And so it begins . . .

I have now been in Paris for over two weeks, and the journey so far hasn't been exactly what I thought it would be. Thanks to the intensive French language session I have been in, I have been quite tired and/or occupied most of the time, leaving me yet to experience the hard-partying into the morning, exploring the city's museums and sights, wandering around Paris with existential angst life of a young twenty-something in the world's most culture obsessed city.

Rather, I have been experiencing the nine to five grind working, crowded metro commuting, just wanting to come home and relax with a Kronenbourg and French sitcoms life of someone who actually works in Paris. Not that I'm complaining. I've gotten to see a lens of Paris in the past two weeks that I may not see again. That of a real inhabitant of the city, one who doesn't have the time to go to the Louvre whenever he wants to, or can't really go out every night of the week. It makes me appreciate even more that even when I am exhausted and hot riding home on an RER that's so packed that I have to hold my bag above my head to fit in, I am doing it in one of the most breathtakingly diverse and beautiful cities in the world.

Of course, not all Parisians are like that. I think, maybe more than any other city, Parisians take advantage of the cultural sights and events and nightlife that is at their disposal. And starting tonight, I will join this segment of the city.

Although I technically have to wake up early tomorrow for my last day of class, it's a half day and we're having a picnic/film viewing. So tonight I celebrate becoming a part of the Parisian social (I mean nightlife social, not Marx social) class I belong in.

One thing I've increasingly come to realize, is that this class, strictly speaking, is not very French. The enormous amount of foreign students in Paris coupled with the city's tendency to attract ex-pats and immigrants from all over the world makes it one of the most international cities I've been to. Throw in the tourism factor (Paris is the world's most visited city) and you understand why everyone here speaks English fairly well. It's more of a common language than French, and you will meet people from every corner of the earth here. And they're all looking for the nightlife as well.

All of this is to say, I'm very excited about this weekend. In fact, I think this weekend is very excited about me. Cause I'm gonna bring it. First off, we're celebrating the end of classes. Secondly, my roommate Max is coming, and LC also on Saturday. Third of all, I have yet to go out in Paris like I had intended to upon arrival. I shall make up for all of this and more with a three day, four night weekend, covering every area of Paris and relentlessly hunting down the nightlife, armed with nothing more than a composite bow and my trusty bearhound, Shepp. If anyone dares stand in my way, they will be politely asked to move so I can continue to walk forward towards where I had been planning on going.

Also, at some point, I'll have to go grocery shopping. And skype my parents.

THIS WEEKEND WILL BE AMAZING.