An American Girl in Avignon

April 6th (jour 14)
Since I only had once class today, Kyle, insisting that my French is better than is (which it isn’t), asked me to go with him to the notary to get his financial aid paper “notarized.” Who would have thought that getting a piece of paper signed and faxing it would have been such a big ordeal… I knew this was going to be fun after our advisors offered no help as to where to go and what to do once we got there (and that Kyle had called and e-mailed numerous people before this day trying to get info, without success). After calling four different people, Kyle was finally given the name and address of someone who could help us. Map in hand, and after making a few wrong turns, we found the office only to have the lady at the desk tell us that we needed to go somewhere else at exactly 4:00. After finding the new office (and praying it was the last place we had to go), we went to a really yummy café called Croq-o-pain, which I am not ashamed to admit, have visited three times this past week. I have almost filled up my card to earn a free drink, the owners know my name, and I have been here only a week. They are friendly and the food is good, so why not go back?

Returning to the office, we waited in the lobby for awhile while scanning French tabloids, which were mainly filled with US celebrities like Brittany spears, Starbucks cup in hand. A while later, a woman came down to get us. Her office was so tidy and organized that it was intimidating. Files of professional documents were stacked along the walls in such in neat way that they were almost begging to be knocked over. We sat down, and tried to explain our problem in broken French. She asked for id, and took the paper in another room to be “notarized,” whatever that means. I thought it was kind of shady how she took the paper into the other room, as if there was some reason she couldn’t sign or stamp the document in front of us. After she returned, Kyle asked if there was a cost. She stared at us through her lenses and her piercing eyes were shooting like daggers as she just stared and replied, “Cinquante euro.” That’s 50 Euros for all those non-French speakers out there. What?! 50 euros to get a paper signed; welcome to Europe.

After we scrounged for loose change, she sat and stared at us. It was an “awkward turtle” moment: one of those times where you have to say something, no matter how idiotic, to break the deafening silence. Not knowing what to do, I started rambling by asking her “small talk” questions. It was as if a light bulb had turned on in my head from all of the nervousness I was feeling from her just sitting there, staring at us, with her piercing eyes; I was having a decent conversation in French! Thank you, adrenaline. I had no idea where on Earth these words were coming from, because I struggle with speaking and usually have to pause and think about what I am going to say. It was a miracle! After I had rambled on as much as I could, I paused, and she complimented me on my French. Me?? I was sure that she must have been mistaken, but perhaps I am finally progressing. I am beginning to see a glimmer of hope for me and French in the distance.

France/Europeupdates: so la grève is finally over. Well, partially. There was a vote the other day, and a policy passed to have school officially restart today. Hooray for no more barricaded classroom doors and more French students to meet! However, Guilluame informed us that the students would continue to strike on Thursdays, since they are still angry.

M.Morveillez told me at breakfast that there was a horrible earthquake near Rome this morning. It hit home for me, because this was one of the cities I was planning on visiting. I can only hope and pray that nothing like this happens while I am over there. A natural disaster can make one stop, think, and put things into perspective: like how one can never really know what’s going to happen, or what’s waiting around the bend. You just have to live each day to its fullest, because life is short. Which brings me to our “official” motto for the trip, “C’est maintenant ou jamais,” (it’s now or never) because you only live once, and it’s a wonderful life. The phrase is forever inscribed on Sakinah’s back in ink.

Places I am planning on going to make the most of my European adventure: Rome “when in Rome,” London, Barcelona, and Paris again. I may possibly go to Paris a few days before my flight (if not sooner) to enjoy the city of love and lights one last time, and make it to Versailles, of course! The Hall of Mirrors in the palace was just recently remodeled and opened to the public. I became fascinated with Marie Antoinette and the French Revolution after seeing Sophia Copolla’s film “Marie Antoinette” in Columbus for my sixteenth birthday. It is my favorite film. The scenery, costumes, and soundtrack (ran out and bought it right after!) are outstanding. It is honestly one of the most creative and visually beautiful movies I have ever seen. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it. To sound really cheesy, it’s not just a film, it’s a work of art. If you don’t want to sit down for two hours, then pop in the soundtrack, you’ll be pleasantly surprised; I was. I have been dreaming of going to Versailles and Paris ever since seeing the movie. One down, one to go…

I will end my entry with a funny tidbit from last weekend: Kyle’s correspondent brought his friend Etienne, as well as Etienne’s girlfriend, along to the Red Sky to meet up with him. Etienne apparently fell in love at first sight with my roommate, Kristina, while sitting next to his girlfriend. French boys…