafe for the first time and experienced cafe au lait and a true French croissant (both were superb). I'm digging this whole food thing in Paris. Finally, you bag your own groceries at the Monoprix. I didn't realize this until I saw all my food there, and the person behind me was giving me a menacing look for holding her up. My bad.

Okay, highlight of the trip thus far was today on the metro ride over to the Alliance Francaise (where I get my internet access). I've seen a few weird things on the metro since I've been here. They're generally very clean and easy, but occasionally you get some odd people who board the train and make general announcements to everyone around (for example, I couldn't understand him too well, but I believe I encoutered the nicest begger I've ever seen. He was very cordial and kept calling everyone, "Madame et Monsieur." He was really great). However, today takes the cake. I hop on board the number 4 train and what do I see but two boys (one probably 18, the other probably 15) with a relatively large boom-box that's blasting really cheesy sounding French rap music. The eighteen year old is rapping along with the song (complete with ghetto hand gestures and "gangster-like" grimaces) and the fifteen year old is pole-dancing on the center pole of the metro. Grant/Matt, we're talking seriously grinding. After the song ends, the fifteen year old walks around with a cup looking for donations. I was searching through my pockets to find something but they ended up getting kicked off the train before I was able to give them anything. It was absolutely amazing.

Oh, one last thing: Scott/Jenni, I noticed that there are also squatters in Paris (along the Seine no less). They had nice tents too.