RISD is sort of different in that we have 12 week semesters, rather than the normal 15 week ones. They do this so that they can squeeze a full semester's worth of work into 6 weeks between Christmas and the Spring semester and call it "Winter session". This is the time that we get to take classes outside of our department, you know, to see what else the school has to offer. I was sort of dreading winter session this year because, being a junior, we're still sort of low in the pecking order of getting to choose classes. I just knew I was going to get stuck with two classes that I hated, but would have to be in for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week.
Until about 3 weeks ago, when I was getting on the elevator and saw a small poster announcing a winter session PHOTOGRAPHY class in PARIS!!! Did I want to spend 5 weeks and my last winter session at RISD in Paris? Hell yeah.
So I paid my deposit this morning. We're* going to Paris for 5 weeks! And get this: the dark rooms** are only open til 7.00 at night, and not open at all on the weekends, thus "forcing" us to travel and engage in the culture. For shame! I'm thinking London. I'm thinking Amsterdam. I'm thinking Milan. It's all close over there right?
So, if any of you have recommendations for restaurants, places (other than the obvious tourist spots) to visit, etc, please let us know! Also, if you happen to know anyone that would want to rent us a studio apartment...you know...tell me!
*No, Herman will not be taking the photo class with me. He is going along for the ride though!
**This is where we'll be studying.