The neediness of being an educated white guy stuck me yesterday when I realized I was looking up wire transfer on wikipedia, this is what I call an Office Space moment. I had a valid reason for looking up wire transfer, I need to pay rent on my apartment, and my rent money is spread in two different bank accounts, one in America one in Paris, ergo I need to transfer one to the other and then write a check.
This story is funny. All the money was together, but it is not in onebank account. I thought it would be as simple as writing a personalcheck from my LCL account and I thought it would work out. Well not sofast, Michelle and I walked up and down Blvd St. Michelle, visiting myLCL agency and two cash offices in search of travelers checks and theonly cash office that sold travelers checks only had $2700, also theexchange rate was murder.
I tried to take $3000.00 out ofa BNP Paribas ATM, but the ATM would not allow it. That brings me toa point of near break down, I looked at Bank of America’s online bankingsite to find a way to transfer funds from my USA account to my French account, then send Joe a personal check from my French bank account. Well, Bank Of America only allows wire transfers between international accounts.
Here was my plan to wire money from my BOA account to my LCLaccount then send Joe a personal check by registered mail. This plan was reasonable, and less stress for Joe, but it would take a little bitof time. At this point would be better to use pay pal, the $130 couldcome from the deposit money. However, I discovered a much better method thanks to Bank of America’s services, writing a check form online bill pay.
Luckily that stress filled day was not the extent of getting out that was just something that needed to be done. It is days like that thought that drive a man to addiction. Today, I spent most the day out and an enjoyable part of the day watching a movie with Michelle, while I also worked on my resume. It started with a rude awakening at 11 in the afternoon.
I heard loud noises coming form the street, at first I though it was the evangelical church across the street, but no, it was a protest, when I discovered that, I told Michelle I was going, and we hurried to get dressed. I met her at Rue Du Commerce to join the public protest on social health. We walked form rue du commerce to the river where we then listened to speaker. Not wanting to intrude to far in politics where we have no right we returned home for lunch of cider and apples and kiwis in yogurt. After lunch I needed to work on a couple things.
While I worked on editing my resume, I am going to find part time work in Paris for a couple months. Michelle and I also watched a biography of Thomas Jefferson. Netflix does not know we use a hotspot shield, which means we can watch movies from our computer, in France. Thank you, secret hotspot shield; no way I am giving you away.
After, half of the Jefferson biography it was time to print my CV and time for the Cultural Exchange. Passing time at cultural exchanges with American and French Students, at volunteer events, and with classmates in cafés or at apartments is good. I can not hide behind books, or my laptop forever, if I do I risk someone else trying to pull me another direction, at that moment I risk loosing my freedom.
Tonight’s cultural exchange was a lot of fun, a lot to very, as I like to scale things. I had a fun conversation with Caroline, her roommate and Marion, about French and American Movies. The conversation was pleasant and interesting when we talked about the little differences, such as the title changing for movies. Jeu d’Enfant is the French title of a French movie and Love Me If You Dare is the American title. I think little details such as that are interesting and make for good conversation.
Social demonstration was one of my favorite memories in Paris. They take to the street and vocalize their opinions. Being from Arizona, I did not see much of this in the states except for when I visited Washington.
What an experience to see a protest like that, right outside of your apartment! Have you seen many like that around Paris, or heard of them? I think that most Americans are under the impression that the French protest everything, everyday, and I doubt the validity of those thoughts. Although, it may very well be true. I don’t know.