Paris: Make Sure You Don't Do This

photo from here. 

It's been a hell of a day.  That said, running back and forth between our apartment in Montparnasse and the Sorbonne in the Quartier Latin means that I've gotten a lot of exercise today....
First things first: Get a visa.  This is something that we didn't do properly or something, and so my morning was full of people saying things like "you don't have a long-term visa.  We might arrest you" and teary phone calls to my parents at five in the morning and trying to figure out where the embassy was.  Eventually, I was able to take another class, so I can still go to the Sorbonne, but not for the same class and not as long.  Not awful, considering.
Other things: If you have a credit/debit/bank card, make sure it works.  We eventually got ahold of the bank so now mine works, but there was another panic-stricken hour or so before I was finally able to sign up.
Also, eat.  And don't eat things past their expiration date.  That should be obvious, I know....

At the same time, Paris is beautiful.  It sure doesn't feel like winter here, but last night I got to stand on the balcony in just a sweater and watch the Eiffel Tower light up.  I got to sit in the little café and listen to a bunch of kids talk about why "The Social Network" was an awful movie (I haven't seen it - is it awful?).  I got to walk by all the independent, well-dressed nine-year-olds going to school by themselves.  It's beautiful here, even in February, my least favourite month.  I'm pretty sure it's going to be an incredible six months.