Bonjour tout le monde!

Mes amis!

I hope you really didn't think I would stop blogging, did you? Goodness there's so much to write about, so I'll do my best.

Friday: hmm, what I do Friday? Ah, here we go. I went for a quick visit (quick because I will come back to spend more time) at the Memorial de la Shoah, the Holocaust Memorial Museum here in Paris. What is incredible about the Museum is the amount of documents and written sources it has. Unbelievable.

I went there because the Museum has an exhibit on the writer Irene Nemirovsky. She was Russian born, but her family came to Paris. While Jewish, she, like many upper-class Jews, assimilated into French society. She was an acclaimed author; her works today are a joy to read. The book I just finished that she's very famous for, is titled "Suite Francaise." Besides being an incredibly written book, it's incredible because it is unfinished. Nemirovsky was arrested and deported to Auschwitz in 1942. Her husband would follow.

Intense? You bet; you saw photographs, her diploma from the Sorbonne, her belongings, manuscripts, newspaper clippings, everything under the sun! It was incredible!

What was very sobering and moving though was the crypt. You enter a giant room, and in front of you, is a grave. It is a giant black Star of David, and within this star are ashes of Holocaust victims, and earth from Jerusalem. On the wall is a passage from the Book of Lamentations, to the effect of, "See my sons and daughters, killed by the enemy's hands."

But what also fueled my emotions was this rude comment left in the guestbook by an American visitor. She was so appalled by the use of French in the museum and thought more English should be used.

IT'S A MUSEUM... IN FRANCE. And if she had good eyesight, everything had translations. The Irene Nemirovsky exhibit was all in French, but it's a temporary exhibit. Why waist time and money making translations on something that won't stay?

I retorted back in the guestbook: "One doesn't need a translation of language to learn of the horrors of the Holocaust. As an American student in Paris, I look forward to my return."

Take that rude America. Who would have thought that the first moment of rudeness that happened in France came from an American, and not a French person. Whoever started that "rude Frenchmen" stereotype needs a slap in the face.

I ended my Friday by visiting the house of NICOLAS FLAMEL. If you are not a Harry Potter fan, you will not understand why I was so thrilled. But if you are a fan, you know why. Hint: Philosopher's/Sorcerer's Stone. Another Hint: Harry Potter & the Philosopher's/Sorcerer's Stone, first book.

Get it? I'm glad you did.

Une grève, un américain, et H&M: Une saga

Well folks, prepare yourselves. I wasn't planning on blogging today, but this has to be written for future generations. Everything written is factual... maybe:


So, I've been in search of H&M for a few weeks now; not for anything extravagant. So, the first H&M I went to only had women's clothes. I then researched a store close-ish to class, and I was ready.


Today was (and is) a gorgeous fall day. So after class and being in the AIFS office, I took my leisurely stroll towards H&M. Now, I knew today was the start of the metro strike. Basically, metro workers and all Parisians don't want Sarkozy to raise the retirement age to 62. It's currently 60. As I was walking through the Luxembourg Gardens, admiring the beautiful trees and plants, breathing in crisp air, enjoying the warmth of the sun, I thought, "I could get used to walking all day." 


Little did I know.


Upon reaching said street of H&M, I was face to face with a massive parade of angry striking Parisians, hundreds upon hundreds, singing the Marseillaise, carrying bloody spears with the heads of rich Parisians on top. Immediately I wanted to counter-protest, waving my blue flag with the golden fleur-de-lys, and shout "Vive le roi! Vive la reine! Vive les Bourbons!" Of course, I refrained as I feared for my life. If only I had a camera.


I then find H&M... CLOSED. Damn you angry Parisians!! Exhausted, I turned back, walking. I then felt one with these tired Parisians, so I thought, "I'll walk back home in solidarity!" I then witnessed a Metro stop, whose line would take me to my line. I was torn between two paths. Obviously I was bitter and in a big "F you!" to the striking Parisians, I took the Metro home... the very crowded Metro home.


So, now I'm trying to get back to room temperature, and perhaps after my endless amounts of homework, I may trudge out to the H&M on the Champs-Élysées, of course using the Metro. But we shall see. 


Will the strike continue? Will I ever make it to H&M? 

L'automne à Paris

Salut mes amis!  

J’ai eu un merveilleux week-end ! En Paris, nous avons un temps magnifique ; c’est l’automne ! Les feuilles sont rouge, jeune, orange, etc. L’air est vif. J’aime cette saison !

Ah oui, le week-end.

Samedi, je suis allé à Notre-Dame. Je suis monté les tours de Notre-Dame ! Il était 386 marches menant au sommet de la tour! Ce que j’ai vu était magnifique : La ville de Paris, sans un nuage dans le ciel. Seul le soleil !

C’était tellement beau, tellement incroyable. J’était là, sur le sommet de Notre-Dame-de-Paris !

Le samedi soir, j'ai rencontré mes amis. Nous sommes allés a la Fête des Vendanges. C’est une fête célébrée à Montmartre. Il est très populaire ! Beaucoup de gens ! La nuit, sur les marches de la Basilique du Sacré-Cœur, nous avons vu des feux d’artifice. C’était amusant !

Le dimanche, je suis allé au Père Lachaise avec mes amies. J’ai vu Haussmann, Jim Morrison, Sieyès, Héloïse et Abélard, et Isadora Duncan. Ce cimetière est si plus beau et tranquille. Il est le meilleur droit à être pour un après-midi en Octobre.

So, for your English reading pleasure, a translation.

I had a wonderful weekend. We are having wonderful weather in Paris, it’s autumn! The leaves are red, yellow and orange, the air is crisp: I love this season!

Ah yes, the weekend.

Saturday I went to Notre Dame. I climbed the towers! It was 386 steps to the top of the tower. What I saw was beautiful: the city of Paris without a cloud in the sky, only the sun!

It was so beautiful and unbelievable. There I was, on the top of Notre Dame. Saturday night I met with some of my friends. We went to the grape harvest festival, which is celebrated in Montmartre. It is very popular! So many people! At night, on the steps of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, we saw fireworks. It was fun!

Sunday I went to the cemetery of Père Lachaise with my friends. I saw (as in the graves) of Baron Haussmann, Jim Morrison, Emanuel Sieyès, Héloïse et Abélard, et Isadora Duncan. This cemetery is so beautiful and tranquil. It is the best place to be on an afternoon in October.

Admirez les photos! See you if you spot Quasimodo!

Update & Fontainebleau

First off, I apologize for the photo links being so dark. But if you highlight them, copy them and put them in the URL (I hope that's what it is), the photo album will appear on your screen. Fixed it! But it's so much easier for me, thank God!

Okay, well, I had my first French class today. I just find it funny that my class is at the Irish Cultural Center, which was originally the Irish College back in the day. It's a beautiful building I think is owned by the Sorbonne, and it has a beautiful courtyard and architecture. But I find it funny, being mostly Irish, and, coming from a college who's founding nuns were mostly Irish, and Boston's Irish influence is apparent. It's like I never left MA!

My class is a mixture of students from all over the world: USA, Mexico, Sweden, Russian, China, Japan, and Thailand. It's crazy! My professor is just fabulous, it's the best word to describe her. And perhaps a bit eccentric, but she's awfully sweet. She made sure to repeat that if we needed any help or needed to ask questions, she encouraged it. That's a far cry from the stern, impersonal Sorbonne instructor I was imagining. But it's great, I think I'll do well and enjoy the class.

I'm backtracking a bit, but here is the link for the photos of the Chateau de Fontainebleau I went to on Monday. I think I enjoyed it more than Versailles, and you saw so many rooms. The forests and gardens were so peaceful, and the parks free. If a train ride didn't cost money I'd try to go every other week, it's that beautiful.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=519763&id=756660499&l=9bbdd3591b


Lastly, I want to let everyone know that I'm okay. I say this because there are terror threats going around in Europe, and yes, I did read that France arrested 12 suspects in a counterterrorism sting. Of course, I'm being as careful as possible, staying alert in public. I've seen the step up in security, so the government isn't taking any chances. I'm keeping my eyes and ears open from State Dept. messages, so I got it covered. But good thoughts and prayers are always welcome, here's hoping things settle down in the coming days.

Notre-Dame, Pere Lachaise et Jamie!

Well folks, I've been a complete idiot on posting photos. 


Instead of waiting for blogger to post photos, here's that link Facebook gives you to share photos with anyone. 


Here is the link for Notre-Dame: 


http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=518767&id=756660499&l=d9c06e2b6b


And here is the link for Pere Lachaise:


http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=519314&id=756660499&l=9fb0aacdf6


Lastly, I have to actually put this photo up:

Jamie & I!!

The back story is, Jamie (who graduated from Salve) was the person that got me interested in studying abroad in Paris with the AIFS program. She went in the spring semester, but she was a big help! She's in France for a month, so luckily we were able to meet up in Paris! She graciously got me lunch, and I happily got us Nutella crepes!! A kind gentleman took our photo outside Notre-Dame, a great way to spend a Sunday. 

Les Photos: Versailles et Giverny

Versailles

Giverny

Mon Dieu Batman!

Well, it's technically Sunday morning; I'm preparing to go to Mass in almost 9 hours. It'll happen.

So, since Thursday, the day of my wonderful fashion class, I've gone on more excursions that pretty much make me love life. And for your viewing pleasure, I'll keep this post in English. (See, I even decided not to write "in English" in French. I'm so good to you people!)

Friday we first went to the Chateau of Versailles. All I can say is, what a place. I plan on going back because there's so much more I didn't get to see, but what I did get to see was astounding. This whole experience is taking me to places that I've read in so many books. So finally, instead of imagining Versailles in my head, I finally was there, standing in the Hall of Mirrors. Just enthralling.

We finished off the day visiting the village of Giverny, where painter Claude Monet lived. We explored the gardens and his house. People, I had tears in my eyes. Everywhere there were pops of color and so much life. Seeing the pond with lily pads was surreal; his house was just as wonderful. And I managed to snag a poster for only 1.50 Euro. How insane! But I would go back to Giverny, just to sit on a bench and ponder the beauty of the place.

Saturday, well technically yesterday, I felt like a native. I went to the grocery store and the pharmacy, and I think I have some of my Metro stops known hands down. That, and knowing how to fandangle the locks on the doors. I also skyped with Kasey & Sarah which made my day. Later tonight, as in hours upon hours it shall be with Mom. Dad called me when I was on the Metro; I love it when he checks up on me. Always makes me smile.

What made today super special was Nuit Blanche, literally "White Night." The whole City of Paris, from 7 PM-7 AM is alive with arts festivals. Music, dance, art and everything in between. All over there are exhibits and shows, and they're all FREE. It was a blast. We got some cheap delicious kebabs, and we lived it up in Paris. It's such a dynamic city, and at night it's the best.

We saw this one exhibition of contemporary marble sculptures lit with different kinds of light. Not only could you take pictures, but you could touch the sculptures and feel the marble. Incredible.

We followed that by going to the Pont St-Louis for the 3D Bridge exhibit. Basically, imagine a lot of pipes with cloth, and you have good rhythm music plus lights creating many shapes. Unreal.

Lastly, me and Kirstie went to see this modern dance performance called The Kiss at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts. Just imagine: Sitting in a giant foyer of a renowned art institute. And in the center, are two dancer, male and female, in everyday wear. But basically, their dance is basically them kissing, moving in slow motion, recreating famous kissing scenes painted by masters like Rodin, Koons, Picasso, Munch and more. 


Even if I were allowed to take pictures, it wouldn't have done this performance justice. It was one of the most beautiful pieces of artistry I've ever seen. The dancer were focused just on each other, their energy, their fluidity, their movements. Sure, they shared some passionate kisses, but what was also beautiful was the control in their movement. From the tips of their toes to their pinkies to the movement of their hair, you felt their love, their energy. And it radiated, because other couples viewing changed their body language. You could see couples moving closer together, holding hands or holding each other. Just beautiful.


I was also thankful I stayed to see this, because Kirstie really wanted to see it, and she was so excited. It was wonderful to be with someone who loves and appreciates art, where in the form of music, fine arts & photography, or dance. She was just so happy, and I was glad we stumbled upon Place Sartre-Beauvoir too. Kirstie was thrilled again. 


I promise some pictures will be up. I think tomorrow, after Mass & lunch with Jamie (woo!) I'll plop myself down and relax. 


Until next time.