Well, Paris is almost one week.
One.
Week.
Holy cow!
Some things have changed since my last time in France.
*My French, well, let's just say hasn't really improved. I've lost a lot and it's really frustrating.
*I'm in a much better place in terms of who I am, and a lot of that is due to my semester spent in Paris.
*I'm on a much, MUCH more strict budget this time.
But on the plus side,
*I'll have a phone and laptop to keep you all updated, and to hear back from grad schools too :-)
*I have my itinerary written out and I can't wait to implement it.
*I'm going to a place where I can speak the language if I needed help, and luckily learned my way of getting around the city.
*I'm staying with my wonderful, amazing, fantastic, and warm host family.
I'm expecting to just cry when I arrive, because I never knew how much this city would become a part of me. Yes, I am probably stuck on a high-beginner speaking and writing level, and yes I probably won't be able to visit again for a few years, but something resonates with me. Is it the feeling of being French or Parisian? Perhaps, but I believe it has to do more with enjoying life: a beautiful painting, a glass of wine, a homemade sandwich, a stroll through a park. And I think the French are wonderful teachers in enjoying life.
The city has a pulse: students going to classes, parents going on errands and going to work. The Paris I saw was one where art, music, religion, fashion, and food all fused into one. Everything that I truly love to study or enjoy lies within this city. If only money wasn't an obstacle.
So I invite you all, throughout my week, to journey to Paris with me. Watch me revisit my favorite places that I hold dear, but also exploring new places. Expect museum visits, old haunts of where I studied, parks, and shopping. Expect moments of bliss, nostalgia, and melancholy. Come with me to my second home.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Deux mois à Paris!!
Mes amis,
It is only two months until I return to my other home city of Paris. If this sounds a bit dramatic, well, it surely is! One can only read my posts or hear my stories about how Paris truly changed me.
I will be staying with my wonderful host family, and they are so excited to have me. I am absolutely thrilled that after working thsi summer, saving for this trip, and endless time waiting, it's only two months away.
I hope I will be able to blog when I'm over there, but it will probably be very sporadic because I don't plan on bringing my laptop. I am already making my list of places to go and visit while in the city; I've also decided on where I want to do a day trip too.
A la prochaine!
It is only two months until I return to my other home city of Paris. If this sounds a bit dramatic, well, it surely is! One can only read my posts or hear my stories about how Paris truly changed me.
I will be staying with my wonderful host family, and they are so excited to have me. I am absolutely thrilled that after working thsi summer, saving for this trip, and endless time waiting, it's only two months away.
I hope I will be able to blog when I'm over there, but it will probably be very sporadic because I don't plan on bringing my laptop. I am already making my list of places to go and visit while in the city; I've also decided on where I want to do a day trip too.
A la prochaine!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
La fin- really
Well,
I'm currently in Newburyport, watching the snow lightly fall. It's quite a beautiful scene; I'm now back in my little colonial city by the sea, all decorated for Christmas.
Getting through the airport was much more smooth, though my flight kept getting delayed. But we took off!
Now, it's time to readjust to American life. I'm worried it will be harder. Readjusting from college life to home life isn't so hard; adjusting from living in Paris, France to Newburyport is well, a whole different story.
I just wish I could have a week to settle back, as in a week before Christmas. The fact that the holiday is fast approaching has caught me completely off guard. I had so much Christmas spirit back in Paris; here it may need a reboot.
Reverse cultural shock? Not exactly a present I was wanting for Christmas.
Miss you already Paris!
I'm currently in Newburyport, watching the snow lightly fall. It's quite a beautiful scene; I'm now back in my little colonial city by the sea, all decorated for Christmas.
Getting through the airport was much more smooth, though my flight kept getting delayed. But we took off!
Now, it's time to readjust to American life. I'm worried it will be harder. Readjusting from college life to home life isn't so hard; adjusting from living in Paris, France to Newburyport is well, a whole different story.
I just wish I could have a week to settle back, as in a week before Christmas. The fact that the holiday is fast approaching has caught me completely off guard. I had so much Christmas spirit back in Paris; here it may need a reboot.
Reverse cultural shock? Not exactly a present I was wanting for Christmas.
Miss you already Paris!
Monday, December 20, 2010
Ready to duel with CDG
I leave the homestay at 10:30 AM my time, and my flight has been delayed until 3:30.
But delayed means it's still on! So I'm holding on to that!
But delayed means it's still on! So I'm holding on to that!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Mon cadeau de Noël
Mes amis,
Today was like a Christmas gift. Having this extra day in Paris refreshed my spirit and I'm ready to brace for tomorrow.
I tried to sleep in, but still woke up at 9:30. Oh well. It was just nice to have my room and such to myself. After getting ready, I headed to the Marais and went to the Musée d'art et d'histoire du Judaïsme. It was in an old hôtel particulier and chronicled Jewish life in Europe from the Middle Ages to present day. Wow, just incredible. It's such a nice break from the Gothic, Madonna and Childs of Catholicism. The art is much more nature inspired, plus the use of calligraphy is also beautiful. Hebrew and Yiddish is a nice break from Latin. Overall, just a beautiful museum with beautiful objects. It really was like learning of a whole new world and culture.
After, I ventured to Angelina and got my wonderful hot coco to go. I got the most evil stares from people waiting in line to eat. They clearly new I got the hot coco, and I was happy. Oh well, a line is what you get when you decide to eat at a celebrated tea room on a Sunday. Plus, I would have gone all American on their butt considering the hell I went through on Saturday.
Anywho! I then decided to go through the jardin de Tuileries, which was more of a trudge. The snow and sleet made for quite the walking mess. Realizing I needed shelter, and a good place to read A Moveable Feast, I was able to silently walk into the Église de Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois and read some Hemingway in a side chapel with great light and few people.
After that, I went to a specific memorial, dedicated to the victims of the Velodrome d'Hiver disaster. Look it up to find out more; it's such a tragic event. The memorial was moving, and also the tears came again. But to lighten up the day, I ventured to Le Bon Marché which I LOVED!! A totally different atmosphere. I finished my day at the Chapelle de la Médaille Miraculeuse.
Overall, this day was a gift. Say prayers that I get home tomorrow!
Saturday, December 18, 2010
La fin? Au contraire!
Mes amis!
I don't know if this was an act of God, Mother Nature, or a bit of both. Bit somehow, my stay in Paris is a bit longer. Let's begin this epic.
So, saying goodbye, got that out of the way. The drive down to the airport was fine, everything looked fine. Until I see in read letters, next to my flight number, "Canceled."
For a second, I panicked.
As I saw a massive line of people waiting to get their flights changed, I saw some other students from AIFS. Honestly, thank God they were there. I joined them, and it was nice to be with familiar faces. We also made friends with two other passengers; one very nice Irishman on his way to Shannon, and a students named Annie.
We were in line, and kept waiting...and waiting... and waiting. In total? Just over 7 hours in line. It was like being in the inner most circle of Hell. And the line got long, so long that I bet people are currently sleeping on the floor of Charles de Gaulle.
When I got to the desk, the best they could do would be a Monday flight, with a layover in Montreal. I said no thank you.
Luckily, La Merveilleuse Danica was able to finagle flights. I have a Monday flight, DIRECT!! It leaves at 1ish and I'll be on Boston for 3ish. Doogie shall be awaiting me.
Getting back from the airport was a struggle. Me and Greta had to lug our heavy luggage on the RER, then to the Metro to get home. I don't know how I did it on my own... in the Metro... and the snow.
Needless to say, seeing my host family again brightened up my day. They made me a wonderful dinner, and are just going on with life. What touched me the most was when my host dad said, "But Ben, you're home!"
I gave him a look, and he replied, "You yourself mentioned in the Christmas card you gave us, that Paris is now like a second home. Well, you are home now." Ladies and gentlemen, let the tears flow! So now I'm going to read a little Hemingway (A Moveable Feast) and sleep in. But obviously I'm not wasting a full day in Paris. It shall be the Museum of Jewish History and Art, then Angelina's!
I don't know if this was an act of God, Mother Nature, or a bit of both. Bit somehow, my stay in Paris is a bit longer. Let's begin this epic.
So, saying goodbye, got that out of the way. The drive down to the airport was fine, everything looked fine. Until I see in read letters, next to my flight number, "Canceled."
For a second, I panicked.
As I saw a massive line of people waiting to get their flights changed, I saw some other students from AIFS. Honestly, thank God they were there. I joined them, and it was nice to be with familiar faces. We also made friends with two other passengers; one very nice Irishman on his way to Shannon, and a students named Annie.
We were in line, and kept waiting...and waiting... and waiting. In total? Just over 7 hours in line. It was like being in the inner most circle of Hell. And the line got long, so long that I bet people are currently sleeping on the floor of Charles de Gaulle.
When I got to the desk, the best they could do would be a Monday flight, with a layover in Montreal. I said no thank you.
Luckily, La Merveilleuse Danica was able to finagle flights. I have a Monday flight, DIRECT!! It leaves at 1ish and I'll be on Boston for 3ish. Doogie shall be awaiting me.
Getting back from the airport was a struggle. Me and Greta had to lug our heavy luggage on the RER, then to the Metro to get home. I don't know how I did it on my own... in the Metro... and the snow.
Needless to say, seeing my host family again brightened up my day. They made me a wonderful dinner, and are just going on with life. What touched me the most was when my host dad said, "But Ben, you're home!"
I gave him a look, and he replied, "You yourself mentioned in the Christmas card you gave us, that Paris is now like a second home. Well, you are home now." Ladies and gentlemen, let the tears flow! So now I'm going to read a little Hemingway (A Moveable Feast) and sleep in. But obviously I'm not wasting a full day in Paris. It shall be the Museum of Jewish History and Art, then Angelina's!
Friday, December 17, 2010
La fin
Joyce Jonathan is currently playing in the background. Snow is lightly falling outside. My luggage is almost completely packed, and almost to full capacity. British Airways will definitely be making extra money off of me. The room looks almost bare with our stuff back in our luggage. It just seemed like yesterday I was awing at the size of our room.
Today was a day that I was expecting, but still took me off guard. Today was, unfortunately, about goodbyes.
I said goodbye to Père Lachaise and the illustrious names on tombstones. I said goodbye to my classroom building. To the baker and her son. I said goodbye to the Musée d'Orsay, sending my regards to Renoir, Monet, Manet, van Gogh and Sisley as I walked along the corridors of art. I said goodbye to Notre-Dame, who, while always flooded with tourists, still offered a little calm today. I said goodbye to the glittering Tour Eiffel, which still amazes me. I said goodbye to the Seine that flows through this city that I've fallen in love with.
I said goodbye to Les Merveilleuses Alexia, Danica and Jane, three women who made my experience so wonderful. I said goodbye to my fellow students, and goodbye to the few close friends I made on this trip. Tomorrow I will say goodbye to Monsieur et Madame d'Ollone, who I am hoping will continue to be a part of my life through email and phone chats.
But, as hard as the goodbyes are, another door opens.
I will say hello to New England, to Massachusetts, to Boston! I will say hello to my mom, my dad, Doogie, my grandparents. I will say hello to my cousins that I haven't seen in over a year. I will say hello to Newburyport, to the brick downtown. I will say hello to the Merrimack River, to the Atlantic Ocean. I will say hello to my dearest friends from childhood and high school. I'll then say hello to Newport, to Salve. Hello to my beloved college friends and professors. And, I'll say hello to myself, changed and unchanged, as I reenter my country.
I wish I could put into words my love for the USA and for France. Unfortunately I can't, but someone I know can. Take it away fellow Francophile Jamie:
Today was a day that I was expecting, but still took me off guard. Today was, unfortunately, about goodbyes.
I said goodbye to Père Lachaise and the illustrious names on tombstones. I said goodbye to my classroom building. To the baker and her son. I said goodbye to the Musée d'Orsay, sending my regards to Renoir, Monet, Manet, van Gogh and Sisley as I walked along the corridors of art. I said goodbye to Notre-Dame, who, while always flooded with tourists, still offered a little calm today. I said goodbye to the glittering Tour Eiffel, which still amazes me. I said goodbye to the Seine that flows through this city that I've fallen in love with.
I said goodbye to Les Merveilleuses Alexia, Danica and Jane, three women who made my experience so wonderful. I said goodbye to my fellow students, and goodbye to the few close friends I made on this trip. Tomorrow I will say goodbye to Monsieur et Madame d'Ollone, who I am hoping will continue to be a part of my life through email and phone chats.
But, as hard as the goodbyes are, another door opens.
I will say hello to New England, to Massachusetts, to Boston! I will say hello to my mom, my dad, Doogie, my grandparents. I will say hello to my cousins that I haven't seen in over a year. I will say hello to Newburyport, to the brick downtown. I will say hello to the Merrimack River, to the Atlantic Ocean. I will say hello to my dearest friends from childhood and high school. I'll then say hello to Newport, to Salve. Hello to my beloved college friends and professors. And, I'll say hello to myself, changed and unchanged, as I reenter my country.
I wish I could put into words my love for the USA and for France. Unfortunately I can't, but someone I know can. Take it away fellow Francophile Jamie:
"That’s the trouble, isn’t it - that it’s not about one or the other? It’s just always going to be like this. Missing baguettes or baseball. Missing la vie à Paris or life in Boston."
To all who have kept up with this blog and reading, I send my warmest regards.
My time in Paris has been some of the happiest moments of my life. If only I could clone myself so I could experience la vie Parisienne and la vie Américaine. But I know, I know in my heart of hearts, I will return. I'll see some of my favorite sights and visit some things I never got to see. (surprising isn't it?)
As I have said all day, c'est toujours à bientôt, ne jamais adieu. It's always see you soon, never farewell.
Merci beaucoup, Paris.
Avec amour,
Ben
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