First few days in Paris

Today was the fifth day I spent in Paris but I feel like I've been here for weeks. Signing up to come live and go to school here was such an extensive process with tons of paperwork that by the time I was getting ready to leave, I had kind of forgot that I was actually going to be living in a new city in a completely different culture. The weekend before I left was so amazing I was pretty reluctant to be going. All the feelings of sadness and fear settled in and I kept asking myself "what did I do to myself?" I knew it would be a life changing opportunity and was so appreciative that I was going but honestly I pretty much only felt scared. I hate saying goodbyes and I cried and cried on my flight from BWI to Charlotte. It is such a surreal feeling to think "wow I just put myself on a plane and when it lands I'm going to be in Paris." I arrived at the airport scared, nervous and exhausted. I think the guy at customs could tell which is why he didn't ask me any questions....he just stamped my passport and nodded. I made my way to the baggage claim and was trying to look out for people in my program. I remember my sister saying that it would be easy and just to look for the other kids under 22 looking scared out of their minds with too much luggage. After about 10 minutes I saw a guy that had the same airport map that ISA had given to me....I immediately went over and asked him if he was with ISA and to my relief he said he was. He went to go shake my hand and I hugged him instead.  I was just so relieved to have met someone who was in the same boat as I was and not be alone. He was a good sport about the random hug. From then on time flew by. ISA picked us up at the airport and dropped me off my apartment. They gave us a tour, some maps, a metro ticket and told us to be at the ISA office at 10 the next morning. I was so happy to find out that I loved my apartment and my roommates. The next two days of meeting with my program directors and everyone else in the program went very smoothly. Tons of tours and trips have been organized for us and I couldn't have asked for a better week. There are still moments I get very homesick but I know time will fly by so I'm enjoying every bit of it.  I can't help but feel proud of myself. I still think all the time that I cannot believe I'm actually here. I'm so eager to so what the next four months have in store for me. I have a lot more to write, but it's late and I'm waking up early with my roommate tomorrow to go to an outdoor market and buy fresh fruit and cheese. So for now I'll leave you with a picture of a church we came across along the Seine.