Le M

So, I wasn't planning on writing anymore tonight. Especially not about a hamburger. But I just had the most incredible hamburger of my life. At McDonald's, of all places. No, I wasn't at McDo for wireless...I was there because I only have 5 euros to my name at the moment and was hungry after Megan and I had been chatting over drinks at a little cafe by the Eiffel Tower. So, we stopped by McDo cause it's one of the only food places still open at 1am here...and I decided to try this burger called "Le M." It's on ciabatta bread, with emmental cheese, and the meat is marinaded in something. It was amazing...so juicy that I had to dig through my purse for something to use as a napkin while I was eating it on the Metro because it had dripped all over my hands. Seriously, McDo...why don't you sell these things in the US?? And, by the way, McDo actually has like good quality meat here. I've only eaten a meal there once since I've been here, though, despite how many times I've mentioned it in here.

That's it. If you're ever in France, go to McDo and have Le M.

New Love for those Golden Arches

So, I can't stand McDonald's at home. I like their French fries (ha), but that's about it. Well, now, it seems like I am in McDo every day here in France! It's not for the American food (although I did have my first McDo hamburger today...it was totally different than the American ones)...it's because it's cheap (which is a rare find here) and has wireless Internet. It's also nice because it doesn't have the greasy, fried food smell like the ones at home...they're actually really nice and designed for people to hang out in, not just eat and run (cause trust me...the French do not just eat and run). Also, it's open on Sunday. Hardly anything is open here on Sunday except for shops catering to tourists. I tried to go buy my books for class today, but the librairies (book stores) were either closed or too far away. I'm not entirely sure how I'm going to get my homework done...

The French love their food, and they love to enjoy their meals. Last night, Megan and I went to a cafe by her homestay around 10:30pm (they also eat dinner very, very late here). We were done within the hour, even though, by our standards, we were taking our time and enjoying our food. However, the French people around us just sit and talk for hours after their meals. In fact, they don't even bring you the check at French restaurants...you have to ask for it, and then they will eventually get around to it about 15 minutes later. Megan and I, being the impatient Americans we are, got tired of waiting after a half hour and just went up to the bar to pay, which totally confused them.

Tonight is hopefully one of my last night's at l'appartemente des Pommery. I was more comfortable at Megan's house and with her host brothers this weekend than I've felt in the entire week I have been at the de Pommery's.

Have a good week!

Riley =)

Cravings

So, for some reason, I have been craving just about every food in the past couple of days that isn't readily available here. These include turkey and cheddar sandwiches (cheddar cheese is nowhere to be found...and deli turkey is difficult to find), Mexican food, and chocolate chip cookie dough. I found the French version of chocolate chip cookies in FranPrix (a grocery store) today, which were tasty, but not quite the same thing as the American version! The French version is a crispy, airy thing, and it does not have a vanilla cookie base (it has a very, very mild chocolate base). I'm going to be on the lookout for cheddar cheese everywhere I go, though, because I want a turkey sandwich like crazy!

I spent the night at my friend Megan's homestay last night. We were both craving breakfast food (because that is yet another thing that the French really don't do), so we made scrambled eggs and toast for breakfast. It was amazing. If I was allowed to cook at my homestay, I would probably make them for myself for dinner again tonight! After breakfast, we went to the Paris version of Chinatown (it wasn't too exciting), then did some shopping along Boulevard Haussman. We took the tramway for the first time ever today, too...it's not nearly as fast as the Metro, but it was very quiet in comparison.

I'm excited to find out where I get to move on Monday. Staying at Megan's last night made me see how awesome a homestay can be...and I want to have an awesome experience in every part of my trip to Paris!

Riley =)