random observations

• Garbages on the sidewalk are a very rare find
• Public water fountains do not exist
• Ice does not exist ..your water will never be cold
• Paris is most definitely not wheelchair accessible. This is one of the downsides of all the buildings being so old. Although they're so beautiful, none have elevators. Everything in the U.S. is handicapped-accessible but unfortunately, it'd be a total mess for someone in a wheelchair here. At some of the metro stops you need to go down 4 flights of stairs before you're at the metro.
• Speaking of the metro, it always smells like pee. :( 
• The only soda they have is Coke, Coke Zero and Fanta Orange. No Dr. Pepper :( :( :(
• French have the mentality that United States schooling is very strict and not fun. Apparently "lectures" aren't a thing 
• American music is super popular. Every place I walk in is jamming Rihanna or Eminem. They love Beyonce and the Black Eyed Peas. 
• "To go" simply does not exist here. You take your time and eat or drink what you order. The only places you can order something to go is McDonald's or Starbucks.. which I haven't been to yet don't worry! But I hate not being to get coffee to go :| #collegestudentproblems
• Some of the fashion I've seen would be considered ugly in the U.S. but here they look so great!
• All women have a very natural look. Makeup is not popular. Red lipstick is very popular. And nobody has their hair done. Everyone's hair is frizzy and messy and they still look awesome.
• As long as we're talking about fashion..I HAVE SEEN ONLY ABOUT 3 PAIRS OF UGG BOOTS SO THAT IS SUCH A NICE CHANGE THANK YOU
• Even young teenager smokes cigarettes
• Drinking on the street or in a public place is legal
• There are often soldiers in groups of three with huge rifles walking on the street..especially at big tourist attractions such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre or the Arc de Triomphe. I've been told this is to make Parisians feel safe in case anything bad would happen at these locations, in other words, they're always prepared for a terrorist attack.
• Going to the movies is veryyyy popular and they still get dressed up for that even though you sit in a dark theater..