Hello, I am a stupid American.

So today started early because I needed to go to my school and be back in time for my appointment at the bank at 2pm. I left the house at nine and walked to the train station. Everything went very well. I got on the train just fine. I felt so good because I did it all by myself! Once I was in Paris, I walked straight to my school and stood in line to take the test. So far so good. The test was super easy at first but went to "holy crap what does that mean?" real fast.  I finished half the exam perfectly and the other half was pretty much left blank. This test determines how much French you know from basic to fluent. I felt like I didn't know anything but apparently I did "well". Then there was a speaking portion where a French woman spoke to me and asked questions. She asked me simple questions about why I'm here, who I live with, stuff like that. Then she started asking me about politics. I failed that portion because 1, I know nothing about the current election, and 2, I have not really learned that vocabulary yet. After that, I selected my classes. I have 3 classes and I go to school on monday, thursday, and friday. Don't ask me which classes they are. I have no clue. That woman scared me, so I pointed to the times that sounded the best and that was that.

I had about 45 minutes to spare so I wanted to walk around and see what I could find to eat. Turns out there is a Starbucks down the street and around the corner from my school! I was so excited when I saw it right next to an American Apparel. Americans love their Starbucks! I thought maybe people in Starbucks will speak English. I know Americans go to this Starbucks because there were US dollars in the tip jar... I haven't experienced anything about the French hating Americans yet, but that there could be one reason why.

The man working behind the counter did speak English, but their menu was very different than in America. He said something about orange flavored or mint flavored green tea and something about black tea can't be cold. I was so confused, but I managed to get the exact drink I wanted and a carrot cake. After that, I wanted to use the restroom before I headed back on the train. The bathroom was TINY. Like, less square footage than a porta-potty. I had all my paperwork in my hands, a heavy purse, my drink, my cake, and a stupid scarf that was choking me. One thing lead to another and my drink ended up falling to the floor right beside the toilet, breaking the lid off, and my ice cold tea was everywhere. I stood there for about 10 seconds just staring at the mess. Did that seriously just happen? When I left the bathroom,  a woman waiting after me was about to walk in when I stopped her to say sorry, I dropped my drink. Using gestures and pointing she understood what I said and used the toilet anyway. At least it was an unsweet tea so her shoes wouldn't be sticky after stepping all over the wet floor.

So I went back up to the counter to tell the workers that I dropped my tea, big mess, it's soaking wet everywhere. They gladly made me another tea and told me not to worry about the mess. I am glad that Starbucks still keeps their "keep the customer happy" policy even in France where the customer is not always right.

I left the Starbucks quickly so I could just go home and not have to think about anything. It's about a 20 minute train ride home, and I spent it listening to music from the loud speakers in the ears of the girl sitting right behind me. At least I know now Paris likes No Doubts new song. I enjoy it too.
Once I got off the train, I had to go to the potty again. Yeah I know, I just went 20 mins ago, but I drank that entire tea! So, at the station I got off at, I need to get on a different track in order to stop at the station closest to home so my walk is shorter. The next train that would take me to that station was 20 mins away. It takes 10 minutes to walk home from where I was currently at, so I thought it would be faster if I just use the restroom here and then walk home. They dont really advertise their restrooms here. In America, theres usually a big sign pointing to the restroom. I walked all up and down that place trying to find it till I finally walked passed a door with the boy/girl restroom symbol. I tried to open the door, but it was locked. It cost money to use their restroom! I would have to insert half a euro to unlock the door. Are you kidding me? By that  point, I'm mad because I just want to go home. I have to pee really bad, but I'm not paying to pee. screw that.

So I just walk home. And I walk, and walk and walk. And suddenly, I have no clue where I'm at. I felt like I walked for 15 minutes around a neighborhood in the heat till I noticed, I have 5 minutes to get home or I will be late for my appointment. I would normally had said screw it and had been a no show, but the dad, Gautier, was at home waiting for me so he could take me to the bank to get my bank account set up. So I knew I was in trouble. I came across two older men walking my direction dressed in suits. They looked nice. I know its dangerous to to talk to strangers and trust me, many people walked by that I said to myself "nope, not asking that person". These men looked safe. I stopped them and asking if they knew where my street was, but they werent familiar with it's name. So I used his phone to call Gautier. I handed the phone to the man, and he explained where we were. Turns out this man is a lawyer, and he was on his way to his office right down the street. I used the restroom in his law firm because by that time, I was about to pee my pants. Gautier arrived at the law firm in less than 3 minutes after I called. I found out that where I live is literally one street over from where I was. I didn't recognize it because I had never been on that street. I was kinda mad at myself for being that dumb but relieved because I wasn't lost anymore. We weren't but 5 mins late to the appointment, so everything turned out ok.

I explained to Gautier how my day was as we waited at the bank. Pretty much everything I wrote about in this blog. It's a good thing this family has a sense of humor. He thought my story was pretty entertaining.

After the bank appointment, we went home. Gautier needed to leave to do some shopping. Since he wasn't working, he said that he would pick up Agathe from school. What a blessing. That was one responsibility I could cross off my list for today. He then asked me If I could bake some cookies today since we have been invited to the neighbors house for dinner tonight. It would be courteous to bring dessert. Sure, I can burn down the house today. No problem.