Strangest cultural experience so far; when you ask for water, people don't even feel right giving it to you. It is so absurd that anyone would want just plain old tap water, that they have to ask you multiple times if you are sure. Here they prefer "eau minerale" in a fancy glass bottle with carbonation. Or "sirop a l'eau", which can be good like juice if you choose a fruity flavored syrup, or really awkward if you let them give you "menthe" flavored syrup...it basically tastes like you are drinking Trident.
Another thing that we noticed was that, since there is no tipping here, the waiters really do not care if you are satisfied, and really take their sweet time getting you things, ESPECIALLY if you only asked for tap water and not fancy water.
It was very hot today, but not too humid. The whole group of students and our profs met. We ate sandwiches and desserts at a cafe. Whatever my dessert was it was amazing, it had raspberries on top and inside of a sort of creme brulee type of thing. We then practiced the tram ride to the university, and where to meet tomorrow morning. There are 6 other students in the 274 level class, so it will be a very intimate class (hopefully easy too). Most of the students seem pretty nice. There is a girl who lives across the street who I will probably commute to class with.
Hopefully tonight's dinner will be good. Yesterdays would have been great, but there were millions of mushrooms in the omlette...of course. We also had some cooked carrots and whatever herbs and spices on them were great! And of course bread with cheese. then fruit and yogurt for dessert. I saw broccoli in the kitchen, so hopefully that is a good sign.
Au revoir!
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