The weekend after was still in April, so I'm guessing I didn't do much but recover and hang out with kids. That Monday night, however, was the Feria de Sevilla party hosted by our sevillans so we put big flowers in our hair and ate the typical foods and drank the typical drinks to celebrate. Then of course we headed out to Irish, I assume.
Damn, I just realized that these posts are so out of date I won't be able to remember all the details! Lucky you! Maybe that will make me catch up to the present sooner. Probably not.
Damn, I just realized that these posts are so out of date I won't be able to remember all the details! Lucky you! Maybe that will make me catch up to the present sooner. Probably not.That Wednesday I had another oral presentation, this time in genres litteraires which apparently is a course for students looking to become french language teachers. Seeing as that is not at all the case for me, I was at a slight disadvantage. I presented Silence de la mer by Vercors, which is short but pretty symbolic, so I set up this powerpoint with lots of bullets so people could kind of have a clue what I was saying. Then I get to the classroom, where my laptop test had passed with flying colors the week before, but naturally on the day of, it wouldn't work with the projector. My french (not swiss) teacher knew these slides were necessary, so she had the whole class gather around my laptop. Everyone was super close to me and I had to make awkward eye contact the whole time. I think it went really well, I was really comfortable and not reading a script but actually discussing for the 45 minutes. Then she gave me the customary review in front of the class saying how she's not against accents or anything, but that mine is terrible and she could only understand 1 out of every 5 words. Bullshit. If she had stopped inspecting her nails and the ceiling panels long enough to pay attention, that wouldn't be the case. She recommended I go to the learning center and listen to tapes to get better. What a blow to the self-confidence.
Who cares though, my grade was fine, and right after the presentation I packed for Paris. Pas mal. The next morning--bright and early--I took the TGV and passed by giant yellow fields (some plant used for oil) that I saw between nodding off. 
When I arrived at the station, I was supposed to meet the one and only Sarah Tishler at the "clock". So I'm walking all around and don't find a clock, I asked someone who looked Parisian where a big clock was and he didn't even know one existed. Eventually I found it, and with the clock, the Tish. It was great to see her again, but very brief since she had to go to class and I had to meet Tufts kids for a little afternoon exploring.
When I arrived at the station, I was supposed to meet the one and only Sarah Tishler at the "clock". So I'm walking all around and don't find a clock, I asked someone who looked Parisian where a big clock was and he didn't even know one existed. Eventually I found it, and with the clock, the Tish. It was great to see her again, but very brief since she had to go to class and I had to meet Tufts kids for a little afternoon exploring.
I decided to walk from the Gare de Lyon to the Louvre to meet Sarah Cleary. I had google mapped it before and just walked quickly with the Seine to my left
until (eventually) I found the big glass pyramids I had seen in French classes over and over.
Since I had taken a few accidental detours on the way, I was a few minutes late and apparently Sarah left and went home. I waited around till she called and then she came back; luckily she lived near by. We walked through the Tuileries Garden until we could see the Arc de Triomphe in the distance then had to turn around to go meet another girl on the Tufts in Paris program who I didn't know, but also to meet Katherine Sadowski who I do know! to get some food since I really hadn't eaten all day. We ended up striking out, because I only wanted a little snack and all around the Louvre and gardens prices were like a million dollars for nothing I was interested in.
until (eventually) I found the big glass pyramids I had seen in French classes over and over.
Since I had taken a few accidental detours on the way, I was a few minutes late and apparently Sarah left and went home. I waited around till she called and then she came back; luckily she lived near by. We walked through the Tuileries Garden until we could see the Arc de Triomphe in the distance then had to turn around to go meet another girl on the Tufts in Paris program who I didn't know, but also to meet Katherine Sadowski who I do know! to get some food since I really hadn't eaten all day. We ended up striking out, because I only wanted a little snack and all around the Louvre and gardens prices were like a million dollars for nothing I was interested in.
Sarah and her friend wanted dessert instead, so we split up and I went with Katherine.
We eventually found a boulangerie and my baguette sandwich with brie and salmon had never ever tasted better. Katherine filled me in on Tufts in Paris, which wasn't her best decision to do as it turns out, but shit happens and she made the best of it. Then we walked from the musee d'orsay where we were eating across town to pick up the RER train to Tishler's apartment. We walked along a really nice boulevard along the way.
We eventually found a boulangerie and my baguette sandwich with brie and salmon had never ever tasted better. Katherine filled me in on Tufts in Paris, which wasn't her best decision to do as it turns out, but shit happens and she made the best of it. Then we walked from the musee d'orsay where we were eating across town to pick up the RER train to Tishler's apartment. We walked along a really nice boulevard along the way.
I took the RER to the middle of nowhere where Tish's apartment is, and she was waiting for me on the steps. I had just eaten, but she was starving, so we set out to go to her university's dining hall. I got to see her little park and her neighborhood on the way which was nice and less busy than the more touristy areas I had been walking through earlier. We got to the place and she treated me to a meal where each dish is like a point or two and you have 6 points or something. I don't know, but it was free and not unedible and we had fun catching up on life. (In between me refilling the water jug which took foreverr) It was really interesting to talk to her right after Katherine, because she absolutely loves Paris. It's funny how the same place can get completely different reactions.
Then we went and watched the sunset on a pieton bridge that faces the musee d'orsay.
The bridge was filled with students picnicking with baguettes, cheese, and wine and playing guitars--and, of course, smoking. There was also a big crowd on a point of the river that screamed every time a big tour boat went by. Speaking of the big tour boats, they filled the river, and cast giant spotlights on both banks. Apparently this makes night photography easier, but in the big scheme of things its really just light pollution and probably sucks for the people living on either side.
The bridge was filled with students picnicking with baguettes, cheese, and wine and playing guitars--and, of course, smoking. There was also a big crowd on a point of the river that screamed every time a big tour boat went by. Speaking of the big tour boats, they filled the river, and cast giant spotlights on both banks. Apparently this makes night photography easier, but in the big scheme of things its really just light pollution and probably sucks for the people living on either side.
Then we took a night walk through Paris, hitting up more monuments. It was a beautiful night, but Tish had to pee reallllly bad and at night in Paris, unless you are dining, there is really no place to do it. Our destination was the Eiffel Tower (I wanted to see it lit up at night!) so we figured there'd be public ones there. As we approached the tower, you could see it lit up and every so often it would glitter like a giant christmas tree. When we got a good view of it, we saw some tourists pretending to hold it up in their hand for a picture. We got a better idea, long story short. It was pretty hilarious, but pictures are probably not going up here. Instead I'll put one of me after getting called out for doing it:
The closer we got, the more and more people there were selling light up mini towers. They all sold the same exact ones and there was at least a hundred of them--doubt they make any money. Naturally there were no open public restrooms at night (sorry, sarah) and we decided it wasn't worth it to go up, but that we should head back to her apartment where there was one waiting. In the mean time, we had a photo shoot with japanese tourists, they took our picture and we took theirs until we got the angle and lighting just right.
During this, we almost got hit by a mechanical bird that some vendors were selling along with their light-up towers. We eventually got back to the apartment and I curled up for a nice night on her floor, I don't really mind where I sleep anymore.
The next morning we got up and ready to start hitting all the sights left on the list she made me make of places I wanted to see. Next stop was the Sacre Coeur. 
This place was a tourist zoo, especially because of the gorgeous weather, and you had to make sure to hold your purse.
Along the way some vendors grabbed my arm to try to get a bracelet on it before I could say no and I hit them. Serves them right for grabbing me. We finally got up there and saw the gorgeous view and then had to wind through impossibly crowded streets to get breakfast picnic materials. We got a baguette and some jam and headed back to the sacre coeur to meet Sara Deforest (no h here) a Tufts friend also from upstate NY who knows Sarah through a chain of relationships in high school--small world.
This place was a tourist zoo, especially because of the gorgeous weather, and you had to make sure to hold your purse.
Along the way some vendors grabbed my arm to try to get a bracelet on it before I could say no and I hit them. Serves them right for grabbing me. We finally got up there and saw the gorgeous view and then had to wind through impossibly crowded streets to get breakfast picnic materials. We got a baguette and some jam and headed back to the sacre coeur to meet Sara Deforest (no h here) a Tufts friend also from upstate NY who knows Sarah through a chain of relationships in high school--small world.
It was a sweet picnic with a sweet view, but then we parted from Defo and headed to Notre Dame. 
The line was super long, so I left Tish in it and went to find a bathroom. Luckily I found a Subway nearby (and it was like the US embassy to me--mitch hedberg anyone?) but the line there was long too--and it cost a euro--so by the time I got back, she was no longer in line. I didn't have my phone with me so I looked all around and couldn't find her anywhere. I ended up standing at the entrance for a good 20 minutes, while she was apparently sitting down somewhere else until we finally met up again. Then we decided to cut the line anyway. It was cool inside, nice big stain glass windows and vaulted ceilings, but a cathedral is a cathedral and I think I've seen too many of them this semester!
The line was super long, so I left Tish in it and went to find a bathroom. Luckily I found a Subway nearby (and it was like the US embassy to me--mitch hedberg anyone?) but the line there was long too--and it cost a euro--so by the time I got back, she was no longer in line. I didn't have my phone with me so I looked all around and couldn't find her anywhere. I ended up standing at the entrance for a good 20 minutes, while she was apparently sitting down somewhere else until we finally met up again. Then we decided to cut the line anyway. It was cool inside, nice big stain glass windows and vaulted ceilings, but a cathedral is a cathedral and I think I've seen too many of them this semester!After that we headed to the old Jewish ghetto, because it's pretty and has amazing falafel. I know it's weird to get falafel in Paris, but she made me do it and it was delicious. We sat down and ate in a nearby park and saw a guy walking his giant rabbit on a leash. Yes, it was a rabbit.
Then we walked through I think the gardens of the Palais Royal (which we weren't allowed into the night before because we got there at 8:44 and it closed at 8:45 and the guards were power tripping). And nearly into none other than a labor day manifestation! Leave it to the French to publicly voice their rights. We tried to avoid walking through it though, because it was massive. The massive-ness didn't allow us to completely avoid it, so we bumped into it a few blocks down. There were groups protesting everything, and people of all ages--little kids played a big role. There were flyers all over the ground and parades and loud speakers and a guy dressed up as Sarkosy that people were boo-ing, and food to keep the protesters protesting.
All the while we had been carrying a lot of food and wine with us since the Jewish quarter, because everything was closed or closing early due to Labor Day. We then went to the Louvre because its free entry on Monday nights, but Labor Day also meant the Louvre was closed, so I was bummed but instead had Tishler describe to me everything I may have recognized inside. Then we went in search of a plastic knife (we didn't bring one for fear of Louvre security) and plastic cups even though most stores were closed. We found a guy in a restaurant who didn't have either, but instead took our tomato and sliced it for us then rapped it in several bags to make it less messy. Then we found a guy willing to give us ice cream cups. Sometimes its useful being a girl. We eventually brought this stuff back to the pieton bridge where we met Sarah's friend, other Sara, and Leroy Prowse (another Tufts kid on Sara's program) so we could have our picnic as the sunset just like all the other Parisian students. 
It was a little cold and windy as the sun set, but we had our wine to keep us warm as well as French cheeses (some stinkier than others), baguettes, strawberries, and other food too. We were so cold that we drank the wine super fast and it was interesting standing up later. But the sunset was so beautiful that we did prom photos and then peaced out.
It was a little cold and windy as the sun set, but we had our wine to keep us warm as well as French cheeses (some stinkier than others), baguettes, strawberries, and other food too. We were so cold that we drank the wine super fast and it was interesting standing up later. But the sunset was so beautiful that we did prom photos and then peaced out.
From there we went to an interesting bar Defo had heard about that had a lot of character, I think mostly middle eastern and some influence by Andy Warhol. 
We stayed there for awhile, hoping dancing would commence given the good dj and wooden dance floor, but when it never did, we decided to head back. I was switching to Sara's place that night, in favor of a bed.
We stayed there for awhile, hoping dancing would commence given the good dj and wooden dance floor, but when it never did, we decided to head back. I was switching to Sara's place that night, in favor of a bed.Defo was with a homestay, but a very odd one. Odd in that they didn't give her any meals and didn't let her use the washing machine, but she could have visitors and overnight guests (aka me). We tiptoed in and went to bed. In the morning, bright and early, I had to go to the bathroom so I had to pass the two elderly host parents and speak french right away. I usually need a break in the morning. But I did it, and they were surprised I could speak French so well--go tell that to Madame Banon of genre litteraires.
I took a run around her family's neighborhood, which had flowery tree lined boulevards that led me to a park that led me to a lake. It was very beautiful and relaxing.
After that, we hit my last stop on the list--the arc de triomphe.
We went and met Tish there and I took pictures, and then we explored the champs elysees. The whole time we did so, I couldn't get Ohhh Champss Elyseess OHHHH champs elyseees! out of my head, but it was ok. We wanted to sit and drink, but that whole street is super crowded and a giant rip off, so we went on the side streets to find coffee. We sat down in a small cafe/restaurant and the 2 Sara(h)s ordered coffees, and I don't really drink coffee, so I said nothing for me. The guy proceeded to remove everything from our table saying that this is a restaurant and unless we were going to order we needed to leave. So we left, which was kind of embarrassing, and went to another place where I split a really interesting cheese bread puff thing with Defo and we weren't kicked out or anything.
We went and met Tish there and I took pictures, and then we explored the champs elysees. The whole time we did so, I couldn't get Ohhh Champss Elyseess OHHHH champs elyseees! out of my head, but it was ok. We wanted to sit and drink, but that whole street is super crowded and a giant rip off, so we went on the side streets to find coffee. We sat down in a small cafe/restaurant and the 2 Sara(h)s ordered coffees, and I don't really drink coffee, so I said nothing for me. The guy proceeded to remove everything from our table saying that this is a restaurant and unless we were going to order we needed to leave. So we left, which was kind of embarrassing, and went to another place where I split a really interesting cheese bread puff thing with Defo and we weren't kicked out or anything.
The weather was looking iffy, but I still didn't want to do a museum day, so we tested our luck and went to another park. This was Sara's choice, and I think it was my favorite because it had the most grass and flowers of any (most of the others had really no grass to sit or play on). We sat down in the sun and people watched--we people watched, not people watched us.
There was even a guy with a magic ball that I couldn't stop watching. We walked around the park for awhile and felt bad for a family of ducks that was outside the fence for the pond.
There was even a guy with a magic ball that I couldn't stop watching. We walked around the park for awhile and felt bad for a family of ducks that was outside the fence for the pond.Me and Defo went back to her place to get ready for a dinner party hosted by her friends who attend the Cordon Bleu--aka amazing chefs-to-be. It was a small dinner party, but they cooked enough for like a million people and same goes for the many drinks they made as well. It was a one million course meal with a Mexican theme and the food never stopped. It was incredible, I wish I went to a top notch culinary school or had more friends that did...!
We stumbled back to the metro and somehow walked right inside. 
Again we snuck quietly into the house. Defo said it took her only like 20 minutes to get to the gare de lyon from her place, so the next morning I left 45 minutes ahead to get to my 7:58am train. The trains were infrequent and slow because it was so early in the morning on a Sunday, and I was getting super stressed I'd miss my train. I got to the station at 7:57 and shot out of the subway. By the time I ran up to the platforms it was 7:59 and my train was already no where to be found.
Again we snuck quietly into the house. Defo said it took her only like 20 minutes to get to the gare de lyon from her place, so the next morning I left 45 minutes ahead to get to my 7:58am train. The trains were infrequent and slow because it was so early in the morning on a Sunday, and I was getting super stressed I'd miss my train. I got to the station at 7:57 and shot out of the subway. By the time I ran up to the platforms it was 7:59 and my train was already no where to be found.
I again freaked out (traveling alone is stressful!) and tried my luck with a friendlier-looking male teller. I laid it all out for him. I said I have a eurail pass that covers all of France, Switzerland, and Italy and I have to get back to somewhere in Switzerland before tomorrow. He felt bad for me and spent a really long time searching every possible combination of these 3 countries. He eventually found one possibility that took me from Paris, to another french city, to another (Chambery) where I would have a 5 hour lay over and then finally a train to Lausanne in la suisse and I could take it from there. With this plan, I left 1 hour later than originally planned, but got in 11 hours later. I took it.
But I got to the lake and turned back. It started to rain when I dropped off the bike and I still had more than an hour until my next train. I bought some food and ate really slowly.
Observations French, but really Parisian, edition:
-They're big on protesting and having their voices heard.
-Baguettes + cheese + wine = staples.
-Could (most of them) have sticks any higher up their asses?
-Parks without grass.
-"Cultured"
-Big smokers.
-Tishler says women use all different types of creams instead of exercising to look good, she could be right.
-Paris = the French NYC
-Everything is closed on Labor Day.
-Picnics are popular in spring time.
-They have infamously nice lingerie, but it's all small chested. They also have great shoes, but again, too small.
-No one, or almost no one, actually wears barets.
-Everything is closed on Labor Day.
-Picnics are popular in spring time.
-They have infamously nice lingerie, but it's all small chested. They also have great shoes, but again, too small.
-No one, or almost no one, actually wears barets.
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