Paris Guide

Aight, Sarah says many of you are coming....excellent. I promise this will be one of the best experiences of your young impressionable lives, I can call you young because I look mid-20's but really I am from the future (it's complicated ;p).

Because I love you, here's a break down of how you can set yourself up for success:

Getting here: No big deal as this is pretty straight forward. The sooner you buy your ticket the better, as the further out you buy it the cheaper it gets. Keep in mind how long you're going to be here for. Either 6 months or less, or 6+ months. This will make a big difference later. I flew from Vic to Ottawa, then Montréal to Paris direct for $1100 round trip. Here's a personal hook up: 


mike.higgins@flightcentre.ca, 


Mike is my brother and he'll get you there, cheap, easy and in style. He works at the broughton st location, behind the bay centre.


Getting papers: Welcome to the part where you get to prove to the universe how bad you want to go to Paris. This is a whole new kind of pain. First you need to get your documents in order. You'll need your:


MSP #


Pharmacare #


Health Insurance Card, luckily for you this provided by CCSS, and we have an excellent plan at 
Camosun and you can get card mailed to you after signing up at either campus. And the signed copy that comes with it.


Passport valid until the end of your stay. 


Letter of Acceptance Signed by Thevi 'Big Deal' Pather


Letter of Acceptance from Inseec


Round Trip Plane Ticket


Proof of Finances: this is a bank account statement, letter of support, student loan docs, basically anything official that states you'll have at least $1000 cad per month that you're here.


4 Passport style pictures


(Available from the student application pdf)


2 Copies of your Application form


Liability Affidavit


(Available from Campus France)


Letter of Proof of Registration from Campus France (attestation d'inscription)

DAP form (Attestation de Préinscription)

*********SUPER IMPORTANT*********

Now first thing you'll notice is that the Campus France website is hyper complicated and confusing, this is your introduction to french bureaucracy, welcome. Now what you need to do is, in order:

Register for a Campus France Account:

(https://pastel.diplomatie.gouv.fr/cef/html/dos/crd/creationDossier.html?codeCef=CA&LANGUE=en_ca)

Pretty straight forward, you fill in your whole life, and follow the windows.

Once you're done you'll be able to print out your attestation d'inscription. 

Next is where it gets sticky: you need to get the Attestation de Préinscription.

You need to find and then download the guide for cas particuliers (its on the website), as Campus France has streamlined the procedure for students like us. 

(http://canada.campusfrance.org/en/campusfrance-canada/b-font-color=-ff4500-registration-visa-mandatory-procedures-to-read-font-b/simplified-procedure-for-particular-cases-exchange-french-scholarship-beneficient-217.html)

Now this is do or die time. 


YOU ONLY HAVE ONE CHANCE TO FILL THIS OUT.


 I'LL SAY AGAIN, 


YOU ONLY HAVE ONE CHANCE TO FILL THIS OUT!!!!!!


It cost me a changed plane ticket, three trips to montreal and a whole lot of stress to learn this lesson. The website is kind of wonky, so make sure you have a good connection and that you're focused. 


Then login and follow the windows by the guide step by step. 


I don't know exactly how this works, whether you get your attestation instantly (you should) or if they reply back to you. But either way this is how you do it, in one shot. 


Then you have your pdf for your attestation de préinscription. 


Lastly, you have to make an appointment at the consulate. I did mine in Montreal, but there's an office in Van City. 
(http://www.consulfrance-vancouver.org/spip.php?article399)


Follow the steps to make your appointment here:
(http://www.consulfrance-vancouver.org/spip.php?article370)


Once you're booked in then you get a RDV pression (letter of appointment registration)


Print this out and put all the paperwork in a nice little package.


Clean yourself up, make sure you're there with all the documents I've mentioned, and smile at the person behind the glass. Be nice, as these 15 minutes decide what happens next.


This was by far one of the most stressful episodes of my life, so start now. Right now. The sooner you get it done, the sooner you can see what I'm talking about when I say go to Hideout Bar in the Bastille for happy hour ;) 




Getting sheltered: Welcome to pain in the ass #2.

Paris is one of the best cities in the world. I've been to many, but Paris is the most visited in the world.

Why?

Remember being in love? Take that feeling and build a city on it.

So naturally everyone wants to live here.

That makes it hard to find a place to live.

C'est logique, non?

Step 1:
First find out how much you can afford per month.
If it's less than 400E a month, go buy a baguette and some red wine and pretend you're in Paris, cause even if you find something cheaper than that, you're so far out of the city, you'll waste half your time on the trains.

Now average for a decent place to live is between 450E and 800E, and really, here in Paris you get what you pay for. This one of the most expensive cites to live in (http://www.meilleursagents.com/prix-immobilier/paris-75/), and they charge for space per metre. So here's how you start:

Get a cell phone. All you need is valid ID and find a provider, Orange, Bouygues or SFR. You can pick up a ghetto phone for 30E, if not bring your cell and buy a SIM card for it. Either way you need a way to be reached (this is 2010).

Next get online:

These are private listings, also called 'Petits Annonces'
craigslist.org
pap.fr
topannonces.fr

To find a roommate:
appartager.com
koloc.org
colocation.fr
(you might have to pay for some of these, but they do work)

Also, as with anything in life, it's all about who you know: I found my place through a friend. Ask around, ask your parents, ask God, cause you will need help on this one.

If you have the money to spend > usually one month's rent, then you can go to an immobilier, they are real estate agents and have links to some nice places. You're paying for convenience.

Come early and get your hunt on, this is the prerequisite hurdle, but also you'll get to meet some interesting people and get a good idea of Paris.

Expect to pay 1 month's rent as a caution/deposit, and if you have to sign a lease, you'll need all sorts of paperwork: resident card, bank account,  and proof of finances, ex: bank statement, parental caution, etc...

Be smart, and follow your instincts, and take a nice long walk around the hood before you sign anything. You're all grown ups, you know what to do.

Finally when you get your keys, go down to the local hypermarché, call your friends from erasmus on the way, buy 5 bottles of champagne, go back home and party in your new house.

Also, you now have the right to sneer and judge tourists, as you are a Parisien, and all these people visiting your city and clogging up your metro is annoying. Practice saying under your breath with disdain: Putain Touristes.  (Puu-tayn Too-ristes)

You can also get a freebox (cable-wifi), internet, etc....but I can't do everything for you now can I? Let's just say, for everything 'official' you need ID, proof of finances and patience bloody patience. Decide what your life looks like and get stuff as you need it. Try and hook up with some students that have been here for a while and they can give you all the good info you need.


Getting clothed: Upon coming to Paris, you will feel shame. You might as well be a country bumpkin that doesn't own a mirror. This is the first step in realizing you are in the fashion capital of the world. Now I came to Paris in the winter, so everything was a little more subdued, but this is how I got my game up:

Step 1:
Know yourself.
What do you represent?
Who are you?
What you wear on the outside should always reflect what is on the inside. (write that down)

Step 2:
Open a separate savings account. This is where the bulk of your money goes, and you transfer cash in as per your budget. Otherwise, you will end up asking for change in the Metro stations. Paris is expensive.

Step 3: Get excited. At this point you're dedicated to evolving yourself and you have a whole city of fashion to do it with. I rode the subway for a week and wrote down things that I liked about various people's styles. So that when I went out with cash in pockets, I had a good idea of what I was looking for. This will keep you on budget and sane.

Step 4: Faire les courses: Alright, where do you go in huge Paris for shopping?

Ladies First

So ladies, this is the dream. This is what your life looks like as a Tv show. Time to be your own Carrie Bradshaw. Paris is the fashion capital of the world and you need to understand what time it is. Don't worry, the reminders will be there. In fact, they will be everywhere. From the metro, to the boulevards, to your crazy sexy cool new friends. And you will profit from this.

The beauty of living in such a large cosmopolitan city is the options. So let me share some of them with you.

First and foremost, you have to know what you're going for. Otherwise, you will get lost in all the racks and go way over budget. Head down to the 4e or 5e to see what's fresh, buy some magazines, or go check some fashion shows. This is your opportunity to be original and creative, if you want to look like a typical french student however, type H&M into google maps and stop reading here.

High-end Styles:

Champs D'Élysée: Chanel, Dior, Gucci, and all that have their flagship stores on the boulevard. Interesting to visit, especially the Louis Vuitton store, balling to the Nth degree. Another option, is heading out to Val D'Europe (near disney) and there's a massive outlet mall there. Brand names, massive selection, much cheaper prices. But learn kung-fu before you go, as this type of shopping brings out the worst in humanity. Watching some middle aged women over one bin reminded me of the lions in the planet earth video.

Mid Range Style:

This is where things get interesting. You can find anything in Paris. So, I highly recommend Les Halles. This is where you can join the masses of people in what could be described as an orgy of consumption. A close friend came to visit, and her and I went shopping. I have never seen so many shoes. Stores and stores and aisles and aisles. Also head down to Le Marais, le 6e, and le 7e for some interesting shops and big name stores alike.

Bottom of the Pyramid:

This is where you can truly get creative. Buying cheap and making it work together is the mark of a true fashionista. So, to get regular socks and other expendables, check out Tati. Massive department store with locations everywhere. Another option is checking out the Chateau Rouge area for some ethnic vibrations. My favourite place by far, was Les Puces. Flea markets take on a whole new brilliance in Paris, its where my favourite locals took me. I'm not sure of the days, but there's two I visited, the one at Clignantcourt and Porte de Montreuil. Epic prices, haggling, weird magical items. C'est Mortelle.

Gentlemen:

Place de Clichy, Les Halles, and Les Puces. In that order, is everything you need.

General Notes: Listen boys and girls. Paris is amazing. Everywhere you go and every new metro stop you will find magic. Keep your eyes and hearts open, and you will find not only what you want, but what you need.

Bonus Points:

I heard from a little bird, that there is a bus tour of the fashion houses. Where you can get exclusive gear cheap and direct from the couturiers. Do your homework and get rewarded.

Food:

Here is the greatest irony about Paris and I find it rather funny. Girls, get ready to put on some weight, and boys get ready to lose some. This is the way it is. There is something in the air. And that is the scent of fresh bread wafting through the air. But alas, it goes deeper than this. France is a culture based on the quality of life. And eating well is one of the greatest pleasures humanity has. Your palette will be ravished daily with some of the finest cuisine in the world. Lucky, lucky, you.

Cafés offer various plats du jour, truly a special experience. You will find the most intimate and romantic restaurants and a wide range of price points. If you are a foodie, then I leave this voyage to you.

Also, almost as if by proxy, you will become a better cook. Why, you ask? Three reasons: you will see food as art, your palette will improve and you will have access to better ingredients.

Now Paris is expensive. Let's be honest though, it is worth it. You will have to get your culinary scheme on point. Hyper-Marchés are scattered around every quarter and you will find your own middle path between convenience and value. By far, the cheapest and largest is Carrefour. Go there whenever possible for your staples. Also, in an attempt to not to victimize mother earth you either buy a bag or bring your own. Do this. For me, grocery day became a celebration. Trying out new recipes, cooking for friends, and generally not starving. Stay away from Monoprix, while Ed is not bad.

Now that you've survived your shop for the staples you can really do yourself a favour. The artisans are the point and pride of France. Fresh baking from the boulangeries, amazing meats from the boucherie and there are stores devoted to cheese. So refreshing to discover the old ways. Doing business with the actual people who produce and supply your food. After a few months, the bakers near my house knew me, chose baguettes for my tastes and I would time it so I could get the freshest bread possible. Fresh fruit from the market, and then your eating well.

Coming soon:

Getting school handled
Getting cultured
Getting kissed

It's been a long time, I shouldn't have left you...

Forgive me Dear Readers,
It has been awhile since we've last spoken. And, well, the truth is, I've been busy. But, it gets a little deeper than that. Writing is one of my favourite mediums, and in order to do so, you have to remove yourself. You have to float above your subject and examine it. You have to seek out the key points and elaborate on them. And to be honest, I didn't want to wake up.

For this is Paris you see.

I have woken into a dream. Where every moment sparkles in champagne tones. Where celebration is a priority and the slow sip of perfect instants speed down the boulevard reckless. But let me build you the foundation, then invite you to the party on the roof.

School:
Banal but necessary, mon boulot. Et ça bosse fort. Let me see, where to drop you...

I walked into the Erasmus meeting late, as I misjudged my travel time. And there was a veritable buffet of nations. Mexico, Sweden, America, China, and the faces went on. After having the french version of Thevi, a german woman named Christina Vauguin, give us the details on life in Paris she explained how school was going to play out. Well, the admin side of it anyways. So on she went, you'll choose your courses in a meeting later, then you have two weeks to audit classes and get your schedule right. But for now, you have the week off, go enjoy Paris. Way ahead of you Madame.

So then I sit down, one on one style and we go through the choices. Yes, dear reader you heard me right, choices. Do I want to take psychology or do I want to take luxury brand management, advertising strategy or french history? I feel a little bit spoiled, but hey, I deserve it. So then the work begins. I thank my lucky stars for Bus 140 as the excel sheet springs to life. My first attempt at making a schedule is underway. This is where it gets a little sticky. For you see, being bilingual, I can take courses in both english and french, so now I have three separate campuses to choose from. And not to have conflicts (peace in the middle east), I must tread lightly. Also, I need courses that will correspond to my diploma back home. Fine. Schedule laid out after many a café au lait, and we're ready to go. Or so I think...

The free week few by, as my music, culture shock and house hunt consumed me. Soon it was time for the first day of school. Oh so exciting. Paris school is a beast unto itself. First let's speak on the culture. You want to talk about style. Mon doux. The women, and men I suppose by proxy, are so stylish, chic and beautiful it leaves no wonder as to why people flock here. There is by far, a higher standard of presentation than any city I've ever traveled to, and I've been some places. (A quick aside here, the vatos locos (my mexican homies and I) have coined the phrase, 'The Three Donation Rule,' meaning that during any metro ride, no matter how small, you will give your heart away at least three times.) It feels like class is really a giant Hugo Boss ad. Now there are three things you need to know about a class here in France: The students come here for free, social interaction is a priority, and the teachers are all stars, tired of their high social status, and after having done extensive traveling, they got bored with all their free time in the Seychelles and decided that teaching would be fun. One teacher took us through his advertising campaign for Adidas, and he is a tall man, but Kobe Bryant beside him in the photo is taller.

Alright, so stop staring at Julia Roberts, Angelina Jolie and Audrey Tatou and get to work. What class do I have now? Well dear, simple Canadian, that depends on what zodiac sign you were born under, what direction the wind is blowing in, and what type of Panini you had for lunch. For you see, they have cohorts just like us, but unlike us, their schedule changes every week. And you stick with the same cohort all the way through to your major. So I'm with COM1 for some classes, that means that I have public relations this Monday at 1530 for 3 hours, but next week it will be on Tuesday at 1000 for 1.5 hours. Makes sense right? Ohhh wait, that schedule is old, classes have changed, and although you thought you were early, your class that was supposed to be on thursday started an hour and a half ago. Pardon, my fault completely. Luckily, the faculty are very patient with their 'Petits Erasmus.' Classes are setup a little different as well. No working out of textbooks (just like the real world), handouts, powerpoints and internet links are your resources. Not much homework, just one huge all encompassing project at the end, no pressure though really. Sometimes there's no final exam either. So pros and cons, as with anything. But one thing that ab-so-fu**ing-ultely sends me, is the classroom dynamic. If you sit at the back of the class you will be up to date on Thierry's love life, Élodine's weekend and hear Joachim flirt with Julie, but that won't be on the exam, Media Planning will, and you can't hear the teacher because, as students are there for free.99, so they have all the time in the world to study at home. And they'll tell the teacher this as well. Think of having a great conversation with the cute student beside you, the teacher is distracted and calls you out. You then reply, 'I was just explaining to cutiepie the subtly of your lesson and then I was going to ask her out to dinner,' and the teacher goes, 'Do it on your own time,' and then you say, 'This is my own time,' the prof frustrated and helpless goes back to talking over you to the benefit of the first three rows. Not all classes, but some classes. Yet, that sword swings both ways.

Ever taken salsa classes at lunch, or eaten crêpes and smoothies while telling the DJ to turn it up? Camosun, the way the french put fun first, is simply human. Our double windsors are too tight. Everyday one student association or another is throwing something. I turn down more parties every week than I've been to in Vic. And I dated the girl from the Vengaboys (we like to party). 'Hey guys this is Phillipe, he's planning a ski trip to the Alps and he wants to tell you about it,' 'Everyone listen up, this is Amélie and she wants to invite you to the pre-Morocco boat trip.'  Not to mention my french culture class. Hahaha, I love this class its all field trips: Le Louvre, Musée D'Orsay, Sacré Coeur, and it ends just in time for happy hour. And you get credit. Holla back.

I had to explain what the term, '9 to 5' meant to my french roommate, culture shock.

Quality of life vs. quantity of life.

Know both sides to walk the middle.


Enough business, now time for highlights:

Bonsoir, je m'appel Patrick

Once upon a time not too long ago, I was sauntering through the halls of Camosun College. Lost to my headphones as usual, it was a day like any other. Yet, around the corner was a moment. And sitting in the centre of that moment was a woman with a smile.  Her name is Sarah Ritcey and she is a gatekeeper. We make with the chat chit and she invites me to speak with her boss about the possibilities of studying abroad. The privilege of youth is time, so why not?

Sitting around a large wooden table in the international office at Lansdowne, a man named Thevi Pather walks in. Thevi is a big deal. Emitting an aura of purpose, he begins to speak: "This is a list of schools you can go to..." I remember Africa, I remember Asia, and then talk turned to Europe. He continues to pour fuel on dreams and then passes me a business card. Take a look at the information and get back to Sarah, and we'll take it from there, and then you can take it anywhere.

I remember the cafe latte at the Cornerstone* that convinced me. Staring out the window and watching Victoria go by, I had nothing but death on my mind. It may sound morbid, but growing up in my life, I know about death. And I know that without a doubt she is self employed. Tomorrow isn't promised to today, so when I'm staring at that bright tunnel, I am not going to have one regret. However, I am going to Europe. Booyah Master Chief.

Now where to go? England...hmmm, nah, Spain...no me gusto, Sweden...the most progressive society surrounded by models and vikings...so tempting, too much snow, so no. Where can I indulge my love of the finer things in life, meet the most stylish women, drink fine wine, and evolve my freshness...Paris, ca va marcher. On aller.

Patrick: "Hey Sarah, I'm down, what needs to happen?"
Sarah: "Applications and some paperwork"
Patrick: "Alright, where do I get said paperwork?"
Sarah: "It's already on the way"

Sarah is the gatekeeper, I'm forever grateful.

Then I get a phone call from Ottawa. Someone very close to you has passed on, and the damage is great. Everything on hold, I was in the air four hours later. A couple of the most painful weeks of my life. If you know then you know, if you don't, then make sure your love light shine bright, cause it's on the 'fo sho' list right above taxes.

So everything is settled, more or less, and I can come back to my gravy life in Vic. I hit the ground running. Where's that smoke coming from? Oh, that's my life, and it's on fire. And you have midterms on friday (today is tuesday). It don't matter, this belt around my waist means I'm a champion. Push the pencil, and get it done. I left those exams with no dirt on my shoulders, na mean?

I called Sarah as I'm walking towards the 21. "Can I still go?" "It'll be tight, let me see, I'll call you back." Vibrations, "Hey Sarah," "Yeah you're in, bon voyage." Hold on tight youngblood, here we go.

So in front of me there were two mountains, finals and the mountain of work needed to cross the country plus an ocean. Hustle, hustle, hustle, is all I can say. They tell you about the education you get at school, this is it kid. Deal with ten tons of responsibility, deadlines and all the while you're the boss. So I planned, organized, led and controlled. There's a good reason why they tell you to start preparing three months prior to your departure, I have a week.

I won't terrorize you with the challenges I had to slay, but let me tell you this much, in order to get my affairs in order I handled business in Victoria, Vancouver, Ottawa and Montreal, and even the French ambassador was involved. Yet, I left the consulate in Montreal with a Visa the day before my flight out. Hey, I'm already home. Ask and ye shall receive. Thank you to all the collaborators. Everyone.

I roll off the plane exhausted and victorious. That was a feeling I'll never forget. Then to the trains, and finally the hostel. I slept for two days straight. Next up let's find a place in Paris. Hahahahahahahaha..... everytime I think I'm out, they pull me right back in. I literally made 100 phone calls. My craigslist sessions felt like a knife fight with a fork. There's something I'm missing, nothing is moving, no call backs, no emails, no nothing. I called the contacts from the school, from the web, from the conversations on the Metro. Nothing. I saw 3 places. I got the third.

In retrospect, this is the point: In Islam there is a saying, Insha'Allah, it means, in God's Hands. I pushed myself further and harder than I ever thought I could to get to Paris, I mean tree planting was easier. What this struggle did, quite efficiently, is strip me naked. It pushed me to achieve results under pressure and to a point where every glass of wine is a reminder. Where all my preconceptions, all my desires, all my worries, and ego constructs were released. So that I can make love to Paris in every moment. So that this living city of twelve million can shape me through its culture, its people and its rhythm. I got exactly what I asked for and not a penny less.

So now you get the context. And this is the beginning. From now on my lovelies, it's all champagne bubbles. The stage is set, the crowd is here, and the curtains are going up. I promise you a show like nothing you've ever seen. The grimiest underground hiphop parties, the most lush cafes, the heart wrenching romances, and a young hero who's living like there's nothing to lose.

I have 97 days, and dear readers, I'm going to light this city on fire. Welcome to my life, let's bring this light into the darkness. Rien d'autre, rien si beau que ca. Je t'aime.


next update: this is school in france?! 50 euros for what you say?! I'm not going to fight her even if she is a lesbian! why are the dutch so good at bowling?

A tanttot!


 
*(Fernwood represent, brap!)