Back on the Grid Baby!

Today I woke up and went running first thing.  I did that for about an hour the I ate and got ready to meet Hannah to go into town. I was able to show her how to use the buses so that was pretty cool. We decided to take the bus somewhere new and got completely lost. Which was totally fine because we both love walking and we both were able to see a new part of the city! But while we were lost a French guy asked us for directions and because we had no idea where we were we couldn’t give him any and he seemed a little irritated. Oh well! We ended up making it to our desired destination and stopped into a tea shop where the tea was adorable and our waiter was hilarious. He was so lively, outgoing and charming. It was a lot of fun. After that we walked around and went to the tourism office so that Hannah could get a better city map and bus map. Then we went to a café and drank some water (fancy) and later bought towels for Hannah. Really the whole day was spent walking and laughing around France! Hannah and I observed the French street fashion for me, it’s really hit or miss. I don’t know what the deal is, but the young men, and some women, really have this thing for leopard prints accents to clothing. But on a more important note, I saw my first man wearing a scarf while holding a baguette, so that can be marked off the bucket list.

Though this was all good fun, by far the highlight of my day was getting internet. I had been without it for almost 4 days and considering I am a young female, that is like totes a life time and I can’t even #horrible.  Hopefully you realize that last sentence was a joke… But yeah! It was really nice to be able to talk to my family and friends again and let them know that my fate was not that of Taken or Taken 2.

After catching up online, Hannah and I went shopping at a French equivalent to a Walmart and it was so cool! I do love France. The people, the food, the buildings, the parks, the Walmart rip offs, it’s all great!

I met up with Maybe again tonight for a little bit to give him a treat because he had finished his summer internship! Whoop Whoop! Tomorrow, him, Hannah and I are going to make dinner together so that should be fun. Also tomorrow, Hannah and I are going to go to the Porcelain exposition in town. Limoges is known for their porcelain so I cannot wait to see it all!

That’s about it for the day. I hope you all are doing well!!

Things to do:

Study French

Get library card

Go to Porcelain exposition

STUDY MORE FRENCH

Find out the Sunday schedule for one other the three gorgeous cathedrals in this city

RETURN THE TOWEL

Au revoir!

Candice

Pretty Uneventful Day

Today I actually woke up at the time I wanted to wake up, thanks countdown!

As you might already know, yesterday I discovered the track and other athletic facilities. So you better believe that I hit the track first thing. I ran, I sprinted, I yoga-ed. It was glorious. After that I went to talk to the administration to see if I could get a proof of residency paper so that I could get a library card and rent books/use the internet. But no one was there. Then I remembered that kids didn't go to school under the afternoon on Wednesday in France and I guessed that meant that the administration doesn't come into work until noon as well? No biggie, I went upstairs and listened to music and got ready for the day. Currently I am reading Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne and I got really into it last night, so I read that for an hour or so this morning as well.

A little after 12, let’s say 12:15, I went downstairs to see if anyone was there and if I could get my needed document and still no one was there. Then I went for a walk and to buy produce. When I got back to my dorm I noticed a blue piece of paper on my handle. It was a note from Guy! (He is the head of the department that I’m in and he is also the man who wrote my letter of acceptance to the University). In reality, he is a big part of why I am here. Therefore I was a little disappointed to have missed him. I took the note inside and noticed something else written. It was a name, dorm number and an email address…and email address that looked very American. Come to find out another American foreign exchange student was living in the dorm across from mine. Guy meant to introduce us but since I was gone he hadn't had the opportunity to do so. Nevertheless I went over to the address on the paper and introduced myself to the other student. Her name is Hannah and she is lovely. We are going to go into town tomorrow so that she can buy some things for her dorm. 

After talking to Hannah I went on a walk and really, that was my day. It was really relaxed. I explored a little more of the city and read more of my book, but that was about it.

Things to do tomorrow:

Go into town

Return my towel

Get internet

Au revoir!

Candice

Ignorance in Not Bliss…Or how I learned to stop being scared and use the bus system

Sometimes when I sit down to start writing one of these I feel so overwhelmed because there is so much to report on. Today is no exception. 

First off: My phone is out to get me. I set my alarm again last night and this time made sure that it was properly set and the time was correct. I set one alarm for 8:00 am and another for 8:15 am. The phone said that the alarms were going to go off in 11 hours which made since considering I set my alarms at 9:00 pm. I ended up waking up at 8:56. Neither alarm went off. So again, I was an hour behind. I decided right then and there that I was going to use the countdown on my phone as my alarm instead of the actual alarm. Anywho, I was downstairs in the administration office in my dorm by 9:15 asking about the location of the institute that I was going to be studying at. By 9:20 I was on the road walking. Where I was going wasn't really on the map, but I had driven by it before so I thought I could just recall it from memory. The lady in the office who gave me directions told me to take the bus but because the bus for some reason seemed super intimidating, I decided to walk instead. I ended up arriving where I wanted to be at exactly 10:04. Upon entrance to the building I met a nice Parisian who asked me where the bus stop was but since I walked I had no idea. We chatted. It was nice.

                So! I enter this elusive building an practically no one is there. I wander for a good 10 minutes trying to find signs of life/signs of the department that I am looking for. I end up stopping in the office for international students and talk to this lady who only speaks French about my circumstance and she redirects me to the office of my institute. There I met two wonderful women who help me get my barrings straight and who speak French slowly. Come to find out, the orientation I was stressing over wasn't until next week because not enough students signed up for the orientation this week. No worries, I now know where to go next Monday morning. On my way out of the office one of the nice ladies even tells me that she is going out with two other exchange students to tour the city and asks me if I want to join! Of course I do! She told me the time and place and I said I was going to be there. When the meeting ended I was given a super cool agenda with a reindeer wearing a sweater (that is their official student agenda by the way) and directions for the bus. I literally dreaded the thought of taking the bus. But I decided it was time to become more French and use the frickin bus. As I waited at the bus stop I read every single sign or paper that was hanging on the structure so that I wouldn't mess up with a bunch of French people starring down at me. After I felt somewhat knowledgeable, I got out my needed euros and waited. A girls sits next to me and asks me a question but I don’t know the answer. She responds “C’est pas grave.” Which basically means no worries. You know when people say something and it just sticks in your head? This phrase was that for me. I felt like all day I would hear this phrase and when I did I was extremely happy because I understood it! I learned it early in the day and throughout the day I would listen for it. I heard it multiple times and each time it was exciting! It was a small victory for the day.

                The bus that I was suppose to take pulled up and the ticket I wanted to buy was 1,30 euros. I gave him the driver 1,50  but he asks for 1,30. Lesson 1 for the day: have the exact amount of money for your bus ticket. Lesson 2: When you get your 1 Voyage ticket it you will want to turn the orange side down so that the blank backside is facing you. Once your ticket is turned upside down, make sure the end with the hole punched into it goes in the machine first. This is how you put your ticket into the machine by the door. 

I got off at the station where I was suppose to switch buses then had the thought “it says 1 Voyage on my ticket. Was my first bus ride the voyage and now this won’t work?? I’ll have extra change ready just in case.” Turns out I was a euro short to have enough money to buy another bus ticket. Then I had this crazy notion to actually read what was written on my ticket (wild, right?) upon reading my ticket I discovered that the bus ticket is good for your first bus ride as well as one connection as long as your connection is used within one hour of your purchase of the ticket. YES! Life was good. I got onto the bus and road it to my final stop where I got off, entered my dormitory, and took and 45 minute nap until I had to wake up to get ready to met the nice lady from the university.

I woke up and since I didn't have exact change for a bus ticket, I walked to where I was going to meet the nice lady. I was early so I sat on a bench. She told me that we were going to meet at the bus stop in the Place d'Aine but there were two different bus stops where I was. And just down the street was a huge bus hub. Once the clock hit 2, I walked to the bus hub down the street just in case; she wasn't there. So I walked back to my original bus stop and there she was! I was only 5 minutes late but I HATE being late so that was bad. At the bus stop I met Jamie and Angel who are from South America and speak French well. From there we toured around town and I found a place that sold towels. I vowed that I was going to come back to later in the day a buy some towels. We also went to the public library and it was Beautiful. The library is like a museum meets the Gaylord. I say that because there is a mini forest inside of the library. It also had local artwork on display as well as a beautiful tapestry, a tile floor from an ancient roman building and so much more. Side note: The ancient roman floor was also on display so no one was actually walking on it.

Later in the day I bought a French SIM card for my phone (which ended up not working with my phone, but I'll figure that out later) and towels and a pot for my room. But funny story about the towels I had to go the three different stores before I found  a towel which was under 17 euros. And I ended up going to a 4^th store where I found towels for 6,99 so that was pretty great. I also bought a French cooking  knife that is green and says “legumes” which means vegetables and it has smiling, dancing radishes on it. I didn't have a knife and it was 3 euros so I bought it! After that our little group split up. The rest of the day was spent wandering around until I took the bus at 5:50 and was back to my room by 6. Now I am typing away and about to go study some French outside while it’s still light.

**Okay. So I went on a walk around my living area and discovered something wonderful. A track. And a soccer field. And tennis courts. And a full-out gymnastics gymnasium. All within 3 minutes of my dorm. It was the best thing ever. I walked around the track and watched a family and their friends play ultimate Frisbee. I walked and walked until everyone left. After that I went back to my dorm and started typing away and around 9 I hear a knock on my door. It’s Maybe! He had made a delicious Senegalese dinner and invited me to eat with him. We ate, practiced our French and English and watched the French news. I have been out of the news loop for a couple days so that was refreshing. We talked about the government in Senegal and current events of there. Then he asked about the US government so we discussed that as well. After that I went back to my dorm and began reading Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne. I was already a chapter in but hadn't touched it for a week or more. But tonight, I couldn't put it down! It is so good! I want to go the library and rent a French copy of the novel and read them side by side.

Well folks, that was my day!

Things to do tomorrow:

Get a library card

Buy trash bags

Go to a museum      

Return my other, more expensive towel

Possibly buy a bell pepper, an onion and some mushrooms to for dinner tomorrow?

Au revoir!

Candice

Oh the Adventure!

Alright boys and girls, let us get into it!

1:06 am. Monday morning (Sunday night in the U.S. of A.)

I was wide awake. I had just posted my first two blog entries and was feeling good! Unfortunately, because I was excited, I couldn’t go to sleep. But as I am laying in my hotel room watching Night at the Museum 2 in French (with French subtitles of course) I realized that I didn’t set my alarm for the morning!! Oh no! I acted quickly. This was serious. I leapt out of bed and raced across the room to snatch up my phone. In reality I just slowly rolled over and grabbed it from the bedside stand, but anyways…I saw that when I set my alarm on my phone it said my alarm would go off in 18 hours. But that's weird, because it’s 1 am now and I set my alarm for 7 am the same morning. No fear. I changed the settings and all was well in the world. So around 4 am I drifted into a deep sleep peacefully knowing that my alarm was set for 7 am.

9:12 am

I woke up naturally. No alarm. “How strange” I thought, I went to bed so late I was sure that I would sleep until at least 7, not wake up before it. Oh well. I guess I’m just excited, might as well check Facebook. That is when I found out the horrible truth…I had gone through all that trouble of setting my alarm without actually setting it. It was already 9:12. I should have been awake and showered 2 hours ago. So why was this a big deal? Well, you see the dormitory that I was to live in opened at 8am and I wanted to be there by 8:05 so that I could move in, get situated then head to my student orientation at 10 am. That plan went out the window. I was packed and downstairs by 9:20. I asked the lady working the front desk to call as cab and I ate breakfast because I paid 7 euros for that thing and I was going to get my money’s worth!

Fun fact about that, getting my 7 dollars worth of breakfast was my main motivation for getting downstairs so fast.

The taxi picked me up around 9:30 and took me to the address I was given by the university. I arrived at what I thought was my new dorm and I am not going to lie to you, I was a little disappointed. It was pretty run down, the grass was overgrown and there were officers walking around giving tickets to people who randomly parked their rv’s on the dorm lawn overnight. But it was going to be okay because I was going to make the best of it. 

I entered the dorm off and spoke to the lady working the desk (which was a task let me tell ya). After some time we figured out that I was actually at the wrong dormitory. I called a new cab and he took me to my correct location... which was deserted. So at this point I have now spent wayyyy too much money on cabs within the last two days and I was completely confused about my surroundings and what my next step might be. (Just being real with you) I sat on a bench and thought about crying. By this time I had missed the beginning of orientation and had no idea where I was suppose to go. I saw a building with an open door and I walked over to see if I could find anyone there. I saw two maintenance men working on the front door and they both stopped what they were doing and looked at me. It was the most awkward, silent, non-intentional stare down ever. Finally I just turned around and walked the other way and from behind I could hear one of them saying “She’s lost” in French. Et il avait raison. I was lost. I walked back over to my bench and contemplated my next plan of attack. As I sat there thinking I saw three individuals who looked to me staff members walk into the building I had previously been in. The men were still working on the front door, and probably still thought I was crazy or stupid or both, but I was something else too: determined. So I marched on up through the doors, luggage and all, right past the two men who thought I was an idiot and found those three individuals and proceeded to explain my situation. After saying what I need to say, one of the ladies looked at me and said “You’re in the wrong building. You want the pink building. Over there.” (and she pointed where). Well. Shoot. So again I trekked across the harsh terrain of Limoges to my proper building.* 

Once there I got my room key and asked the lady about the student orientation. She had no idea what I was talking about and it didn’t help that I didn’t know the French word for orientation. But it was all okay! I was ecstatic that I had found my future place of living! I walked into my new room and admired the very new, very European style of dorm. But as I looked around I noticed something was missing: a bed. Then I looked up. And what I saw made my heart turn. It was a bunk bed. But not just any bunk bed. A bunk bed so high up that your nose almost touched the ceiling and there was no way you could turn over to your side while sleeping. Needless to say, I panicked. I tried to remove the mattress from the bunk and place it on the floor but there were side rail guards so that you wouldn’t roll out while sleeping and they were high enough to were the mattress wouldn’t budge. Drat. I decided that I’ll ask my mom to send me a inflatable mattress and until then I'll sleep on my clothes on the floor because there was no way I was going up there. But first things first, I need wifi so that I can tell my family I’m safe and ask my mom very lovingly to send me a mattress. I headed downstairs to ask the lady at the desk about wifi. Come to find out, there is no dorm-wide wifi. You have to buy an Ethernet cord for each individual room. She told me that she could have mine up and running by Wednesday at the earliest. Okay. Fine. I asked her if she had a map of the campus and if she could identify the international student office on that map. She did not have a campus map. But she did have a black and white map of the roads in the city. I’ll take it! Back in my dorm I found some student booklets and one of them had the addresses for all of the main faculty buildings. Awesome! The place I needed to be was 3 ½ miles away from where I currently was. I went back downstairs and ask the nice lady how to get there. She suggested I use the trains but since I had no idea how to do that or where to get off, I started walking.I At the main road I could have either gone left or right. I chose right, and it was right. (right as in direction, right as in correct...it's like 3 in the morning as I'm writing this and I think I'm funny)

12:56 pm

Still not there. I cannot find the street name that was given in the booklet on the map. But I found a mall. Great! I need to buy towels and a pillow! Neither are there.

1:08 pm

Found a towel store. It’s closed from 1-3. Dang it.

1:25

Found a bedding store. It’s closed Sunday and Monday. Dang it.

2:00.

Went to the tourist office to ask for a better map and better directions, I got both. Sweet.

2:07

I enter the international student office. They tell me to go to another office across the city. I resign to buying groceries for the day.

5:45ish

I finally get back to my dorm and it is glorious. I start unpacking and making the place look like home and then, the most beautiful thing in the world appears: Underneath my bed are instructions in French on how to raise and lower the bed mechanically. I press the button and the bed lowers to a much nicer, less claustrophobic inducing level and I thank Jesus. Seriously, I prayed right then and there. I was completely ready to give the ol’ bed a try but I knew I was going to hate every second of it. But I ended up not having too! Now the room is close to perfect.

I also met a fellow foreign student. His name is pronounced Bye but you spell it like Maybe and he is a 26 year old computer programming wiz from Senegal. We watched a Chuck Norris moive from the 80’s and ate authentic Senegalese cuisine. He helped me with my French and I helped him with his English and we are now the best of friends.

I realize it might sound as if I was complaining this whole time but I’m just telling you how it was! All in all it was a really eye opening, educating day. I know the city better now and have actually memorized some streets. I found a grocery shop closer to my dorm. And I learned a little bit about the French administration system. Again, like I said in my previous posts, everyone was incredibly friendly and helpful and patient and I am so thankful to each and every person that I encountered today!

If you ever visit Limoges, I highly suggest you get a city map from the tourism office. It is a lifesaver!

*the terrain of Limoges is actually quite lovely...I was just being dramatic for entertainment value

Things to do tomorrow:

Find my Institute and meet up with the orientation group

Buy a towel and a wash cloth

Buy a French SIM card

Buy a converter for my wall plug in

Find a shower curtain

Au revoir!

Candice

My First Time...Spending a Day in Limoges

Why hello there, fancy seeing you here. Guess what. I have no idea what is going on.

I came to this city as opposed to others because I wanted a more secluded area with less tourism traffic. And let me tell you, I got it! The only people that I have spoken to that have a firm grasp on the English language are those in the hotel industry. Which is great! Okay, so I get weird looks like 98% of the time and I am pretty sure I haven't fooled a single person that I am actually not a native French speaker, but it's all good. Today I went to move into my university housing, but guess what. It is Sunday, and want to know what is open on Sunday? Churches...and hotels...and the occasional restaurant after 11 am. So that means the university was closed! So back to the hotel I went. The taxi driver was really nice and I only paid for 50% of my actual fare. Also, he helped me pronounce certain words and I would ask him something in French then he would either say "Oui" or "Non" and then he would say what I was actually trying to say but in a way more beautiful manner. He barely spoke English and I barely spoke French, but we made it work. It was actually pretty exciting because for the first 5 minutes of the trip we spoke solely French, then he asked me something that I didn't understand and  my cover was blown! He taught me a lot in those 15 minutes. Great guy.

Anyways, so he dropped me off at my original hotel and I think the lady felt really bad for me, because she upgraded my room for free. While I was waiting for my hotel to be cleaned I met an exchange student from Germany, Nikki, who is going to the same university as me. By this time I had gone 24 hours without eating more than almonds the night before and I was starving! Nikki gave me a banana and directions to a supermarket and I am forever in her debt. I put my belongings in my room and I was off! I found the supermarket, which really is just a small store with fruit and a few other items like canned beans, toilet paper, and of course, wine. I was doing good. I had gotten my fruit, made small talk, all was well. Then. It happened. In the middle of a conversation with the store clerk I forgot the word toothpaste and all hell broke loose. Not really, but he began talking super fast and motioning with his hands and I had no idea what he was saying so I just nodded and looked where his hands were going. I was basically a deer in headlights for a couple of seconds. Finally, I caught on to a few words and I found my much needed toothpaste.

Side Note: For traveling, whenever I am checking a bag, I always bring essentials on my person. I pack an extra pair of clothing in my carry on, I print out all of my reservations before hand, I bring plenty of healthy snacks because airline food sometimes creeps me out and I bring basic hygienic necessities but somehow, toothpaste missed the plane. And if you really know me, you know that I brush my teeth on average 5 times a day because I'm a freak. So how this happened, I have no idea. But it's all good, because I bought some French toothpaste which pretty much makes me a local.

At the supermarket I also bought this water because it looked interesting, come to find out, it is fizzy water and I hate it. But it's okay, because it's French fizzy water, so at least I get style points.

The rest of the day I spent walking around the town, looking at cathedrals with bananas under my arm. When I returned to my room I watch the French news and put on French subtitles to help me along. Later in the evening I went to a restaurant and got by fine with French. There I was a creep and easdropped on peoples conversations to see how much of it I could understand. I also tried to watch those eating around me to see what their tables mannerisms were like. Luckily, I never got caught. Of course, that doesn't mean that I am not a complete creep, but it is all in the name of learning, I swear. Then I returned to my hotel room to start up my blog *whoop whoop* which actually took hours. But now, you are all caught up to date my journey. I'll update you more tomorrow when I move into my dorm! I don't know if it's an international student floor or if I am with French students, but we shall see.

Au revoir,

Candice

D(eparture) Day

Disclaimer: I actually wrote this yesterday due to complications purpose (and I mean by complications that I had not actually started my blogsite yet) Oops! Also, this blog is going to be more informational than the reciting of exciting events. You've been warned!

In retrospect, today was a day of firsts. Let us start from the beginning shall we!

As I am writing this, I am sitting in the DFW airport waiting for my plane. I gave myself two hours to get through security but I ended up only 5. At the entrance to the airport security there is a TSA officer that checks your ticket and such. The man checked my ticket then told me to go to the line on the far left. Come to find out that in this "special" line you do not have to take your laptop out of your bag, take off your shoes, take out your liquids from your bag or anything. I had traveled internationally before and had to go through regular security, so I do not know why this time was different. Either way, I'm not complaining! Anywho, I am going to buy an extremely overpriced bottle of water because flying dehydrates me (I'm a baby). I'll write again once I am in the Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris!

So. I made ​​it. Navigating the airport was surprisingly easy! 1) because most signs written in French are accompanied by an English translation. 2) I have a basic foundation in the French language, but you would fair well because... 3) everyone is extremely friendly and helpful! Of course each person's experience will differ, but everyone I spoke to, whether they were a foreign traveler, a French citizen going home or an airport employee, was more than patient and willing to assist me through my broken French. A few times I had to ask people to slow down when speaking because it was hard for me to understand and not one person showed any sign of offense when I asked this. A few times I resorted to English and everyone was really accommodating. I even made ​​a friend with a girl from Bordeaux which is not terribly far from Limoges!! 

If you are traveling to Paris from the airport it might be easier (and cheaper) for you to use the train directly from the airport to Paris instead of a taxi. If you are going to use a taxi, When you leave the airport you might see people claiming to be taxi drivers outside the airport doors. Keep on walking because the real taxi drivers are further down in a special area for the real french taxi drivers. 

Because I was going to Limoges, which is in central France (Paris is in Northern France) I took the SNCF TGV train to Poitier. Poitier is where you switch trains if you wish to go to Limoges or any of the various cities on the way. If you are taking the TGV and you need to print your ticket, you have to go to a special TGV area you can not miss it. It is bright pink and says TGV everywhere. If you need help finding it, there are plenty information desks everywhere, which is wonderful! You'll notice when walk the the TGV area that there is a huge line on the left, this is for people to try try try trying buy a ticket, if you buy your ticket ahead of time you go to a counter on the right (there was no one in line when I walked in) and a nice man or women will print off your ticket and explain where to go! Once you have your ticket, you will wait outside the TGV area and watch one of the several blue screens for your train. The first three trains on the screen have the platform number that the train will stop on to the right of the train's destination. Once your train has a set platform number (it was 1-6 in my case) you will follow signs to your platform which will be downstairs. Make sure that you are on the correct platform because the platforms are separated by railways so you would have to go back up and down the stairs to catch your train. Once you are on your proper platform, look for a illuminated sign that pictures the train you are about to take. The sign shows you the train cars and where exactly on the platform each car will stop. For example, I was in car 6 which was stopped in between C and D. The signs that say A, B, C, D, etc... are huge and hanging from above, so it is hard to miss. For the TGV you have an assigned seat and it is important that you sit in your assigned seat because a ticket handler comes through and checks all of the tickets. If you do not have a ticket, they will give you one at an upcharge. If your flight comes in late and you miss your original train and hop on another train that you do not have a ticket for, find a staff member who works on the train once you get on-board and explain the circumstances. You still be charged for the new ticket (and at a slight upcharge) but it is less than if they catch you hitching a ride. 

Whew! This is a VERY serious blog so far ... but hopefully the rest will have a lighter tone! Just trying to give you some initial travel info! Alright, I caught my breath. Back to the dry facts.

So! You are on the train* yay * now where do you put your luggage? Well, if you are lucky and get there early, there is a place for you to put your luggage in next to the train entrance.If  you are an unfortunate soul such as myself, all of those spaces will be gone once you enter the train. You can not have your luggage in the isle, so people just leave their luggage in the little the entrance/walking area on the train in front of the doors. If you do this, I highly suggest that you check your luggage at every one stop because it is not unheard of that someone walks out with a strangers luggage (whether it be by accident or not). 

So for me, I got off the TGV at Poitiers and transferred onto the TER for Limoges. The Poitiers train station makes you pay .50 euros to use the restroom, but if you wait for the TER the bathrooms on the train are free. Also, on the TER the seating is open so you can sit where ever your heart desires! Or where ever there is room... Limoges is the final stop on the TER train that you would take, so you do not have to worry about missing your stop which is nice. Once you arrive in Limoges, there are taxi's outside, but I suggest booking a hotel close to the station and staying there for the night or for your entire trip. The hotel I stayed in was 2 blocks away from the station, clean, safe and the ladies working downstairs were very nice and helped me with my French annunciation. Also, if you stay close to the station there are parks, restaurants, museums, cathedrals, pharmacies, supermarkets, bakeries and more, all within a 5-7 minute walk of Place Jourdan which is kind of like an town intersection. 

If you plan to stay in a hotel, know that some rooms have shared showers on the floor. There is a private shower option but these are usually more expensive. So if you don't mind getting to know your neighbors, try out the good ol fashion dormitory style bathrooms! You still have your own toilet and sink in your bedroom. And the toilet area in your room is separated by a screen instead of a door. Fun fact. 

There are a lot of other little things that I will comment on later but as for now, this will do! 

Au revoir,

Candice