It was March 10th, and I was on the verge of beginning my exchange program “Athens” at Mines de Paris University, scheduled to last for a week. Together with my friend Justus, I set out on the journey, but the trip did not go as smoothly as planned. Strikes paralyzed train services, and we barely managed to catch the last running train to Paris.
On the train, we met a friendly couple from Stuttgart, also affected by the train disruptions. Together, we made the best of the chaotic situation. Upon arriving in Paris, Justus and I checked into our hostel. One of our roommates was a cheerful Hawaiian aged somewhere between 39 and 50, who constantly regaled us with stories about his life.
The first day at the university started with a brief introduction and a buffet where we met the first set of new people. On the same day, Justus and I decided to stroll through the streets of Paris, indulging in a bit of sightseeing. Along the way, we passed by the (then still closed) Notre Dame and many small antique bookstores.
Paris revealed its poetic side, with numerous street musicians filling the atmosphere with melodies. From our seminar room, we had a fantastic view across Jardin de Luxembourg to the Eiffel Tower. To our surprise, we also spotted many parakeets in Jardin de Luxembourg. Later, we learned that they were ring-necked parakeets, originally native to Africa and South Asia. Since their introduction to Europe in the 19th century, they have established themselves and are bred for the exotic pet trade. Some pets managed to escape and have been living in the wild ever since.
The evenings were typically spent celebrating with our newfound friends from the same exchange program. In the midst of Paris, we experienced a strike where people vehemently voiced their opinions against the newly proposed retirement age regulation: “Macron, Macron ferme ta gueule” (Which is not a compliment to Macron 😉). The streets were filled with people advocating for their rights.
The last days flew by, and the train journey back home turned out surprisingly pleasant. The memories of that exciting week in Paris will undoubtedly stay with me for a long time.
