Sumol anyone?

I have finally arrived in Paris - to stay, at least. Wednesday afternoon Jean-Claude and Claudie dropped me off at the FIAP Jean-Monnet (a student hotel / center type place) in the 14th arrondissement of Paris. I was greeted by one of my best friends, Erica, and was given information and meal cards from my study abroad directors. It felt a little like the first day of school but with all the excitement.

It hasn't even been a week and our group has already done and seen so much. There are 18 of us and so we've been able to do a lot of things together as well as separately. Here's a quick list of what I've tasted so far in Paris:

Wednesday: arrival, visiting and dining in the Latin Quarter

Thursday: CIEE Study Center, 2nd arrondissement exploration, bateaux mouches, hanging out on a bridge overlooking the Seine to end the night

Friday: CIEE, exploring Boboland and surrounding districts, exploring Parisien nightlife

Saturday: Chez Jean coffee shop in the 11th arrondissement (definitely returning), a biiiit of shopping near the FIAP, free outdoor movie "La vie du chateau"

Sunday: American Church in Paris visit, then wandering around the church only to see le Grand Palais, le Petit Palais, and of course the Eiffel Tower. By chance found a Franco-Portuguese restaurant, which of course I loved.

Today, Sunday, was by far my favorite day. Erica and I took the metro to the American Church in Paris for the 11:00 service. I expected a place that was more modern...not modern as in a stylish modern. "Modern" as in wood paneling and and ugly brown felt on the pews. The exact opposite. It looked like a refurbished cathedral, full of stained glass windows and a gorgeous organ. The sermon was great, and I was able to heard the pastor's testimony. I was so happy to see diversity. People from all over - United States, Australia, Senegal, UK, Canada - filled the church. I loved it. 

After service, Erica and I  walked around to see some sites around the Church. The Seine was across the street from the church so we started there a went to a few more places. Gardens. Three museums. Les Invalides. Oh, right, and the Eiffel Tower. After we had our share of walking we met up with two girls from our program for lunch. We didn’t really know where to go around the Eiffel Tower so we just kept our eyes open for a nice restaurant without a huge snobby price tag. First thing we find? Le Bistro de Longchamps, a Franco-Portuguese restaurant. Of course that would happen. And, of course, it would be family-owned (you could tell by the father daughter, very passionate convo going on). Sumol Ananas. Chicken. And um garato. Yum. I’ve been craving my dad’s coffee ever since I’ve been here, and after explaining what I wanted, he spoke to me in Portuguese and brought me an excellent coffee. Will I be returning? Of course. Obrigado.

Well, that is a quick update of my time so far. Placement test tomorrow for French, better get the desire to speak more Portuguese out of my head soon. Maybe some crepes will help!