Pot Luck

Day 1 in Paris. I got to my hostel around 11am but couldn't check in until 2pm so I checked my bags and went for a walk around the neighborhood. After walking away an hour, I found a little square to chill in by the Quai de la Seine. As I nibbled on my chicken sandwich, a swarm of students nested RIGHT by me. About 25 people formed a circle RIGHT next to me and started dishing out food. I had no intention of moving because they did not ask me, I was comfortable and I still had at least 45 minutes to kill. I figured I could try to eaves drop and examine la nourriture they had laid out. Out of all of the swarming students, only one was kind enough to speak to me (is this the Paris attitude?). She even sneaked me some food (I actually tried pretty hard to refuse it b/c I had just ate, nothing look incredibly appetizing, and I didn't want to be that girl who stole their food). The best part of all this is that she spoke VERY little English. So we struggled through a conversation. I spoke some French, which she could barely understand. She spoke some French, which I could barely understand. lol. I later found out that most of the other students spoke English just fine.

First cultural faux pas: I forgot about the whole dual kiss business, so when we were saying our departing words, I went to give her a hug. AWKWARD. But at least I haven't offended anyone yet. In fact, two people asked me for directions, en francais! Somebody is blending in! "Fly" backpacking wardrobe paying off?