Salut tout le monde!!!

Sorry for not updating sooner, but I am by nature a lazy individual. This is going to be a bit of a longer post as I have to include pictures and 'interesting" text for two different days.

OK. I'll start with Sunday. I woke up early in the morning (thanks to a good night's sleep) with a sense of ennui and decided to get the hell out of my arrondissement in the hopes of seeing something news. And also, since it was the weekend, I was able to purchase cheaper student tickets on the métro. Oh, the Paris métro ... I'm going to let you in on a little secret ... I am terrified of the métro. In my opinion it is nothing at all like the DC metro. It's not straightforward at all! All these intersecting lines and colors and all those stops. But, no matter how afraid I was, I decided to take a shot and book it to Le Palais Royal ...

I entered the metro at Luxembourg, which is a block away from my apartment, payed for the student ticket, and was immediately intimidated by the map. After several minutes of observation - I was sure that I knew the most quick and efficient way to get to the Museé du Louvre/Palais Royal metro stop. Well, half an hour later I ended up here ...

Yes, somehow (and God knows how), our hapless heroine was lost. Hopelessly lost. As in in the suburbs of Paris. After a growl of frustration and a long and complicated talk with a métro worker, I finally ended up at the station I wanted. Got out of the métro, and I realized that the only way out of the metro was under the concourse of the Louvre. And, again, I gave a little shudder.

Let me explain, no one loves art more than I do. But I find the Louvre hot, crowded with tourists, and imposssibly large. So, all in all, intimidating. But I knew that, being in Paris, I would have to tackle the monster sometime. And this time seemed as good as any.

An image made famous by the Da Vinci Code movie, peut-être? So, once stepping into the concourse, I was immediately beset with claustrophobia due to the crowds and the intense heat. I stepped into line and once I reached the front was given a wonderful surprise. I was completely prepared to pay the 8€, but apparently the duo action of my Sorbonne and ISIC card (which shows my birthdate) acts as a magic pass. I got in free!! Apparently I can get into all the museums here free!!!! That was excellent. And once I knew that I could come and go as much as I pleased, I decided that I would only stay for a little while since I knew I was not in the mood to wander about for long. And I decided to visit les appartements de Napoleon!!

I really haven't seen their equal in all the world. And keep in mind that I have been to St. Petersburg and other cities where some of the richest palaces are kept. Napoleon really knew how to live. All the doors were exquisitely painted or covered in gold, and the rooms - oh my GOD. It gave one (or at least myself) a shiver of pure sensual pleasure, especially in the salon. The rich red velvet is embossed with (what I assume) is a flowery texture that my fingers craved to glide over. And the riche gold and crystal of the huge chandeliers was a perfect contrast with the gilded dark wood of the piano. Here are some pictures, but I don't think that it will really translate:

A shot of the view from one of the rooms in his apartment

Damn, the pictures actually make his apartment look dingy!! Trust me, this camera isn't a great one, and these apartments were so lush looking that my jaw dropped. I think one or two of the guards gave a giggle at my intoxicated state! So, after looking at these rooms I left the Louvre and walked around outside it and around Le Palais Royal. Here are the obligatory pictures that look like every other tourist picture!! :)

But please remember, dear readers, that this excursion and these pictures are all for your benefit. The minute I stepped out of the métro I knew that I was not quite happy with this arrondissement. I longed for my own, busy, student quarter. This was full of too many tourists, too rich, too grand, too imposing. Everything was so expensive, and the Parisians here were much less accommodating. But, of course, I will go back to the Louvre and enjoy it. These impressions may be formed because I got lost on the métro and because I did not have my morning coffee.

But the concert at Le Jardin du Luxembourg certainly cheered me up!!! It was so magnificent!!! It was held en plain air in a gazebo were a single Steinway was set up. Crowds of Parisians crowded around it and many (including myself) sat on the steps to get a better view. The atmosphere was jovial and this was one of the those moments that you could give a big smile to a Parisian and they will smile right back at you - just out of the pure joy of hearing the Chopin. The duo played exquisitely - though I preferred the man's technique. His fingers floated across the keys with grace - and as Chopin can be quite virtuosic at times - rapidity as well. He was Polish and so was his partner. I think that's what really makes a good interpreter of Chopin. It's quite possibly in their blood. And, of course, they played "all the greatest hits." My knowledge of Chopin isn't too extensive, but I recognized every single one of the pieces. And here are a few pictures!!!

So, all in all, Sunday was quite a day! But now, as it is 9 AM, I need to get ready and pick up my morning coffee. But I suspect today will be a very lazy day for me. So I will post again later today!

Bises!

Salut tout le monde!

Bon matin de Paris! Actually, it is 11h30 here, but I still consider it morning. Even though I was up since 8h. But I digress. I have to make this a very short entry as I have a concert to go to in less than an hour. After a good night's rest (finally!!!!) I woke up around 8h and got out of the apartment by 10h. I was lazy today and took longer than usual with my makeup. So? :) Well, here is a picture of my look this morning, which is nothing special. But the Revlon ColorStay Foundation is a wonder!!! It makes my skin look flawless (almost) and God knows I have enough redness to become a traffic stoplight. For any women (American unfortunately) reading the blog and wondering about good cheap foundation - I would highly recommend this one.

But, again, I digress. I meant to take you all through a photo journey of the Rue Mouffetard, but I learned, unfortunately, that Monday mornings are the slowest of the week for the French people. So, nothing was going on down there ... and my coffee shop was closed!! :( Quelle horreur!!! But the real cool thing about this street is that it is apparently the oldest street in Paris!! Here are the facts people - straight from French Wikipedia: "Il s'agit d'une des rues les plus anciennes de Paris, probablement tracée du temps Romains des au 1ème siècle."

I went without coffee yesterday and I didn't end up too happy (explained in the next post) so I searched the street looking for un café au lait. Ended up buying one at a pâtisserie. And also a sweet little confection as well: a macaron!!! One bite and I was in heaven. It was vanilla flavored one, by the by. Thwre is a picture of it further down. I don't know how I managed to get it home and get a picture of it before I attacked it. And there is still half left to enjoy at a later date!!! Mmmmmm....

I also had to go grocery shopping as well, so I went to Monoprix!!! Here is a picture of my purchases! Man, am I ever living an exciting life ...

On the left is a bottle of orange juice (1€58), on the right is a HUGE bottle of Kroenenburg (1€46), and in the middle is vanilla yougurt (1€89). I was going to buy some hand soap, but the minute I saw this huge bottle of beer I did an exchange. So, you can all see where my loyalties lie! ;) And it will take me forever to drink it, so I consider it a good purchase. And not too expensive for the whole lot either... And do you see what's on top of my yogurt. Only my macaron!!!!

Crunch exterior, light and fluffy interior - and sandwiched between the two cookies is a light and sweet cream. It was/is soooo good!!!! I think one of these days I will have to go to Laudrée (on the Champs Élysées) which apparently offers the best in the world. Bound to be as expensive as hell, but I am sure they will be an orgasm in a little wrapper.

I have to cut it off here as there is a concert at the Musée national du Moyen Age (or the Cluny). God, the French really, really love long names. This is the program: L’heure musicale : Le temps de l’amour courtois (XIIe-XIIIe siècle) par « Eia! » (45mn) Yes, I am very excited. And it's only 5€ for me!!! I will let you know what I think later this afternoon.

And I saw this beauty of a dress while window shopping. I don't know how much it costs or what its made out of, but I want it!!!

À Bientôt!!!!

Oddly enough, I find this blog very therapeutic and relaxing - and it gives me a chance to unload the camera - so here goes. When last I left you in my scintillating tale I first went to Le Jardin du Luxembourg. For the readers who don't know what this is: a giant public parc filled with statues, fountains, flowers, and a giant palace which now houses the French Senate. Despite it being almost ungodly outside because of the heat it was as popular as ever. Parisiennes reading on benches or cuddling with loved ones, the single ones reading or drinking beer, les petits enfants mangent des glaces. It is so cute to see their little faces covered in chocolate ice cream!

The entrance to the Gardens!

A young Parisienne enjoying the shade with a book

Picturesque statue of George Sand

A lovely statue framed by trees...

View #1 of Le Palais

View #2 (and my personal favorite)

View #3

Handsome Parisien sunning while enjoying a book

My favorite statue of une reine

But my favorite part while I visited the gardens was seeing the young children playing with/racing their boats in the fountain! The parents were there to assist and the joy that lit up their little faces was palpable. I haven't seen this any other day, so I assume that this only occurs on a Saturday.

After watching the children play their games I was almost overcome with the heat and decided to continue walking and find Shakespeare and Co. You know how the best things are never planned? Well, I never made it to the store. To be honest, I couldn't quite find it. But then again, my sense of direction was never the best. I ended up at Notre Dame and found that the entrance was blocked. After asking the police what happened, they informed me that a number of priests were ordained and that a celebration was occurring in the back of the cathedral. Curious to see the event, I wandered over. And I was so glad that I did!!! The new priests were clothed in red and white and surrounded by loving and pious Parisians:

This particular older gentleman seemed exceptionally pious and once he received his blessing from the new priest and was raised to his feet he pressed his lips against the man of God's hands quite fervently. The young priest face seemed to literally glow. I wish that I captured the beauty of that moment on camera. It was enough to make me want to drop to my knees.

This exceptionally handsome priest had quite a crowd around him. It made quite the picturesque scene. Many kneeled to receive his blessing (myself included). I wonder why there were so many people around this particular cleric - perhaps his popularity could be attributed to his looks? Most of the congregation was female! :)

The next place that I visited was the Conciergerie - an ancient fortress which played a major part in La Révolution Française. Over 2700 people (whom the Republic considered unwanted) were imprisoned here and many were executed à la Place de la Révolution (now called La Place de la Concorde). I was able to get in free, which made me very happy!!! I thonk that it was a combination of age and my student status. The place itself has a very bad aura and is quite gloomy but that is to be expected. I took some pictures, but I admit that they aren't very good. If anyone wishes to see them, just let me know, but I won't post them here. Poor Marie Antoinette.

After walking about so much and seeing something that wasn't quite so pleasant, I was ready to return to the room and have a sit down. Mais, Paris had other plans for me. The entire blvd Saint-Michel was taken over by an LGBT parade! Hundreds and hundreds of Parisians danced in the streets. Many wearing next to nothing. Oddly enough Lady Gaga and Britney Spears (Womanizer & Alejandro in particular) seemed to be the patron saints of the Parade. Their music was blared at decibels loud enough to pierce the eardrum. But who am I to complain? I danced with everyone else, was doused in something wet and warm which I only pray was water, and condoms were thrown from floats. A young Parisian tried to offer me the ones he caught, but I laughed him off and told him Non merci! Maybe I should have taken them - it would have made an amusing souvenir. I am including pictures that I took but younger readers should proceed with caution. Many of the photos include risqué costumes and there is even some frontal/partial nudity.

Young men dancing on top of a bus stop!!! :)

A bold young Lesbian couple dancing - one without a top!!! I was astonished at how free and comfortable they were!

Paris is so full of surprises, a harmonious marriage of old and new, modern and historic. There is always something to do or to see or to eat or to drink as long as one keeps one's mind open! And the most felicitous things happen when least expected. So, tonight I plan on going to a café during Happy Hour, grab a beer, watch La Coupe du Monde with other fanatics, and try to get into bed before 1 am. And my bread has gone stale. Merde!!!! Oh well. Tomorrow is another day and with it, perhaps, more pictures!!

À Bientôt my dear readers!

Salut tout le monde!

Welcome to my blog. I have had many of these before and abandoned them a week later out of pure apathy - but this time I am under different circumstances! I am in Paris! For seven whole months! I will try - through this blog - t0 relay my adventures (or misadventures in some cases) in the City of Light. But, try to recall my readers, that (like beauty) excitement is in the eye of the beholder.

So, it is Saturday afternoon right now here in Paris and my little room is full of the smell of fresh bread. Voilà a picture of my little fragrant treasure below:

This morning started off by being woken at 9h00 by the cleaning ladies here in the foyer. That is one thing that I continually getting used to - the lack of privacy here. I was sound asleep when the ladies unlocked my door and emptied my poubelle. But I can't complain. They are so sweet to do these menial tasks for me and I should have been up anyway. After taking a shower, changing, and putting on makeup (which takes an unaccountably long time) - I was out of the room by 10h30. And, as tends to be my routine now, I found my feet walking me to the Rue Mouffetard! But, before I explain my particular love for this street, I suppose I should explain more about my residence.

I live in a foyer (which is a type of residence hall for students) called Le Foyer International des Etudiantes. For 25.5€ a day I get a room (avec une camarade de chambre) in the 5ème arrondissement, which is prime location for any student. For those who don't know I am studying at the Sorbonne and the school is about a 10 minute walk away. Quite convenient. And, as I am on the Boulevard Saint-Michel, everything I could possibly need is within walking distance. The Luxembourg Gardens (which I will take pictures of this afternoon) are right across the street and a perfect place to people watch and read. Not to mention that it it stunningly beautiful! Anyway, my room (which you won't get to see quite yet as it is a bit messy) looks like a typical dorm room - spartan but it doesn't matter. The real beauty of this foyer is on the 7ème étage, which is the terrace. Here are some pictures of my residence:

The entrance to the Foyer

View #1 from the terrace: Le Tour Eiffel and Les Invalides

View #2: Saint-Sulpice

View #3: Sacré Coeur (waaaay in the distance)

My room is on the 2ème étage and right next to les toilettes et les douches, but the good thing about this room, which I know other residents don't have is a HUGE window that opens up onto the inner courtyard.

The window allows much light and fresh air into the room and it also allows me to hear the church bells that mark every quarter hour. So, that is my residence. Every day since I have arrived I have gotten my café au lait in a little shop along the Rue Mouffetard. I absolutely adore this street!! It is about a 20 minute walk from the Foyer and a perfect morning walk. How do I get there - do you ask? Well, I walk down blvd. Saint-Michel and take a right onto rue Soufflot. And what sight greets me every morning like an old friend? Oh, not much, only this! ...

Yes folks, I walk right by the Panthéon every single morning! I pass by that and then onto rue Cujas where another sight greets me. Again, it's nothing too special. Only...

This is La Église Saint-Étienne-du-Mont. The facade of this church cannot be truly appreciated through a picture. I think it is a rival of the great Notre Dame for sheer beauty. The inside, however, is quite humble. I don't dare take a picture indoors because I don't want to show any disrespect. Another couple of streets after this and I am on the Rue Mouffetard. During the day it is a pretty busy street and very non-touristy. The locals shop there for their baguettes, meat, fish, wine, coffee, and fresh fruits and vegetables. No supermarchés here, thank God! Traditional boucheries, boulangeries, et patissièries. The smell of fresh meat and fish and bread fill the air. Not to mention the coffee!!! God, the coffee is beyond belief. That's one of the things I really missed while in the States. Real coffee. For 2€ I get a delicious café au lait and a table to people watch. Excellent. Usually I walk about for a little after the coffee and then go back to clean my room and study. Today I walked into a boulangerie - it pulled me in with the beautiful little pastries in the window. But, my taste for sweet things have diminished dramatically, and I purchased un tradition, which was the cheapest baguette to be had. 1€15 and I thought it quite delicious. God knows I will only have a few bites and then throw the rest away as it doesn't keep for long (no preservatives) - but it was good to have some of it and the smell of it in my chambre is comforting.

I don't know what I shall do for the rest of the day. I must clean the room and then I may book it over to Shakespeare and Co. to browse through the cheap books. And next week is bound to be absolutely insane. Why do you ask? Because the sales are on throughout Paris. Couture items can be found for 80% off! I smell Christian Louboutin boots! I will post another update tonight with more details regarding Parisian life. I end this post with a picture of my outfit for the day. And I know what some of you are saying: Oh là là - she's wearing flats! I need comfy shoes for walking and the French populace tends to be shorter in height. And most of the chic Parisiennes wear flats anyway. So, here is the picture, and for those who have World Cup Fever: here is the new Shakira music video, which is apparently the FIFA World Cup Song! Quite catchy! Enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRpeEdMmmQ0