Statistics

If you know me, you know that I always like hearing fun and interesting statistics, so here are some numbers that I have put together since I’ve been here (almost two weeks):

The number of times I have:
- Been out in the town and NOT seen an outdoor market: Once or twice. (There is even a market every second day right beside my residence!)
- Almost been hit by a car: I average twice a day. (I hear that’s a good average!)
- Asked someone directions, only to discover that they are an international student too (and therefore, have no clue either!): Too many to count. There are 3000 international students at my university alone.
- Seen really obese females: On average, about two to three a day!!
- Seen really obese males: On average, about zero to one a day!!
- Come home from the bar smelling like a chimney: Every time I have gone to a bar.
- Had to dodge to prevent being burned by someone holding a cigarette walking down the street: Nine or ten times.
- Reminded myself that there are only 126 days left until smoking is banned inside bars and restaurants: 5 times a week.
- Left my room to go to the bathroom forgetting to bring toilet paper: Twice.
- Been in a bathroom where there wasn’t any toilet paper: I’ve lost count.
- Been in a bathroom where there was soap: Once.
- Used a toilet with a seat: Once.
- Used a hole in the ground as a toilet: Luckily, only once.
- Gotten lost going to school the direct (but longer) way: None. Hooray!
- Gotten lost going to school trying the shortcuts: Twice. And they both resulted in me turning the 25-minute walk into a 45-minute walk. Argh!
- Showed up to my class and there was no teacher: Twice (out of the five total classes I’ve had so far)!
- Had French guys hit on me in barely comprehendible English, or really vulgar French: Five or six.
- Gotten funny looks when I say I play soccer: Almost everyone who is European.
- Had to buy men’s cleats because they don’t sell women’s: Once. (I only needed one pair, though. They’re silver and red Umbro cleats that cost me 29€ on sale. I’m so excited!!)
- Tried to go somewhere, only to discover that the place I want to be is closed for another hour: Three or four very annoying times.
- Walked into a store to talk to a person that “can’t help me” for another ten minutes, because she’s still eating: One very annoying time.
- Tried to take out money from my Canadian account only to have my “request refused” (even after setting up my account so that it was accessible overseas): Five or six times. I’ve now given up and am trying to contact my bank.
- Gone to the bank here to open an account and to try and see what is the best, easiest, fastest, and cheapest way to transfer my Canadian money to my French account: Five or six. It’s getting very frustrating. Hint: there is NO best, easy, fast and cheap way. I need it fast because I need to get a statement of account so that I can apply to live here for longer than three months. And I had already done that to apply for my visa… they just need it in euros now. Gah! So nit-picky!
- Eaten a baguette and/or cheese with my meal: Once or twice a day!
- Smiled and nodded at things I didn’t understand because it was easier than getting it explained to me: The number is starting to increase. Let’s leave it at that. I’m pretty sure I am starting to seriously annoy the people I hang out with because when I don’t understand something, I asked for it to be explained.
- Lay down on my bed for just a minute in the middle of the day, only to fall deep asleep because my brain is so tired: Four or five.
- Thought of people from back home: Daily—or more!
- Heard from people back home: Not nearly enough!