La rentrée… à la Sorbonne... D Day.

“Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves, we must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must attained” Marie Curie

So, it is the first day of classes at the Sorbonne…so exciting!

I didn’t sleep well... I couldn’t stay in bed after 6am. I had a strong cup of coffee, as usual, took a shower and left the house at 7:50 for my first class that starts at 9. Usually one way from Neuilly takes 50 minutes, riding in one bus, and 3 metro lines…. That day it felt an eternity.

Public transportation is always a challenge in Paris, and that day was no different! The bus was supposed to leave at 7:55, however, the driver decided to leave two minutes earlier… I started running toward it, waving like crazy for the driver to stop, but of course he decided not to.... I wonder sometimes why do bus drivers feel a certain power of owning our destiny. It is up to them to decide if and when we should reach from point A to point B, and they never hesitate to make sure we are aware of that fact!

So, of course I had to wait 10 minutes in 8 degrees freezing cold weather until the next bus showed up. In the bus, I was watching people' faces around me, they were emotionless. I wish I could tell every and each one of them “I am going to my first class at the Sorbonne”, but who cares… no way, not in Paris. People stare at each other in public transportations, never smile, never greet anyone and no chance of opening a conversation! They are on a mission, getting from point A to point B, in the least time possible.

I finally made it to the “Sorbonne”. An incredible overwhelming feeling rushed through my body… I am actually here. I handed proudly “THE card”, my student card to the security personnel as they only let in those who have one. I entered to the main “Cour d’honneur”, and was soon blown away with the place. The two big statues: Victor Hugo and Louis Pasteur overlooking the plaza, where students were sitting on the floor, standing, chatting, reading, or laughing…. decorated the place!

I looked around, and all I could think about is “If these walls could talk!!” they might recall all the conversations that took place right here between those who passed by: from Descartes, to Voltaire, from Hugo, to De Beauvoir… How can I stand here today and not think of the first woman to ever have a PhD at the Sorbonne, then became a professor here: Mme. Marie Curie…. Being surrounded by the spirit of all these amazing thinkers, one can only feel motivation and enthusiasm……

Click here for : Marie Curie

So let the dream begin, and let me be part of it: “La Sorbonne”

To be continued....